Southern Tide Golf vs Three Putt: Southern Coastal Prep or UK Golf Streetwear
Updated on: October 1, 2026 • ~9 min read
Author: Graeme
We test golf apparel the way we play. Hard, social, and honest.
A South Carolina prep label with a cooling performance range against a Leeds streetwear brand that sells four cotton garments. Only one of them is easy to buy in the UK.
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
Southern Tide is a South Carolina coastal prep brand with a full men's golf range: cooling polos around $108, shorts, trousers and layers, sold in US dollars. Three Putt is a Leeds golf streetwear brand selling long-sleeves and heavyweight cotton tees, sweatshirts and hoodies from £24.99. Pick Southern Tide for hot-weather golf, Three Putt for UK off-course style.
Best for UK golfers who want golf style off the course: Three Putt. Heavyweight cotton tees and hoodies with golf graphics, free UK delivery and nothing above £54.99. It is casual wear, not performance kit.
Best for hot-weather rounds and preppy polos: Southern Tide. Its Coastal Breeze® polos and shorts are built for heat, with wicking, stretch and sun protection. The catch is access: Southern Tide is a US brand priced in dollars, and no major UK golf retailer stocks it.
Head-to-Head Comparison Summary
| Feature | Three Putt Golf | Southern Tide |
|---|---|---|
| What it sells | Tees, long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts and hoodies, each in six graphic designs, plus golf polos | A 74-product men's Golf Shop (October 2026): polos, shorts, trousers, quarter-zips, vests, jackets and hats, plus a boys' golf shop |
| Key fabrics | 305gsm 100% cotton tees; 305gsm cotton long-sleeves; 400gsm cotton sweatshirts; 430gsm cotton/polyester hoodies | Coastal Breeze® cooling knits, 94% recycled polyester Driver polos, nylon/spandex shorts and jackets, organic cotton Skipjack polos |
| Fit | Relaxed tees, oversized drop-shoulder long-sleeves, regular-fit sweatshirts, oversized drop-shoulder hoodies | Classic American cuts that run true to size; golf bottoms in waists 28–42 |
| Typical UK prices | £24.99–£54.99 | No UK prices. US full prices: golf polos $95–$118 (about £73–£91), shorts $108, trousers $145–$148 |
| On-course use | Casual rounds and relaxed clubs; not technical wear | Built for warm-weather golf: wicking, stretch, UV-protective polos, shorts and trousers; light layers, not proper waterproofs |
| Off-course style | Streetwear cuts and heavyweight cotton that look like normal clothes | Coastal prep: nautical stripes, plaids, novelty prints and the Skipjack fish logo |
| Sustainability claims | No recycled-content or eco claims; tees are 100% cotton | Recycled polyester Driver polos labelled "More Responsible Materials"; organic cotton Skipjack polo; a resale site |
| UK delivery | Free UK delivery | See Southern Tide's shipping page before ordering; prices are in US dollars, and UK import VAT and duty rules apply |
| UK returns | 14 days from delivery; email support first; customer pays return postage | 30 days from the order date for unworn, tagged items, excluding final sale; any return to the US is at your own cost |
| Customer support | Email: support@threeputtgolfclothing.co.uk | US phone, live chat and email on US Eastern weekday hours |
Best For…
| Situation or golfer | Pick |
|---|---|
| You live in the UK and want golf clothing without US import costs or US returns | Three Putt |
| You play in heat and humidity, at home in the US or on a warm-weather trip | Southern Tide |
| You need golf shorts or stretch trousers built for the course | Southern Tide |
| Your club insists on a collared shirt | Southern Tide, if you can get hold of it |
| You want golf-themed clothes for under £30 | Three Putt |
| You want a heavyweight hoodie for cold UK mornings and the pub after | Three Putt |
| You want a golf gift with free UK delivery | 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 performance polos, trousers, shorts, outerwear, waterproofs or caps, and no women's-specific line. If your club has a collared-shirt dress code, you will want a polo rather than a tee.
Southern Tide
Southern Tide was founded in 2006 in Greenville, South Carolina, by Allen Stephenson, then a college student. It started with one shirt, the Skipjack polo. Oxford Industries bought it in April 2016 for $85 million. Oxford also owns Lilly Pulitzer.
