Johnnie-O vs Three Putt: West Coast Prep Polos or UK Golf Streetwear
Updated on: October 2, 2026 • ~10 min read
Author: Graeme
We test golf apparel the way we play. Hard, social, and honest.
An American prep label with four-button polos, golf trousers and rain gear against a Leeds streetwear brand that sells four heavyweight garments. One dresses you for the round, the other for everything around it.
How We Review Golf Clothing Brands
Every review on the Three Putt journal is written by Graeme Whiles, the founder of Three Putt Golf Clothing. As a competing brand, we have an obvious conflict of interest. We take this seriously and address it directly in our review methodology, which explains how we assess brands consistently regardless of whether they compete with us.
Verdict and Quick Pick
Johnnie-O is an American West Coast Prep brand with a full golf wardrobe: $89 cotton polos, performance polos, golf trousers and waterproof rain trousers, priced in US dollars. Three Putt is a Leeds golf streetwear brand selling long-sleeves and heavyweight tees, sweatshirts and hoodies from £24.99. Pick Johnnie-O for the course and Three Putt for UK off-course style.
Best for UK golfers who want golf style off the course: Three Putt. Heavyweight tees and hoodies with golf graphics, free UK delivery and nothing above £54.99. It is casual wear, not performance kit.
Best for collared polos and a full on-course wardrobe: Johnnie-O. Its cotton and performance polos, stretch golf trousers and seam-sealed rain trousers are made for the course. The catch for UK buyers is dollar pricing and no returns on international orders, except where the law requires them.
Head-to-Head Comparison Summary
| Feature | Three Putt Golf | Johnnie-O |
|---|---|---|
| What it sells | Four garments only: tees, long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts and hoodies, each in six graphic designs | A full men's, women's and boys' range: polos, tees, quarter-zips, hoodies, golf trousers, shorts, shackets, rain gear and caps, plus big and tall sizes |
| Key fabrics | 305gsm 100% cotton tees; 305gsm cotton long-sleeves; 400gsm cotton sweatshirts; 430gsm cotton/polyester hoodies | 95% cotton / 5% spandex Original polo; polyester and spandex performance polos with UPF 50; stretch knit golf trousers; seam-sealed nylon and spandex rain trousers |
| Fit | Relaxed tees, oversized drop-shoulder long-sleeves, regular-fit sweatshirts, oversized drop-shoulder hoodies | Original polo cut 2 inches shorter to wear untucked; polos S–XXL or S–XXXL depending on style; golf trousers in waists 30–40 with three inseams |
| Typical UK prices | £24.99–£54.99 | No sterling prices: UK visitors see US dollars. Core polos $89–$118 (about £68–£91), Cross Country golf trousers $148 (October 2026) |
| On-course use | Casual rounds and relaxed clubs; not technical wear, and no collared shirts | Built for it: wicking, stretch and UPF 50 polos, golf trousers and shorts, and waterproof rain trousers |
| Off-course style | Streetwear cuts and heavyweight fabric with golf graphics | West Coast Prep: four-button cotton polos, stripes, playful prints, shackets and the surfer logo |
| Sustainability claims | No recycled-content or eco claims; tees are 100% cotton | Publishes a supplier code of conduct, part of an ethical programme set up in 2018 |
| UK delivery | Free UK delivery | Ships internationally, with the cost set by address and service. Standard 6–14 or Express 1–5 business days. Duties and taxes generally paid at checkout |
| UK returns | 14 days from delivery; email support first; customer pays return postage | No returns on international orders, except where required by law |
| Customer support | Email: support@threeputtgolfclothing.co.uk | US phone, live chat and email, Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 5pm Pacific time |
Best For…
| Situation or golfer | Pick |
|---|---|
| Your club insists on a collared shirt | Johnnie-O |
| You want one polo that works on the course and untucked at dinner | Johnnie-O |
| You need golf trousers, shorts or waterproof trousers | Johnnie-O |
| You are shopping for women's or boys' golf clothing | Johnnie-O |
| You want to pay in pounds, with free UK delivery and the option to return | Three Putt |
| You want golf-themed clothes for under £30 | Three Putt |
| You want a heavyweight hoodie for cold mornings and the pub after | Three Putt |
Brand Overview
Three Putt Golf
Three Putt is a UK golf streetwear brand based in Leeds. The range is deliberately narrow: tees, long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts and hoodies.
