The Best Golf Shorts in 2026

G/FORE makes golf apparel for golfers who genuinely care about how they look on the course, and the All Play Cotton Stretch Short is the best-looking pair of shorts in this entire review. 

The Japanese performance stretch twill has a drape and refinement that performance fabrics simply cannot manufacture. It hangs correctly, it does not cling, it does not bag, and it holds a clean silhouette from the first tee to the eighteenth green.

The palette G/FORE brings to the All Play is the most exciting in the shorts category, and my personal pick is the navy. It has a richness and depth that photographs beautifully on the course and pairs with almost any polo without any coordination effort. 

The bolder options carry the brand’s distinct personality, and the whites are as clean and crisp as anything in this review. Every shade holds its character through a full season of wear.

• Check the price for G/FORE All Play Cotton Stretch Short on PGA Tour Superstore ↗

The tonal G/FORE shank button at the waistband is the kind of detail that signals a brand sweated every choice on this short. It sits flush and precise, giving the front a finished, crafted quality that generic hardware cannot achieve. 

The four-way stretch in the Japanese twill is surprisingly free through the hip and thigh at the top of the backswing, returning cleanly to shape at the finish without any bagging.

For golfers who want the best-looking shorts in any group they play with, start here.

The Lululemon ABC Shorts are one of the sharpest-looking pairs of golf shorts you can buy at any price. The slim fit sits close to the body with a clean intentionality that most golf shorts never achieve, and the welt pockets lie completely flat against the leg without any visible bulk. 

The shorts hold their composure from the first hole to the eighteenth without softening or bagging, which is the detail that separates a well-made short from one that only looks good in the store.

I have worn these in four colors and the heathered grey is the one I keep grabbing. Something about the tonal texture of that shade against the slim silhouette makes the shorts look deliberately considered rather than just grabbed from a drawer. 

• Check the price for Lululemon ABC Shorts on Lululemon ↗

The deeper blues and greens are also worth a serious look. Every option is executed with the depth and consistency you expect from lululemon across their entire lineup.

The ABC gusset is built into the seat and inner thigh specifically to eliminate the bunching and restriction that standard golf shorts create through the rotation. I noticed the difference on the very first hole I wore them, and I have never gone back to a short without this feature. 

The four-way stretch construction keeps the shorts comfortable and cool through a full round in warm conditions, and the fabric holds its structure without the worn, soft look that cheaper stretch shorts show after a few months.

I want you to reconsider whatever assumption you brought to this entry. The Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Short does not look cheap. The classic cut sits cleanly on the body, the colors are consistent and well-executed, and standing on the first tee they are indistinguishable from shorts that cost three or four times as much. I have worn these alongside golfers in premium gear and the shorts have never been what gave away the difference.

The sheer breadth of shades available is one of the strongest arguments for this short. The lineup covers classic khakis and navies through bolder options, and the price makes owning multiple pairs genuinely easy. 

My go-to is the khaki. It is a perfectly executed neutral that pairs with everything and holds its tone consistently after washing. Owning four or five of these in different shades costs less than a single pair from most premium brands in this review.

• Check the price for Amazon Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Stretch Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The classic fit gives the hip and thigh room to move without creating the billowy, dated look that oversized shorts produce. The fabric holds its shape well enough through a full round that it still looks presentable walking off the green after five hours. 

The stretch fabric handles a full backswing without binding, and the waistband holds its position without digging in over a long round. For new golfers and high-frequency players who go through shorts quickly in a hot summer, this is exactly what smart buying looks like.

The adidas Adi Advantage Short has the kind of honest, classic golf look that never goes out of style. The durable twill fabric gives the shorts a composed, structured appearance that performance polyester shorts sometimes lack, and the silhouette reads as traditional golf without feeling dated. These are shorts that look like they belong on a course because they were designed for one.

Adidas keeps the palette on the Adi Advantage focused and purposeful. Classic blacks, whites, grays, and a handful of deeper seasonal shades make up the core selection, and the adidas branding stays understated throughout. 

The black is my pick here. It sits with a visual authority that the lighter options do not quite match, and it pairs with practically everything without any thought required. Every shade holds a clean, even surface through a full season of washing without pilling or fading.

• Check the price for adidas Mens Adi Advantage Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The 100% recycled polyester construction is not a marketing footnote. It is the entire fabric story on this short, and adidas built the Adi Advantage specifically to prove that a recycled material can deliver classic golf aesthetics without compromise. 

