Fairway fashion: the best golf shorts for style and comfort
Summer is on the way, and golf courses across the country are getting ready to heat up. We all know there’s nothing worse than sweating through your pants or shorts and being uncomfortable on those hot and humid days. We’ve chosen the best golf shorts on the market that provide comfort, flexibility, durability, mobility, and relief from moisture (yours and Mother Nature’s), and even found golf shorts that protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. Whatever your body type, there’s nothing better than going for a stroll on the course with your new push cart in comfortable shorts on a hot summer day. We’ve highlighted some special brands of the best golf shorts here and hope it narrows your search for a new golf wardrobe in 2023.
Top 10 golf shorts
Staff favorite: Adidas Ultimate365 10.5-Inch Core Shorts
Best lightweight: FootJoy Lightweight Shorts
Best budget: Amazon Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Short
Best comfort: TRUWEAR Prodigy Shorts
Best style: TravisMathew Beck Short
Best durability: Rhone Commuter Shorts
Best UV protection: Nike Dri-Fit UV Golf Chino Shorts
Best sizing options: TravisMathew Zipline 2.0 Active Short
Best moisture protection: Callaway Men’s EverPlay Stretch Short
Best for women: J. Lindeberg Gwen Golf Shorts
How we chose the best golf shorts
We researched manufacturer specifications, including comfort, style, durability, sizing options, and more, to create a shortlist of the top golf shorts. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best golf shorts for each category.
Staff favorite: Adidas Ultimate365 10.5-Inch Core Shorts
Staff favorite: Adidas Ultimate365 10.5-Inch Core Shorts
Benefits
— Vast size range from 28-52
— Lightweight and breathable
— 4-way stretch ensures comfort and mobility
Drawbacks
— None
The Adidas Ultimate365 10.5-Inch Core Shorts are a winner in many areas. First, there’s one for every body type, as the sizes run from 28 to 52. In addition, they’re lightweight, breathable, and stretchable for comfort. The elastic inner waistband ensures your shirt stays in place, so you look your best, even if you’re not playing your best. Plus, you can count on UV 50+ for ultimate sun protection.
Made primarily from recycled material, these shorts also help the planet by reducing plastic waste. There are pockets in the front and back, so you’ll have ample room for all your golfing essentials. Not to mention, they’re easy to care for and will last a long time, living up to the Adidas name.
Inseam: 10.5 in. (also comes in 8.5-10 in.) | Colors: 5 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 28-52
Best lightweight: FootJoy Lightweight Shorts
Best lightweight: FootJoy Lightweight Shorts
Benefits
— Comfortable fit and classic look
— Wrinkle-free fabric and pre-shrunk
— 4-way stretch fabric
Drawbacks
— Pockets lacking in room
Offered in nine vibrant colors, the FootJoy Lightweight Shorts are 85% polyester, 15% spandex, and wrinkle-free. The comfortable fit and classic style provides the best of both worlds to golfers on and off the course.
The stretch waistband secures that comfortable fit, allowing for free range of motion when walking 18 holes. The built-in gripper waist means you won’t be burdened tucking in your shirt after every shot. These shorts are also pre-shrunk, which gives you one less thing to be concerned about on laundry day.
Inseam: 9 in. | Colors: 9 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 30-42
Best budget: Amazon Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Short
Best budget: Amazon Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Short
Benefits
— 98% polyester, 2% spandex
— Lightweight and wrinkle-free fabric
— Moisture-wicking and stretchable
Drawbacks
— Lacks the golf brand name that many golf consumers look for
There are many positive things to say about the Amazon Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Shorts. The fabric, made primarily of a durable polyester blend, is stretchable, wrinkle-free, lightweight, and moisture-wicking. Front and rear pockets mean you won’t be caught without your tees, divot tool, or ball marker.
The shorts were made better with customer feedback and recommendations, leaving the price-conscious shopper happy with their purchase. There are 11 colors to choose from, and sizes range from 29 to 60.
