Best Golf Mid Layers for Men in 2026: Quarter-Zip, Hoodie or Gilet?

Updated on: November 6, 2026 • ~14 min read

Author: Graeme

Every golfer knows the feeling of a cold first tee in the wrong jumper.

It's too warm by the 4th, too tight at the top of the backswing, or so bulky that your three-quarter swing is now a half.

That's the job of golf mid layers, and most of us only think about it once we've got it wrong.

However, the warmest one is rarely the best one.

The right mid layer is the one you forget you're wearing, and that could be a quarter-zip, a fleece, a gilet or a hoodie.

In this guide, I'll compare all of them, show you the 18 best golf mid layers I'd buy in 2026, with UK and US prices, and explain how to layer them for the weather and whether your club will let you.

About the author: Graeme Whiles is the founder of Three Putt Golf Clothing and plays off 12.4 in West Yorkshire. He has tested and reviewed more than 100 golf clothing brands on this journal, and he's tested every mid layer in this guide.

In this guide:

• The best golf mid layers at a glance
• What is a golf mid layer?
• Quarter-zip, fleece, gilet or hoodie?
• How I tested them
• The best golf quarter-zips
• The best fleeces and half-zips
• The best golf gilets
• The best hoodies and sweatshirts
• How to layer for golf
• Will your club let you wear it?
• Golf mid layer FAQs

The Best Golf Mid Layers at a Glance

If you're in a hurry, here's the short version.

• Best overall: Under Armour Drive Midlayer (£65 / $85).
• Best premium: Peter Millar Perth Performance Quarter-Zip (£120 / $145).
• Best for wind and rain: adidas Ultimate365 Wind Quarter-Zip (£75 / $100).
• Best for cold: Galvin Green Drake (£99 / $169).
• Best gilet: Galvin Green Leo (£169 / $199), or Druids Clima (£53 / $120) for less.
• Best budget: Uniqlo 100% Merino Half-Zip Jumper (£39.90), which isn't a golf product, but does the job.

My top pick: the Under Armour. It's warm without being bulky, it shrugs off a shower, and you can buy it in both the UK and the US.

Mid layer	Type	Best for	UK price	US price
Under Armour Drive Midlayer	Quarter-zip	All-rounder	£65	$85
Peter Millar Perth	Quarter-zip	Premium	£120	$145
Glenmuir g.WICK	Quarter-zip	A thin layer	£80	Ships in £
adidas Ultimate365 Wind	Quarter-zip	Wind and light rain	£75	$100
FootJoy ThermoSeries Ottoman	Quarter-zip	Wind	£100	UK only
Sunderland s.COLORADO	Quarter-zip	Showers	£90	Ships in £
Galvin Green Drake	Half-zip	Cold days	£99	$169
PING Ramsey	Fleece	Value	£60	UK and Europe only
PING Ezra	Fleece	Insulated warmth	£90	UK and Europe only
Uniqlo Merino Half-Zip	Knit	Budget	£39.90	UK price only
Greg Norman Freedom	Half-zip	Cheapest golf option	£34.99	UK retailer
Galvin Green Leo	Gilet	Windproofing	£169	$199
Sunderland s.ANDORRA	Gilet	Padded warmth	£95	Ships in £
Druids Clima 3.0	Gilet	A cheap padded gilet	£53	$120
Three Putt Halfway Hut	Gilet	Over a polo	£49.99	$69
Galvin Green Donnie	Hoodie	A hoodie to play in	£119	$149
PING Saul	Hoodie	A lighter hoodie	£75	UK and Europe only
Three Putt hoodies and sweatshirts	Hoodie, crew	The range and the clubhouse	From £42.99	From $59

These are full prices from each seller's own site, or from a named retailer where the brand doesn't sell direct, checked on November 6, 2026.

What Is a Golf Mid Layer?

A golf mid layer is the piece that goes over your polo and under your jacket.

Golf Monthly describes them as technical fabrics with stretch and a layer of warmth that doesn't restrict you.

On a dry, mild day, it can be the last thing you put on. When the weather turns, it sits under a waterproof.

That's what makes it the hardest working piece of golf clothing you own, and for much of the year in the UK, it's the one that's on show.

For the full cold-weather kit list, see our guide to winter golf clothes.

Quarter-Zip, Fleece, Gilet or Hoodie?

Most golfers buy whichever one looks good on the rail.

However, each type does a different job, so here's how they compare.