The shorts move freely through the swing with enough built-in give to handle a full shoulder turn and follow-through without binding, and the regular fit gives the hip and thigh comfortable room without excess fabric creating restriction. For golfers whose purchasing decisions extend beyond the product to the materials behind it, the Adi Advantage delivers.

TRUE Linkswear is the Pacific Northwest golf brand that serious golfers discover and never stop talking about. Born in Tacoma, the brand built its reputation on shoes that feel like nothing else on the course, and the All Day Golf Short carries that same philosophy into apparel. 

The matte nylon construction gives the shorts a clean, low-profile finish that does not look overly technical or athletic. They read as sophisticated and considered, the kind of shorts you would wear to the course and then wear to dinner without a second thought.

The color story on the All Day Short is built around versatility rather than volume. Black, charcoal, khaki, olive, and a handful of additional shades give you everything you need to pair with any polo in your rotation. 

• Check the price for TRUE Linkswear All Day Golf Shorts on TRUE linkswear ↗

The olive is my personal favorite. The matte nylon surface gives it a depth and sophistication that a standard cotton chino cannot replicate, and it photographs beautifully in the natural light you get on a morning round.

The upgraded button, zipper, and hardware details are the subtle luxuries you notice when you handle the shorts up close. Nothing is cheap, nothing is poorly finished. The stretch built into the nylon construction follows the body with a freedom that makes the shorts easy to forget you are wearing, and the gusset provides room through the seat and inner thigh through the full rotation. 

For golfers who appreciate understated premium details from a brand that cares about the craft, the All Day Short earns every dollar.

Under Armour built its entire brand on better fabric for athletes, and the Tech Golf Short is the version of that commitment you pull on for a summer round. What I love most about how these shorts look is the brushed fabric finish. 

The ultra-soft brushed surface gives the shorts a visual warmth and texture that smooth performance fabrics do not have, and it makes them look more premium than the price point suggests. Not a flashy short. A consistently good-looking one that always reads as a deliberate choice.

The selection of colors Under Armour puts on the Tech Short is one of the widest in this review. Clean whites, classic blacks, bold blues, deep greens, and reds that rotate seasonally give it a breadth that suits practically every wardrobe. 

• Check the price for Under Armour Men’s Tech Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The deep navy is the one I keep going back to. It has a richness that the brushed surface amplifies beautifully, and it pairs effortlessly with almost anything. I find myself rotating through three or four of these across a summer because each one works easily with whatever polo I reach for.

The standard fit sits comfortably through the hip and thigh without the constricted feel of a slim cut. The mesh-lined pockets reduce heat buildup in warm conditions and give the shorts a slightly more technical look. 

Through the swing, the 96% polyester and 4% spandex construction follows the full backswing and follow-through without any catching or restriction. For golfers who want to feel great on the course without overthinking their outfit, these earn their place every single round.

FootJoy has been the number one shoe brand on the PGA Tour for over thirty consecutive years, and the precision behind that track record carries directly into their apparel. The Lightweight 9-inch Inseam Short is the best-fitting pair of golf shorts in this review for an athletic build. The semi-tailored construction fits slimmer through the hip and thigh than a standard-cut golf short, and the 9-inch inseam hits at a length that looks modern and intentional rather than long and dated.

FootJoy keeps the color selection on this short classic and well-considered. The shades are the kind that work with every polo in your rotation and photograph cleanly on the course. The white is my favorite here. 

There is something about a clean white short with the narrow leg opening and flat-front construction that looks sharper than almost any other combination in the category. The flat-front construction sits smooth against the body without any excess fabric bunching at the waist, and the narrow leg opening keeps the line looking precise through the hem.

• Check the price for FootJoy Lightweight 9″ Inseam Golf Shorts on PGA Tour Superstore ↗

The mid-weight performance fabric drapes with structure rather than clinging, and it holds a composed appearance through a full round in heat and humidity without the soft, worn look that lighter fabrics show by the back nine. 

The semi-tailored fit means the shorts move cleanly through the swing without excess fabric catching, and the four-way stretch follows the body through a complete backswing and follow-through with no resistance. Golfers with an athletic build who want a clean, precisely fitted short from a brand with legitimate tour credentials will love the FootJoy Lightweight.

When someone asks me what a golf short is supposed to look like, I hand them a pair of Ping Dealer shorts. Ping has been building equipment that golfers trust for decades, and the Dealer short carries that identity into apparel with the same quiet confidence. 