Inseam: About 10.5 in. | Colors: 11 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 29-60
Best comfort: TRUWEAR Prodigy Shorts
Best comfort: TRUWEAR Prodigy Shorts
Benefits
— Made of recycled polyester
— Treated with specialy formulated DWR
— Wrinkle-, stain-, odor-, and liquid-resistant
Drawbacks
— Limited to 3 colors
TRUWEAR Prodigy Shorts are made of 100% recycled polyester treated with specially formulated Durable Water Repellent (DWR). They’re wrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, odor-resistant, liquid-resistant, and, best of all, breathable with a 360-degree stretch. Easily maintained and washable, the TRUWEAR Prodigy Shorts have front and back pockets, come in three colors, and offer sizes from 28 to 42.
Inseam: 10 in. | Colors: 3 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 28-42
Best style: TravisMathew Beck Short
Best style: TravisMathew Beck Short
Benefits
— Wrinkle-resistant
— Lightweight with 4-way stretch
— Enhanced quick-drying
Drawbacks
— Single length only
The TravisMathew BECK Short is a high-quality multi-blend fabric that’s wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, stretchable, and quick-drying. These shorts come in six different colors and are easy to wash. They offer great comfort on the golf course and an attractive casual look with a modern fit off the course.
Inseam: 10 in. | Colors: 8 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 30-42
Best durability: Rhone Commuter Shorts
Best durability: Rhone Commuter Shorts
Benefits
— Added stretch and wicking capabilities
— Flex-Knit fabric
— 10 colors
Drawbacks
— Not sized for larger body types
Rhone Commuter Shorts are lifestyle shorts with stretch, style, and moisture-wicking capabilities. The Flex-Knit fabric provides breathability and a four-way stretch for flexibility. Plus, these shorts come in 10 color options to fit nicely into any ensemble. With sizes maxing out at 40, golfers with larger body types will have to look elsewhere when shopping for golf shorts.
Inseam: 7, 9, and 11 in. | Colors: 10 | Pockets: 4 (including a zipper pocket) | Size range: 28-40
Best UV protection: Nike Dri-Fit UV Golf Chino Shorts
Best UV protection: Nike Dri-Fit UV Golf Chino Shorts
Benefits
— Primarily made of cotton and polyester
— Grippy strip inside waistband keeps shirt in place
— UVA and UVB protection
Drawbacks
— Not waterproof
The Nike Dri-Fit UV Chino Shorts come in a 9- or 10.5-inch inseam. These shorts, made of a stretchy combination of cotton and polyester, are comfortable on and off the golf course. They also provide UVA and UVB protection on covered areas when exposed to the sun. The grippy inner waistband provides stability that secures your golf shirt in place when swinging a golf club and walking the course.
The 9-inch inseam offers nine color options, while the 10.5-inch inseam has five colors to choose from. These shorts have no waterproof technology, so you might get uncomfortably wet if caught in the rain.
Inseam: 9 and 10.5 in. | Colors: 9 and 5 based on inseam | Pockets: 5 | Size range: 28-42
Best sizing options: TravisMathew Zipline 2.0 Active Short
Best sizing options: TravisMathew Zipline 2.0 Active Short
Benefits
— Drawstring active waist
— Ample sizing for any body type
— Zipper stash pocket
Drawbacks
— Might not pass strict dress code rules
The TravisMathew Zipline 2.0 Active Short is a bit more casual than some other TravisMathew shorts you’d wear on the golf course. The drawstring-active waist adds comfort, as does the polyester-spandex fabric blend. Plus, they’re wrinkle-free and easy to wash.
With enhanced stretch features and ample sizing for any body type, this is one of the more comfortable shorts you’ll find for golfing. There’s even a unique zippered back pocket to secure your valuables if you have nowhere else to place them.
Check with the course before committing to these shorts for your next round, as they’re suitable for most courses but might be frowned upon at the fancier clubs in your area.
