Best Golf Mid-Layers 2024: Buyer's Guide and things you need to know

GolfMagic picks out the best golf mid-layers you can buy, to keep you looking good and playing great out on the course.

27 Aug 2024

The sun is starting to peak through, and summer golf is officially here, but that doesn't mean you should venture out onto the course without a good mid-layer.

Mid-layers are an essential part of any good golf outfit, and there has never been a better time to freshen up your golfing wardrobe with offerings from some of the biggest brands in the game, including PUMA, PING, G/FORE and Peter Millar.

With a broad selection of styles, colours and constructions on offer, the GolfMagic team has searched high and low to find a fantastic selection of some of the best options to suit an array of different situations and budgets.

Ideally paired with one of our best golf shirts, or if the weather allows, best golf shorts, our selection of mid-layers will set you up perfectly to turn heads in the clubhouse.

So, without further ado, let's get into it.

All of our picks below are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, If you buy a linked product, GolfMagic may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

G/FORE Dayton Tech Frechterry Pullover

Price: £155

Pros:

Super fort material feels great against your skin
Breathable fabric delivers long-lasting comfort
Simple but sleek design

Cons:

Very expensive

Colours: Light Heather Grey, Twilight, Snow

G/FORE rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to apparel, and the Dayton Tech pullover is another big win for the brand.

Lightweight, soft, highly breathable and very stylish, this mi layer ticks every single box we look for in a garment that can be worn year-round.

Another detail we particularly liked is the stiffness of the collar. Some quarter zip collard tends to droop a bit, but G/FORE's offering stands up straight, providing an extra level of protection from either wind or direct sunlight.

PUMA Pure Colourblock Zip Neck

Price: £38.49

Pros:

Fantastic value
The soft material feels fantastic against your skin
Offers excellent stretch for on-course comfort

Cons:

Not quite as breathable as other options on this list

Colours: Ash Grey/Deep Navy, Deep Navy/Melon Punch, Deep Navy/Pink Icing, Deep Navy/Zan Blue, Vine/Deep Navy

Lightweight, stretchy and very affordable, this quarter zip from PUMA is perfect for golfers who desire performance and style at a reasonable price point.

Available in a selection of colours, this mid-layer provides excellent versatility. It offers enough warmth to be used as a layering option in the winter while being light enough to make for an excellent top layer during cool summer rounds.

The simple colourblock design is one of our favourites from 2024. Thanks to the wide array of colours available, it can easily be matched with a wide selection of trousers or shorts.

PUMA is one of the best in the business at producing high-performance apparel that doesn't break the bank, and this quarter zip continues that legacy.

Manors Quarter Zip Tech Mid Layer

Price: £120

Pros:

Understated branding is a big win
Well thought out stitching moves with the body with every swing
Three concealed zip pockets

Cons:

One of the most expensive options on this list

Colours: Sky Grey, Black

Manors is a relatively new brand in the golf game, but we love what it's doing.

This quarter zip is incredibly well made. You can tell a great deal of thought went into every little detail, be it the elasticated wrists or the contoured stitching, which complements the natural shape of your shoulders.

The fabric is lightweight, super soft and very breathable, making this mid-layer an ideal choice for cooler summer days or part of a layered outfit for winter months.

Original Penguin Golf Jumper - CB Crew Neck

Price: £62.30

Pros:

Natural fabrics feel very soft
Lovely two-tone design
Snug fit hugs in all the right places

Cons:

Wool/cotton blend not as suitable for wet rounds as other mid layers on this list

Colours: Black/Blue

Penguin is one of our favourite apparel brands here at GolfMagic. Worn by Cameron Smith, the traditional brand likes to take a left-field approach to apparel, producing some of the more out there designs we've seen recently.

This particular jumper is actually one of the more safe designs we've seen from the brand, but we love it all the same. Made of a blend of merino wool and cotton, it feels lovely and soft on the skin.

It provides plenty of stretch and good breathability, making it a perfect mid-layer for cool summer rounds.

FootJoy Temposeries Tech Zip Neck Sweater

Price: £87.50

Pros:

Incredibly lightweight
Offers excellent breathability and stretch
Very flattering athletic fit

Cons:

Not notable cons

Colours: Storm, Navy, Grey Cliff

Worn by FootJoy staff players, this super lightweight quarter zip looks and feels fantastic.

Part of FootJoy's Temposeries of apparel, this quarter-zip is the lightest on this list. Thanks to the super stretchy material, it's easy to forget you're even wearing it sometimes.

The level of comfort is also excellent, and we love the different tones of light blue in the design.

While this mid-layer might be a touch too thin for winter golf, it's ideal as soon as temperatures begin to rise.

Ashowrth La Jolla 1/4 Zip

Price: $118

Pros:

Fits true to size
Wide selection of colours
Jersey material is incredibly soft

Cons:

There are warmer options on this list

Colours: Azalea Heather, Club Green Heather, Cobalt Heather, Charcoal Heather, Oceana Heather, Lilaz Heather, Chambray Heather, Pinot Heather

Lightweight, super stretchy and very soft on the skin, this 1/4 zip from Ashworth is a versatile mid layer that's ideal for cooler summer days.

Thanks to the breathable nature of the fabric and the wide selection of colours on offer, this 1/4 zip is very versatile and could easily be worn both on and off course.

An ideal layering option, this 1/4 zip is lightweight and would be an excellent all year round option that can easily be stashed in any golf bag for when the weather decides to turn.

