In defense of ... shorter shorts

Here's a sartorial hill I'm willing to die on or at least endure a sunburn for: Shorts should be short, especially on the golf course. Too many golfers are trapped in a decades-old fashion bubble from when long shorts were all the rage—or perhaps some think they were doomed to a life sentence playing in Bermuda. “Bro, this is New Jersey.”

The whole purpose of shorts is to help beat the heat with less coverage, so why are you wearing fabric down to your knees? Skimpier shorts are simply cooler, lighter and more comfortable. I’m not suggesting you find a pair of “nutcutters” the length your high school P.E. teacher wore while overseeing punitive squat thrusts, but you can do better than the ubiquitous slim-fit cut-off chinos golfers seem to think are the perennial play. Shorts are supposed to be short. It’s in the name.

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I’m six feet tall, and my preferred inseam is about halfway to my knee, somewhere between five-and-a-half to six inches, depending on the style. That’s short enough to let my thighs breathe but long enough to prevent any indecent exposure.

Until recently, my off-the-rack trunks had to be professionally hemmed, but over the past few seasons, the shorter shorts I prefer have made a bit of a comeback. This year, numerous ateliers are offering more choices for those of us who prefer abbreviated inseams—versions with wider legs, higher rises and even pleats. Huzzah!

Of course, there’s no single length that is going to look good on everyone, but as a group, golfers have been wearing shorts that are too damn long for too damn long. Don’t be afraid to show a little leg.

Shorter Shorts We Recommend