Putter & Tweed

Hole 25 · Since 1980

Vintage golf polos: labels, fit and care

1980s onward

Vintage golf polos include labels such as Ashworth, Izod, Hogan and Slazenger; Arnold Palmer also has a crested collection that includes polos. Some vintage golf polos are 100-percent cotton. Learn the labels, check the condition, then wash them by hand before you wear them.

What it solved on the course

A vintage polo can carry an old pattern or a tournament logo that a new one rarely has.

History

The labels tell the story. Ashworth polos still turn up on eBay for solid prices. Izod made polos you can pick up for the low. Hogan sits with MacGregor and Maxfli in the group of brands from yesteryear that 90s and early 2000s golf style keeps coming back to. Arnold Palmer's umbrella logo has been embroidered on polo shirts at tour issue size, and the crested collection now runs through polos, tees, mid layers and gilets. The Slazenger piece costs much less than current Augusta National merchandise. In the 1980s the impact of Palmer, Nicklaus and Gary Player was felt internationally, and alongside a thriving Japanese economy, Japan's course count grew fast. The Japan-based online store New Vintage Golf launched in 2020 and draws on golf's 'Golden Age,' when Arnold Palmer competed with a young Jack Nicklaus. Clean vintage clothing before you wear it. Hand washing is recommended for older pieces. Be on the lookout for fakes.

Who wore it best

  • Arnold Palmer

    His umbrella logo has been embroidered on polo shirts, and the crested collection includes polos, tees, mid layers and gilets.[3]

  • John Daly

    Hypebeast mentions moodboards with John Daly in a neon polo.[2]

How to wear it now

  1. Tuck a cotton polo into pleated shorts for a classic look, or leave it out over flat-front trousers or pants with a plain belt.
  2. Keep the rest simple: white leather shoes, a leather belt, and no loud logos.
  3. Check the collar for roll, the underarms for yellowing, and the placket for missing buttons before you buy.
  4. For cold mornings, layer a crewneck sweater or jumper over the collar.
  5. Old polos can run short and boxy. Size up if you want a roomier fit, or wear it tucked.

Where to buy

New

Vintage

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

Sources

  1. My Golf Spy, My Golf Spy. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  2. Hypebeast, Hypebeast. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
  3. Golf Poser, Golf Poser. Retrieved 2026-10-01.

Updated .