A gold shirt, polo shirt, and tennis shirt are all the same things :)

Technically, there probably isn't any difference since "polo shirt" refers to any collared shirt with a few buttons at the neck. But in reality, retailers do differentiate between golf shirts and polos.

Golf shirts are generally larger, roomier, and less fitted than polos (meaning they're a lot looser fitting). They generally have longer cut sleaves and are of a different weave, making them hang looser on the body. For this reason you can usually tell a golf shirt from a polo because polos look more "clean cut," and -- depending on the brand -- they typically have a preppier more casual look than golf shirts.

**Golf shirts are typically marketed toward older customers and they aren't necessarily only worn to play golf in. In fact I'm sure people play golf in polos too.

"Golf shirt" is a general term for the type of shirt that many of us call a polo, but Polo is actually a company that is famous for its golf shirts. It's like calling adhesive compresses band-aids even if they're not made by the company, Band-Aid. Maybe a weird analogy but you get the point.

man on a horse = polo
tiger woods wearing = golf

well played

search "golf shirt" in ebay and you'll see plenty of examples.

then search "gap polo" in ebay and that's a pretty good indication of the differences between the two

fabric

fabric weave!

There is no difference.

Somebody told me the difference is in the sleeves. One has straight sleeves and the other has an elastic band at the bottom. I don't remember which is which...

Wikipedia says they're both descended from the tennis shirt, invented by Lacoste.

I've been working in the clothing retail business for over 15 years and have found that very few people actually know the difference between a polo shirt and a golf shirt.

Polo shirts have a two button placket.
Golf shirts have a three button placket and slightly longer sleeves.
Very few companies that make polo and golf shirts actually distinguish them properly.

Polo shirts are not named so after the "Polo Ralph Lauren" label but rather the sport.

The last answer (from malachidjl) is probably your best answer for practical purposes of the modern day shopper but historically speaking polo shirts are actually very similar to the collared button-up shirts that business professionals often wear. The collars of polo shirts have buttons to keep the collars from flapping against the polo player's face as he rides his horse.