Golf Attire: Everything You Need To Know

Key Takeaways

• The safe course uniform: collared polo, tailored pants or 9" shorts, golf or spikeless shoes, and a belt.

• Most dress codes prohibit jeans, t-shirts, cargo shorts, and athletic wear - check the course website before your first visit.

• Over a four-hour round, breathable natural fabric with stretch and UPF protection outperforms stiff cotton.

Golf attire for men means a collared polo, tailored pants or golf shorts, and golf or spikeless shoes. Most courses ask you to skip jeans, t-shirts, and gym wear. Beyond the dress code, fabric is the real performance choice: a breathable shirt and pants with stretch keep you comfortable through a four-hour round in the sun.

Thinking of heading out to the golf course with your friends? Need to bring your best game so you can impress the boss at the clubhouse? No matter why you’re hitting the links, you need to know the right golf attire to wear. 

If you’re not sure what makes for a 'club-appropriate’ ‘fit, you’ve come to the right place – read on to learn everything you need to know about golf attire in detail.

What Should You Wear While Golfing?

Golfing isn't nearly as active as other sports like soccer, football, baseball, or even tennis. Still, there is a golf uniform or at least a range of clothes that are seen as acceptable to wear on the golf course.

Generally, good golf attire is:

• Breathable, since you don’t want to be weighed down by sweat while you try to make par

• Lightweight, especially since many golf games take place between the spring and fall months when the weather can get pretty hot 
• Flexible, as you’ll need to be able to twist your torso to drive enough power into your swing and hit the ball down the range

Let’s dive into the details and look at some specific golf clothing options.

Golf Course Dress Codes: The Basics

You’re probably familiar with the old-school golf uniform: khakis and a polo, maybe with a visor or a hat. For the most part, things have stayed more or less the same — however, as the sport tries to adapt to a rapidly-changing world that demands less rigid rules, this traditional uniform is evolving.

Whereas it used to be forbidden to wear a hooded sweatshirt on the golf course, nowadays, you’re likely to see at least one or two fashionable hoodies (like our Carrollton Lightweight Hoodie) gracing the green.

That’s not true everywhere, however — while plenty of municipal golf courses have done away with rigid requirements about apparel, many country clubs still enforce strict dress codes. If you don’t want to get kicked off the course for breaking the rules, here’s what you need to know

Collared Shirt, Tucked In 

If your golf course has a dress code, odds are that they require collared shirts — so crew-neck t-shirts won’t do. This doesn’t mean that you need to wear a starchy button-down, though; wear a sensible polo to allow the breeze to brush your arms — and be sure to tuck it in.

No Denim 

While your favorite pair of jeans might go with you everywhere, they may not be allowed on the golf course — many courses and country clubs have a strict No Denim rule, and that’s honestly for your benefit. You want to wear clothing that won’t get in the way of your game, and heavy jeans might limit your ability to play at your best — especially on a hot summer day.

Minimal Pockets 

While it may sound a bit specific, many golf courses have a ban on cargo shorts. In order to play it safe, be sure that your shorts are simple and classic, like our Motion Travel Short.

Performance Polo Shirts

In terms of shirts that work within a golf dress code, you can’t beat short-sleeve performance polo shirts. Polo shirts are collared shirts and buttons and either plain colors or simple patterns. In any case, performance polo shirts are as much a part of golf style as clubs, golf gloves, and cleats or other golf shoes.

If you don’t already have some polo golf shirts, try to pick up a few so you have several different golf apparel shirts ready to go. Aim for performance golf polo shirts that are:

• Flexible and made of four-way stretch fabric. If your shirt is too stiff, you won’t perform as well as you could otherwise.
• Breathable. As we mentioned above, you don’t want to feel too sweaty or sticky throughout the game.

To look the part in a golf club, stay away from basic t-shirts or sweaters unless it’s really cold out. Pullover long-sleeve shirts can work in place of a golf polo if it’s chilly and you need something to pair with your golf pants.

7-Inch Performance Golf Shorts

While most golf outfits feature full-length pants, you can opt for 7-inch long performance shorts instead. These shorts are also made of breathable, moisture-wicking materials like cotton or bamboo viscose.

Most importantly, performance shorts are durable and flexible, but they expose more skin so you aren’t as hot in the middle of the game or during the day. Still, your performance shorts should be long enough; wear shorts that are too, well, short, and you’ll look out of place (never a good idea when playing golf with your work colleagues).

Moisture-Wicking Pants

Of course, you can always opt for the classic, full-length pants the pros wear on TV. Moisture-wicking chinos, khakis, or performance pants are ideal for the same reasons that you should purchase performance polo shirts.

