Choosing a Men's Golf Polo: UPF 50 and Moisture Wicking Explained
Golf polos all look roughly the same on a rail. The differences show up on the ninth hole in August, when one shirt is still moving with your swing and the other is stuck to your back.
Two specifications do most of the work: UPF and moisture wicking. Here is what each one actually does, plus the fit details that matter once the fabric is sorted.
UPF 50: what the number means
UPF is Ultraviolet Protection Factor — a rating on the fabric describing how much UV it blocks. Our LRD Golf Shirts for Men are rated UPF 50, which blocks 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Golf is the sport where this matters most, because you are outdoors for four to five hours with essentially no shade and no way to step off the course to reapply sunscreen mid-round. Sunscreen on the shoulders and upper back is also the first thing that sweats off. A rated fabric does not sweat off.
Where UPF does and does not apply
The rating covers the skin under the fabric. Forearms below a short sleeve, the back of the neck, and your ears are not covered — that is what a hat and sunscreen are for. If you want more fabric coverage, a long-sleeve layer such as the LRD Quarter Zip Golf Pullover extends the sleeve.
Moisture wicking: what it actually is
Wicking is not "the shirt absorbs sweat" — that is what cotton does, and it is exactly the problem. Cotton holds moisture against the skin, gets heavy, and stops regulating your temperature.
A wicking fabric moves moisture away from the skin to the outer surface of the garment, where it can evaporate. The result you feel is a shirt that stays light and does not cling. The LRD men's polo pairs this with quick-dry, odor-resistant fabric for exactly that reason: sweat is the enemy of regulating body temperature, and the fabric is built to keep you cool and dry through the round.
The cotton test
If a polo is majority cotton, it is not a performance polo, whatever the tag says. Read the fibre content before you read the marketing copy.
Stretch and range of motion
A golf swing is a rotation, and a shirt that resists rotation costs you either comfort or swing. Our LRD men's polo uses a 4-way stretch fabric to maintain full range of motion through the swing, and the LRD Tropical Short Sleeve UPF 50 Golf Polo uses a loose athletic fit for mobility in any direction.
Two-way stretch fabric stretches across the body only. Four-way stretches across and along, which is what a rotational movement needs.
Fit and sizing
Athletic loose vs. slim
An athletic loose fit gives you air and mobility and is more forgiving over a long round. A slimmer cut looks sharper off the course. If you are between the two, consider where you will wear the shirt most.
Sizes we carry
The LRD men's polo runs Medium through 3X-Large (Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, 3X-Large). Not every colourway carries every size — the tropical print polo, for instance, runs Medium to X-Large. Check the size selector on the product page for the colour you want.
Colour and print
The LRD men's polo comes in eight prints — Boats and Hoes, Jungle Cat, Miami Flamingo, Old Glory, Paint Splatter, Screamin' Eagle, Tee Off Tigers and Tropic Like It's Hot. If your club has a dress code, check it before you commit to a loud one.
Care and the rest of the kit
The LRD polo is machine washable and the fabric is wrinkle resistant, which is the practical reason it travels well. Skip fabric softener — it coats fibres and reduces wicking performance.
To build the rest of the round: LRD Mens Stretch Golf Pants, the HDE 6 Panel Performance Trucker Hat, and the LRD X-Large Microfiber Golf Towel. Browse Mens Activewear and Mens.
FAQ
What UPF are LRD men's golf polos?
UPF 50, which blocks 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
What does moisture wicking mean on a golf shirt?
The fabric moves sweat away from your skin to the outer surface where it evaporates, instead of absorbing and holding it the way cotton does. The LRD polo pairs wicking with quick-dry, odor-resistant fabric.
What sizes do LRD men's golf polos come in?
Medium through 3X-Large on the main men's polo. Size availability varies by colourway, so check the selector on the product page.
Is the fit slim or loose?
Athletic with a loose fit, chosen for mobility through the swing. The fabric is 4-way stretch to maintain range of motion.
Can I wear it off the course?
Yes — it is styled as a classic polo with performance fabric, and it is wrinkle resistant, which is why it works for travel.
How should I wash it?
Machine washable. Avoid fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces wicking.
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