Golf is a real part of the business. In October 2026 the men's Golf Shop on southerntide.com listed 74 products. There is a boys' golf shop and a women's activewear collection, but no dedicated women's golf shop.
Cooling fabric is central to its golf kit. In 2026 Southern Tide launched Coastal Breeze®, which it calls its "exclusive cooling technology", across polos and shorts.
For UK golfers, availability is the headline. Southern Tide sells from a US website priced in US dollars, so read its shipping page before ordering to a UK address. In October 2026, American Golf, Scottsdale Golf, Function18, Clubhouse Golf and GolfOnline listed no Southern Tide products.
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.
Southern Tide
- Coastal Breeze® polos: the Heather Performance Polo is 48% polyester, 45% nylon and 7% spandex, with cooling, wicking, quick-dry, stretch and UV protection.
- Driver polos: 94% recycled polyester and 6% spandex, with wicking, stretch and UV protection. Prints run from stripes to lobsters.
- Skipjack polo: the original shirt, in 97% organic cotton and 3% spandex piqué. It is a lifestyle polo rather than a golf-specific one.
- Bottoms: the Birdie 8" Coastal Breeze® Performance Short is 85% nylon and 15% spandex. The Jack and Intercoastal Performance Pants add wicking, stretch and sun protection.
- Layers: quarter-zips, vests, a water-repellent Seabreeze Performance Pullover and a nylon and spandex Avondale Performance Jacket.
These layers handle breezes and light showers, but none is a proper waterproof jacket. The brand designs for heat and humidity, not British rain.
Price Comparison
| Category | Three Putt | Southern Tide |
|---|---|---|
| Tees | £24.99–£30.99 | $38–$88 (about £29–£68), outside the Golf Shop |
| Long-sleeve tees | £28.99–£35.99 | $42–$98 (about £32–£75) |
| Polos | Not in the range | $95–$118 golf polos (about £73–£91); Skipjack $88–$98 (about £68–£75) |
| Sweatshirts and quarter-zips | £37.99–£47.99 | $128–$178 (about £98–£137) |
| Hoodies | £45.99–£54.99 | $108–$178 (about £83–£137) |
| Shorts and trousers | Not in the range | $108 shorts (about £83); $145–$148 trousers (about £112–£114) |
| Outerwear | Not in the range | $148–$168 vests and jackets (about £114–£129); no proper waterproofs |
| Caps | Not in the range | $35 (about £27) |
Southern Tide prices are full US retail on southerntide.com on 1 October 2026, converted at about $1.30 to £1. They are not prices a UK golfer can simply pay. Delivery from the US adds cost, and 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 less than a full-price Southern Tide golf polo before any shipping or tax. Southern Tide's prices are fair for warm-weather technical kit in the US. For a UK buyer, US delivery costs and import VAT push them higher. 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.
Southern Tide
Southern Tide golf polos, quarter-zips and jackets use US letter sizes, and the run varies by style, so check the size chart on each product page. Shorts and trousers use waist sizes 28–42, and the Jack and Intercoastal trousers come in 30, 32 and 34 inch inseams.
Southern Tide calls the Skipjack an "easy fit". Its polos and shorts run true to size, with a relaxed classic cut rather than a tailored one, so size down if you prefer a slimmer fit. Customer fit ratings on the Coastal Breeze® polo and Birdie short also sit close to true to size.
Fit Verdict
Southern Tide offers proper golf bottoms with waist and inseam options. Its classic American cut is comfortable rather than slim. Three Putt is roomier still and built for streetwear shapes. For a tidy on-course silhouette, Southern Tide wins; for a relaxed casual fit, Three Putt is the easier choice.
Style and Versatility
Three Putt Golf
Three Putt is golf streetwear: golf-themed graphics on heavyweight cotton, cut in relaxed and oversized shapes. A Three Putt 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.
Southern Tide
Southern Tide is unapologetic coastal prep. Think nautical stripes, plaids, seersucker shorts and novelty prints with fish, lobsters and golf clubs, all marked with the Skipjack fish logo. The Jack Performance Pant is pitched as polished enough for the office or dinner.
That look reads as American country club and Southern coast. It suits a clubhouse or a holiday, but carries a strong regional identity in Britain. Check your club's golf dress code before choosing the louder prints.