The flat-front silhouette is clean and composed, the proportions are correct, and the overall look reads as classic golf rather than athleisure or fashion apparel. It just looks right on the course.

The color selection on the Dealer is one of the most comprehensive in this review, covering core neutrals alongside seasonal shades that build naturally into a coordinated Ping wardrobe. My pick is the slate grey. 

It is one of those tones that sits perfectly between a casual neutral and a deliberate choice, pairs with almost any polo, and photographs with a quiet sophistication that brighter options cannot match. The PING Eye logo on the back of the waistband identifies the brand at a glance without competing with the overall cleanliness of the short.

• Check the price for Ping Mens Dealer Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The Tekfit waistband provides up to two inches of stretch while sitting completely invisible from the outside, which is exactly what an active waistband should do. From the front these look like a classic flat-front golf short. What you feel is a waistband that moves with you rather than against you through five hours on the course. 

The SensorCool fabric handles a full swing without restriction and keeps moisture moving away from the skin through the rotation and follow-through. Golfers who want a clean, classic short from a brand they already trust with their clubs will find the Dealer is the natural completion of that setup.

Peter Millar makes some of the most quietly impressive golf apparel available, and the Surge Performance Short is the brand doing what they do best in short form. 

The tailored fit gives the shorts a sharp, modern silhouette that sits between slim and standard, close enough to look intentional at address without creating any restriction or discomfort. These are shorts that look like they were designed by someone who plays golf and cares how they look doing it.

The micro-heathered texture is the visual detail I find most compelling about these shorts. The tonal variation in the heathering gives the fabric a depth that solid-color performance shorts lack, making each shade look richer and more considered than a flat alternative. 

• Check the price for Peter Millar Surge Performance Short on PGA Tour Superstore ↗

Peter Millar runs the palette from classic whites and navies through refined seasonal shades, and the navy micro-heather is the one I would pick first. It hits a sophistication level that feels like it belongs at the best club you will ever play.

The concealed security pocket built into the front is the practical detail I appreciate most. It sits flush and invisible from the outside, adds nothing to the visual bulk of the front, and gives you a secure place for your car key without the pocket print showing through the fabric. 

The 100% polyester four-way stretch construction follows the body through the swing with complete freedom, and the water-resistant finish handles light morning dew without the fabric becoming heavy mid-round. Golfers who want a performance short that looks as sharp as it functions will find the Surge earns its premium designation completely.

There is a large and underserved category of golfer who does not want a slim fit or a tapered leg, and who does not want to think about whether their shorts look current. They want a well-made, comfortable classic golf short that fits correctly, looks clean, and stays out of the way across a full summer round. 

The PGA Tour Flat Front Performance Stretch Short was designed with exactly that golfer in mind, and it delivers on every part of that description without apology.

The flat-front silhouette is clean and composed, and the PGA Tour brand carries genuine credibility in the category. The color selection covers classic khakis, navies, and blacks through clean seasonal shades that pair naturally with standard golf apparel. 

The khaki is the shade I would point someone toward first. It is a proper golf khaki, not a pale or washed-out version, and it holds its warmth and depth through repeated washing in a way that cheaper options rarely manage. Whatever polo you reach for on a summer morning, something here coordinates with it.

• Check the price for PGA TOUR Men’s Flat Front Performance Stretch Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The active waistband expands with movement while looking like a standard flat-front waistband from the outside, which is exactly the right balance. The fit through the hip and thigh gives enough room for comfortable all-day wear, and the MotionFlux stretch fabric has enough give to handle a full golf swing without pulling or binding through the rotation. 

Moisture-wicking technology keeps things dry through warm-weather rounds, and the construction holds its clean appearance through repeated washing without fading or losing the crispness of the flat front.

Galvin Green is the brand serious European golfers reach for when the conditions get demanding, and the Paul Breathable Short is the brand at their most accessible. What stops me every time I look at a pair of these is the color ambition. 

Galvin Green offers the Paul in an extraordinary spectrum, from deep classics like navy and black through vibrant options like royal blue, red, and coral that turn heads on the course. This is not a palette built to play it safe. The coral is the one I would tell you to try, because it is the kind of shade that only works when the quality behind it is this high.

The overall silhouette of the Paul Short is clean and composed without being overly slim. The shirt gripper waistband along the interior is invisible from the outside and keeps your whole outfit looking sharp and tucked throughout the round, which makes a measurable difference in how put-together you look walking the fairway in the back nine. 

• Check the price for Galvin Green Paul Breathable Golf Shorts on Galvin Green ↗

The construction quality reflects thirty years of European performance apparel design, and it shows in how the shorts hold their appearance across a full summer season.

