When you’re on the Golf course and the sun is beating down on you, the last thing you want is to be trapped in pants. What you need is a great pair of shorts. The best golf shorts—like our top pick, Bonobos’ Highland Tour—are flexible, breathable and stylish enough to wear beyond the links.
The best golf shorts feature built-in stretch, sweat-wicking fabrics and ample pockets.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERSAs you might have guessed, golf shorts are specifically designed for golf—not basketball, not soccer, not your commute: golf. That means they should be sweat-wicking, ventilated for air-flow, outfitted with deep pockets for golf balls and versatile enough to wear outside on the course and possibly inside a club with dress codes. Based on our research and reporting on all things golf, we have recommendations, including those designed for performance (like Peter Millar’s Salem), comfort (see Lululemon’s Commission) or a affordability (Adidas’s Core). Here, the best golf shorts to improve your game.
Sizes: 28 to 46 | Colors: 10 total, including Stone and Black | Inseams: 8 and 10 inches | Materials: 96% polyester, 4% elastane | Pockets: 4
Our top pick for the best overall golf shorts has specific features that keep you cool and well performing on the course. That includes a comfy gel waistband, water-repellent fabric and UPF-rated sun protection. There’s also a zip back pocket and a dedicated pocket for your scorecard.
What the reviews say: “Great short, good value. Well constructed, excellent fit. Perfect for a round of golf on a warm summer day.” —Bonobos
Adidas Ultimate365 10.5-Inch Core Golf Shorts
Sizes: 28 to 52 | Colors: 4 total, including Hemp and Crew Navy | Inseam: 10.5 inches | Materials: 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane plain weave | Pockets: 4
Don’t let the price fool you. These Adidas shorts have almost as many features as your top-line golf shorts, from the four-way stretch that lets you move freely to the UPF 50+ sun protection rating, plus the extra deep pockets. And they’re made from mostly recycled materials, so you can feel good about wearing them.
What the reviews say: “Great shorts. Good fit and a great color, pockets are very good. Very nice look, and comfortable fabric resulting in a good feel to wear. Casual enough for a tee or polo, but can also be dressed up. Very lightweight, but durable.” —Adidas
Sizes: 28 to 40 | Colors: 8 total, including White and Black | Inseam: 9 inches | Materials: 54% recycled polyester, 46% elastomultiester | Pockets: 4
For an ultra-comfortable pair of shorts you’ll want to wear all day, Lululemon’s are a top choice. They’re made from Warpstreme fabric: a mix of polyester and elastomultiester, which offers lots of softness and stretch. Plus, there’s an ergonomic design to remove tension and resistance so you can swing and move easily.
What the reviews say: “These are light, stretchy, comfortable but can be used for a night out or golf. I love them and bought four pairs. They are so comfortable and dress up nicely….They are both sporty, stylish, and practical.” —Lululemon
Sizes: 30 to 54 | Colors: 6 total, including Caviar and Chinchilla | Inseam: 10 inches | Materials: 98% polyester, 2% spandex | Pockets: 4
PGA Tour’s highly-rated shorts are made with a stretchy, proprietary tech called MotionFlux 360—they’re woven with seams that extend your range of motion with a mix of polyester and spandex. Grips on the waistband help your shirt stay tucked in while you play and moisture-wicking properties keep you cool and dry.
What the reviews say: “Perfect fit and extremely comfortable. Well made. Comfortable material. Nice looking shorts. The flat front gives them a sleek and stylish appearance.” —Amazon
Sizes: 30 to 44 | Colors: 13 total, including Khaki and Windsor Blue | Inseam: 9 inches | Materials: 100% polyester | Pockets: 4
Peter Millar’s golf shorts offer two-way stretch and a moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric, making them a solid choice for performance on the course. The fit is classic, with a slightly tailored effect that good for every game of golf, and everyday wear as well.
