Sports

Golf Tournament Shirts: How to Order for Scrambles and Outings

By Shopwada Team · · 5 min read
Golf scramble team in red and white custom polos fist-bumping on the tee

Whether you are organizing a charity scramble, a company outing or a member-guest at your local club, matching shirts are one of those details players remember. They make the event look professional, make photos pop and give every golfer a keepsake to wear long after the last putt drops. This guide walks organizers and team captains through ordering golf tournament shirts step by step, from choosing a style to getting everything delivered before the shotgun start.

Why golf tournaments order custom shirts

  • Team identity. Matching polos make foursomes easy to spot across the course and on the leaderboard photos.
  • A built-in keepsake. Unlike a tote bag, a good golf polo gets worn again on weekend rounds.
  • Event branding. A consistent look ties the day together, from registration to the awards dinner.
  • Volunteer and staff visibility. A different color for volunteers helps players find help fast.
  • Dress code compliance. Most courses expect collared shirts, so a polo solves that question for every player.

Step 1: Decide who gets a shirt

Before you look at designs, nail down the scope. Common setups include:

  • Every player receives a shirt as part of the entry fee.
  • Each team chooses its own design, so foursomes match each other but not the whole field.
  • Organizers and volunteers only, in a standout color.
  • Winners only, as a prize alongside the trophy.

Knowing this early tells you how many shirts to plan for and whether you need one design or several.

Step 2: Choose the right style

Short-sleeve golf polo

The default choice for spring, summer and fall events. A performance polo breathes well, dries fast and meets virtually every course dress code. Our golf team polos are built for exactly this use.

Long-sleeve polo or sun shirt

For early-morning tee times, cooler climates or players who want sun coverage, long sleeves are a smart option. See our long-sleeve golf polos.

Sleeveless polo for women

Many women golfers prefer a sleeveless polo for hot summer events. Offer it as an option alongside the standard women's cut.

Quarter-zip or sweater for winter events

Holiday scrambles and late-season events call for a layer. A golf quarter-zip or sweater doubles as a gift players will reach for all winter.

Charity golf tournament players in matching royal blue polos at check-in

Step 3: Pick a design

Tournament shirts tend to fall into a few design families:

  • Classic and subtle: solid colors with small patterns that look at home in any clubhouse.
  • Bold and fun: flamingos, cactus, Hawaiian prints and bright colors for social scrambles.
  • Patriotic: stars-and-stripes designs for Memorial Day, July 4 and veterans' fundraisers.
  • Seasonal: St. Patrick's Day, Halloween and Christmas designs for themed events.

Patriotic events are especially popular. If your tournament supports veterans or falls near July 4, browse our patriotic golf polos. For a match-the-whole-field look, our matching golf polos let every team wear the same design with their own names.

Step 4: Add names and team details

Personalization is what turns a generic shirt into a tournament shirt. On Shopwada designs you can add a custom name and team name. A few ideas:

  • Player name on the back, team name on the chest
  • The event name as the "team name" for every player
  • Nicknames for a buddy trip, which always gets a laugh at the first tee

Double-check spelling on every name before you order. A typo on the back of a shirt is the one mistake everybody notices.

Step 5: Collect sizes the easy way

Size collection is where most organizers lose time. A simple system helps:

  1. Add a size question (and a men's or women's cut option) to your registration form.
  2. Link players to the size guide so they can check measurements.
  3. Set a firm deadline for sizes, at least three weeks before the event.

For reference, our men's polo runs from S (36-inch chest) to 5XL (64-inch chest), and the women's polo runs from S (39-inch bust) to 5XL (66-inch bust). Players between two sizes should choose the larger one. Measurements are taken flat and allow about 1 inch of tolerance.

Corporate golf outing team in matching teal custom golf polos on the first tee

Step 6: Build a realistic timeline

Every shirt is printed to order, so work backward from your event date:

  • Processing: 2–3 business days
  • US shipping: 3–7 business days
  • International shipping: 7–14 days

We recommend placing the order at least two to three weeks before the event. That leaves room for a late registration or a size swap. Orders of $50 or more ship free.

Step 7: Plan for extras and late entries

  • Order a couple of spare shirts in common sizes (M, L and XL) for late sign-ups.
  • Keep the design details saved so you can reorder single shirts later. There is no minimum order.
  • Pack shirts by team in labeled bags to speed up check-in.

Day-of distribution tips

Having great shirts is only half the job. Getting the right shirt to the right player on event morning takes a little planning:

  • Sort by team, then by name. Put each foursome's shirts in one bag labeled with the team name and starting hole.
  • Hand out shirts before warm-up. Players can change in the clubhouse and still have time on the range.
  • Keep a size-swap box. A couple of spare shirts in common sizes solves most last-minute fit problems on the spot.
  • Assign one volunteer to shirts. A single point of contact avoids confusion at a busy check-in table.
  • Schedule the group photo early. Shirts look sharpest before 18 holes of heat and humidity, so take team photos at check-in or on the first tee.

Mistakes organizers make (and how to avoid them)

  • Ordering too late. Printed-to-order shirts need processing and shipping time. Order two to three weeks ahead.
  • Guessing sizes. Never assume. Collect sizes on the registration form and link to the size chart.
  • Ignoring women's cuts. Mixed fields need both men's and women's options so every player gets a good fit.
  • Skipping a proofread. Have a second person check every name and team name before you place the order.
  • Forgetting the weather. A heavy shirt in July or short sleeves at a frosty December scramble will not get worn.

Avoid these five and your shirts will be one of the details players talk about long after the event ends.

Budget tips for organizers

  • Fold the shirt cost into the entry fee so it feels included, not extra.
  • Ask a sponsor to cover the shirts in exchange for recognition at the event.
  • Offer shirts only to players who opt in on the registration form.
  • Keep one design for everyone to simplify ordering and distribution.

FAQ: golf tournament shirts

What do you wear to a golf tournament as a player?

Most courses expect a collared golf shirt, golf trousers or tailored shorts, and golf shoes. A tournament polo covers the shirt requirement for everyone.

Is there a minimum order for tournament shirts?

No. You can order one shirt or one for every golfer in the field.

Can each golfer have their own name on the shirt?

Yes. Every shirt can be personalized with a name and team name.

How long does it take to get tournament shirts?

Plan for 2–3 business days of processing plus 3–7 business days of shipping in the US. International delivery takes 7–14 days.

What if some shirts do not fit?

All items, including personalized ones, can be returned within 30 days. Our support team is available 8 AM–5 PM Pacific time to help with exchanges and sizing.

Ready to outfit your field? Start with our golf collection and wear your game.

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