Wearing the right pair of shorts on the golf course is about more than just looking the part, it’s a vital piece of gear that directly impacts your comfort, mobility, and ultimately, your performance. Choosing the best golf shorts frees you up to swing without restriction and play with more confidence. This guide will walk you through the essential features to look for - from fabric and fit to pockets and style - so you can find the perfect pair that feels custom-made for your game.
Too many golfers treat their shorts as an afterthought, grabbing any old pair of chinos before heading to the course. But from a coaching perspective, your entire outfit is performance equipment. Think about the physical demands of a round of golf. You're going to walk several miles, execute a powerful, rotational swing over a hundred times, squat down to read putts, and bend over to tee up your ball. You’ll do all this in varying weather conditions, from cool, dewy mornings to hot, humid afternoons.
An ill-fitting or poorly made pair of shorts can be a subtle distraction at best and a physical hindrance at worst. Shorts made from heavy, restrictive material like traditional cotton can pull at your hips during the backswing, limiting your turn and robbing you of power. A waistband that doesn’t move with you can feel tight and uncomfortable by the back nine. It’s like playing with clubs that are the wrong length, you can make it work, but you’re making the game harder than it needs to be. The best golf shorts work with your body, not against it, allowing you to forget about what you’re wearing and focus entirely on the shot at hand.
If there’s one aspect that separates a great pair of golf shorts from a mediocre one, it’s the material. Modern textile technology has revolutionized golf apparel, and understanding the basics will help you make a much smarter purchase. Forget old-school fabrics, the game is all about performance blends now.
Walk down the aisle of any golf shop and you'll see a common theme on the tags: polyester and spandex (sometimes called elastane). This isn't a coincidence. This combination is the industry gold standard for a reason, creating a fabric that is perfectly suited for the athletic movements of golf.
Look for shorts advertised with terms like "performance fabric," "moisture-wicking technology," and "UV protection," which is often built into modern polyester blends to help shield you from the sun's rays during long rounds.
Some golfers still gravitate toward traditional cotton chino shorts because the style feels familiar. From a performance standpoint, however, cotton is a poor choice for the course. Cotton is hydrophilic, meaning it loves water. It absorbs and holds onto sweat, quickly becoming heavy, clammy, and stained. On a hot day, a pair of cotton shorts can feel like a wet towel draped around your legs.
Beyond moisture management, cotton lacks the natural stretch of modern synthetics. It restricts your range of motion and wrinkles incredibly easily, leaving you looking disheveled by the end of your round. While a classic cotton short has its place in casual wear, on the golf course, technical performance fabric is the undisputed champion.
Once you’ve nailed the fabric, the next consideration is fit. The goal is to find a balance between a clean, modern look and complete freedom of movement. A pair of shorts can have the best fabric in the world, but if the fit isn’t right, it won’t do you any good.
When trying on shorts, pay attention to these three core areas:
The waistband is more than just something to hold your shorts up. A well-designed golf waistband will feature some stretch to move with you as you twist and bend. Even better is the inclusion of a silicone gripper waistband. This is a small, rubbery strip on the inside of the waistband that helps keep your golf shirt tucked in all through your swing. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in comfort and appearance throughout the round.
Golf shorts generally come in two main cuts: athletic (or standard) and slim.
The right choice comes down to personal preference and body type. The guiding principle should always be function over fashion. The 'look' is secondary to the 'feel' when you're addressing the ball and swinging the club.
The inseam is the measurement from the crotch of the shorts to the bottom of the leg hem. Common inseams for men’s golf shorts range from 7 to 11 inches. The "correct" length is largely a matter of style preference, but the general rule for a classic golf look is for the hem to fall just above the top of your kneecap.
Shorts that are too long and fall below the knee can interfere with your walking stride and look dated. The key is to find a length where you feel comfortable and confident.
As a coach, I see golfers fumbling around in their pockets all the time. Good pocket design isn’t a luxury, it’s a functional necessity for an enjoyable round. You need space to store tees, a ball marker, a divot tool, your glove when you’re on the green, and maybe even a scorecard holder.
Look for shorts with an intelligent pocket configuration. Front pockets should be deep enough that your divot tool doesn't fall out every time you get in and out of the golf cart. Back pockets, typically welt-style (a slit pocket) for a cleaner look, should easily accommodate a scorecard holder or your glove without gaping open. Some shorts even feature a small, dedicated "fifth pocket" designed specifically for tees or a ball marker, which is a great touch for keeping small items organized.
Shopping for shorts can be overwhelming with all the options available. Use this simple checklist the next time you're in the store to make sure you're getting a pair that will perform on the course:
Ultimately, the best golf shorts are the ones you forget you're wearing. They combine advanced, stretchable, and moisture-wicking fabric with a fit and features that are purpose-built for the rotational movements of the game. By prioritizing these elements, you invest in a piece of equipment that genuinely supports your game and enhances your comfort and confidence on the course.
Just as the right gear sets you up for success before you even swing, smart strategy on the course is essential for playing your best. Too often, golfers find themselves in a tricky spot and make a poor decision because they lack a trusted second opinion. At Caddie AI, we’ve developed an on-demand golf coach that removes that guesswork, offering instant strategic advice for any situation so you can play with total confidence. Whether you need a simple plan for the tee shot or guidance on a tough recovery shot, we provide the expert analysis you need to make the smartest play.
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