The Best Golf Polo Shirts, According To Pros And Serious Players (2024)

The best golf polo shirt isn’t going to help you drive farther, putt better or get out of bunkers more easily, but it may help you feel more comfortable when doing those things. Our top pick, hands-down: Peter Millar Performance Jersey Polo. While you might be able to get away with a t-shirt or crew neck on some public courses, a polo shirt—which is collared and has a button-down placket—is a strict requirement at most clubs. Show up without one, and even if you’re let on the course, you’ll almost certainly look out of place. Don’t be that guy. Wear a proper polo.

But not all golf polos are made equally. While some are cool and comfortable others are made for chillier weather; a few are cut from casual cotton and many rely on performance-blend fabrics. We talked to pros and serious players and did the research to find the best golf polo shirts for every type of golfer and budget.

Editors’ Top Picks

• Best Golf Polo Shirt Overall: Peter Millar Performance Jersey Polo
• Best Performance Golf Polo Shirt: Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Polo Shirt
• Best Comfortable Golf Polo Shirt: Bonobos The Performance Golf Polo
• Best Affordable Golf Polo Shirt: Nike Dri-Fit Tour Jacquard Golf Polo
• Best Stylish Golf Polo Shirt: Todd Snyder Fine Pique Polo
• Best High-End Golf Polo Shirt: Peter Millar Soul Performance Mesh Polo
• Best Golf Polo Shirt For Work: Brooks Brothers Supima Polo Shirt
• Best Casual Golf Polo Shirt: B.Draddy Vin Polo
• Best Classic Golf Polo Shirt: Ralph Lauren The Iconic Mesh Polo Shirt
• Best Sweat-Wicking Golf Polo: Zella Driver Performance Polo

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Here at Forbes Vetted, we spend a lot of time thinking about and evaluating clothing, including activewear. We test and thoroughly analyze the best options on the market, whether you’re looking for the best golf shorts or workout shorts for men. As writers and editors, we know from experience that choosing the right athletic wear can make or break your workouts. Additionally, our team has published hundreds of product roundups and reviews that include meticulous research as well as rigorous firsthand product testing. Our content includes dozens of fashion stories, so we know a thing or two about what to wear for every situation.

How We Chose The Best Golf Polo Shirts

As an avid golfer, Forbes Vetted contributing writer Lesley Rotchord has experience in knowing what features to look for in golf clothes, and understands firsthand how important the right shirt is to your game. To find the best golf polos, she caught up with more than a dozen golf pros and serious golfers from around the country. She asked them to recommend golf polo shirts based on style, comfort, performance, durability and colors—and this list of winners represents their top picks.

What To Consider When Shopping For Golf Polos

A quick Google search for “men’s golf polo” shows 177 million results. With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to start when picking out a golf polo shirt. To help make your shopping experience a little less daunting, consider these golf shirt features:

Fabric

Performance fabrics are even more important for golf polos than they are for regular shirts because of the sweat factor. Choose a fabric that combines polyester and spandex for a comfortable fit and unrestricted movement, and look for shirts that offer moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties to prevent sweat stains and body odor. Performance fabrics are also less prone to wrinkling than cotton golf polos, and they will hold their shape better over time—think: no tattered, misshapen collars.

Style

Walk into even the most conservative golf clubs in the country and you will see a sea of bright colors and jaunty patterns: stripes, flowers, camo, small novelty prints like golf tees, corkscrews, martini glasses and so on. Really anything goes these days when it comes to golf polos—aside from enormous logos or anything potentially suggestive. Some brands are also offering more retro styles, with stiff collars and four-button plackets, which are even easier to dress up and look sharp under a sweater or blazer.

Fit

A classic fit—roomy but not boxy—is always a solid and appropriate choice. However, slimmer silhouettes are gaining popularity, and tend to look more stylish. Just make sure the shirt isn’t too tight, especially around the arms: not only will a tight shirt pull when you swing, but it will be more likely to show sweat. Also, make sure the shirt you choose isn’t too short. You don’t want to have to continually keep tucking it in while you play.

Durability

Golf shirts take a beating. They get covered with sweat, dusted with sand from traps, splattered with rain and mud, and balled up in golf lockers. And they spend a lot of time spinning around in the washer and dryer. For this reason, you need golf polos that hold their shape over time, and don’t fade or unravel. Look for durable fabrics like polyester, and sturdier collars that won’t curl up and wrinkle.

Weight

Compared to a standard cotton polo, a golf shirt is noticeably lighter. Piqué cotton polo shirts can chafe, and heavier weight polos sometimes feel a little restrictive, especially while driving and hitting on the fairways. Golf is a game of finesse, so a lightweight, breezy polo will allow for fluid movement.

What Is A Golf Polo Shirt?

While a golf polo might look similar to a regular polo at first glance, you’ll notice several key differences upon closer inspection. A golf polo is designed specifically for golfing. It’s typically made of a lightweight performance fabric that stretches, adjusts to your every movement, and wicks away sweat. The flat-lay collar is sometimes made of a ribbed knit, or could be made from the same shirting fabric. Some golf polo shirts offer additional golf-specific features like UPF sun protection, anti-microbial technology, flatlock seams to prevent chafing and looser fitting arm cuffs for increased mobility.

Can You Wear A Golf Polo Casually?

One of the best things about golf polo shirts is their versatility. In addition to wearing them on the golf course and around the clubhouse, you can wear them to work, lunch, dinner—or just hanging around your house. A golf polo can also be dressed up with a blazer for dinner at the club or a meeting. Younger guys sometimes like to wear their polos untucked in casual environments, but they should always be tucked in (and paired with a belt) during a round of golf.

Are You Supposed To Wear A Shirt Under A Golf Polo?

No. Some people may choose to wear an undershirt under their polo to absorb sweat and protect the golf shirt’s fabric from sweat stains—but it’s not a good look. If it’s warm and you’re concerned about sweating, consider a golf polo made of a moisture-wicking performance fabric to eliminate the need for an undershirt. On chillier days, add a layer over your polo instead of under it. Try a sweater, vest or light jacket for extra warmth.

How To Care For A Golf Polo Shirt

Golf polo shirts need some TLC to stay presentable. Follow these guidelines to keep your shirts looking good as new. Just remember to read the care instructions on your shirt before washing, as certain materials may require slightly different treatment.

• Wash your shirts in cold water. Warm water causes color to leach from the shirt, which leads to fading over time.
• Turn your shirts inside out prior to washing. This helps protect the collar from wear and tear.
• Wash on a quick cycle. Every time your shirt goes through the wash, it loses microfibers which help keep fabric soft. Minimizing wash time will reduce microfiber loss, extending the life of your shirt.
• Tumble dry on low. Once it’s dry, remove the shirt from the dryer immediately and fold it neatly. Letting a shirt sit bunched up in the dryer will give it time to wrinkle.
• If you’re a stickler about perfectly smooth shirts, you may want to have cotton golf polo shirts dry-cleaned. But again, read care instructions before sending them out to the cleaners.

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