Type	Warmth	Swing freedom	Dress code	Best for
Quarter-zip	Light to medium	Very good	Rarely a problem	Most rounds, most of the year
Fleece or thermal half-zip	High	Good, if it stretches	Rarely a problem	Cold mornings
Gilet	Body only	The best	Rarely a problem	Mild, windy days over a polo
Hoodie	Medium to high	Depends on the weight	Some clubs say no	Relaxed clubs and the range
Crew sweatshirt	Medium to high	Good	Check first	Casual rounds and the clubhouse

If you only buy one, make it a quarter-zip.

The zip lets you cool down on the 3rd without taking anything off, and it's the one you're least likely to be turned away in.

If you already own two or three, buy a gilet next. With nothing on your arms, it's the layer you'll notice least at the top of the backswing.

How I Tested These Golf Mid Layers

I've tested every mid layer on this list, and I judged each one on four things.

• Warmth for its weight: does it keep you warm without adding bulk?
• Swing freedom: does anything pull across the shoulders or ride up?
• Weather: what does it do in wind or a passing shower, compared with what the label says?
• Layering: does it fit under a waterproof without bunching?

One thing to be upfront about: Three Putt is my brand, so three of our pieces are on the list. No other brand paid to be here, none of the links earn us commission, and our review methodology sets out how we handle that.

The Best Golf Quarter-Zips

A quarter-zip is the default golf mid layer for a reason.

These go from a thin summer layer to something that can stand up to a shower.

Best Overall: Under Armour Drive Midlayer (£65 / $85)

Of everything I tested, this is the one I'd buy first.

Under Armour's Drive Midlayer is a stretchy double-knit of 86% polyester and 14% elastane, with a water-repellent finish that Under Armour says handles morning dew and light rain.

It's warm without the bulk, it moves with you, and it runs from XS to 3XL.

It's $85 from Under Armour in the US. Here's our full Under Armour review.

Best for: one mid layer for most of the year.

Best Premium: Peter Millar Perth Performance Quarter-Zip (£120 / $145)

The Perth is Peter Millar's best-known mid layer, a loop terry of 89% polyester and 11% spandex with four-way stretch, in a classic fit from S to 3XL.

It makes no claims about wind or rain, and at £120, you're paying for the feel and the look.

It's $145 from Peter Millar in the US. Read our full Peter Millar review.

Best for: a smart club, or straight to dinner.

Best Thin Layer: Glenmuir g.WICK Quarter Zip (£80)

Glenmuir's g.WICK is 90% polyester and 10% elastane, with four-way stretch and a close fit, so it sits neatly under a jacket.

The lockdown zip has a chin guard, and the size range is unusually wide, from XXS to XXXL.

Glenmuir ships to the US from its own site, priced in pounds. Here's our full Glenmuir review.

Best for: spring and autumn, or under a waterproof.

Best for Wind and Light Rain: adidas Ultimate365 Wind Quarter-Zip (£75 / $100)

The adidas Ultimate365 is a three-layer bonded fabric with a fleece back, in a regular fit from XS to 3XL.

adidas says it's designed to handle light rain and wind, which makes it closer to a light jacket than a thin layer.

It's $100 from adidas in the US. Read our full adidas review.

Best for: a blustery day when you don't want a jacket on.

Most Windproof: FootJoy ThermoSeries Ottoman Midlayer (£100)

FootJoy's own rating table gives the ThermoSeries Ottoman mid warmth, water resistance and full windproofing, in a mid-weight fabric from S to 2XL.

That windproof rating is the reason to buy it, particularly on an exposed course.

I couldn't match this exact piece on FootJoy's US site, so treat it as one for UK buyers. Here's our full FootJoy review.

Best for: links golf in the shoulder months.

Best for Showers: Sunderland s.COLORADO Quarter Zip (£90)

Sunderland's s.COLORADO is a bonded jersey with a mesh inner and a PFC-free water-repellent finish, in sizes from S to XXXL.

It has a snug fit and draw cords at the hem to keep the draughts out.

Sunderland is now sold through Glenmuir's site. Read our full Sunderland review.

Best for: British weather, frankly.

The Best Fleeces and Half-Zips

When the temperature drops into single figures, a thin quarter-zip won't be enough.

These are the warmer options, plus two cheap ones.

Best for Cold: Galvin Green Drake (£99 / $169)

Galvin Green's Drake is a thermal half-zip, 90% recycled polyester and 10% elastane, which Galvin Green rates "warming effect #2" for excellent thermal insulation.

It's highly breathable and quick to dry, and it runs from S to 4XL. Galvin Green recommends sizing up for a looser fit.

