Any serious golfer knows that it’s impossible to go wrong with a golf polo. They’re stylish, comfortable, and functional, and are also ideal for wearing outside the course. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out – having a clear idea of what makes a good golf polo matters a great deal in your gaming prowess and confidence. Here we examine what goes into the making of the best golf polos, to help you make informed decisions the next time you’re shopping.
Table of Contents:
– Material and comfort
– Fit and style
– Moisture-wicking and breathability
– UV protection and durability
– Performance features
Material and Comfort
When it comes to picks of golf polo, the right material is important. Golf polos are usually made of polyester, cotton or blends of both.
Polyester
They also tend to be highly durable, moisture-wicking and light enough to breathe in hot and humid conditions. Much of the polyester fabric used today has microfibres added to improve the soft texture and comfort as well as to help the shirt move with you when you swing.
Cotton
Coarse cotton golf polos: a more traditional feel but they’re way less breathable and less soft than a polyester polo. But modern cotton blends are getting us closer to the best of both worlds.
Blended Fabrics
Blended fabrics will commonly have spandex, or elastane added to them to add more stretch and flexibility. This extra stretch is useful for the golfer as the range of motion is a little more forgiving. When choosing a golf polo, you must take into consideration the climate you will be playing in, and choose your fabric accordingly.
Fit and Style
A looser-fit golf polo might make you feel hot and uncomfortable when you are out on the golf course, despite the amazing appearance it gives you. When you are playing golf your clothing will always affect your comfort and performance. In this essay, I will discuss the three main categories of golf polo that you can buy and the differences in how they fit.
Golf polo comes in three main models, according to my experience: classic, athletic, and slim. A classic-fit golf polo will hug your torso tightly when you bend over, making your body look more athletic. An athletic-fit golf polo is definitely loosely fit, also a great style, and it will not hug your torso when you bend over. Finally, a slim-fit golf polo will be very tight around your torso and neck. If you wear a slim-fit golf polo for long periods of time, it might make you feel uncomfortable, especially around your neck because it will be very tight.
My personal opinion is that a classic-fit golf polo will be the most comfortable on the golf course, achieving a balance between a tight and loose fit.
Classic Fit
It offers the slimmest silhouette, and is ideal for anyone who wants their blazer to fit like a suit. A classic fit is the standard, and sits between a slim and regular fit. It’s a loose and relaxed fit that for many is the traditional option. A classic fit suit is very wearable, working well for a range of body types.
Athletic Fit
For athletic fit golf polos push the button down to another level, giving you an upscale and tailored look. This golf polo still offers a comfortable fit, but it’s more slimming. The shoulders will be more fitted, along with the chest and waist, which is a little tapered. It’s perfect for someone who runs, plays golf or just loves walking around outdoors. It moves with you while still keeping you streamlined in the best way possible.
Slim Fit
Next, comes slim fit; the most aero-fit style, slim fit polos work best if you are a younger golfer who wants a younger, more modern, streamlined look. A slim fit polo will hug you in the body, sleeves, and arms, and will be a tighter fit on the core. This style works best on younger golfers who have a younger, more modern aesthetic. The trade-off for this form-fitting style is that you’ll have less room to move than you would with a traditional fit polo.
Moisture-Wicking and Breathability
Golf is typically played outside during the warm-weather months, in warm and sunny conditions. Therefore, moisture-wicking and breathability are highly desirable features of the golf polo because these properties will help you stay cool and dry, which will enhance your comfort and focus during your game.
Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
Moisture-wicking fabrics do just that – drawing sweat away from the body to the surface of the fabric where it can more readily evaporate off – keeping you drier and more comfortable even on the craziest of rounds. Polyester and advanced synthetic blends are the go-to fabrics for moisture management.
Breathable Construction
It needs to be breathable, which means that the fabric allows air to move through it Wet sweaty clothes will make you uncomfortable, so you should seek out golf polos with mesh panels or ventilation zones in high-sweat areas, most likely the back and under the arms.
Anti-Odor Technology
A few of today’s golf polos incorporate anti-odour technology as well, preventing the growth of odour-creating bacteria, which is great if you’re out for a day on the links. You’d want to be fresh at the first hole as well as the last.
UV Protection and Durability
So, to begin with, you must design a golf polo that ‘works’, that performs well, of course, but that also protects from the elements and stands up to wash and reuse — featuring qualities such as UV protection and durability.
UV Protection
A lot of golf polos are now designed with UV-protective properties that guard your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays, which is a consideration for a sport that’s often played outdoors for expansive stretches of time. Find shirts that have the highest UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating possible.
Durable Fabrics
The second is durability. Golf polos should stand up to long days on the course, featuring lots of movement and exposure to all the elements. Polyester and polyester blends are more durable than pure cotton, holding their shape and colour over time.
Easy Care
For instance, when you check the care instructions of your golf polo, chances are that you’ll see that it requires little ironing, and that it is designed to be wrinkle-free or crease-resistant. These properties add value to modern fabrics. Some polos also come pre-shrunk, so they lose little size in the wash, and most are machine-washable; a weekend golfer who wears these items often can wash them regularly without compromising their quality.
Performance Features
Material, fit and durability are not the only factors that can improve your experience on the course. There is stretch technology, ergonomic design and other features to ease your game.
Stretch Technology
Stretch technology, built into the fabric blend, encourages better movement and suppleness. You need a clear swing in golf, so don’t chaff your back – look for a polo with 4-way stretch, which ensures elasticity in the four main directions.
Ergonomic Design
It’s an ergonomic design that makes sure the polo sits and moves with you. Raglan sleeves that extend in one piece all the way to the collar are a good example of this. And you’ll also often see gusseted underarms on polos. That’s where there’s a little extra fabric in that armpit area.
Innovative Details
Get the details right and performance can follow. Consider reinforced shoulder seams for durability, tagless neck labels to minimise an irritation, hidden button plackets to minimise bulk.
Conclusion
Choose the proper golf polo, and you’ll be both comfortable and cool on the golf course. It’s simply a matter of knowing what features matter — and what features will help you perform with polo appeal. Knowing what to look for when buying a shirt should make it easy to decide: pay attention to the material, fit, moisture-wicking, UV protection, and performance features. Choose your favourite golf polo, and you’re on your way to greatness.