An integral part of any summer outfit, the right pair of golf shorts is instrumental in keeping you cool when temperatures start to rise.
The modest golf short, while perhaps not the most glamorous part of any outfit, can make or break a round's enjoyment. Modern golf shorts provide a wide range of performance-benefiting features, including four-way stretch, moisture-wicking fabric and plenty of pockets to store your on-course essentials.
With a wide variety of cuts, lengths, fabrics and colours to choose from, the GolfMagic editorial team has picked out a few of their favourite pairs that won't let you down when you need them most.
Perfect to pair with one of our best golf polo shirts, these shorts are hand-selected from some of the biggest brands in the game, including PUMA, PING, G/FORE and Peter Millar.
So, without further ado, let's get into it.
All of our picks below are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, If you buy a linked product, GolfMagic may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
PUMA Jackpot shorts
PUMA Jackpot 2.0 Golf Shorts
Key Features:
DryCELL moisture-wicking fabric
Mesh stretch waistband
Silicone gripper tape
Pros:
Breathable fabric
Silicone gripper tape prevents shirts from coming untucked
plenty of colours to choose from
Cons:
Fastening button can come undone when bending down
Colours: Black, High Rise, Navy Blazer, Blazing Blue, Greenery, Hot Coral
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: £44.99£29.94
Undoubtedly one of the best brands in the game for modern. stylish golf gear, PUMA makes excellent shorts that provide comfort and performance in equal measure.
The lightweight and breathable Jackpot 2.0 golf shorts feature an athletic cut that, thanks to its stretchy fabric construction, provides plenty of room, especially when knelt down to read a put or pick your ball out of the hole.
The simple design features subtle PUMA detailing above the back pocket, and the wide selection of colours available makes them easy to pair with a wide variety of golf polo shirts.
An ideal choice for any size or shape of golfer, these shorts also offer excellent value at only £29.94
Farah Jester Shorts
Farah Jester Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Front side seam pockets
Branded inner gripper to waistband
Farah Golf flag tab signature
Contrast jetted back pockets
Pros:
Lightweight fabric
Silicone gripper tape prevents shirts from coming untucked
Flattering tailored cut
Cons:
Would be nice to have some brighter colour options available
Colours: Black, Farah Blue Grey, Regatta Blue
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: £19.99
Offering a double button fastening and integrated waistband grip, the Jester shorts won't let you down on the course. The integrated grip waistband is an excellent feature that stops your shirt from untucking during your swing, giving you the confidence to let loose without distraction.
The breathable fabric with moisture-wicking properties did an excellent job of keeping us cool on the course, and the added stretch the fabric provided meant there was no discomfort experienced during our round, especially when bending or stretching to reach a ball or tee.
At £19.99, these are the cheapest shorts on the list, but you would never have guessed it from the excellent build quality and design.
Oscar Jacobson Davenport Shorts
Oscar Jacobson Davenport Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Lightweight, tapered short
Four-way stretch fabric for additional comfort and mobility
Falling just above the knee, the Davenport shorts from Oscar Jacobson are the longest shorts we've tested. Ideal for golfers who prefer a little extra leg coverage, these shorts provide ample room and stretch for an incredibly comfy overall wear.
Light, breathable and available in a wide variety of colours, these shorts provide everything a golfer could need from a pair of summer shorts. Featuring a double-button fastening with a clasp and zip, they feel very secure, and thanks to the integrated Oscar Jacobson grip in the waistband, we encountered no issues with our shirt coming untucked during our swing.
Stuburt Urban Golf Shorts
Stuburt Urban Golf shorts
Key Features:
Inner front coin pocket
Branded inner gripper waistband
Inside leg: 25cm
Pros:
Very secure fastening
Integrated waistband grip tape
Athletic fit
Cons:
Front pockets could be slightly deeper
Colours: Slate Grey, Royal, Black, French Navy
Material: 96% Polyester, 4% Elastane
Price: £34.95
Among some of the comfiest shorts on the market, the Stuburt Urban shorts offer excellent stretch, allowing the shorts to move with you throughout the swing without any discomfort.
Featuring five pockets, there is plenty of space to store your on-course essentials, and while the front pockets could be slightly deeper, the additional inner pocket on the right leg is ideal for keeping a pencil or tee.
The shorts come in four different colours, so pairing them up with any golf shirt is easy to do, and thanks to the highly breathable fabric, they will also keep you nice and cool on the course.
PING Shorts
PING Bradley Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Tekfit stretch waistband
Crease-resistant material
25 cm inseam
Pros:
Outstanding selection of colours
Excellent pocket depth
Athletic fit
Cons:
Fans of a shorter inseam would be better off looking elsewhere
Colours: Black, White, Navy, Clay, Dark Mineral, Pearl Grey, Infinity Blue Marl, Aquarius Marl, Poppy Marl
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: £59.99
Light, breathable and stretchy, the PING Bradley golf shorts tick a lot of boxes for what we require from a performance golf short. The tailored cut and slightly longer inseam will appeal to a broad range of golfers, and the deep pockets ensure that even on the move, you can rest assured nothing will be falling out.
