The Difference Between a Golf Shirt and a Polo Shirt (Advice for Golfers)
Although most have no idea about the difference between a golf shirt and a polo shirt, there not only is a difference but choosing the right golf shirt can potentially help your game. Several common types of casual shirts are worn for daily wear and are not meant for the golf course.
Polo Shirt and Golf Shirt: Key Differences
Virtually everyone knows that a collared shirt is required to play at most facilities; this is especially true for male golfers. However, many people, including golfers, do not realize that not all collared shirts are equal. Some collared shirts are specifically made for golf, while others can hinder your abilities on the golf course.
The term “polo shirt” often refers to a collared shirt; however, a polo shirt may not be the best option for golf apparel.
Many polo shirts are tight fitting and made from materials such as one hundred percent cotton, that are less than ideal while sweating during a round of golf. On the other hand, golf shirts are made specifically with golfers in mind. They use lightweight, breathable material that gives golfers flexibility in their movements while keeping them cool on the golf course.
In the past, even at the professional level, golfers wore pretty much any collared shirt; however, over the years the game has changed, and golfers now enjoy clothing made specifically for golf, allowing players to keep cool in warm conditions and make a full golf swing without restriction.
A Polo Shirt
Polo is a generic term used to describe collared shirts—not to be confused with the brand Polo created by the company Ralph Lauren, that actually makes golf shirts.
A polo shirt, or a generic collared shirt, is casual wear and usually designed for dress, not performance. These generic collared shirts are not intended to be worn on multiple occasions and tend to fade in color when worn out in the sun and heat over time.
Regular Collared Shirt: Not Made for Golf
Generic collared shirts are also usually made from heavier material, which can be restricting and hot in the summer on the golf course while sweating. Although a regular collared shirt is acceptable when playing golf, it’s more like a dress shirt, not made specifically for athletic performance and golfers.
Essentially, although the typical collared or polo shirt can look nice for a night out or the occasional daytime event, it is a casual shirt not designed for the demanding, long-term wear and tear of playing outdoors on the golf course because it lacks the necessary fabric, sleeves, and features, such as moisture control, of a golf polo or sport shirt.
Standard Polo Shirt Recap
- Made for leisure and casual wear
- Made with heavier materials not designed for sports
- Generally lacks moisture control and is not UV sun protectant
- Usually has longer sleeves than a golf shirt, or polo golf shirt
A Golf Shirt
A golf shirt, also known as a sport shirt, is a collared shirt designed for golfers to wear on the golf course. A golf shirt is designed to address specific parts of the game and to make golfers comfortable on the golf course by using different textiles, fabrics, and design features.
Unlike regular polo or generic collared shirts, golf shirts are designed with golfers in mind and are made with lighter material. The material used for golf shirts is manufactured in a specific way to make golf shirts last longer and fade in color much slower than standard collared shirts and is somewhat similar to the design used for tennis shirts.
Golf Shirt Benefits
Golf shirts are usually UV sun protectant and made with polyester, a combination of polyester and cotton, or other synthetic fibers that provide golfers with an excellent, lightweight option for playing a round of golf on the course. The lightweight material used in most golf shirt designs is intricately woven to pull sweat off the body, so they tend dry quickly and get rid of moisture effectively. Also, golf shirts typically have slightly longer sleeves than most typical collared or polo shirts—another detail made specifically for flexibility in the fabric and through the arms, leaving golfers without restriction while swinging a golf club.
Golf Shirt Recap
- Made with high quality, lightweight materials such as polyester, synthetic fibers, or a cotton and polyester blend that holds its color over time
- Usually UV sun protectant
- Designed to soak up moisture
- Generally have longer sleeves
The best golf shirts incorporate all the above specifications into their design and give golfers elite performance in their apparel.
Golfer Advice
I began my golf career not wearing golf-specific attire; however, nowadays, in my opinion, golf-specific clothing is essential for golfers of all skill levels. Golf shirts provide golfers with the necessary sun protection, sweat resistant, lightweight, moisture control material designed to be outside on the golf course year-round and not fade in color.
Although golf-specific clothing will benefit beginners, it’s not as important as getting started with the game and working on your golf skills. However, once a beginner golfer decides they want to continue with the game and have a budget that allows it, they should purchase golf-specific clothing.
Stay Within Your Budget
For you parents, your junior golfers are still growing, and golf clothing may or may not be an unnecessary expense. Buying golf-specific clothing for junior golfers depends on your budget, the price of the clothing, and how serious a junior golfer is about playing the game. In other words, it’s really up to each parent to decipher whether golf clothing suits their junior golfer(s).
Regardless if your golf shirt material is designed specifically for golf or not, and even if you do not have the money to purchase golf attire, grab a collared shirt of any sort and get out there and play golf. It’s all worth the effort, and as your game improves, you can always invest in some golf-specific clothing and even begin playing in tournaments if desired.
Resources:
https://www.glenmuir.com/pages/golf-apparel-news/what-is-golf-polo
https://www.deluxe.com/products/support/difference-between-golf-shirts-polo-shirts/
