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The short answer
For warm rounds: pima cotton blends for the polo, lightweight technical poplin or jersey for the bottom half, and avoid heavy structured fabrics for layers. For the most comfortable round of the year, mock collars in lightweight knits beat structured collars on heat.
Pima cotton
Long-staple cotton. Soft, breathable, holds dye well so colours stay vivid. Slightly less wicking than synthetic. The default choice for an everyday polo.
Recycled performance poly
Engineered to wick sweat away from skin and dry fast. Tends to hold structure (collar stays sharp). Best when you sweat hard or play very hot rounds. Look for “rPET” labels for the sustainability story.
Merino blend
Surprisingly summer-friendly in fine weight: temperature-regulating, odour-resistant, packs small. Best layered (under a wind shell on cool mornings). Heavier merino is winter-only.
Linen blends
Light, breathable, slightly textured look. Pure linen wrinkles fast (avoid on photos / dress-code rounds). Linen-cotton blends hold shape better and still breathe.
What to avoid in summer
Heavy ponte knits, anything with a thick lining, structured wovens with non-stretch waistbands, and 100% non-wicking cotton on the body if you sweat a lot.
Fit matters as much as fabric
The best summer fabric still feels warm when the cut is wrong. Look for a shape that sits slightly away from the body so air can move, with enough room across the shoulders to turn freely. Try the swing test in the fitting room: take your address position and make a slow backswing. If the hem lifts or the sleeves pull, go up a size or pick another cut. Light colours reflect more sunlight than dark ones, which you notice on an open course.
Sun protection in the fabric
Many golf tops carry a UPF rating on the label. UPF 50 means the fabric lets through about one fiftieth of the UV radiation, so it blocks roughly 98 percent. A tight knit protects better than a loose, open one, and a wet or stretched fabric protects less. Fabric covers only what it covers: a cap or visor and sunscreen on your face, neck, arms and legs stay necessary.
Caring for technical fabrics
Performance fabrics keep working when you wash them gently. Wash cool, close zips and fasten collars, and skip fabric softener: it leaves a coating on the fibres that makes them wick less well. Hang the pieces to dry instead of using a hot tumble dryer. Follow the care label first, because blends differ.
Planning the bottom half as well? See our skirts and skorts and dresses.
Curated summer picks
Our Summer on the Course collection groups the pieces we keep returning to in warm weather.