The VENTIL8 PLUS fabric is the lightest-feeling material in this entire shorts review. Through the swing it follows the body with genuine freedom, the mechanical stretch handles the full rotation without any catching, and the shorts return to their composed position at the finish without bagging or distortion.

Callaway takes its equipment design seriously, and the Pro Spin Short reflects that same discipline. The clean flat-front silhouette reads as a properly made golf short rather than an athletic or casual short repurposed for the course, and the Callaway branding sits confidently on the waistband without dominating the visual profile of the short. If you carry a Callaway bag and wear Callaway apparel, this short closes out the kit in the most natural possible way.

The color palette Callaway puts on the Pro Spin is designed to integrate with their broader apparel line, and it shows. Every shade pairs naturally with the Callaway polo collection, running from core whites and blacks through deeper seasonal tones that reflect the brand’s seasonal story. 

White is my personal pick here with this line. There is something satisfying about a clean white flat-front short with the Callaway branding at the waist that reads as complete and considered, especially alongside a matching Callaway cap.

• Check the price for Callaway Men’s 9″ Pro Spin Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The active waistband sits completely invisible from the outside while providing genuine stretch through movement, which means the shorts look like a classic flat-front while feeling like a performance waistband. 

The stretch fabric moves through a full swing without restriction at the hip or thigh, the 9-inch inseam hits at the right modern length, and the UPF 50 protection covers the legs on full-sun afternoon rounds. Callaway golfers who want their shorts to carry the same identity as everything else in their setup will find the Pro Spin earns its place in the rotation.

TravisMathew understands the golfer whose day does not fit neatly into categories, and the Tech Chino Short is built for that golfer. The chino aesthetic gives these shorts a casual, relaxed appearance that looks equally at home at a coffee shop, a casual course, or an afternoon on the practice range. 

The 8-inch inseam is the modern length that sits above the knee without feeling short, and it gives the shorts a contemporary proportion that longer inseams simply cannot match.

The color ambition TravisMathew brings to the Tech Chino is genuinely refreshing. The lineup runs from clean neutrals to confident, California-inflected shades that reflect the brand’s personality. 

• Check the price for TravisMathew Tech Chino Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

The terracotta is the one I find myself recommending most. It is bold without being aggressive, it works against white, navy, or grey polos, and it is the kind of color that prompts a compliment on the first tee rather than a second glance. Every shade is executed in the recycled polyester and cotton blend with a consistency that holds up through repeated washing.

The custom buttons on the waistband and back pocket are the visual detail that elevates these above a standard chino short. They are a deliberate design choice that gives the shorts a finished, considered quality, and the single welt back pocket keeps the rear of the short looking clean and flat. The polyester, cotton, and spandex construction gives the shorts a softness and drape that pure performance fabrics cannot replicate, with four-way stretch that follows the swing through a full rotation without any restriction at the hip or thigh. 

Golfers with active schedules who want one pair of shorts that looks right everywhere will love the Tech Chino.

Nike offers the Core Flex Golf Short in the deepest and most varied color selection of any short in this review, and that alone makes it worth serious consideration. 

From classic whites, khakis, and blacks through every shade of blue, green, red, and seasonal options that rotate throughout the year, there is something here for every wardrobe and every playing style. I own mine in three colors and find a new reason to add another one every season.

The ultra-soft brushed fabric is the visual detail that makes the Core Flex look more premium than the price point suggests. The brushed surface has a warmth and texture that smooth performance fabrics do not produce, and it gives the shorts a visual depth that photographs well on the course. 

• Check the price for Nike Men’s Core Flex Golf Shorts on Amazon ↗

I love how much I keep coming back to the forest green shorts from Nike. The brushed finish gives that particular color a richness and dimension that reads as intentional and sophisticated rather than simply sporty, and it has become my default warm-weather choice.

The mesh-lined pockets reduce the bulk that solid-lined pockets create along the thigh and add a subtle ventilation detail that keeps the pocket area cooler in warm conditions. The standard fit gives the hip and thigh comfortable room without excess fabric creating bulk or restriction. 

Nike Flex fabric and Dri-FIT moisture management combine to keep things dry through warm afternoon rounds, and the polyester and spandex construction follows a full backswing and follow-through without any catching at the hip. For golfers who run a Nike-anchored wardrobe or simply want a reliable summer short with the best color selection in the category, the Core Flex delivers exactly what they need.