It's far dearer in the US, at $169. Here's our full Galvin Green review.

Best for: winter medals.

Best Value Fleece: PING Ramsey Half Zip (£60)

PING's Ramsey is a ribbed fleece in 100% polyester, soft and warm, with sizes up to XXXL.

It doesn't claim to do anything about wind or rain, but £60 is good money for a golf fleece from a major brand.

PING's European site doesn't ship to the US. Read our full PING review.

Best for: a warm layer on a dry day.

Warmest Fleece: PING Ezra Insulated Half Zip (£90)

The PING Ezra is a water-resistant, brushed-back stretch fleece with an insulated panel across the upper front, using Clo's Vivo Extreme.

That insulation sits across your chest, where you feel the wind first, and leaves the arms free to move.

Best for: the coldest rounds you'll still go out in.

Best Budget: Uniqlo 100% Merino Half-Zip Jumper (£39.90)

Uniqlo's Merino Half-Zip isn't made for golf, but extra-fine merino is a very good mid layer: warm, thin and machine washable, in a regular fit from XS to 3XL.

It looks smart in a clubhouse, and it costs a lot less than most golf-brand mid layers. Here's our full Uniqlo review.

Best for: looking smart on a budget.

Cheapest Golf Option: Greg Norman Freedom Half Zip (£34.99)

American Golf sells Greg Norman's Freedom Pullover, a light 100% polyester half-zip made from recycled oyster shells, with UPF 35+ and sizes from S to 2XL.

It doesn't claim much warmth, so think of it as a summer evening layer. Read our full Greg Norman review.

Best for: a light layer for not much money.

The Best Golf Gilets

A gilet does one thing very well: it warms your body and leaves your arms alone.

Wear one over a polo on a mild day, or over a quarter-zip when it's properly cold.

Best Gilet: Galvin Green Leo Vest (£169 / $199)

The Galvin Green Leo uses its INTERFACE-1 fabric, which Galvin Green calls totally windproof, with a water-repellent finish and thermal insulation, in sizes from S to XXL.

It's a lot of money for something with no sleeves. However, if you play on an exposed course, it's the one that actually stops the wind. It's $199 in the US.

Best for: a golfer who plays all winter.

Best Padded Gilet: Sunderland s.ANDORRA (£95)

Sunderland's s.ANDORRA has chevron bonded padding, a PFC-free water-repellent finish and stretch side panels, in sizes from S to XXXL.

The padding is warmer than a soft shell, and the stretch stops it restricting you.

Best for: cold, damp mornings.

Best Cheap Padded Gilet: Druids Clima Gilet 3.0 (£53 / $120)

The Druids Clima has a nylon shell, a high-loft padded front for wind protection and a shower-repellent fabric, in a tailored fit from S to 4XL.

The US price looks odd next to the UK one, but Druids is a British brand, so this one's for UK buyers. Here's our full Druids review.

Best for: a padded gilet for under £60.

Best Over a Polo: Three Putt Halfway Hut Gilet (£49.99 / $69)

The Halfway Hut gilet is a 380gsm cotton-rich sweat with a funnel neck, a full-length zip, two side pockets and a hand-drawn cow caddie on the chest, in a regular fit from XS to 2XL.

It's soft rather than technical, so it won't stop a gale, and a polo is the thing to wear under it.

It's one I'd wear to the course and all the way home.

Best for: a mild, dry round and the walk to the bar.

The Best Hoodies and Sweatshirts as a Mid Layer

A hoodie can absolutely be a golf mid layer.

You just need to know the difference between one made to play in and one made to look good. Our guide to the best golf hoodies and sweatshirts covers them in more depth.

Best Hoodie to Play In: Galvin Green Donnie (£119 / $149)

Galvin Green's Donnie is a light, breathable hoodie with thermal insulation, in the same INSULA fabric family as the Drake, from S to 3XL.

It looks like a hoodie and performs like a thermal mid layer. It's $149 in the US.

Best for: hoodie fans who still want to score.

Best Lighter Hoodie: PING Saul Hooded Fleece (£75)

PING's Saul is a stretch, brushed-back fleece in 100% polyester, with a shaped hood and sizes from S to XXXL.

It's softer and lighter than a cotton hoodie, so it won't weigh you down on the back nine.

Best for: a casual round when it's cool and dry.

