Hot Weather Golf Outfits: Staying Cool and Sun-Safe on the Course
For golf in hot weather, wear light, moisture-wicking performance fabrics, a breathable collared or mock-neck top, a skort or shorts, and a hat — and choose clothing with a UPF rating if you burn easily. UPF tells you how much ultraviolet light gets through the fabric, which matters because a round of golf can mean four or five hours in direct sun.
Staying cool and staying protected sometimes pull in different directions. Here is how to balance the two, and what the labels actually mean.
Choose fabrics that move sweat, not trap it
Performance fabrics made from polyester or nylon blends pull moisture away from your skin and dry fast, which is what keeps you comfortable in heat. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet, so it feels heavy and clingy by the back nine.
Look for these details on hot-weather golf clothes:
- Lightweight knits with some stretch, so the fabric moves with you instead of sticking.
- Mesh panels under the arms or across the back for airflow.
- A relaxed fit. Slightly loose fabric lets air circulate and, as we will see, often protects better from the sun.
What UPF means, in plain English
UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) measures how much UV radiation passes through a fabric. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a UPF 50 fabric lets through about 1/50 of the sun's UV rays and blocks about 98 percent. The Foundation's own Seal of Recommendation for fabric requires UPF 50.
What that means on the course: a UPF-rated shirt protects the skin it covers consistently all day, without needing to be reapplied like sunscreen. You still need sunscreen on your face, neck, arms and legs.
The same source notes that ordinary clothes can protect much less than people assume: a white cotton T-shirt is around UPF 7, and closer to UPF 3 when it is wet. On a hot day, when you sweat, that difference matters.
Several things change how much protection a garment gives:
- Tight weave: denser fabric lets less light through.
- Color: darker and brighter colors generally block more UV than pale ones.
- Fit: fabric stretched tight over the body opens up and protects less.
- Wetness: wet fabric usually protects less.
Browse our UV protectant activewear for pieces designed with sun protection in mind.
Sleeveless or sleeves in the heat?
Sleeveless golf tops feel coolest, while lightweight long sleeves give the most sun protection. Which is better depends on your skin and how long you are out.
- Sleeveless with a collar or mock neck: maximum airflow and accepted at most courses. Apply sunscreen generously to shoulders and arms, and reapply at the turn. See sleeveless golf tops.
- Short sleeves: a middle ground that covers the shoulders, the area that burns fastest when you are bent over a putt.
- Lightweight UPF long sleeves or sun sleeves: many golfers who burn easily find a thin, breathable long sleeve more comfortable than reapplying sunscreen all afternoon. Detachable sun sleeves or arm wraps let you add coverage only when you need it.
Colors: light reflects heat, dark blocks more UV
Light colors reflect more sunlight and can feel cooler, while darker and brighter colors usually block more UV. A practical compromise is a light or mid-tone top in a UPF-rated fabric, which gives you both. White is a summer classic on the course; just remember it shows grass and sunscreen marks.
Bottoms, hats and accessories for summer rounds
Bottoms: a lightweight skort or tailored golf shorts are the coolest options. Skorts with breathable inner shorts help prevent chafing on long walks. See golf skorts and golf shorts.
Hats: the Skin Cancer Foundation suggests a hat with a brim of at least three inches for good sun protection. Visors are cooler but leave your scalp and part line exposed; a wide-brim or bucket hat covers more. See golf hats and visors.
Other essentials: sunglasses, a cooling towel, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen in the bag, and a spare glove — gloves get damp quickly in the heat and lose grip.
Plan the round around the heat
What you wear is only half of staying comfortable; when you play matters too. Early morning or late afternoon tee times avoid the strongest midday sun, and riding in a cart on the hottest days gives you shade between shots. Drink water steadily from the first hole rather than waiting until you feel thirsty, and use the shade of trees while you wait on a tee.
A hot-weather golf packing list
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Moisture-wicking top (UPF if you burn easily) | Dries fast; covers skin consistently |
| Light skort or golf shorts | Airflow; built-in shorts reduce chafing |
| Brimmed hat or visor | Shades face and eyes |
| Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF | Exposed skin needs reapplying through the round |
| Two gloves | Swap when the first gets sweaty |
| Water bottle and a snack | Heat drains energy faster than you notice |
| Cooling towel | Quick relief on the tee |
Frequently asked questions
Is UPF clothing worth it for golf?
For many golfers, yes. A UPF-rated top protects the skin it covers consistently for the whole round, without reapplying. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that a UPF 50 fabric blocks about 98 percent of UV rays. It doesn't replace sunscreen on exposed skin, but it reduces how much you need.
What is the coolest thing to wear golfing?
A lightweight, sleeveless collared top in a moisture-wicking fabric, a breathable skort or golf shorts, and a visor are the coolest combination for most women. If you burn easily, a thin UPF long sleeve can feel just as comfortable as sleeveless once you factor in the sun on your skin.
Does a regular T-shirt protect from the sun?
Less than most people think. The Skin Cancer Foundation lists a white T-shirt at about UPF 7, dropping to about UPF 3 when wet. On a sweaty summer round that is not much protection, which is why golfers who spend hours outside often choose UPF-rated fabrics.
Should I wear white or black golf clothes in the heat?
White and light colors reflect heat and usually feel cooler, while dark colors tend to block more UV. If you want both, choose a light-colored top made from a UPF-rated fabric. For bottoms, mid-tones hide grass stains better than pure white.
Light fabrics, smart coverage and plenty of water will keep you playing well into the afternoon. If you are traveling somewhere warm, our golf trip packing list has the rest covered.