Abacus Mens Hoylake thermo mid-layer

Price: £99.99

Pros:

The padded section provides lovely texture and warmth
Chest pocket can store small valuables
Brushed fleece lining feels fantastic

Cons:

We would have preferred the Abacus branding on the chest to have been smaller

Colours: White / Navy, Navy, Black

Based in Sweden, Abacus makes high-performance golf apparel for all conditions, and this midlayer is a perfect example of the brand's best work.

This thermal mid-layer would be perfect for cold winter rounds, with the padded section providing insulation while also adding nice texture to the overall design.

The two-tone white and blue also look fantastic, while the fleece lining is just what you want to slip on when the temperature begins to drop.

The only issue we had with this mid-layer was the abacus branding on the chest. The addition of the 'count on it' text detracts from the design in our opinion.

PING Keon Men's Colour Block Fleece

Price: £80

Pros:

One of the warmest mid-layers on this list
Made from recycled polyester
Elasticated cuffs keep the sleeves out of the way

Cons:

No notable cons

Colours: White / Coronet / Blue, Ceramic / Navy, White / Pear Grey

Warm, athletic and stylish, the PING Keon mid-layer is an excellent choice for year-round golf.

Made from recycled polyester, the jumper is stretchy, providing plenty of room to move through your swing, while the fleece lining feels very cosy, which is ideal in winter months.

The design itself is modern and dynamic, with the contrasting shoulder panels adding structure, which flatters the body.

The colour choices are also excellent, with our favourite being the White / Coronet / Blue.

All in all an excellent jumper that's well worth the £80 price tag.

Under Armour Men's Storm Windstrike ½ Zip

Under Armour Strom Winstrike 1/2 zip

Price: £75

Pros:

Wind and water resistant
Lightweight and easy to store in a golf bag
Athletic fit provides plenty of room to swing

Cons:

Material is not as soft as other mid layers on this list

Colours: Photon Blue / Midnight Navy, White / Matrix Green, Midnight Navy / White, Red Solstice / Black

This versatile 1/2 zip from Under Armour is the perfect pick for when the weather decides to turn quickly.

The lightweight construction is wind and waterproof, making it a perfect option for carrying in uncertain weather.

Made from four-way stretch material, this 1/2 zip is durable and incredibly quiet, ensuring there is nothing distracting you from the task at hand, holing that birdie putt.

Farah Hayes Mid Layer

Price: £44.99

Pros:

Solid but simple styling
Thick enough to keep you warm on cooler days
Good selection of colour options

Cons:

Fabric is not as soft as other options on this list

Colours: Teal Hue, Farah Blue Grey, Regatta Blue, Black

The Hayes mid-layer from Farah is a solid choice for golfers who desire a mid-layer that can be worn year-round.

The material is thick enough to keep you warm in colder rounds, and thanks to the high collar, it also offers an extra layer of protection from the elements.

The design and fabric work together to provide plenty of stretch where you need it most, while the simple block colour makes it a versatile top that's easy to style with any outfit.

Stuburt Tern Mid Layer

Price: £42.99

Pros:

Super lightweight
Bery breathable
Silky fabric glides over the underlayers easily

Cons:

Slightly lacking in shelf appeal

Colours: Khaki, Ash, French Navy

An ideal layering piece for the Spring / Summer months, this mid-layer from Stuburt is simple yet effective.

The fabric is lightweight, breathable and glides across undergarments easily, making it ideal for a quick layer change if the weather turns quickly.

While the Tern perhaps lacks the shelf appeal of bigger brands on this list, it's a very solid choice and will serve you well at a very reasonable price point.

Callaway 1/4 Zip Printed Blocked Pullover

Price: £54.95

Pros:

Beautiful blue gradient pattern
Excellent value
Lightweight material ideal for cool summer rounds

Cons:

We would have preferred the zipper to be blue

Colours: Peacoat

This quarter zip from Callaway is one of the louder designs on this list. It features a wavy blue pattern and bright green zipper.

The fabric is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for cool summer days or the occasional warm winter round.

Featuring cuffed sleeves and Nanotex Aquapel fabric, this mid-layer is also water-repellent, making it incredibly versatile for year-round golf.

Things to consider when buying a mid-layer

Material

Different materials offer different characteristics, so it's key to consider what your mid-layer is made of when you make a purchase.

Most modern garments are made primarily from polyester, but cotton and wool do still have their place in the market. Polyester is our favoured material due to its stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and breathability. The synthetic material is also straightforward to care for and will hold its shape and colour incredibly well.

Cotton and wool both deliver perhaps a more traditional feel and look, but don't provide the same level of versatility and functionality as polyester, elastane or a variety of other modern synthetics. Typically also more expensive, the natural materials also tend to lose their shape and colour more quickly.

Functionality

The mid-layer category is quite a broad one, and different styles and designs will favour certain conditions and environments, so the functionality of the garment is vital to consider.

If you regularly play in a cooler climate where wind and rain play a big factor, selecting a mid-layer that's water-resistant and well-insulated should be your main priority.

Alternatively, some mid-layers are much more breathable and lightweight, making them an ideal choice for golfers looking for something nice and easy to stash in their bag in case the temperature starts to dip slightly mid-round.

Price

Price is key to consider when buying almost everything, and golfing mid-layers are not exempt. Ranging quite dramatically from around £20 to close to £200, finding the price point that suits your budget is essential.

While the more expensive mid-layers on this list certainly deliver the quality and comfort you would expect from the price tag, you can still find excellent value and performance from every item on this list.

If you're someone who only likes to play once or twice a year, then perhaps a £200 quarter zip might not be the wisest money you've ever spent, but if you're a serious golfer who demands the absolute best in style and performance from their clothing, then the more expensive items in this guide are undoubtedly well worth your consideration.