Golf apparel in 2026 is all about technically advanced, stylish pieces that work for golf but can be worn off the course as well. An increasing number of lines cater to athletic styles that can be worn to the gym or for outdoor activities, specifically targeted to clubs that have fitness programs and facilities.
Athletic styles were abundant at last month’s PGA Show in Orlando, not only from brands like Nike, adidas, PUMA and UnderArmour, but from other industry players and several new and emerging companies. These included basics like performance polos and bottoms, as well as layers — from basics to highly technical pullovers and jackets — that allow athletes to withstand harsh weather during golf or other outdoor activities.
“Golf has shifted toward fitness the last few years, which has been really good timing for us,” said Dani McLaughlin, VP of Sales at UNRL, an athleisure brand displaying at the Show that recently expanded into the golf market with an extensive line of hoodies, crew necks, sweatpants, leggings, sports bras, jackets and shorts for clubs trying to cater to active customers. “Our brand fits in really well in the golf space, where we’ve done really well with price points that are a tick below our competitors.”
Kennedy Bodiford, PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Tokatee Golf Club in Blue River, Oregon, also commented on the shift in golf apparel, saying, “The golf consumer who will spend money in your shop is getting younger, and that change is directly influencing what sells. There’s a strong move toward athleisure-inspired pieces that work both on and off the course, blending performance with everyday style.”
Here are some of the men’s athleisure styles that turned heads at last month’s PGA Show:
• Ahead’s best-selling Stiles Quarter Zip – the brand’s buttery-smooth, go-anywhere layer – with the introduction of a new hooded silhouette called the Monahan; Jasper lightweight hoodie with an ultra-soft hand feel; and Graham, a performance-driven quarter zip featuring a subtle geometric texture.
• Ashworth’s new Aeroflex layering system with four-way stretch, moisture-wicking and thermal regulation, and a new Supima cotton option with premium softness and natural temperature control.
• PUMA's 101 Premier Pants featuring a new LUXKNIT fabric built to provide four-way stretch, breathable comfort and lasting shape retention for the “ultimate performance on the course,” and Boulder 2.0 in an all-year-round weight with binding details at the hood and pocket for a polished look.
• Galvin Green’s base and mid layers, highlighted by the Luca Padded Windproof Vest, which is extremely lightweight and offers noteworthy breathability and warmth.
• Rhone’s Long Game Vest, which delivers lightweight performance in a warp-knit fabric with four-way stretch and UPF 50+ protection; Approach Tech Polo, whose all-way stretch fabric and angled sleeves provide cooling and freedom of movement; and Commuter Pant Slim, made with a Flex-Knit fabric that provides four-way stretch and other tech features.
• Antigua’s Scramble Polo, made from the brand’s signature poly-sheen fabric with DesertDry technology, and Echelon Quarter-Zip Pullover, which delivers elevated comfort in a double-brushed poly-cotton blend with an ultra-soft hand feel.
• Inward Half’s collection of performance polos and mid-weight layers, including the Fireside Hoodie, whose four-way stretch fabric offers golfers a full range of motion during activity.
• Adidas’s Ultimate365+ Course Control Anorak features lightweight moisture protection to help maintain comfort in damp conditions and targeted insulation around the core to deliver reliable warmth without added bulk.
• Oakley’s Fusion Collection, whose garments focus on comfort, movement and protection, including pieces like high-performance Fusion Tech Fleece, Tech Insulation HZ Hoodie and C1 Sonic Welded Seamless Polo.
• FootJoy’s new Arcus Rain Jacket features the FJ TriLock System that fuses three unique performance fabrics to deliver protection, playing comfort and full range of motion, as well as ThermoSeries, which is engineered to adapt as the weather changes with items like the Insulated Hybrid Pullover, Textured Half-Zip Pullover, Hybrid Hoodie and Crossover Hoodie.
• BN3TH’s lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking boxer brief and versatile Essentials Crew T-Shirt made from an ultra-soft ECOVERO and cotton blend with a hint of stretch for natural breathability and a modern, free-feeling fit that works as a layering piece or standalone tee.
• Bad Birdie’s Core Performance Pique Polo, described as “your everything polo – great on and off the course,” as well as a variety of layering options, including the top-selling Velocity Hoodie, Kinetic Wind Pullover and Hybrid Jogger Pant with a sleeker, more athletic look.
• Zero Restriction’s TKO Quarter-Zip Pullover is made from a lightweight, ultrasoft, brushed performance fabric that moves, stretches and breathes with the golfer; sister brand B. Draddy Sport’s Doc Quarter-Zip in a stretch performance fabric with a heathered effect; and Fairway & Greene's top-selling Caves Quarter-Zip Hoodie and Moore Quilted Hybrid Performance Vest marked by lightweight, water-repellent front and back panels and performance stretch side panels for added comfort and full range of motion.
• Polo Ralph Lauren’s selection of lightweight, versatile fabrications with comfort and breathability in a range of polos, sweaters and bottoms, including the men’s Performance Waffle-Knit Hoodie, Classic Fit Performance Polo and Performance Jersey Quarter-Zip Pullover.
Lisa Goulian Twiste is a Senior Apparel Writer at PGA Magazine.