Each comes in six graphic designs: Contours, Happy Place, Tee Time, Reckless Driving, The Scenic Route and Three on the Green. The idea is golf culture you can wear anywhere, not a full on-course wardrobe.
That means honest limits. The range has no polos, trousers, shorts, outerwear, waterproofs or caps, and no women's-specific line. If your club has a collared-shirt dress code, you will need a polo from elsewhere.
Johnnie-O
Johnnie-O began in 2005. Founder John O'Donnell, a Chicago native and former UCLA golfer, left two decades in the corporate world to make golf shirts. According to the brand's story, the first had four buttons and a pocket, and he sold them out of his car.
The brand calls its style West Coast Prep, placing itself at "the crossroads of East Coast tradition and West Coast casual". It now makes men's, women's and boys' clothing. Its golf collection covers polos, quarter-zips, hoodies, trousers and shorts.
The tour profile is growing. Johnnie-O signed PGA Tour players Jake Knapp and J.T. Poston to multi-year deals in January 2026, and Poston won the Memorial Tournament that June. Its roster also includes two UK golf YouTubers, Peter Finch and Danny Maude.
For UK golfers, access is the headline. Every Johnnie-O store is in the US, including a Wilmette, Illinois shop that opened in August 2026. Its site lets you choose the United Kingdom, but prices stay in US dollars.
Key Features and Fabrics
Three Putt Golf
- Tees: 100% cotton, 305gsm, relaxed fit, S–2XL, five colourways per design.
- Long-sleeve tees: 305gsm, 100% cotton, oversized drop-shoulder fit, S–XL.
- Sweatshirts: 400gsm cotton crewneck, regular fit, S–2XL.
- Hoodies: 430gsm, 56% cotton / 44% polyester, oversized drop-shoulder fit, S–2XL, four colourways per design.
These are heavyweight casual garments, not technical performance wear. Do not expect moisture-wicking, stretch fabric or weather protection.
Johnnie-O
- Original 4-Button Polo: 95% cotton and 5% spandex, keeping the four-button placket and chest pocket of the 2005 shirt. It is cut 2 inches shorter than Johnnie-O's other polos so it looks right untucked.
- Performance polos: Jersey polos in 93% polyester and 7% spandex, Featherweight polos in 88% polyester and 12% spandex, and Mesh polos in a 93/7 stretch piqué. Johnnie-O sells all three as moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant, with UPF 50 sun protection.
- Layers: the Sof Tech Performance 1/4 Zip is 90% polyester and 10% spandex at 190gsm. The Pebble Performance Hoodie is 72% cotton.
- Bottoms: the Cross Country Flex Performance Pant is a 100% polyester stretch knit with magnetic pocket closures, alongside a range of golf shorts.
- Rain gear: the Tsunami Packable Waterproof Featherweight Performance Pant is seam-sealed, with waterproof zips at the cuffs. Johnnie-O pitches it at golf trips to Ireland and Scotland. Its hooded Littlestone Rain Jacket is described as fully waterproof.
That 190gsm quarter-zip, against Three Putt's 400gsm sweatshirt, shows the difference in purpose: light layers for swinging a club versus heavy casual ones for the rest of the day.
Price Comparison
| Category | Three Putt | Johnnie-O |
|---|---|---|
| Tees | £24.99–£30.99 | $68 for The Tee (about £52) |
| Long-sleeve tees | £28.99–£35.99 | $65 for the Brennan long-sleeve tee (about £50) |
| Polos | Not in the range | Core polos $89–$118 (about £68–£91); merino-blend long-sleeve polo $298 (about £229) |
| Sweatshirts and quarter-zips | £37.99–£47.99 | $138 Sully and $148 Sof Tech quarter-zips (about £106–£114) |
| Hoodies | £45.99–£54.99 | $118–$128 for the Talon and Pebble performance hoodies (about £91–£98) |
| Shorts and trousers | Not in the range | Performance shorts from $108 (about £83); Cross Country trousers $148 and Monterey Trouser $228 (about £114 and £175) |
| Rain gear and outerwear | Not in the range | $198 Tsunami waterproof trousers (about £152); rain jackets $168–$348 (about £129–£268); shackets such as the Stowe Quilt at $168 (about £129) |
| Caps | Not in the range | $35 Topper Baseball Hat (about £27) |
Johnnie-O prices are full US prices on johnnie-o.com on 2 October 2026, shown in US dollars to a UK visitor and converted at about $1.30 to £1. International shipping is extra. Under UK rules on goods from abroad, VAT applies and customs duty is due on parcels worth over £135.
