Putter & Tweed

Hole 10 · Since 1911

Golf cardigans and vests for men

1910s to now

A cardigan or a sweater vest covers the in-between weather on a golf course. The vest keeps your core warm and leaves your arms free. In the 1920s the cardigan was called a sweater-coat, and the vest also goes by knitted waistcoat.

What it solved on the course

For some golfers a padded mid layer feels bulky when swinging, and on milder days a normal golf jumper can be more warmth than you need. Take the sleeves off and the problem goes away. The arms move free, the core stays warm. A cardigan does the same job with buttons you can open as the day heats up.

History

The sweater vest is also known as a knitted waistcoat. The first example Vintage Dancer found came from a 1911 Sears catalog: a waistcoat-style vest fastened at the front, with a V neckline and small pockets. Early ones came two tone, a lighter body with a dark edge, in combinations like Oxford gray and dark gray.

The First World War pushed the shape toward a pullover, after the military supplied men with simple khaki sleeveless sweaters. The V neck gave way to a deeper round neck and the armholes were cut deeper, which gave golfers and tennis players the free shoulder movement they wanted.

The cardigan went its own way. In the 1920s it was called a sweater-coat and fastened at the front, with a pair of pockets at each hip. The sportiest version had four pockets, and golfers used them for small items. The shawl collar led in the first half of the decade, the V neck in the second. The Prince of Wales wore one on and off the course and men followed.

By the 1940s the cable knit sweater vest was the most popular texture. Vests themselves go back further, to knitted wool and cotton undershirts worn for sport by the 1870s. Modern versions often lean on polyester, nylon and spandex blends, though merino wool and cashmere remain traditional choices.

Who wore it best

  • Bobby Jones

    Made layering look easy through the 1920s while playing in unpredictable tournament weather.[4]

  • The Prince of Wales

    Wore sweater-coats on and off the golf course, and plenty of men copied him.[5]

How to wear it now

  1. Put a white polo under a navy knit vest, add gray trousers and white shoes. It reads country club without trying too hard.
  2. Check the armholes. They should sit high and snug on the shoulder, not droop. Droopy armholes let cold air in and catch on the swing.
  3. The hem should land just past your belt buckle. Shorter rides up, longer bunches at the hips.
  4. Wear the cardigan open over a polo while you warm up, then button it when the wind gets up. Keep the pockets for tees, not your hands.
  5. On a cold morning, start with a thermal base layer and dark trousers, add a cardigan or sweater, then a padded vest on top. Peel the vest off at the turn if it warms up.

Where to buy

New

Vintage

Links open the shop's own site. Some may earn us a commission.

Sources

  1. Galvin Green, Galvin Green. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  2. Vintage Dancer, Vintage Dancer. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  3. Golf Monthly, Golf Monthly. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  4. 2nd Shot MVP, 2nd Shot MVP. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  5. Vintage Dancer - 1920s Sweaters, Vintage Dancer - 1920s Sweaters. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  6. V&A Museum, V&A Museum. Retrieved 2026-10-01.

Updated .