Available in nine colours, these shorts can truly be matched to a shirt of any colour, and the spectrum of different colours means there is undoubtedly one to suit any golfer's taste.
The subtle PING detailing and versatile design make these shorts an ideal pair for off-course wear too.
G/FORE Shorts
G/FORE Maverick Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Quick drying soft mesh pocketing
Technical silicone button with tab closure
Four-way stretch woven fabric
Pros:
Shorter inseam gives the shorts an athletic fit
Mesh pockets increase breathability
Very deep pockets
Cons:
The most expensive pair of shorts we've tested
Colours: Drizzle, Stone, Charcoal, Onyx, Twilight
Material: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
Price: £124.99
The G/FORE Maverick shorts are the most athletic-fitting golf shorts we've ever tested. Featuring a shorter inseam than its competitors, the Mavericks offer more of a premium gym short fit than your classic golf shorts.
With plenty of stretch and ample pocket space, they were a joy to play golf in and could just as easily be worn for an early morning run as they could 18 holes.
The fabric did a fantastic job at wicking away moisture, and the mesh pocket lining made them incredibly breathable throughout our round.
While these shorts offer excellent performance, comfort and looks, coming in at just shy of £125, the price will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows.
Peter Millar Salem Golf Shorts
Peter Millar Salem Performance Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Two-way stretch moisture-wicking fabric
Belt loops and zip fly with button closure
Pros:
Huge array of colours to choose from
Fabric provides a super soft skin feel
Ideal for off-course wear too
Cons:
No waistband gripper
Colours: Khaki, Windsor Blue, Navy, Black Stone, British Grey, White, Cape Red, Smoke, Cottage Blue, Cantaloupe, Celeste, Macadamia, Maritime, Port Blue, Palmer Pink, Caribbean
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: £85.00
Offering a tailored cut, super-soft hand feel and an extensive range of colour options, the Peter Millar Salem Performance shorts are not only a fantastic option for golf but also casual wear.
The lightweight, breathable material felt great during our round, and the moisture-wicking properties on offer ensured that sweat was moved away from the body, ensuring we stayed dry and comfortable.
One of the slimmer fitting shorts we tested, these shorts offer an athletic silhouette while still retaining plenty of space and stretch for you to swing freely without concern for rubbing or pulling in any awkward areas.
At £85, these are some of the most expensive shorts on this list, but one feel of the quality and you will quickly understand why.
Crew Clothing Shorts
Crew Clothing Golf Shorts
Key Features:
Active stretch fabric
Five pockets
Crossed clubs printed logo
Pros:
Incredibly stretchy material
Lightweight construction is incredibly comfortable
Excellent pocket depth
Cons:
Only one colour choice is available
Colours: Dark Blue
Material: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane
Price: £65.00
Crew Clothing is off to a great start with its first foray into golf apparel. These shorts are lightweight and stretchy while offering plenty of pocket space to store anything you may need out on the course.
The classic Crew Clothing crossed oars logo has been updated to feature two crossed clubs, and it's featured high on the left leg for an unusual placement, but one that sets it apart from the crowd really nicely.
The shorts offer plenty of room to move through your swing freely, with the stretchy fabric moving nicely over your skin without any catching and bunching.
All in all, these shorts are right up there with the best in the market and would make an excellent addition to any golfer's summer wardrobe.
Things to consider when buying golf shorts
Comfort
Without a doubt, the most important thing to consider when buying a pair of shorts is the comfort on offer. With each brand offering different cuts, lengths and levels of stretch, finding the one that suits you is key to ensuring you can enjoy golf in warmer weather without any level of discomfort.
There's nothing worse than getting five holes into a round and finding that the fabric is rubbing in all the wrong areas, so we would suggest trying out a variety of brands to make sure you don't encounter any on-course issues.
Fabric
In days gone by, cotton would have been the number one choice for golf shorts. However, with the development of polyester and elastane, modern golf shorts are now more breathable, stretchy and easy to care for than ever before.
While there will still be golfers around the world who enjoy the feel of a classic pair of cotton shorts, we would highly recommend opting for a synthetic material. They hold their shape better, wick moisture away far more effectively, and offer much greater stretch without losing shape.
Functionality
The modern golf short is more versatile than ever before, thanks to the introduction of new fabrics and modern styles. With the lines now being blurred between on and off-course styling, it's worth considering how you can style your golf shorts once you leave the course, too.
Whether you're heading to the beach or the bar, golf shorts can be the base for any great summer look, so consider how else you might use your golf shorts when you next buy a new pair.
Johnny joined GolfMagic as Reviews Editor in 2023 having worked for Sports Impact for two years as Head of Social Media, working alongside prominent golf brands including Galvin Green, Motocaddy and Wilson.
