Best golf polos to elevate your style at tee-time
A quality golf shirt not only helps you play comfortably but also ensures you look good and, on some courses, that you meet the dress code. While men’s golf shirts are today thought of as casual wear, they started as athletic shirts for sports such as polo, golf, and tennis, and that tradition carries on for most golfers. What’s changed is the materials, with modern polo shirts meant for the links employing synthetics such as polyester and spandex, and even merino wool.
Whether you’re a dedicated golf pro or play a few casual rounds each summer, you want a golf shirt that fits your body and your personal style while matching the new pair of golf pants you just ordered. We’ve reviewed the best golf polos on the market and made our recommendations below.
Top 13 golf polos for men
Staff favorite: Nike Men’s Dri-FIT Victory Polo
Best slim fit: Footjoy Athletic Fit Lisle Performance Golf Polo
Best budget: Puma Men’s Gamer Polo
Best long sleeve: Adidas Long Sleeve Polo
Best high-end: Peter Millar Coastline Short Sleeve Linen Riviera Collar Polo
Best classic: Ralph Lauren RLX Classic Fit Performance Polo Shirt
Best XL: Callaway Big & Tall Solid Swing Tech Polo
Best style: J. Lindeberg Gus Polo
Best for odor control: Ibex Men’s 24 Hour Short Sleeve Polo
Best for sun protection: Bonobos The Tour Golf Polo
Best for a good cause: Rhoback The Jimmy V
Best for hot days: Travis Mathew Heating Up Polo
Best casual: Linksoul Printed Astoria Polo
How we chose the best golf shirts
We researched the specifications and features of popular golf polos, including materials, special features, style, and more, to create a shortlist of the top golf shirts for men. Then, we compared product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best golf shirts for each category.
Staff favorite: Nike Men’s Dri-FIT Victory Polo
Staff favorite: Nike Men’s Dri-FIT Victory Polo
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking
— Recycled materials
— Performance fit
Drawbacks
— Material may be thinner than expected
Tiger Woods cemented Nike as a fixture in golf apparel, and this simple golf polo is as classic as it gets for modern golf performance shirts. The fit is loose in the arms and waist to permit athletic movement through your swing and a comfortable fit on or off the links. Dri-FIT technology also wicks moisture to keep you dry on even the hottest midday rounds.
The reasonable price point and wide range of sizes make the Victory Golf Polo a fit for a diverse group of golfers. Plus, it comes in over 30 variations of stripes, patterns, and solids to match any style.
Material: 100% recycled polyester | Colors: 30+ (including striped and pattern options) | Size range: XS-4XL
Best slim fit: Footjoy Athletic Fit Lisle Performance Golf Polo
Best slim fit: Footjoy Athletic Fit Lisle Performance Golf Polo
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking
— Extra stretch
— Antimicrobial fabric
Drawbacks
— No solid colors or pattern options
While best known for its best-selling golf shoes and gloves, Footjoy also makes some great golf-specific polo shirts. If you’ve got a slimmer build or just prefer a more snug fit that keeps the fabric close and out of your way, the athletic fit of the aptly named Athletic Fit Lisle Performance Golf Polo might be for you.
Despite the tight fit, this polo cranks up the amount of spandex in the “Lisle” blend to ensure the shirt bends instead of binds. The seams are double-stitched to ensure it holds up to as many rounds as you throw at it, while moisture-wicking and antimicrobial technology keeps you dry and odor-free.
Material: 88% polyester, 12% spandex | Colors: 8 | Size range: S-3XL
Best budget: Puma Men’s Gamer Polo
Best budget: Puma Men’s Gamer Polo
Benefits
— 4-way stretch fabric
— Moisture-wicking
— Affordable
Drawbacks
— Not a tailored fit
This loose-fitting polo will fit a wide range of body types and comes in size small all the way up to 5XL, making it a realistic choice for nearly any golfer. This is a basic polo, but it uses technical dryCELL fabric with moisture-wicking properties, and the polyester fabric has a four-way stretch that moves with you.
The Gamer Golf Polo has a modern, athletic golf style, and the looser fit means you won’t look like you’re heading to the gym. It also comes in 15 different solid colors, so you can easily match the shirt to the rest of your fit. At just over $50, you might grab more than one.
Material: 100% polyester | Colors: 15 | Size range: S-5XL
Best long sleeve: Adidas Long Sleeve Polo
Best long sleeve: Adidas Long Sleeve Polo
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking fabric
— Performance stretch
— Recycled materials
Drawbacks
— Only comes in 1 color
Golfers in cooler climates and those that golf well beyond the days of summer will want a long-sleeve option in their wardrobe — and Adidas delivers with this classic polo. More than just a long-sleeved version of the brand’s regular golf polo, this shirt uses a brushed-back polyester and elastane blend that provides both stretch and warmth.
