Men's Golf Shirts: Functional and Fashionable

Some people may think of mens golf shirts as merely a fashion accessory for the golf course, but serious golfers and professionals know that a well-made and properly fitted shirt is an important piece of golfing equipment. Flashy dressers like Ian Poulter and Ricky Fowler may be known for their color coordination, but you can be sure they also select shirts that help their game.

The custom golf shirts worn by PGA professionals may be out of reach for the casual golfer, but that still leaves a wide variety of options from which to choose. Golf polo shirts are made in many different styles, using materials ranging from simple cotton to high-tech fabrics, and of course they come in every color of the rainbow. Choosing the proper shirt can help your game in a number of ways.

The best golf shirts will allow unrestricted freedom of movement, encouraging a full backswing and a complete follow-through. This is accomplished by the use of flexible fabrics such as ringspun combed cotton, as well as proper sizing. Some golfers choose a shirt slightly larger than their normal size for a looser fit. Cheap golf shirts made of less flexible material should be avoided.

Mens golf shirts can also help lessen fatigue on the course by keeping the golfer comfortable. Lightweight shirts made of breathable fabric will prove their worth during a round in the heat of summer. Alternatively, some golf shirts are designed to be worn under rain gear or warmer outerwear, with the ability to wick moisture away from the skin. Staying comfortable under adverse weather conditions will help the golfer ignore the elements and concentrate on his game.

Golf is exclusively an outdoor game, played under mostly sunny conditions. Long hours of exposure to the sun can pose health hazards, and golf shirt manufacturers are addressing this concern by using materials that can protect you from the sun's harmful UV rays. With cool breathable fabrics, even long-sleeved shirts can stay comfortable while shielding the arms from direct sunlight. Neck styles are evolving as popular players like Tiger Woods and others have adopted the newer turtle-neck shirts, which shield more of the neck from the sun. Many golf courses are recognizing this trend and loosening the "collared shirts only" rules.

So when you are thinking about upgrading your golfing equipment, consider the role that mens golf shirts play in your enjoyment of the game. A comfortable and attractive shirt can make you feel better and boost your confidence during a round. Golf is, after all, very much a mental game. You may find that a new golf shirt can improve your game even more than that new putter you've been considering.