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The Role of Performance Fabrics in Golf Clothing

From sweat-wicking polos to waterproof jackets, today’s golf clothing is built to perform as well as you do. Discover the fabrics and features behind Glenmuir’s performance range – designed for comfort, freedom of movement, and confident play in any weather.

10 April 2025 Words by Anniina 5 minute read The Role of Performance Fabrics in Golf Clothing

Table of Contents

  1. Golf Polo Shirts: Engineered for Comfort and Swing
  2. Midlayers: Maintaining Warmth and Flexibility
  3. Padded Storm Bloc®: Ultimate Warmth and Protection
  4. Storm Bloc® Outerwear: Weatherproofing for Any Condition
  5. Golf Trousers: Comfort and Mobility for Every Shot
  6. Headwear: Protection from the Elements
  7. FAQs

Golf Polo Shirts: Engineered for Comfort and Swing

A good golf shirt is a must-have for any golfer, and nowadays, they're often made from clever materials that enhance your comfort on the course.

These modern (active functional) fabrics have special threads that draw moisture away from your skin (moisture-wicking), helping to keep you cool, dry, and able to swing without feeling restricted.

Performance Pique

Best for: Cool comfort

Performance pique is a popular choice in modern golf apparel. It's light and the technical honeycomb mesh knitting structure allows your skin to breathe, offering coolness and comfort even on those hot summer days.

Some of the other features of this material include:

  • It's hypoallergenic, so it's a good option if you find some fabrics irritating.

  • Its thermoregulation technology helps regulate your temperature so you don't get too hot or cold.

  • It offers +40 UV protection to guard against harmful sun rays

  • It wicks away moisture through the fabric yarn so you feel fresh and comfortable throughout your round.

  • It has a subtle and elegant textured handle and appearance which some golfers prefer. 

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.DEACON Polo Short-Sleeved Pique Performance Shirt

  • The g.MAX Long-Sleeved Pique Performance Shirt

  • The g.ETHAN Tipped Performance Golf Shirt

Our recommendations for women:

  • The g.MISHA Long-Sleeved Pique Performance Shirt

  • The g.PALOMA Performance Pique Golf Shirt

  • The g.JENNA Sleeveless Performance Pique Golf Shirt

Performance Stretch Jersey

Best for: Ease of movement

Performance elastane stretch is a man-made fabric that's got a good bit of give in it. This makes it comfortable and hard-wearing, so it's a great choice no matter the weather. This fabric is smoother to touch compared with the textured pique.

Some of its main characteristics include:

  • Offers an impressive four-way stretch, meaning it moves with you as you swing.

  • UV protection to protect your skin from harmful rays.

  • Thermoregulation properties.

  • Great for printing on, so you often see it in stylish patterns and designs.

  • Smooth handle and cooler to the touch.
  • Has special technologies in the yarn that pull moisture away from your body, helping you feel fresh.

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.SILLOTH Tailored Collar Performance Golf Shirt

  • The g.MUIRHEAD Pencil-Stripe Performance Golf Shirt

  • The g.TORRANCE Micro-Stripe Performance Golf Shirt

Our recommendations for women:

  • The g.AMELIA Performance Golf Polo Shirt

  • The g.STELLA Mesh Panel Performance Golf Shirt

  • The g.VICTORIA Printed Golf Dress with Detachable Shorts

Midlayers: Maintaining Warmth and Flexibility

Midlayers are worn over your golf shirt to keep you warm and comfortable during your morning warm up, or on cooler evenings.

Here at Glenmuir, our midlayers are made with smart fabrics that not only keep the chill off but also allow your skin to breathe and let you swing without restriction. These fabrics also have special yarn that wick away moisture, ensuring you stay dry.

A few decades ago, most midlayers were made from Merino wool or another type of natural material. However, in recent years, the benefits offered by synthetic fibres have proved to be incredibly useful, especially when striking a balance between breathability, weight and warmth.

Performance Lightweight Stretch With Antistick Tricot Backing

Best for: Light warmth

Made from 90% performance polyester and 10% stretchy elastane, this fabric technology has been crafted to keep your body at a balanced temperature.

While these midlayers are designed to fit snugly, they won't feel tight or stop you from swinging properly, thanks to the smooth "antistick tricot backing" on the inside which glides over your under shirt.

Our recommendation for men:

  • The g.WICK Lightweight Performance Midlayer

  • The g.DUNNET Lightweight Performance Slipover

Our recommendation for women:

  • The g.CARINA Panel Performance Midlayer

Performance Midweight Water Repellent Stretch With Brushed Backing

Best for: Cooler, wetter weather

When the weather's cooler and there's a chance of rain, you need something more robust to keep you warm and dry.

This high-quality fabric is specially treated to resist water, so you can concentrate on your game without worrying about getting damp. Plus, the brushed fleece inner is soft against your skin and provides additional warmth without feeling stuffy.

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.CRAIL Rib Performance Golf Midlayer

  • The g.CHARLES Rib Sleeveless Performance Golf Layer

  • The g.CAMERON Hooded Performance Golf Layer

Our recommendation for women:

  • The g.INDY Coverstitch Panelled Performance Golf Layer

Performance Midweight Water Repellent Stretch With Mesh Backing

Best for: Light showers

With a PFC-free water-repellent finish, you'll be protected from those unexpected showers, while the mesh lining on the inside provides ultimate breathability.