Price Verdict
Three Putt's dearest item, a £54.99 hoodie, costs about the same as one Johnnie-O tee and less than its $89 Original polo, before shipping or import tax. Johnnie-O's prices are fair for premium US golf kit, but shipping and the lack of international returns add cost and risk for a UK buyer. For value per pound in Britain, Three Putt wins clearly.
Fit and Sizing
Three Putt Golf
Three Putt sizes run S–2XL, except the long-sleeves, which are cut oversized and run S–XL. Tees have a relaxed fit, long-sleeves a loose drop shoulder, and sweatshirts a regular fit. Hoodies are oversized with a drop shoulder, so size down if you want a closer look.
Johnnie-O
Johnnie-O uses US letter sizes. The Original 4-Button Polo runs S–XXXL, while many performance polos, hoodies and quarter-zips stop at XXL and others reach XXXL. A separate big and tall range covers larger golfers. Some styles, including the Original polo and the Cross Country trousers, also come in boys' sizes.
The Cross Country Flex Performance Pant comes in waists 30–40, each with 30, 32 or 34 inch inseams. The Original polo is designed to be worn untucked, so if you tuck in for competitions, the standard-length performance polos are the better choice.
Fit Verdict
Johnnie-O wins on range, with waist and inseam sizes for trousers and a big and tall line. Three Putt is roomier and cut for streetwear shapes. Choose Johnnie-O for a tidy on-course silhouette and Three Putt for a relaxed fit, but remember that a wrong Johnnie-O size is costly from the UK.
Style and Versatility
Three Putt Golf
Three Putt is golf streetwear: golf-themed graphics on heavyweight fabric, cut in relaxed and oversized shapes. A hoodie works on a casual range session, at the pub after a round, or as a weekend layer. It is not the right shirt for a members' competition at a traditional club, so check your golf dress code first.
Johnnie-O
Johnnie-O's look is clean American prep with a Southern California accent. Think four-button cotton polos in solids and stripes, performance polos in playful prints, quarter-zips and shackets. The surfer logo sits on the chest pocket of the Original polo.
It crosses over well. Worn untucked, the Original polo suits a clubhouse lunch or a summer evening as easily as the first tee. A Game Day range of college and pro-sport pieces will mean less to most British golfers.
Style Verdict
Both brands cross over, in different directions. Johnnie-O moves from the course to the clubhouse and dinner. Three Putt moves from golf culture into everyday streetwear. Choose by where you will wear it most: on a course with a dress code, or everywhere else.
Quality, Durability and Sustainability
Three Putt Golf
Three Putt's quality story is weight. Tees are 305gsm cotton, sweatshirts are 400gsm and hoodies are 430gsm. On sustainability, Three Putt makes no recycled-content or eco claims. Its tees are 100% cotton.
Johnnie-O
Johnnie-O's quality case rests on construction and longevity. Its story page says each piece is made to reach "hand-me-down status". The details back that up: side vents on the polos, magnetic pocket closures and a crotch gusset on the Cross Country trousers, and seam sealing on the Tsunami rain trousers.
Its performance fabrics are sold on moisture-wicking, wrinkle resistance, four-way stretch and UPF 50 sun protection. On ethics, Johnnie-O publishes a supplier code of conduct. It is part of a programme set up in 2018 to cover working conditions and human trafficking in its supply chain.
Quality Verdict
Johnnie-O wins on technical construction for golf, from UPF 50 polos to seam-sealed rain trousers. Three Putt wins on heavyweight fabric at a low price. Choose Johnnie-O for kit that performs during a round, and Three Putt for heavy casual layers after it.
Customer Support and Returns
Three Putt Golf
Delivery is free across the UK. Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. Email support@threeputtgolfclothing.co.uk first, and note that you pay the return postage. Support is by email.
Johnnie-O
For US customers, Johnnie-O is generous. Unworn, unwashed items can go back within 60 days of purchase. Returns are free at its stores and Happy Returns drop-off points, while postal refunds usually lose a flat $7 fee.
Support runs by phone on 877-787-4703, live chat and email at wingman@johnnie-o.com, Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 5pm Pacific time. That is mid-afternoon to the early hours in the UK.