When a breezy morning turns into a sunny midday in later rounds, Adidas’ proprietary AEROREADY technology wicks moisture to keep you from getting damp. The ribbed sports collar prevents the dreaded curl with wear, and Adidas uses 88% recycled materials to help divert plastic waste from landfills.
Material: 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane | Colors: 1 | Size range: S-2XL
Best high-end: Peter Millar Coastline Short Sleeve Linen Riviera Collar Polo
Best high-end: Peter Millar Coastline Short Sleeve Linen Riviera Collar Polo
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking fabric
— Performance stretch
— Recycled materials
Drawbacks
— Expensive
— Not machine-washable
North Carolina’s Peter Millar specializes in luxury performance sportswear, and this linen golf polo stands out with a resort-inspired look. The all-linen build is ultralight and highly breathable, and the buttonless riviera collar sets it apart from copycat golf polos. The V-neck and vented sides will keep you cool, but this shirt stands out by doubling as a fashionable casual wear option away from the links.
Material: 100% linen | Colors: 2 | Size range: S-XXL
Best classic: Ralph Lauren RLX Classic Fit Performance Polo Shirt
Best classic: Ralph Lauren RLX Classic Fit Performance Polo Shirt
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking fabric
— Performance stretch
— Recycled materials
Drawbacks
— Loose fit
— Pricey
The Ralph Lauren polo shirt has been the polo shirt in the U.S. for around 50 years and has also defined the look of Ralph Lauren for that time. Therefore, it doesn’t get much more classic than this simple, solid-color golf polo. The RLX Classic Fit Performance Polo has evolved since 1972. It’s now made from performance-oriented recycled polyester blended with elastane for an all-around stretch instead of the original cotton piqué.
Material: Recycled polyester, elastane | Colors: 11 | Size range: S-3XL
Best XL: Callaway Big & Tall Solid Swing Tech Polo
Best XL: Callaway Big & Tall Solid Swing Tech Polo
Benefits
— Moisture-wicking
— Comes in a dozen large sizes
— UPF 50 sun protection
Drawbacks
— Solid colors only
Some golfers are bigger than others, and it can be hard to find performance apparel if you don’t fit the normal size ranges — which often stop at 2XL and eliminate tall sizes. This classic synthetic golf polo runs as big as 5XL or 5XLT (T for tall). It also promises to keep the big guys cool on the course with an Opti-Dri moisture-wicking fabric blend of polyester and elastane that offers enough stretch to move with your swing.
Material: 92% polyester, 8% elastane | Colors: 11 | Size range: 1X-5XLT
Best style: J. Lindeberg Gus Polo
Best style: J. Lindeberg Gus Polo
Benefits
— OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety
— Trendy
— Quick-drying
Drawbacks
— Expensive
J. Lindeberg brings fashion-forward styling to golf apparel, and the Gus Polo will set you apart from the crowd in the clubhouse and on the course. The branded bold text on the collar signals fashion, but the function is met, too, with moisture-wicking and quick-drying polyester fabric in the body.
While you can pair the Gus with the shorts or pants of your choice, the brand’s website helpfully suggests the Stuart Stripe Pants for a fashionable ensemble you don’t need to be a designer to put together.
Material: Recycled polyester | Colors: 5 | Size range: S-XXL
Best for odor control: Ibex Men’s 24 Hour Short Sleeve Polo
Best for odor control: Ibex Men’s 24 Hour Short Sleeve Polo
Benefits
— Naturally odor-resistant
— Moisture-wicking
— Breathable
Drawbacks
— Merino can lose shape over time
— Expensive
While lots of brands tout the performance attributes of their proprietary synthetic blends, Ibex specializes in fine merino wool fabrics that naturally disperse moisture and prevent nasty-smelling bacteria buildup.
The lightweight, breathable 24-hour polo is made of 100% merino fabric that’s wrinkle-resistant and has a stylish placket to hide the buttons. And don’t sweat the idea of wearing wool on the golf course: Merino is a fine wool, and Ibex uses it to create fabrics that feel soft against your skin.
Material: 100% merino wool | Colors: 2 | Size range: S-XXL
Best for sun protection: Bonobos The Tour Golf Polo
Best for sun protection: Bonobos The Tour Golf Polo
Benefits
— Highly breathable
— Moisture-wicking
— UPF 50 sun protection
Drawbacks
— No solid colors
There’s often nowhere to hide from the sun during 18 midsummer holes, and while sunscreen has its place, the best protection is blocking out the sun altogether. Bonobos’ Tour Golf Pro polo delivers UPF 50 sun protection, which is about the most you can get from a garment.
You also get moisture-wicking properties and breathability from this silky, thin polyester and spandex blend. The Tour Golf Pro shirt builds in UV sun protection for the shirt itself, meaning it won’t fade as quickly as other garments.