“Performance” pants and leggings are also breathable and flexible. They also have to be reasonably durable, so they’ll stand up to regular use without being uncomfortable as you walk around the golf course

Moisture-wicking pants are a perfect choice because their fabric contains capillaries that draw moisture up into the material. This minimizes how sticky you'll feel during a hot day on the golf course. Moisture-wicking pants are ideal when playing golf in the spring or fall months when temperatures can be a little cooler in the morning and evening.

Breathable Chino Shorts

What if you want shorts but aren't interested in the available performance shorts from retailers near you? In that case, opt for breathable chino shorts instead.

Chino shorts are made of that titular cloth, chino, which is more commonly found in full-length trousers. Chino material is made from cotton twill, either natural chino cloth or a synthetic blend.

Regardless, breathable chino shorts are comfortable, classy, and frequently available in popular golf attire colors like brown, beige, off-white, and so on. Breathable chino shorts can be another great option for golf apparel in the summer.

French Terry Quarter Zips

If things are likely to get a little cooler during your golf game, you might want to bring a French Terry Quarter zip sweatshirt. This sweatshirt style features a titular quarter-length zipper that goes down to about the midpoint of your chest. These sweatshirts look just right with baseball caps or visors and your favorite Bermuda shorts.

This is stylish and fits with the golf aesthetic overall. But it can also be unzipped a little bit if you need to cool down after a walk from one hole to the other. A high-quality French Terry quarter zip sweatshirt will keep you warm and comfortable for the duration of your game.

Lightweight Hoodies

Alternatively, you can go with a lightweight hoodie, particularly if you are golfing with friends or in a more casual environment. Lightweight hoodies are available in a variety of styles, materials, and colors: perfect for building a unique golfing outfit that still gives you easy access to comfort and functionality.

What Makes the Best Golf Apparel?

No matter what precise pieces you choose to put together for your PGA Tour-worthy golfing outfit, you should prioritize a few major features in each.

Moisture-Wicking Technology

First up is moisture-wicking technology for the fairway. As touched on earlier, moisture-wicking technology involves weaving capillaries into an article's material. If a piece of clothing is moisture-wicking, it'll be very comfortable if you are engaging in an activity that makes you sweat, like running, working out, or even playing golf on a hot summer day!

Lightweight, Breathable Materials

Also want golf apparel made of lightweight, breathable materials like bamboo viscose and cotton. Breathable materials feel great, but they also prevent you from sweating too much over the course of your game.

Soft, Comfortable Clothes

Good golf attire is soft and comfortable first and foremost. No one wants to feel uncomfortable while driving balls down the range. Again, bamboo viscose and cotton are great materials to prioritize.

Sustainably sourced bamboo viscose feels very soft to the touch, and you don’t have to compromise your ideals when you pick up clothing made from it!

The Perfect Mix of Activewear and Dressy Casual

In terms of style or color, try to find golf attire that seems to be the perfect mix of activewear and “dressy casual” clothes.

Golf isn't as physical a sport as others you might play. Therefore, its clothes tend to be a little more stylish than the outfit for, say, a tennis match. At the same time, you do have to move your body during golf, and your clothes need to facilitate a certain level of flexibility for you to perform at your best.

Think of it this way: Appropriate golf attire will look just as good at a country club or at a nice, after-work barbecue with the boss as it will on the golf course.

Take Your Golf Wardrobe Up a Notch

As you can see, putting together a stellar golf wardrobe isn’t as difficult as you may think. In reality, it’s just dressing for a smart-casual day outdoors – pretty easy when you find the right retailer!

Even better, you’ve already found the right retailer at tasc Performance. With our collections of men’s and women’s clothing, you can throw together a great golfing outfit and be ready to look and play your best ASAP. 

Check out our offerings for performance shorts, polo shirts, and more today!

FAQs

Q: What should men wear to play golf?

A collared polo shirt, tailored pants or golf shorts, a belt, and golf or spikeless shoes. Most courses ask players to avoid jeans, t-shirts, and gym wear. In hot weather, breathable fabrics with stretch and UPF protection keep you comfortable through a full round.

Q: Can you wear jeans or a t-shirt on a golf course?

Most courses do not allow jeans or t-shirts. Standard dress codes call for a collared shirt and tailored pants or shorts. Public courses are sometimes more relaxed, but checking the course's dress code before you arrive is the safe play.

Q: What is proper golf attire etiquette?

Follow the course dress code, tuck in collared shirts where required, wear soft-spike or spikeless shoes, and choose tailored fits over gym wear. When in doubt, dress one notch more formal - no course has ever turned away a well-fitted polo and chinos.

Q: What fabric is best for golf in hot weather?

Lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick moisture and stretch with your swing. Bamboo-blend polos and pants stay cooler than standard polyester, resist odor naturally, and offer UPF sun protection for long rounds in direct sun.

 

Sources:

Why Do Golf Courses Have Dress Codes | Keiser University

Golf Attire Etiquette | Golfweek

Moisture Wicking Fabric | Science project | Education.com