Anatomy of a polo shirt: Your guide to the golf-style staple
Proper golf polos are like opinions—everybody has plenty of them.
Peter Millar
Polos first sprang up in India in the mid-1800s, a favorite of cricketers. René Lacoste introduced them to the tennis world at the ’26 U.S. Open. By the ’40s, they were standard in golf.
But with a fresh reboot to the classic golf polo shirt, it’s time to refresh your knowledge on what looks best, feels best and (most important) performs best when you’re playing a round. The tips below will help you better understand what’s key when deciding on a golf polo — and we’ve also recommended one of our faves.
Anatomy of a polo shirt
Fit: Big, billowy polos are out. Manufacturers now favor a sleeker fit through the chest, waist and shoulders. Careful: With modern looks, you may have to go one size up.
Tip: A tighter tapering makes modern polos better suited for on and off the course.
Collar type: Go with a shorter spread collar, not the massive “wings” like your father wore. A shorter collar lends a sophisticated and contemporary look.
Tip: Look for polos with built-in stays if you hate when your collar rolls up.
Sleeve length: Better hit the gym, because a big trend in polos is a shorter sleeve length, giving your biceps more exposure than ever before.
Tip: You can still find polos with almost-to-the-elbow sleeve lengths, but this goes against today’s anti-bulky movement.
Overall length: With a shorter length, as shown here, you get just enough fabric to keep the shirt tucked, also giving you the freedom to wear it untucked without looking like a schmo.
Tip: Some shirts feature a longer back length, which keeps you tucked even on your biggest driver swing. This also means they’re a no-go for wearing untucked and over your beltline.
Placket: Jeopardy time: The thing your shirt buttons sit on. Answer: What is a placket? This polo exhibits a two-button placket—very modern, but not mandatory.
Tip: Longer plackets lend a bit of a retro vibe even with today’s modern cuts and materials.
Peter Millar Nightcap Performance Polo
All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
Peter Millar Nightcap Performance Polo
Latest In Lifestyle