Material: 90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex | Colors: 9 | Size range: XS-2XL
Best for a good cause: Rhoback The Jimmy V
Best for a good cause: Rhoback The Jimmy V
Benefits
— 20% of proceeds go toward cancer research
— Moisture-wicking
— 4-way stretch
Drawbacks
— Some larger sizes currently sold out on website
Rhoback makes more than 150 versions of the classic performance polo, and while you could choose any of them, why not choose the one that sends 20% of sales to the V Foundation and Quenton Nelson’s Blocking Cancer Initiative?
The embroidered V Foundation logo on the sleeve also helps raise awareness of the fight to fund cancer research, but aside from that, this is a Rhoback’s classic performance polo with a polyester-spandex blend, a self-collar, and extra soft, moisture-wicking fabric.
Material: 8% spandex, 92% polyester | Colors: 1 | Size range: S-3XL
Best for hot days: Travis Mathew Heating Up Polo
Best for hot days: Travis Mathew Heating Up Polo
Benefits
— Thin, breathable mesh
— Stretch fabric
Drawbacks
— Only solid colors
Some days, you start sweating before you set foot on the golf course. Since you probably can’t golf shirtless or in a tank top (we don’t recommend trying that at most courses), you want a shirt like the Travis Mathew Heating Up Polo optimized for extreme heat.
Part of the brand’s hot-weather Heater Series, the Heating Up Polo is almost entirely mesh, giving as much space as possible for your body’s heat and moisture to escape. The polyester and spandex jersey material moves moisture away from your skin and stretches freely to move with you.
Material: Polyester, spandex | Colors: 5 | Size range: S-3XL
Best casual: Linksoul Printed Astoria Polo
Best casual: Linksoul Printed Astoria Polo
Benefits
— Breathable cotton blend
— Relaxed fit
— Fun Patterns
Drawbacks
— Largest size is 2XL
If you find most golf apparel too sporty or too formal, Linksoul has a laid-back aesthetic that brings a touch of the “soul surfer” ethos to the links. The Astoria polo starts off with a primarily cotton blend that gives it a classic feel when paired with a more relaxed cut in the body and sleeves.
This isn’t your dad’s cotton polo, however, but the Dri-Loft tech makes it breathable and light on the skin. The all-over, muted tropical print patterns lend it an aloha shirt vibe that lets your golf partners know you’re out for a good time.
Material: 63% pima cotton, 31% recycled polyester, 6% spandex | Colors: 9 | Size range: S-2XL
Other golf polos to consider
Best for the beach: Quiksilver Waterman Waterpolo Polo Shirt
Best material: Radmor Baty Pimaformance Pique Polo
Best for the environment: Eddie Bauer Adventurer Polo
Best for breathability: Kühl Engineered Polo
Best patterns: Chubbies Performance Polo
How to pick the right golf polo for you
For some, choosing the right golf polo doesn’t go much deeper than choosing the color or pattern you like. But if you’ve read this far, you probably realize there are as many different types of polos as there are golfers.
Price
The number of days you golf, your budget, your local climate, and the courses where you golf will all influence how much you’re willing to spend. Luckily, even the priciest golf shirts usually aren’t much more than $100, and if you’re shopping on a budget, you can still get great options for around $50.
Comfort
When you consider how much time you spend in your golf shirt, you realize that all-day comfort should be a top priority when shopping for a new polo. Because golf-oriented polos are performance garments, few are likely to be stiff. Comfort for you will come down to how and where you plan to wear your polo.
If you golf in hot, humid climates, you’ll want to prioritize breathability and moisture-wicking properties. If you wear your polo more around town than for actual golfing, you can prioritize style over performance.
Style
Probably the biggest difference between golf polos are their style. Broadly, most polos fall into one of two categories: performance or casual. While almost all golf shirts these days will have performance attributes, such as quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabrics, the cut and design are the outward tells. Shirts from sports apparel powerhouses like Nike and Adidas tend toward the sporty, which is no surprise.
Think thin, synthetic fabrics with athletic cuts and simple designs. This look is everywhere, including with legacy golf brands. Smaller golf brands and non-endemic apparel makers tend to offer more casual styles, even if the performance is similar. How you choose reflects how you see yourself and want to look on the course. Luckily, there are enough options out there for everyone to find a style that’s unique to them.
FAQ
Are polos good for golf?
Polos are the classic golf shirt, even if their name nods to another aristocratic game. The original design worked, and it works even better with the inclusion of modern fabric technology.
Who has the best golf apparel?
No one brand can lay claim to being “the best.” As you can see from our recommendations above, dozens of apparel brands make performance golf polos, and thankfully for the consumer, many of them are great shirts.
Are golf polos different than regular polos?
Technically, any polo can be a golf polo if you want it to be. Golf-specific polos, however, tend to incorporate features such as moisture-wicking and stretch fabrics that make them better choices for actual golfing versus simply enjoying the style of a golf polo.
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