The summer months can be brutally hot on the golf course, making it tough to play one’s best – not to mention, get optimal enjoyment from the game. Fortunately, breakthroughs in fabric technology have added moisture wicking, breathability, sun protection and other features to most garments, offering golfers a much more comfortable experience when temperatures rise.
“Moisture wicking is one of the most important things I look for when I buy for the golf shop,” says Jillian Messina, AGM, Golf Shop Manager at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, New Jersey, who counts Holderness & Bourne’s Airation polos among her shop’s best sellers. “The tiny holes in Airation shirts allow better airflow, so they feel lighter and more breathable than the typical polyester golf shirt. During the hot summer months, this is what most players are looking for.”
Justin DeFont, PGA, Director of Golf at The TwinEagles Club in Naples, Florida, also prioritizes performance attributes when choosing products for his golf shop. His best-selling lines of late have been Holderness & Bourne, Greyson and IBKUL, and he also does well with sun protection garments from Peter Millar, Dunning and Cabana Life.
“Moisture-wicking, breathable and lightweight fabrics have become essential in today’s golf apparel market, especially in warm-weather regions, where comfort directly impacts performance,” DeFont says. “Players now expect technical features like stretch, ventilation and UV protection: These are no longer upgrades but standard offerings.”
Another hot spot is New Orleans, where technologically advanced garments make a big difference in quality and enjoyment of play, according to Alex Abbruzza, PGA, Head Professional at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. He says that while they may not improve your score, cooling garments can boost enjoyment of the game.
“Beating the hot New Orleans summer requires the right gear,” says Abbruzza, the 2026 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities. “We’re seeing a move toward sun hoodies and long-sleeve performance wear that provides total coverage. The featherweight lines from Peter Millar and johnnie-O have been fast sellers with their light feel and wicking ability.”
The northern U.S. also has its hot days in season, and Rob Karnes, PGA, Director of Golf at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, stocks up with hi-tech brands – and IBKUL, in particular – that perform well because of their combination of UV protection and cooling technology.
“Even in the northern ‘bentgrass’ region, our peak summer conditions make moisture-wicking, breathable and lightweight fabrics essential for both comfort and playability,” Karnes explains.
With moisture management becoming increasingly prevalent in golf apparel over the last three decades, most major companies now offer wicking and other properties as standard features in their warm weather offerings. Here is a roundup of some of the leading brands and products available in golf shops this summer:
Galvin Green, known for pioneering technology, steps things up with VENTIL8 PLUS, engineered to provide a high level of breathability, moisture-wicking and UV 20+ protection. Shirts are light, soft and comfortable thanks to polyester fibers spreading moisture over a larger surface, so it evaporates more rapidly. Add to that SKINTIGHT FRESH long-sleeve base layer garments for men (ELIA) and women (ELLA), designed to wick moisture away from the skin and keep the body dry.
“Cool layer fabrics – especially breathable shirts, pants and shorts – play an essential role in the golf apparel marketplace as golfers have really started to prioritize comfort and performance during the warmer summer months,” say Lou Delfino, General Manager of Galvin Green in North America.
From Jack Archer comes the Clubhouse Performance Polo, which is built around CoolCore technology, a chemical-free cooling system engineered to wick moisture, circulate airflow and regulate evaporation to keep golfers dry and comfortable. Made from 88 percent recycled polyester and 12 percent elastane, the fabric is lightweight, soft and built with 4-way stretch.
Ashworth is placing a strong emphasis on its core micro poly performance fabric featured across several key styles, including the Encinitas Polo, Fairway Polo, Bunker Stripe, PB Stripe, Ivy Stripe and full print program. Engineered with a specialized full dull microfiber yarn and a balanced level of stretch, this fabric delivers optimal weight, moisture management and mobility, keeping the wearer cool, dry and comfortable with full freedom of movement throughout the round, the company says.
From Rhone, look for the seven-inch Commuter Flyweight Short made from a lighter fabric that wicks sweat, shakes off wrinkles and “looks sharp without the extra effort,” the company says. Featuring recycled polyester it’s designed with a flat hidden waistband and stealth zipper pocket for cards and keys.
J.Lindeberg weighs in with a spring/summer groupfocused on “a day in the lifestyle, when everything feels lighter, brighter, more vivid.” The men’s collection feature tops that wick moisture and are fast drying and lightweight, including the Trond Striped Polo in interlock pique jersey, while the women’s line is marked by a number of light, cooling pieces like the Gwen Shorts.
From Turtleson comes the Torrance Hoodie, made with a BRRR performance fabric that works to cool a golfer’s skin while delivering extreme breathability, stretch and built-in UPF sun protection with an ultra-lightweight, “barely-there” feel. The Torrance is available in four heathered shades: tiger lily (orange), sky, periwinkle and pacific. Also in the lineup are Diamond Knit Polos powered by drirelease technology.
Look for a number of cooling polos from Ahead, including the Ace for men and Chloe short-sleeve and Zoe sleeveless for women, all done with a mini texture and made with SPF 50+ sun protection and an 88 percent polyester recycled fabric.
“Our lightweight fabrics reflect our commitment to advanced textile innovation,” says Paula Wylie, Ahead’s Director of Apparel and Headwear. “Every material is tested for antibacterial and deodorizing performance, as well as cooling and moisture management.”
The lineup from Antigua includes the Nandia Polo for men and Meadow Polo for women done in a micro pique performance fabric developed with an innovative geo knit pattern that creates subtle texture and enhances breathability, while also providing lightweight stretch and mobility for ease of movement.
And from Harlestons comes a pair of summer-perfect products: the Wando Polo and Marsh Hoodie, both created with the same featherweight fabric. Extremely light and breathable, the fabric doesn’t stick to golfers when they’re sweating out on the course, while these top layers also provide moisture wicking and sun protection, and are available in a variety of colors.
“Everything from our core polos to pieces like the Wando Polo and Marsh Hoodie is designed to perform in heat and humidity,” says Harlestons Director of Sales Bryan Thomas.