Best for the Range: Three Putt Hoodies and Sweatshirts (From £42.99 / $59)

Our hoodies are a 430gsm cotton blend with a true-to-size fit, from £49.99 ($69), and our sweatshirts are 400gsm pure cotton, from £42.99 ($59), all with hand-drawn prints.

I'll be honest: they're heavy, and they're not what I'd wear for a medal on a windy day.

They're for the range, a relaxed nine holes and everything after it. On a proper golf day, wear one of the quarter-zips above.

Best for: the range, the walk to the car and the bar.

How to Layer for Golf

The rule is simple: base, shirt, mid, shell.

• Base layer: a close-fitting thermal top goes against your skin. Golf Monthly suggests adding one at around 8°C or below, depending on the wind chill.
• Shirt: your usual polo, which keeps you inside the dress code when the layers come off.
• Mid layer: slightly snug to keep the warmth in, but not so tight that it restricts your swing.
• Outer layer: a water-repellent jacket will handle a light shower, but you'll want proper waterproofs for sustained rain.

One tip from National Club Golfer is worth following: try your mid layer on with the jacket you plan to wear over it before you go.

Plenty of good mid layers turn into a straitjacket under the wrong waterproof.

And don't overdo it. If you're warm on the 1st tee, you'll be too hot by the 3rd, and a zip is much easier than stopping to change.

Will Your Club Let You Wear It?

Quarter-zips, fleeces and gilets rarely cause a problem.

Hoodies are where it gets interesting, and there's no national rule: clubs set their own dress codes, so the answer changes from one car park to the next.

• Some clubs ban them: Woodcote Park, the Royal Automobile Club's golf course, lists hoodies among the things that aren't permitted.
• Some allow golf-branded hoodies: Coxmoor and Drayton Park both accept them on the course, as long as the hood stays down, and Prenton wants them golf branded.
• Some split the difference: Prestwick St Nicholas allows hoodies on the course, but not in any public room.

So if you're visiting a club for the first time, take a quarter-zip. Our golf dress code guide covers what most clubs expect.

Final Thoughts

The best golf mid layers aren't the ones that keep you warmest. They're the ones you stop noticing by the 3rd.

For most golfers, that's a quarter-zip like the Under Armour Drive, plus a gilet for the days in between. If you play through winter, add something thermal like the Galvin Green Drake.

And if you'd like one with a bit more character, our Halfway Hut gilet is heavyweight, cotton-rich and hand-drawn. See the rest in our golf outerwear collection, including the 445gsm Clubhouse jacket for cold, dry days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Mid Layers

What are golf mid layers?

Golf mid layers are the pieces you wear over a polo and under a jacket, usually quarter-zips, fleeces, gilets and hoodies. They add warmth without restricting your swing, and most are made from stretchy, breathable technical fabrics. On a mild, dry day, a mid layer can be your outer layer, and when it's wet, it sits under a waterproof jacket.

What is the best mid layer for golf?

The best mid layer for most golfers is a stretchy quarter-zip like the Under Armour Drive Midlayer (£65, $85), which adds warmth without bulk and repels light rain. For cold days, the Galvin Green Drake (£99, $169) is a thermal half-zip, and if you want a premium option, the Peter Millar Perth (£120, $145) is hard to beat.

What should a golf mid layer be made of?

Most golf mid layers are polyester with elastane or spandex for stretch, because it's light, dries fast and moves with your swing. Fleece adds warmth, and bonded fabrics add wind or rain protection. Merino wool is a good natural option, and cotton-rich sweats like our Halfway Hut gilet feel softer and look better off the course, but they're heavier and slower to dry.

What is the best golf mid layer in the UK?

For UK conditions, I'd pick something that handles wind and damp. The FootJoy ThermoSeries Ottoman (£100) is rated fully windproof, and the Sunderland s.COLORADO (£90) has a water-repellent finish. The Under Armour Drive Midlayer (£65) is the best all-rounder, and PING's Ramsey fleece (£60) is good value on a cold, dry day.

Can you wear a hoodie as a golf mid layer?

Yes, as long as your club allows it. Some clubs ban hoodies, some accept golf-branded ones with the hood down, and others allow them on the course but not in the clubhouse. A light performance hoodie like the Galvin Green Donnie (£119, $149) will play better than a heavy cotton one, which suits the range and a relaxed round.

Should a golf mid layer be tight or loose?

A golf mid layer should be slightly snug, so it keeps the warmth in, but not so tight that it restricts your swing. Try it on with your arms crossed or at the top of a practice swing, and check that it fits under your waterproof. If you're between sizes and plan to layer up, take the larger one.