Best Golf Shorts for Hot-Weather Rounds

I walked 18 in 92°F heat wearing the Showdowns and they stayed comfortable through the entire round. The flat-front design passed the dress code at Cog Hill (which is pickier than my usual courses), and the quick-dry fabric was noticeably less damp at hole 14 than my old cotton shorts would have been. After 10 rounds and 8 washes, the fit and color were unchanged. The Showdown shorts combine the best stretch, moisture management, and clean aesthetic of any shorts we tested. The flat-front design passes every dress code, and the fabric dries fast after a humid round.

The adidas shorts use the same Ultimate365 stretch technology as their pants — meaning excellent mobility for the price. I found them on sale for $37 and at that price they are a no-brainer for a rotation pair. The inseam runs about half an inch longer than the UA Showdowns, which some golfers prefer for coverage. The same stretch technology as their pants in a shorts cut. At $50 retail (frequently discounted to $35-40), outstanding value for the performance.

The Nike Dri-FIT shorts have the slimmest cut — modern and athletic, which looks great on leaner builds but runs tight through the thighs for larger golfers. I sized up to a 34 (normally a 32) and the fit was perfect. The 7-inch inseam option is available for golfers who want a shorter look, but the 10-inch is safer for dress code compliance. The most modern silhouette — slim through the leg with a shorter inseam option that works for golfers who want an athletic look. Dri-FIT moisture management performs as expected.

For your full summer setup: golf shirts, golf hats, sunglasses, hot-weather gloves. For rainy days: rain jackets.