Guide to Customising Golf Apparel: Embroidery, TPU Badging & Logos

Whether you’re preparing for a season, organising a corporate golf day, or ensuring your team looks sharp for members and sponsors, how your club logo appears on apparel matters. But what’s the best way to get that logo onto garments?

With options like embroidery, TPU badging, and heat transfers, each method has its strengths, and each suits different types of garments, budgets and branding goals. Choosing the right one can make a visible difference in how your team is perceived, on and off the fairway.

Understand the decoration methods available through A2Z Golf, so you can make an informed decision that reflects your club’s identity and values.

Embroidery Delivers Trusted Quality and a Timeless Look

Embroidery remains the most trusted technique for long-term, high-quality branding. It involves stitching your design directly into the fabric, producing a rich, tactile effect that adds dimension and a sense of tradition to any garment.

Why embroidery:

• Extremely durable through wear and repeated washing
• Professional texture and visual depth ideal for crests and club logos
• Best suited to structured garments such as polos, sweaters, and vests

Our embroidery is managed in-house using premium threads and stitching methods. Importantly, there are no minimum order quantities, a major advantage for clubs that need only a few branded items at a time. Embroidery is widely used across the 38º South range, including club polos and sweaters designed specifically for embroidery compatibility.

When to use it: Use embroidery when longevity, prestige, and a refined finish are priorities, especially for uniforms that reflect the club’s professional image.

Browse 38º South apparel

TPU Badging Adds Bold Impact for Performance and Style

TPU badging is a modern method designed to complement performance garments. A TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) badge is heat-pressed onto the fabric, creating a durable, slightly raised logo with a smooth, contemporary finish.

Why TPU badging:

• Sleek, 3D look that feels premium without added weight
• Ideal for stretch and moisture-wicking fabrics
• Excellent for sharp logos with clean lines or solid block designs

TPU is particularly effective on garments like performance polos and 38º South Performance FIT headwear, where flexibility and breathability are crucial. The technique maintains the garment’s natural movement while delivering a bold visual identity.

When to use it: TPU is best when you want a modern, athletic look on technical apparel or when embroidery isn’t compatible with stretch materials.

Read the TPU Application for Headwear blog

Heat Transfers Offer Lightweight, Cost-Friendly Branding

Heat transfer decoration involves applying a printed graphic onto the garment using heat and pressure. It’s a versatile method that allows for high-resolution visuals, perfect for designs with intricate detail, gradients, or multicolour elements.

Why heat transfers:

• Great for promotional use and one-off events
• Compatible with synthetic and lightweight fabrics
• More budget-conscious for short runs or high-quantity orders

The trade-off is durability. While still robust, heat transfers are typically less long-lasting than embroidery or TPU when exposed to frequent washing or stretching.

When to use it: Ideal for event shirts, sponsor branding, and promotional wear that needs visual impact without long-term use. Clubs running golf days, charity tournaments, or sponsor-led events will find this option highly practical.

Comparing Decoration Methods for Custom Golf Apparel

How to Choose the Right Decoration for Your Club or Event

Selecting the right method depends on the following questions:

• Is this for long-term use or a single event?
• What fabrics are you branding, cotton, poly-blend, stretch?
• Do you want a traditional crest or a bold modern design?
• Is cost a major factor, or is quality the key concern?

Use embroidery for official uniforms and member apparel that needs to look polished and last.
Use TPU for a sleek, professional finish on stretch or performance wear.
Use heat transfers when branding needs are short-term, especially for events or sponsor visibility.

Still unsure? We offer visual previews of your logo on selected garments so you can confidently choose before production begins. Explore A2Z Golf Decoration Options

Answers to Common Customisation Questions

Do I need to order in bulk? No. A2Z Golf accommodates small or large runs with flexibility, especially with 38º South garments that have no minimums.

What logo file format should I provide? Vector files (such as .ai, .eps or .pdf) are ideal, but if you’re unsure, our design team can help convert your existing logo or even create a new one.

What’s the most cost-effective method? For long-term use, embroidery provides strong ROI despite higher upfront cost. For short-term or high-quantity needs, heat transfer offers the best per-unit pricing.

Can I see how the logo will look before ordering? Yes. A2Z Golf provides digital mock-ups so you can review and approve before production starts.

How long does the process take? Turnaround depends on order volume and decoration type. For time-sensitive events, early discussion is recommended to ensure deadlines are met.

Bring Your Club’s Branding to Life

Whether you’re outfitting ground staff, dressing a team for competition, or organising a corporate day, the right decoration method helps you communicate professionalism, pride, and unity, without saying a word.

Ready to get started? Explore your custom decoration options or contact our team for a tailored quote or complimentary mock-up.