International orders work differently. Johnnie-O's FAQ says duties and taxes are generally paid at checkout and guaranteed, though in a few cases they are collected on delivery.
Its returns policy says it does not accept returns on international orders, except where the law requires them. It sets out a 14-day right of withdrawal for EU and EEA customers but does not mention the UK. Items bought from other retailers, such as Nordstrom or golf pro shops, are handled by that retailer.
Support Verdict
For US shoppers, Johnnie-O's 60-day returns, phone line and live chat beat Three Putt's email-only support and customer-paid returns. For UK shoppers, Three Putt is simpler: prices in pounds, free UK delivery and a 14-day return window. With Johnnie-O, a UK order that doesn't fit is usually yours to keep.
Our Pick
Buy Johnnie-O if you want a proper golf wardrobe with a relaxed prep look. The $89 Original polo works on the course and at dinner, the performance polos and stretch trousers handle a full round, and the Tsunami trousers a wet one. It makes most sense if you know your size or shop in the US, because international orders generally can't be returned. Our full Johnnie-O golf clothing review covers the range in more depth.
Buy Three Putt if you want golf style for everywhere else, priced in pounds with free UK delivery. Heavyweight tees from £24.99 and hoodies from £45.99 cover the walk to the first tee and the pub after. A sweatshirt or long-sleeve tee rounds it out. You will still need a collared polo from elsewhere if your club requires one.
For more US labels and how they treat UK buyers, see our guide to American golf brands.
Want something like Johnnie-O at a different price? See our best Johnnie-O alternatives.
About the Author
Graeme is a golf enthusiast and writer who believes the best golfwear should work as hard off the course as it does on it. Drawing on years of testing brands across every level, from high street to heritage, he writes honest, wearable reviews that cut through the marketing noise. When he's not reviewing the latest drops, you'll find him on the fairways of West Yorkshire, usually three-putting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Three Putt vs Johnnie-O
Is Three Putt a good alternative to Johnnie-O?
For off-course style, yes, and it is far easier to buy in the UK. Three Putt sells long-sleeves and heavyweight tees, sweatshirts and hoodies from £24.99 with free UK delivery. It is not an alternative for on-course kit, because the range has no polos, trousers, shorts or waterproofs.
Does Johnnie-O ship to the UK?
Johnnie-O ships internationally, and its site lets UK visitors choose the United Kingdom, though prices stay in US dollars. Standard delivery takes 6–14 business days and Express 1–5, before customs delays. Its FAQ says duties and taxes are generally paid at checkout and guaranteed, but a few orders may be charged on delivery.
Can I return Johnnie-O clothing from the UK?
Plan on not being able to. Johnnie-O does not accept returns on international orders, except where the law requires them. US customers get 60 days to return unworn, unwashed items. Three Putt accepts returns within 14 days of delivery: email support@threeputtgolfclothing.co.uk first, and you pay the return postage.
Which is better on the course?
Johnnie-O, clearly. Its polos meet collared-shirt dress codes, its performance fabrics add wicking, stretch and UPF 50, and it sells golf trousers, shorts and seam-sealed rain trousers. Three Putt's tees and hoodies suit a relaxed round at an easy-going club, but offer no performance fabric or weather protection.
Is Three Putt good quality?
Three Putt's quality case rests on fabric weight. Tees are 305gsm 100% cotton, sweatshirts are 400gsm cotton and hoodies are 430gsm cotton/polyester. That is substantial for casual wear at £24.99–£54.99. Johnnie-O offers more technical construction, but its core polos cost $89–$118 in the US.
How do the fits differ?
Johnnie-O's Original polo is cut 2 inches shorter to wear untucked and runs S–XXXL, while many other tops stop at XXL. Its golf trousers come in waists 30–40 with three inseams. Three Putt cuts are roomier, from relaxed tees to oversized hoodies, in S–2XL, with the long-sleeves in S–XL.
Which is better off the course?
It depends on where you are going. Johnnie-O's untucked polos, quarter-zips and shackets suit a clubhouse lunch or a smart-casual evening. Three Putt works as everyday streetwear, with heavyweight fabric and golf graphics. For pubs, cold weekends and gifts, Three Putt is the easier pick.
Which is better value?
For a UK buyer, Three Putt. Its whole range sits between £24.99 and £54.99, with free UK delivery. Johnnie-O's Original polo is $89 (about £68) before international shipping and any import tax, and a UK order generally can't be returned.