Inseam: 8 in. | Colors: 3 | Pockets: 3 | Size range: S-2XL
Best moisture protection: Callaway Men’s EverPlay Stretch Short
Best moisture protection: Callaway Men’s EverPlay Stretch Short
Benefits
— 9 colors
— Big and tall sizes available
— Opti Dri tech wicks away moisture
Drawbacks
— Not ideal if there’s a chill in the air
The Callaway EverPlay Stretch Shorts are made of polyester, cotton, and elastane for a lightweight feel that enables you to move freely through your golf swing and up and down the fairways. They stretch to give you a wide range of motion, and the Opti Dri technology wicks away moisture.
These shorts are machine washable, come in nine colors, and are available in big and tall sizes. Note, however, that the lightweight feel won’t help on those cooler spring and fall days — so grab your golf pants if the day’s temperature warrants.
Inseam: 9 in. | Colors: 9 | Pockets: 4 | Size range: 30-42
Best for women: J. Lindeberg Gwen Golf Shorts
Best for women: J. Lindeberg Gwen Golf Shorts
Benefits
— Micro High Stretch lightweight fabric
— Tapered silhouette
— 5 colors available
Drawbacks
— Online sales are final
The J. Lindeberg Gwen Golf Shorts are stylish and versatile golf shorts from a leading brand in women’s golf apparel. Made of Micro High Stretch lightweight fabric, golfers can swing unhindered and in complete comfort, whether on the range or walking 18 holes. The tapered silhouette makes them appropriate and attractive off the course as well.
They’re water-repellent and dry quickly, so you can play through a quick rainstorm and finish your round in comfort. There are no fluorochemicals in the J. Lindeberg fabric, and they’ve been Bluesign-certified, guaranteeing high product safety. Be sure of your sizing and fit before ordering online, as the website indicates that all sales are final on this style of shorts.
Inseam: 3.5 in. for size 27 | Colors: 5 | Pockets: 3 | Size range: 25-30
The long and the short of it all
We combed through a plethora of golf brands, apparel lines, and golf shorts reviews to compile our list of the best golf shorts in each category. When shopping for your new summer wardrobe, look for comfort and durability, but find brands that offer moisture-wicking and UV protection, further increasing your comfort level. Just like with golf shoes, being comfortable for four hours in the right pair of golf shorts might not lower your golf scores, but it’ll increase your enjoyment of the game.
How to pick the right golf shorts for you
Once you determine your budget for your golf shorts purchase, find brands with a reputation for comfort and quality. Try them on in the store, or ensure you know your size when ordering online. All fits are different, so find the ideal pair of golf shorts for you.
Price
Golf shorts’ price tags can sometimes be overwhelming. After all, they’re just shorts! But if they protect you from the sun, wick away moisture, and provide ample room to swing a club and walk the course, you’ll be comfortable. You don’t have to break the bank, so shop prudently.
Comfort
Comfort means being dry, feeling flexible, and maintaining your wide range of motion to play your best golf. Sure, we look at clubs and balls as the vital aspects of a good golf game, but being comfortable in your shorts on a hot summer’s day might help a bit as well.
Durability
There may be some lower-priced short options, but for the most part, golf shorts aren’t cheap. Find golf shorts that are made of quality material that’s durable and will sustain the rough and tumble world of 18 holes. With the price tags of some of the names on our list, find the ones that meet your budget and take care of them so they last you many successful rounds of golf.
FAQ
Are golf shorts different?
As all segments of apparel are, golf shorts are different in what they offer. Sizing differs. Features differ. Fabric, colors, and other options differ. Do your homework, and shop smart for your next pair of golf shorts.
Are khaki shorts good for golf?
Khaki shorts are certainly good for golf. Some golfers will desire an even dressier golf short look, but khaki shorts meet most any club’s dress code standards.
What are good shorts to wear golfing?
Any shorts that are not denim or swimsuit material is generally adequate for golf. You’ll want a stylish, dressy look with features such as moisture-wicking properties, and flexible polyester, cotton, and spandex fabrics.
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