What the reviews say: “Great shorts, with the 9-inch inseam a perfect fit, just above the knee. Love the fit and the fabric. I have been purchasing Peter Millar products (golf shorts and shirts) for years and have never been disappointed. They are quality, they fit, look good and are easy to care for.” —Peter Millar
Rhone 9-Inch Commuter Short
Sizes: 28 to 40 | Colors: 13 total, including Dark Griffin and Iron | Inseams: 7 and 9 inches | Materials: Polyester | Pockets: 5
The last thing you need is a hefty pair of chino shorts weighing you down. Rhone’s Commuter Shorts are specifically designed to be featherweight, made from a flex-knit fabric with a light, breathable texture. Added stretch and sweat-wicking capabilities make these great for hot days.
What the reviews say: “My new go-to short. I like how the waist band is solid but the rest is stretchy, giving the shorts a good balance of structure and comfort.I absolutely love them. They have the most comfortable stretch of any shorts of these type that I have tried and don’t lose their shape. They are perfect for casual days with a t-shirt or they look terrific with a button down or on the golf course dressed up.” —Rhone
Mizzen + Main Helmsman Shorts
Sizes: 29 to 40 | Colors: 5 total, including Light Solid Gray and Solid Black | Inseams: 7 and 8 inches | Materials: 88% polyester, 12% spandex | Pockets: 4
If you have slimmer legs, you need slim fit shorts—that includes on the golf course. This pair is more tailored for the slimmer guy, but includes all the features that make it specific for golf, including a four-way stretch fabric, mesh pockets and a back pocket with a zip enclosure.
What the reviews say: “These are extremely comfortable and stylish. Got this short for my husband as a gift and he absolutely loves it. Already requested another pair in a different color. Material and comfort levels are amazing. Perfect short to dress up for a night on the town or down for a round of golf.” —Mizzen + Main
Nike Dri-Fit UV Golf Chino Shorts
Sizes: 28 to 42 | Colors: 10 total, including Pink Oxford and Obsidian | Inseam: 9 inches | Materials: 51% cotton, 45% polyester, 4% spandex | Pockets: 5
If you go from the golf course to the basketball court, these Nike shorts are a versatile option. They’re made from Dri-FiT tech that’s more breathable than your usual cotton found in chinos with just a touch of added stretch. In addition to the side and back pockets, there’s also a tee pocket give you plenty of extra storage space.
What the reviews say: “I love these shorts and have them in multiple colors. These Nike Golf shorts were high quality with an incredibly comfortable fit. They have a slight stretch to them that just adds to the comfort.” —Nike
Sizes: 28 to 42 | Colors: 3 total, including Navy and Fossil | Inseam: 9 inches | Materials: 64% organic cotton, 31% recycled Coolmax, 5% elastane | Pockets: 5
If you’re more of a golf-then-chill guy, these shorts offer a lot of comfort with a soft, organic cotton blend. They’re just polished enough to go from the links to the 19th hole, but offer plenty of functionality with cooling tech, stretchy interior waistband and an interior zip pocket.
What the reviews say: “They’re so comfortable, wash and dry great, good looking. The best all around short I’ve ever purchased. Great light weight fabric, durable, and nice fit. They look and fit great. As the name implies, the fabric allows for easy movement.” —Faherty
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we spend a lot of time thinking about and evaluating clothing, including activewear. We test and thoroughly analyze the best options on the market so you can make smart shopping decisions, whether you’re looking for the most comfortable shoes for walking or best chinos for men. As writers and editors, we know from experience that choosing the right athletic wear can make or break your game. Additionally, our team has published hundreds of product roundups and reviews that include rigorous research as well as firsthand product testing. Our content includes dozens of fashion stories, and we specialize in menswear.
How We Chose The Best Golf Shorts
To find the best golf shorts, we started with brands that focus on golf wear and have excellent customer reviews to back up their reputations. Forbes Vetted’s senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, weighed in on the top-rated options, based on her expertise in the market and time spent evaluating athletic wear. In order to select the winners, we rated the contenders for fit, performance, fabrics and size ranges. Finally, we choose pieces that scored highest in those areas and also received high marks for overall comfort and price. This article is regularly updated to ensure our selections remain the best of the best and it was recently updated in October 2023.
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