The Best Golf Polos for Looking Good on the Links

Picture a golfer on the green, and one thing’s for sure: Your imaginary tee timer is wearing a polo. The best golf polos won’t help you hit an ace, but they sure as hell will make it look like you can. Most golf courses require its members to wear some sort of collared shirt when they play, so while any old dress shirt will do, can you imagine getting a decent swing while wearing the same shirt you don underneath your suit? The best golf polos seamlessly blend the best of two worlds: style and function. Even if you’re hitting way above par, at least you’ll look good doing it.

When we’re shopping for golf shirts, we need them to be lightweight, breathable, and above all, stylish. (This is GQ, after all.) That means fit is crucial—but so are prints, colors, and whatever other minor details you can add that can differentiate your polo from one you got on your recent trip to Costco. That’s why, ahead of all those summer tee times, we found the best golf polos to help you perfect your swing in style.

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The Best Golf Polos, According to GQ

Best Golf Polo Overall: Nike Tour Dri-FIT Golf Polo

When it comes to sporting apparel, can you really go wrong with an OG like Nike? Under its Tour collection, this Nike polo utilizes the swoosh’s popular Dri-FIT material to craft a top that’s cool and lightweight, able to handle hours and hours of hanging on the course under an unrelenting sun. Its stretchy fabric helps to free your movements so you’re able to get that good swing going, and the contrast color offers a pop of intrigue in an otherwise underwhelming show out at the green.

Best Long-Sleeve Golf Polo: Sunspel Long Sleeve Riviera Polo Shirt

This is James Bond’s polo (seriously—it was designed for Daniel Craig’s stint as 007), so if it’s able to handle galavanting across Europe while under attack, it’s surely enough to handle the back nine. The Riviera is made using extra-long staple Supima cotton, which is about as premium as you can get, making it super soft and luxurious. Its mesh construction means that despite its long-sleeve configuration, you won’t overheat and you can feel the cool breeze of every gust of wind. Do note that this polo fits pretty slim, so size up so you’re not restricted when you go for your swing.

Best Fashion Guy Golf Polo: Metalwood Studio X-Games Jersey Polo

Golfing’s not just for dads, grandpas, and elites who live in the suburbs. As a new wave of folks discover the love of the game, Metalwood’s around to outfit the cool kids on the green. This jersey-inspired polo feels like it’d be a little more at place on the soccer field than on a golf cart. But hey, it has a collar so you shouldn’t have any problems getting past the uppity course manager’s desk, and you’ll stick out on the course for all the right reasons.

Best Golf Polo for Summer: Lululemon ShowZero Polo Shirt

Golfing is a sweaty sport, and anyone who doesn’t think that has never touched a golf club in their life. This Lululemon polo is the top you’ll want to wear to avoid baking in the sun because of its ability to mask the presence of sweat while actually keeping you cool. Its moisture-wicking abilities help you avoid the feeling of having to exist in a damp top, and it’s incredibly stretchy, because Lululemon knows how to utilize elastane to its utmost potential.

Pro-Golfer Approved Polo: Sun Day Red Icon Polo

If Tiger Woods wants to sell you a golf polo, then of course you’d buy it from the GOAT of the sport. Sun Day Red will have you dressing like Tiger (though not necessarily playing like him), especially if you opt for the Icon polo, which he designed from top (the button placement) to bottom (the range of colors).

The Understated Golf Polo: Devereux Western Polo

Everyone’s incorporating a little bit of cowboy/western style into their fits, and apparently that’s applying to golf attire. Devereux, which blends sportswear with streetwear, crafted this polo to have a few hints of western styling—like the front piping and pearl snap buttons—that makes us wonder if cowboy boots make decent golf shoes (probably not). Style bona fides aside, the shirt is made from moisture-wicking polyester pique so you can look cool and actually be cool.

The Retro Golf Polo: Bogey Boys Icons Polo

Cigarettes, flat caps, and up-to-your-pecs trousers—bring back that era of golfing style and let’s never deal with technical fabrics again. Bogey Boys, founded by Macklemore (of “Thrift Shop” fame), is all about bringing back an era of ‘70s sexed-up golfing style, which is encapsulated in this French terry number that gives it a slight velour feel without being overly stuffy or warming. A contrast color and piping around the shirt give it even more of a vibrant pop, all of which makes this a top you’d want to wear off the putting green as well.

More Golf Polos We Love

What to Look for in a Golf Polo

Material: Golf polos, like any tops, can be made from a wide array of materials. Cotton is a big one, and we like it for its softness and breathability, while something like polyester is great for durability and being quick to dry. There are some golf polos that are made from nylon, which add protection against the elements, but might be stuffy if you tend to overheat (especially if you’re golfing in the summer). Merino wool is also another common golf polo material, lauded for its softness and natural temperature-regulating abilities.

Style: Polos are a dime a dozen, but a great golf polo doesn’t look like you got it from a bargain bin discount retailer. A new wave of indie golf brands are churning out sexy new takes on polos that lean more stylish than stuffy. Plus, there are only so many ways you can innovate on the polo style, so the best way to stand out is by focusing on fit, color, and patterns.

Special Features: The humble polo is a simple garment, but performance brands can add special features like gusseted armpits, raglan sleeves, or four-way stretch. Combine that with the option to get something that’s stink-proof or able to hide sweat, and you’ve got yourself a winner on the greens.

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.

Golf Polo FAQ