Most golf shirts fail one of two ways: they fit like a trash bag or they choke your backswing. This guide gets you in the right Lofty Llama size on the first try, so you skip the return slip and play in the thing this weekend.

Start with the fit, not the tag

Our polos run a regular golf fit on a 92% polyester, 8% spandex fabric with 4-way stretch. Translation: there is real give built in. If you are dead between two sizes, size up only when you want room to layer or you carry weight through the chest and shoulders. The stretch covers the rest.

A few of our polos are cut athletic (slimmer through the torso and sleeve) or relaxed (roomier all over). When a product is one of those, it says so right in the title, so check the name before you guess.

How to measure in 60 seconds

Skip measuring your body. Grab a polo you already love that fits the way you want on the course, lay it flat with the buttons done and no wrinkles, and measure these four points. Every number in the chart is the garment laid flat, so you are comparing apples to apples.

• Chest (D): straight across, armpit seam to armpit seam. Do not double it, the chart uses the flat number.
• Body length (B): highest point of the shoulder straight down to the hem.
• Sleeve (C): shoulder seam to the sleeve opening.
• Shoulder (A): seam to seam across the back at collar height.

Match those to the chart below. Land between two rows and the 4-way stretch covers it: take the smaller row for a trimmer look or the larger one for swing room.

Polo size chart

All measurements are the polo laid flat, in inches. Letters match the points on the size chart graphic.

Tees size a little different

Our graphic tees are printed to order on a Next Level sueded blank: softer and lighter than the polo, cut like a standard t-shirt. Want the lived-in, slightly relaxed look? Take your normal tee size. Like it fitted? Size down one.

Tee measurements are the shirt laid flat, in inches.

Still not sure?

When you are torn, size up. The fabric has stretch, a slightly roomy polo still looks right on the course, and a too-tight one never leaves the closet. Ready to shop? Start with the men's golf polos or browse the funny golf tees.