Men's Athletic Shorts: 5-Inch vs 7-Inch Inseam, Which One Is Right for You
The Inseam Question
Five inches
or seven.
For most men, the 7 inch inseam is the right call: it hits the top of the knee, suits taller builds, and looks at home on almost any course. The 5 inch sits above mid thigh, gives your hips more room through the swing, and reads more modern if your build carries it. Your height, how you move, and where you play decide the rest.
Shop Both Lengths
For Him
In stock in every core size. Free shipping over $75.
Drew Short 7"
Light Grey
The classic length. Hits the top of the knee and stays put on the walk to your ball.
$55
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Drew Short 5"
Black
The modern cut. More hip room through the swing, and black hides sweat well.
$55
View details01What the two lengths actually look like
Inseam is measured from the crotch seam to the hem, so two inches changes more than you'd think. On an average build, a 7 inch short lands right at the top of the kneecap. A 5 inch short stops above mid thigh and shows noticeably more leg.
Neither is more correct. The 7 inch is the length most of us grew up wearing and what golfers wore for years before shorter cuts came back. The 5 inch is the current look on the course and around Scottsdale, sharper and more athletic, as long as it suits your proportions.
02The 5 inch: a cleaner, more modern line
The Drew Short 5 inch sits above mid thigh, keeps you cooler in Arizona heat, and never gets in the way when you load up your backswing. Less fabric means less resistance when you rotate through the ball. It sounds small, but you notice it around hole 14 when your legs are tired.
It works best for men with leaner quads who want a clean silhouette, for summer rounds when the temperature hits triple digits, and for anyone tired of shorts that bunch at the knee. It also looks sharp for drinks after the round. It comes in Black and in Light Grey.
03The 7 inch: the reliable all rounder
The Drew Short 7 inch is the classic play. It hits the top of the knee, gives you coverage when you crouch to read a putt or bend to tee it up, and doesn't ride up on the walk from the cart to your ball. Small things, but they add up over 18 holes.
Go 7 inch if you're 6 foot 1 or taller, where a 5 inch starts to look too short. It's also the call for cooler mornings, for courses with a more traditional feel, and for anyone who wants the classic look without overthinking it.
Buying one first? Go by height
- Under 5 foot 10: the 5 inch. It keeps your proportions clean and your legs looking longer.
- 5 foot 10 to 6 foot: either works. Pick the look you want: modern or classic.
- 6 foot 1 and up: the 7 inch. The 5 inch sits too high on a longer leg.
- Playing a traditional club: the 7 inch, whatever your height.
04Fabric matters more than length
Here's where most men get it backwards. They choose the inseam first and the fabric second. A cotton short in either length will be soaked by the sixth hole in Arizona, and no inseam fixes that.
What you want is lightweight, moisture-wicking four-way stretch. Every Drew Short uses the same build: a 100% polyester body with 88% polyester, 12% spandex contrast panels for extra glute and thigh flexibility, a drawstring waist, and a zip back pocket. Both lengths move the same, dry the same, and cost the same at $55. The only real decision is where the hem lands.
Finish the Look
What to Wear on Top
In stock in every core size. Free shipping over $75.
David Polo
White
A firm collar polo for courses that require one. Tuck it in for the round.
$76
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05Styling each length on and off the course
Pair either length with a polo when the course requires a collar. The David Polo in White tucked into Light Grey shorts is as clean as a golf outfit gets. For casual rounds and range sessions, the tee and short combination is seriously underrated: a Nick Tee with a 5 inch short looks sharp and feels like nothing.
Off the course, the rules loosen. The 5 inch reads more weekend and poolside, the 7 inch more polished for lunch or errands. Both look right with clean sneakers and a cap.
06The honest answer: own both
Your shorts get more use than your clubs. They go to the range, the course, the grill afterward, and on vacation. One pair in each length means you're covered whatever the round, the weather, or the plans after.
If you want sharper and more modern, go 5 inch. If you want classic and reliable, stay with 7 inch. Either way, the fabric does the work.
Ready to gear up?
The Drew Short in 7 inch and 5 inch, built the same way for the course and everything after it.
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Shop Women'sFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 5 inch and 7 inch inseam shorts?
Where the hem lands. A 5 inch inseam hits above mid thigh for a modern, athletic look and more hip rotation. A 7 inch inseam hits the top of the knee, a classic cut that works for most builds. Both Drew Short lengths use identical performance fabric.
What length shorts should men wear for golf in Arizona?
A 7 inch inseam is the safe choice for most courses: long enough to look polished anywhere, light enough for the heat. Some golfers prefer the 5 inch in peak summer for more airflow and freer hip rotation through the swing.
Should tall men wear 5 inch or 7 inch shorts?
The 7 inch. On men 6 foot 1 and above, a 5 inch inseam sits too high and can look out of proportion. The 7 inch lands at a cleaner point on a longer leg.
What material should men's athletic shorts be made of?
Lightweight polyester with spandex for four-way stretch and moisture-wicking. Cotton holds sweat and gets heavy in warm weather. Performance fabric dries fast and moves with you through golf, pickleball, and the gym.
Are 5 inch shorts allowed on golf courses?
At most courses, yes, as long as they are tailored golf shorts rather than gym shorts. Traditional private clubs tend to favor a length near the knee, so the 7 inch is the safer pick when you're a guest somewhere new.
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Athletic Meets Aesthetic · pillarathletics.com
