Ben Sherman’s SS26 Golf Collection: A Breath of Fresh Air in a Sea of Sameness
by Dr. Barry Lotz
In today’s golf apparel market, too many shirts look like variations of the same template—overly loud graphics, predictable cuts, synthetic-feeling fabrics, and styling that often sacrifices sophistication for trendiness.
Then along comes the new SS26 Golf Collection from Ben Sherman — and suddenly, golf fashion feels refreshing again.
Inspired by the rise of desert golf and the rugged beauty of remote, arid landscapes, the “Desert Island” collection combines classic Ben Sherman style DNA with modern golf performance. The result is a collection that stands apart from the standard fare currently flooding pro shops and online retailers.
For this review, the PGTAA testing group and I focused specifically on two polos:
- Men’s Desert Island Tech Jersey Short Sleeve Polo – $72.00
- Men’s Sunglasses Short Sleeve Polo – $95.00 (shown above)
Both shirts immediately delivered something, many modern golf shirts fail to provide personality without screaming for attention.
First Impressions: Sophisticated Without Trying Too Hard
What Ben Sherman has accomplished here is balance.
The shirts are contemporary without looking juvenile. Stylish without appearing forced. Athletic without looking like gym wear masquerading as golf apparel.
The Desert Island Tech Jersey Polo (shown on the left) offers a refined scenic-inspired design that subtly captures the desert aesthetic without becoming visually overwhelming. The color palette—cool blues, muted pinks, warm greys, and sunset-inspired tones—works exceptionally well both on and off the golf course.
Meanwhile, the Sunglasses Polo adds a playful but tasteful design element that gives the shirt character while maintaining an upscale appearance.
In an era where many golf shirts resemble billboard graphics or nightclub wear, Ben Sherman understands something important:
Less noise often creates more style.
Fabric & Performance: Where Fashion Meets Function
Looking good is one thing.
Feeling comfortable during a four- or five-hour round is another.
Both polos excelled during testing.
The lightweight technical jersey fabric feels soft against the skin while remaining highly breathable in warm desert conditions, particularly important for golfers playing in climates such as Palm Desert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, or Las Vegas.
The moisture-management capabilities performed admirably, and the stretch characteristics allowed complete freedom throughout the golf swing without any feeling of restriction.
Unlike some performance polos that feel overly synthetic or plasticky, these shirts maintain a more premium, natural hand feel while still delivering modern technical performance.
That combination is difficult to achieve.
The fit is clean, athletic, and flattering without being overly tapered or restrictive. Ben Sherman wisely avoided the “painted-on” modern fit that simply does not work for many golfers.
A Welcome Departure from Cookie-Cutter Golf Apparel
What impressed me most is that Ben Sherman clearly understands style heritage.
This is not a company chasing every passing golf-fashion trend. Instead, they are bringing their iconic British-inspired design philosophy into golf apparel with confidence and restraint.
The collection’s textured quarter-zips, breathable mesh polos, subtle jacquard detailing, and four-way stretch trousers and shorts all reflect a mature understanding of what today’s golfer increasingly wants:
- Performance
- Sophistication
- Comfort
- Versatility
- Individuality
You can wear these shirts comfortably to the golf course, lunch, travel, or casual evening gatherings without looking like you just walked off a driving range commercial shoot.
That versatility matters.
Dr. Barry Lotz Final Thoughts
The SS26 Ben Sherman Golf Collection is a genuine breath of fresh air in golf apparel.
The Desert Island Tech Jersey Polo and Sunglasses Polo successfully blend modern technical performance with refined styling, something surprisingly rare in today’s golf market.
Quite frankly, crème rises to the top.
When golfers look good, they often feel good. And when they feel good, confidence tends to follow.
Ben Sherman has delivered a collection that allows golfers to stand out quietly and confidently rather than loudly and artificially.
That, in my opinion, is exactly where golf fashion should be heading.
Available on Amazon and Golf Town.
Dr. Barry Lotz
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D., is the Director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA), one of the most respected organizations in golf instructor certification and performance education worldwide. A distinguished member of the Golf Writers Association of America, Dr. Lotz is widely recognized for his expertise in the mental game, equipment analysis, travel writing, and golf industry consulting.
Known by many as “The Golf Whisperer,” Dr. Lotz currently works with between 10 and 12 PGA TOUR players on the mental side of golf, helping elite competitors perform under pressure and sustain confidence at the highest level of the game.
In addition to his leadership at the PGTAA, Dr. Lotz serves as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry and is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including 333 Best Web Sites for Golfers and How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf, which remains among the Top Ten bestselling golf business books.
His highly regarded performance psychology series includes The Right Mind for Golf, now in its 13th reprint, along with The Right Mind for Putting, The Right Approach to Golf, The Right Mind for Peak Performance in Golf and Life, and The Back Nine: Embracing Golf and Life as a Senior.
Released this April, Dr. Lotz adds two compelling new titles to his growing body of work:
The Right Mind for Peak Performance and 101 Things You Can Do with a Law Degree.
All of Dr. Lotz’s books are available through the PGTAA bookstore at:
https://www.pgtaa.com/product-category/books-and-apparell
For the latest mental strategies, golf travel insights, and equipment reviews, visit the PGTAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PGTAA.