This advanced textile technology is designed to boost your athletic performance, protect you from adverse weather conditions, and keep you cosy.

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.DOUGLAS Colour Block Performance Golf Midlayer

  • The s.ASPEN Showerproof Golf Midlayer

Padded Storm Bloc®: Ultimate Warmth and Protection

Made from a combination of performance polyester, a water and wind-resistant outer layer, and heat-insulating down, this golf outerwear is designed to retain your body warmth. Plus, we've added stretch panels so you can still swing comfortably.

Performance Padded Thermal Insulation

Best for: Warmth

Staying warm on the course is essential if you want to be on top of your game. In recent years, we have seen an evolution of modern golf clothing to include performance, padded thermal insulation. These fabrics not only hold onto your body heat to keep you warm, and dry but also draw away any moisture.

The padding itself is what makes a real difference, creating an extra barrier between you and the elements.

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.ARDEN Chevron Padded Performance Jacket

  • The g.NEWTON Padded Performance Golf Gilet

  • The g.GOVAN Lightweight Quilted Performance Golf Jacket

  • The s.DAVOS Padded Bonded Golf Jacket

  • The g.CARLTON Lightweight Quilted Performance Golf Gilet

Our recommendations for women:

  • The g.AYLA Bonded Padded Down Jacket

  • The g.SAMARA Bonded Padded Hybrid Down Golf Jacket

  • The s.ALASKA Bonded Thermal Down Golf Gilet

Storm Bloc® Outerwear: Weatherproofing for Any Condition

Glenmuir’s special Storm Bloc® interlock fabric is made with two layers that are not only very quiet when you move but also surprisingly soft to the touch. Because it stretches in four directions, it'll help you achieve that perfect, unrestricted shot.

Plus, the technical fabric is highly waterproof, windproof and breathable, making it ideal for outerwear.

Performance Lightweight Outer Water Repellent Stretch

Best for: Heavy showers

This advanced, durable fabric has undoubtedly revolutionised the golf apparel industry. If you're serious about your golf and want to play your best, no matter the weather, you need a Storm Bloc® or Sunderland of Scotland outerwear piece in your golf bag.

Our recommendations for men:

Our recommendations for women:

  • The g.TILLIE Lightweight Stretch Water Repellent Jacket

  • The g.REBECCA Lightweight Stretch Water Repellent Golf Gilet

  • The s.WHISPERDRY AURORA Concealed Hood Lightweight Jacket

  • The s.KILLY Panel Waterproof Golf Jacket

Golf Trousers: Comfort and Mobility for Every Shot

We've covered golf shirts, midlayers and jackets, but let's not forget about golf trousers! Just like your top layers, your trousers are just as important for a comfortable and unrestricted game. Plenty of easily accessible pockets are important, and enough movement in the fabric to allow you to bend down to read those all important putts.

As with your other golf clothes, you want to opt for trousers made from active functional materials and moisture-wicking yarn that deliver thermoregulation.

Performance Lightweight Stretch Trousers

Best for: Enhanced mobility

Here at Glenmuir, we have a range of lightweight stretch trousers for you to choose from. In addition to the high-quality, breathable material, you can look forward to deep pockets, elasticised waistbands, and a perfect fit.

Our trousers are designed with freedom of movement in mind, so you can walk, swing, kneel down, and putt on the green with ease. We have some waterproof options also.

Our recommendations for men:

  • The g.ROSS Lightweight Performance Golf Trousers

  • The g.JACKSON Lightweight Performance Golf Shorts

  • The s.QUEBEC Waterproof Golf Over Trousers

Our recommendations for women:

  • The g.PHOEBE Lightweight Performance Pedal Pushers

  • The g.KALEY Lightweight Stretch Performance Golf Trousers

  • The s.MONTANA Waterproof Golf Over Trousers

Headwear: Protection from the Elements

Is there anything worse than feeling of losing your ball in the sunlight, your ears feeling cold or wind and rain getting in your eyes whilst you're trying to line up that perfect shot?

To combat this, look out for features such as thermal lined, water repellency and sweat absorption in your headwear.

Performance Lightweight Water Repellent Stretch Cap

Best for: Sun, rain and cold protection

Made from a blend of 92% performance polyester and 8% elastane with a water-repellent finish, our caps are designed to keep you comfortable and dry. Plus, with the handy adjustable strap at the back, you can be sure of a perfect fit, whatever your head size.

We've also included a stretchy sweatband inside to keep you dry, with little air holes stitched in to help heat and moisture escape.

Our recommendations:

FAQs

What are some of the most common performance fabrics used in golf clothing?

Some of the most common performance fabrics used to manufacture high-quality golf attire include:

  • Polyester

  • Nylon

  • Spandex

  • Bamboo

  • Merino wool

  • Cotton blends

In many cases, synthetic fabrics are combined with natural materials, so you experience the benefits offered by each.

Can performance fabrics enhance performance?

Yes. Thanks to properties such as durability and moisture-wicking technology, performance fabrics ensure you stay comfortable on the golf course and enjoy a full range of motion. While you should notice an improvement in comfort and functionality, you cannot simply rely on your clothing to improve your golf game.

What are some of the main benefits offered by performance golf clothing?

While each specific fabric and type of clothing will come with its own benefits, you can look forward to advantages like UV protection, durability, moisture-wicking properties, stretchability, breathability, and comfort.

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