The best golf shirts for men are way better than you remember. Only a few years ago, the average polo on the PGA Tour used to share more in common with a NASCAR racing suit than a shirt you’d actually want to wear at your local club. (Mortgage lending and insurance logos might pay the bills, but let’s be real: Is there anything less cool?) Luckily, for those of us who aren’t obligated to shill shady financial products while out sinking putts, there’s beaucoup links-ready shirts available right now that look great while still delivering on everything you want from an on-course polo: movability, breathability, and—most important—head-turning style.
If you’re in desperate need of a handful of tap-ins, the usual suspects have you covered. But if you really want to school the competition, there’s an onslaught of upstart brands taking the golf shirt to territory it’s never been before. We’re talking retro-inspired knits, boldly-printed button-ups, and plenty of other options to give you the confidence you need to at least look like you’re about to go low. In other words, we’re talking the absolute best golf shirts for men. What happens over the course of 18 holes is still on you, but at least you’ll be the best-dressed person in your foursome.
For more intel on how to look fly at tee time, check out the GQ Golf Shop.
The Best Golf Shirts for Men, According to GQ
Best Overall Golf Shirt: Nike Tour
Old faithful. The Nike Tour polo has been a mainstay in the golf world for years and remains one of the best picks if you’re looking for a well-fitting performance polo that simply goes with everything. The sweat-wicking Dri-FIT material needs no introduction at this point, but if you need a reminder: Dri-FIT set the standard for all performance materials. It’s the Kleenex of fitness fabrics: People say Dri-FIT to describe just about any fitness apparel, even if it’s not actually a Nike shirt. You can never go wrong with the Nike Tour.
Best Mesh Golf Shirt: Reigning Champ Solotex Mesh Tiebreak Polo
Reigning Champ is the definition of refined performance. Pairing the best-of-the-best performance materials with timeless silhouettes, the brand has firmly entrenched itself at the intersection of style and engineering. The Solotex Mesh Tiebreak Polo fits the mold, blending one of the breeziest mesh fabrics out there with a simple, easy-wearing fit that is all in the details. Underarm gussets and semi-raglan sleeves allow for a wide range of movement, while metal-snap buttons give it an edge that most polos simply can’t come close to. You’ll fit in at the country club, but this ain’t no country club shirt.
Most Versatile Golf Shirt: Vuori Gamepoint Polo
If you haven’t noticed by now, tennis polos and golf polos are birds of a feather. The Gamepoint Polo from Vuori is case-in-point. The 100% recycled performance material is moisture-wicking and stretchy, meaning you’re free to swing your swing even when the hottest days of summer take hold. The modern athletic fit is flattering on and off the course, and the simple colorways look good on anyone.
Best Golf Shirt for Summer: Lululemon ShowZero Polo
To the folks who say golf isn’t a real sport: Explain these sweat stains. We like this polo because of its sweat-wicking abilities, which are especially helpful when you’re baking under the sun in the middle of a summer heatwave. While it might not feel like it’s always working, rest easy knowing that other’s won’t be able to see the sweat, since the shirt was designed to get rid of the outward appearance of sweat. So while Bogey Bob’s dripping from the pits because he forgot his deodorant this morning, you’ll be looking cool and dry when you get your birdie. And for the days when you know it won’t be that hot, Lululemon makes an Evolution polo, which is 10 bucks cheaper, although you lose the ability to hide your sweat (but it is anti-stink!).
Best Classic Golf Shirt: Lacoste Contrast Collar Polo
OK, so Lacoste may be more of a tennis brand, but like its preppy compatriots, the iconic Croc logo is no stranger to the golf course. The country club crossover just makes sense, and we still love the look now. The Contrast Collar Polo, specifically, feels like the ideal golf companion, adding a bit of sporty flair that separates it from the pack. The fit is flattering on any guy and sizes go all the way up to 4XL, so nobody is left out.
More Golf Shirts We Love
What to Look For in Golf Shirts
Material: Golf shirts are crafted from a diverse range of materials, each offering distinct advantages. Cotton provides softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, making it a solid choice for keeping you cool and dry on the links. Alternatively, polyester, a man-made fiber, is known for its strength, durability, and wrinkle resistance, making it a perfect option for lightweight and quick-drying golf shirts you can rock all summer. Some shirts are made with additional materials that add protection and comfort. Nylon, for example, is often incorporated for added protection against the elements. Spandex, thanks to its high elasticity and stretch, enhances comfort and flexibility in golf shirts, letting you swing your swing with no restriction. Finally, Merino wool, a natural fiber known for its softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking capabilities, is ideal for golf shirts because of its superior temperature regulation and comfort in various conditions.
Style: When picking out a golf shirt, style is just as important as performance. In fact, we are probably more likely to roll up in the course in a shirt that looks good than we are in a performance polo—look good, play good, right? With that said, you have a ton of options when it comes to flexing your personal style on the course. Some shirts are designed with vintage 90s polos in mind, so they’ll be constructed with a boxier fit and (usually) longer sleeves alongside a deep button placket for maximum styling options. Others will be made more modern, with a slimmer fit and performance features. Those aren’t all stuffy picks, though, some performance shirts are just as stylish as their retro brethren. Others don’t resemble the golf shirts you know and love at all—they bring unique features to the links like zipper collars, patch pockets that resemble those on your mechanic’s favorite work shirt, or crazy designs that stand out from the pack. No matter what style you go for, we say pick the one that makes you feel like a pro, even if a pro would never actually wear it on the golf course.
Special Features: As we’ve said, a number of polos out there are pretty simple, which isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, though, you need a bit more than the standard polo silhouette when you hit the links, whether for style reasons or performance reasons. Many performance brands enhance the fit with gusseted armpits, raglan sleeves, or other features that enhance your ability to move freely. Other shirts will have style features, like utilitarian snap buttons or a zipper collar instead of the standard button, or jacquard interspersed through the shirt for a texture change. Look closely at the pictures each brand throws up on the site and take a gander at the description—sometimes you’ll find a feature you wouldn’t see otherwise.
How We Tested
With a solid crew of both new and lifelong golfers on staff, we’ve spent decades testing golf shirts, from actual early ’90s polos we stole from our dads, ’00s polos we copped in high school, and the modern performance shirts that dominated the scene throughout the 2010s. However, since we’re obsessive style vultures, we naturally dipped our toes into everything the last few years have brought to the scene, from soccer-inspired Blokecore polos to streetwear-inspired tees and tops to gorpcore crossovers from ACG and Adidas Adicross. We test them at the course, of course, but also at our local dive, on date night, and when we travel. In 2025, there’s no limit to where you can rock your golf gear.
