Best Golf Shorts for Men in Arizona Heat — What Actually Holds Up on the Course

Playing golf in Arizona from May through September is a different sport than golf anywhere else. Temperatures on the course routinely hit 108°F by the back nine, and the wrong pair of shorts will remind you of that fact every single hole. Stiff fabric, poor airflow, shorts that ride up mid-swing — these aren't minor annoyances. They affect your round.

Here's what actually matters when you're picking golf shorts for Arizona conditions.

Fabric Is Everything

In Arizona heat, fabric choice separates a good round from a miserable one. You want a performance fabric that pulls sweat away from the skin and dries fast. Cotton — even blended cotton — holds moisture. When it's 105°F and you're walking 18 holes, that's not acceptable.

Look for polyester-spandex blends with at least a 4-way stretch. The stretch matters for your swing, but the polyester is what keeps you dry. Bonus if the fabric has UV protection built in — Arizona sun at midday is no joke, and you'll feel the difference between fabrics by hole 6.

The PILLAR Drew Short is built for exactly this environment. Lightweight performance fabric, tailored cut that doesn't look sloppy, and enough stretch that it moves with you rather than against you. It reads as put-together at the clubhouse and performs on the course.

Length and Fit

Course dress codes in Scottsdale vary, but most allow shorts that hit mid-thigh to just above the knee. A 7-inch inseam is the standard safe zone — long enough to look polished, short enough that you're not sweating through an extra inch of fabric.

Fit matters more than most men give it credit for. Baggy shorts trap heat and bunch at the waistband. Shorts that are too fitted restrict your rotation on the backswing. The sweet spot is a tailored cut with performance stretch — fitted through the seat and thigh, with enough give in the fabric to handle a full swing.

Waistband and Pocket Setup

Elastic waistbands are comfortable, but they can look casual in ways that don't hold up at nicer clubs. A structured waistband with a hidden elastic panel gives you the best of both — clean silhouette, comfortable on the course. Look for at least two side pockets deep enough to hold tees and a ball marker without the fabric pulling funny.

Back pockets should close securely — either with a button or zipper — so you're not losing your scorecard on the 12th green.

Color Strategy for Arizona Heat

Dark colors absorb heat. In Phoenix or Scottsdale in July, a navy or charcoal short will make you noticeably hotter than a lighter alternative. Light grey, white, stone, and light blue are the practical choices in peak summer months — and they tend to look sharp against a tan.

Save the darker colorways for October through March when the temperature cooperates.

The After-Round Factor

One of the underrated qualities of a great golf short is what happens after the round. In Scottsdale, a golf morning often transitions directly to lunch at the clubhouse, drinks at the 19th hole, or a run to Kierland for the afternoon. A short that reads as athletic-but-polished carries through all of that without forcing a wardrobe change.

Pair the Drew Short with the PILLAR Steven Polo and you have a complete look that works on the tee box and at the bar. No adjustments needed.

What to Avoid

A few things that don't hold up in Arizona golf conditions:

Cotton chino shorts. They look great in a store. After two holes in July, they're soaked through and heavy. Skip them entirely for summer golf.

Compression-style athletic shorts. Fine for the gym. Too casual for most courses and they trap heat differently than performance woven fabric.

Shorts without stretch. Any short that doesn't have at least some stretch in the fabric will limit your backswing. You feel it immediately.

The Bottom Line

Arizona golf demands gear that's built for heat. The right short has performance fabric, tailored fit, and a silhouette clean enough to take off the course without changing. Anything less and the conditions win.

Browse the full men's collection and find what works for your round: Shop PILLAR.