Golf clothing is cut for a rotating body, which is why it does not size like a high street shirt. Take three measurements once, write them down, and ordering stops being a guess.
Measure yourself, then forget your usual size
- Chest / bust. Around the fullest part, tape level, arms down, breathing normally.
- Waist. At your natural waist, where trousers actually sit on you - not where you would like them to.
- Hips. Around the widest point. This is the one that decides ladies' trousers and skirts.
- Inside leg. From crotch to the top of the shoe, measured in golf shoes.
Then use the product page's own chart. Every brand tags a size label to a body measurement, and those tags differ - an Italian brand's L and an American brand's L can be two centimetres apart on the chest.
Men's tops
| Size | Chest | EU numeric |
|---|---|---|
| S | 92-97 cm | 48 |
| M | 98-103 cm | 50 |
| L | 104-110 cm | 52-54 |
| XL | 111-117 cm | 56 |
| XXL | 118-125 cm | 58 |
Several European brands - Chervo among them - label everything by the numeric size rather than by letter. The numeric size on the product page is the one to trust; we list the letter equivalent next to it wherever the manufacturer supplies one.
Ladies' sizing
| EU | UK | US | Bust | Waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 6 | 2 | 80-83 cm | 62-65 cm |
| 36 | 8 | 4 | 84-87 cm | 66-69 cm |
| 38 | 10 | 6 | 88-91 cm | 70-73 cm |
| 40 | 12 | 8 | 92-95 cm | 74-78 cm |
| 42 | 14 | 10 | 96-100 cm | 79-83 cm |
| 44 | 16 | 12 | 101-105 cm | 84-89 cm |
Trousers and shorts
Men's golf trousers are usually sold by waist in inches (30 to 40) and sometimes with a leg length as well - commonly 32 or 34 inches, occasionally a short 30. Where only one leg length is offered, the brand has picked something near 33 inches and expects the rest to be handled by a tailor.
Two things worth knowing before ordering. Golf trousers are cut with more room through the seat and thigh than a formal trouser in the same waist, so do not size up on that account. And technical fabrics with elastane give roughly a centimetre in the waist after a few wears, so if you are between sizes, take the smaller one.
Ladies' trousers, skirts and skorts go by the EU or UK size in the table above, and the hip measurement is more decisive than the waist.
Tour fit, regular fit, and the layers
Most brands run two cuts. Tour or athletic fit is trimmer through the chest and sleeve, and it is what you see on television. Regular or classic fit is straighter and roomier. Neither is better; they are for different bodies, and the same nominal size differs noticeably between them.
Then there is layering, which is where sizing goes wrong most often:
- Base layer - buy it snug, it only works in contact with the skin. Your true size, or one down if you are between.
- Polo - true size. Modern polos have elastane and are meant to sit close.
- Midlayer or sweater - true size, worn over a polo. Size up here and you end up with a jumper that flaps in the backswing.
- Waterproof jacket - the one place to size up if you are between sizes, because it goes over everything else and needs room to rotate.
What to take away
- Chest, waist, hips and inside leg - measured once, used every time.
- Trust the brand's own chart, not the letter you usually buy.
- Base layers snug, polos true, midlayers true, waterproofs one up if in doubt.
- Golf trousers already allow room through the seat - do not size up for it.
Size charts sit on every product page in polo shirts, trousers and the rest of the clothing range.