Style Verdict
Both brands cross over, in different directions. Southern Tide moves from the course to the boat and the clubhouse bar. Three Putt moves from golf culture into everyday streetwear. Choose by where you will wear it most: a sunny course, 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.
Southern Tide
Southern Tide's quality shows in golf details: drop-tail hems, internal collar stays and branded imitation mother-of-pearl buttons. The Coastal Breeze® Heather Performance Polo held 4.7 out of 5 from 17 on-site reviews in October 2026.
On sustainability, Driver polos use 94% recycled polyester under a "More Responsible Materials" label, and the Skipjack polo is 97% organic cotton. Southern Tide also runs a resale site, Southern Tide Recharted. The golf product pages name no third-party certification.
Quality Verdict
Southern Tide wins on technical construction for warm-weather golf, and it has more to point to on sustainability. Three Putt wins on heavyweight cotton at a low price, and makes no eco claims either way.
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.
Southern Tide
For US customers, Southern Tide is well set up. Ground shipping is free on orders of $150 or more and $9.50 below that. Returns are free within 30 days of the order date for unworn, tagged items, with final-sale pieces excluded.
Support runs by live chat (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern), phone (Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm Eastern) and email at theskipjack@southerntide.com. That is afternoon to late evening in the UK.
This service is built for US customers. A UK buyer should check the shipping and returns pages before ordering, and any return would have to reach a US address within the 30-day window, at your own expense.
Support Verdict
For US shoppers, Southern Tide's free returns, chat and phone line beat Three Putt's email-only, customer-paid returns. For UK shoppers, Three Putt is simpler: free delivery to UK addresses and returns handled here, with no import costs or transatlantic postage.
Our Pick
Buy Southern Tide if you play most of your golf in heat. Its Coastal Breeze® polos, Birdie shorts and stretch trousers are proper warm-weather kit, and the Skipjack polo is a good-looking classic. It makes most sense if you live in the US or can shop there. Our full Southern Tide review covers the range in more detail.
Buy Three Putt if you want golf style for everywhere else, delivered free in the UK. Heavyweight tees from £24.99 and hoodies under £55 cover the walk to the first tee and the pub after. If your club requires a collar, you will want a polo rather than a tee.
Want that coastal prep look from brands you can buy here? See our Southern Tide alternatives and our guide to American golf brands.
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 Southern Tide
Is Three Putt a good alternative to Southern Tide?
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 a full alternative for on-course kit: there are no shorts, trousers or waterproofs in the range.
Can you buy Southern Tide in the UK?
Not from UK golf shops. In October 2026, none of American Golf, Scottsdale Golf, Function18, Clubhouse Golf or GolfOnline listed Southern Tide. It sells from southerntide.com in US dollars, so check its shipping page before ordering to a UK address. Budget for US delivery costs, UK import VAT and duty on parcels over £135.
Which is better on the course?
Southern Tide, clearly, especially in warm weather. Its Coastal Breeze® polos and shorts offer cooling, wicking, stretch and UV protection, and its trousers come in waist and inseam sizes. Three Putt's cotton 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. Southern Tide offers more technical construction, but its golf polos cost $95–$118 in the US.
How do the fits differ?
Southern Tide uses classic American cuts that run true to size, relaxed rather than slim, with golf bottoms in waists 28–42. Three Putt cuts are roomier: relaxed tees, oversized long-sleeves, regular-fit sweatshirts and oversized hoodies. Three Putt runs S–2XL, except the oversized long-sleeves (S–XL).
Which is better off the course?
It depends on your setting. Southern Tide suits clubhouses, holidays and smart-casual summer days, with stripes, prints and the Skipjack logo. Three Putt works as everyday streetwear in Britain, with heavyweight cotton and golf graphics. For pubs, cold weekends and gifts, Three Putt is the easier pick.
Are Southern Tide and Three Putt sustainable?
Southern Tide has more product-level claims. Its Driver polos use 94% recycled polyester, the Skipjack polo is 97% organic cotton, and it runs a resale site, though golf product pages name no third-party certification. Three Putt makes no recycled-content or eco claims; its tees are 100% cotton.
Which is better value?
For a UK buyer, Three Putt. Its whole range sits between £24.99 and £54.99, with free UK delivery. Southern Tide golf polos are $95–$118 (about £73–£91) before US delivery costs and import VAT.
