It’s that time of year again when you are trying to figure out just what to give the golfer in the family, besides a gift card. This becomes a really easy decision, if you simply go the gift card route, but it is rather impersonal, to say the least.
Great looking apparel is always going to be appreciated, and to that end, the following products offer the perfect solution.
Antigua Shirts
Almost 40 years in business – Antigua continues to be in the forefront of leading designers and marketers of lifestyle and golf apparel. They provided the TEAM USA’s uniforms at the 2017 Solheim Cup.
For men, Antigua has perfected pique with a 4-way stretch construction, 94% polyester, 6% spandex Desert Dry moisture wicking yarn dye stripe birds eye knit polo, with a flat knit collar. A three button placket, side slits and Antigua 3D holographic logo at right cuff complete this great looking shirt.
The Liquid Polo, style 104082 shown here, is so very comfortable, feels great and swinging a golf club is fluid and easy.
Sizes range from, S, MD, LG, XL, 2XL.
$70.00
What’s going on in the women’s apparel scene these days? There are 3 specific trends.
Holographic Effects is a new trend taking the fashion market by storm. Textile prints, trims, accessories and even hair and nail color all utilize some form of a hologram. Some manifest as a true multi-color holographic effect, while others offer a more subtle combination of light bright shades that give the appearance of a prism light spectrum.
Regardless of how it’s used, the hologram is a trip down memory lane, bringing flashbacks of the late 80’s and early 90’s fashion. Thankfully, the holographic effect of today’s world is slightly less plastic looking and more organic in feel. Instead of creating fabrics that appear holographic, designers have been using foil prints, screen prints and heat transfers. All are soft against the body and allude to the effect of a sunset, both simultaneously calming and visually stunning.
One of the new short sleeve polo styles, named Wildfire, shown on the right, features a cotton-like closed mesh poly heather fabric. As mentioned earlier, this style utilizes the holographic trend. A holographic printed box pattern accents the top of each sleeve. The finishing touch: a holographic zipper placket. Another short sleeve polo style playing on the holographic trend is Beam. This polo uses a multi-colored foil print all-over the garment. The print is subtle, featuring small angled lines which keep the polo from being overly audacious.
Another major trend is mixing deep vibrant colors with soft bright colors.
Overall, color plays a key role in how a collection is merchandised for both buyers and consumers. This new collection includes two different color palettes, providing endless merchandising options. One color palette groups bold vibrant colors, such as Boysenberry, Cherry, Poseidon, Spearmint and Sunflower.
The alternative palette features softer bright shades like Mandarin, Oceanside, Meringue, Iris and Rose. This color-on-color trend makes what was once a basic polo suddenly appear original and contemporary. Several styles in the collection mix colors from both palettes, in which each deep shade is mixed with a soft shade. The soft color takes the bold color down a notch and makes it feel both modern and wearable.
Also trending is the use of patterns and prints.
Never before have printed fabrics played such a key role in ladies’ golf.
Previously, prints were seen as over-the-top, but now it’s difficult to find a ladies’ golf line that doesn’t have multiple versions of an all-over eye-catching print. The 2018 line includes a few printed styles that appeal to their entire customer base. Some styles feature an all-over printed pattern, others just a small detail, such as a printed side inset. Prints have remained geometric in style, embodied by abstract artwork, and are overall symmetrical in feel.
All of the above styles retail at $70.00 and sizes are available in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.
Galvin Green Shirts
Galvin Green is a family-owned business founded in 1990. A pure golf brand, its products – including premium outerwear, tops, bottoms and accessories – are available for purchase at better green grass shops and golf-specialty retail locations in more than 20 countries, and trendygolfusa.com and www.seamlessgolf.com.
Designed for ultimate breathability and comfort in excessive heat, Ventil8 Plus fibers feature a revolutionary body-mapping technology to wick moisture twice as fast as a traditional polyester shirt. The ultralight material draws sweat away and diffuses it over a larger area for rapid evaporation alongside ventilation panels for maximum airflow.
Their VENTIL8 is offered across a range of men’s, women’s and junior’s polos, trousers, shorts, and skorts. Boasting a UV protection rating of 20+, all garments are developed with an anti-bacterial effect for odor control and are machine washable for easy care.
The Manny Ventil8 Navy/White/Kings Blue – AW17 is 81% polyester wicking fiber and 19% cotton that is extremely great looking and feeling shirt.
The cut is closer to a true sizing compared to most other manufacturers, in that there is no surplus material.
$120.00 www.GalvinGreen.com
Their Women’s line also has some exceptional clothing. The Women’s Akita Gore-Tex Paclite Stretch Jacket Navy/White – AW17 is a full-zip, fitted cut jacket in the lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite Technology fabric, with classic feminine styling.
It features drawstring adjusters at the bottom edge and light comfortable elastic at sleeve end. Extremely comfortable and packable, with excellent breathability!
$485.00
Bermuda Sands Shirts
Both the men’s and women’s lines offer casual and stylish shirts. The Arch Polo exemplifies style and comfortability.
Graphic Placed Chest Stripe Polo (Regatta Blue)
The Arch is a refreshing take on a geometric chest stripe polo. Using their G2 Tech performance polyester/spandex blend (92% Polyester 8% Spandex), they placed a broken graphic stripe on the front and back of the shirt in a high/low color effect.
The Arch model is a fun, yet modern approach to placement print shirts.
Additionally, the self-collar, vented sides and 3 button placket enhance the overall appearance.
The shirt is also available in Aqua Bay for those looking for a lighter color.
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low or lay flat.
$77.00 www.bermudasandsapparel.com
For women, the “Lana” zip neckprinted panel Polo shirt is both eye-catching and stylish.
A lush tropical print highlights the collar and zip neck while printed panels frame and shape in the most flattering way. This performance polyester/spandex polo (92% polyester 8% Spandex stretch Jersey) pairs beautifully with the Corrie printed skort.
Vented sides, a self-fabric collar and printed zipper accent add extra verve to the shirt.
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low or lay flat.
$73.00
www.bermudasandsapparel.com
Puma Golf
PUMA Golf is a leader in golf apparel innovation, design and style.
PUMA Golf staff golf pros on Tour include Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, Bryson DeChambeau, Ben Crane, Graham DeLaet, Jonas Blixt and Jesper Parnevik.
Puma has recently introduced Evoknit in an assortment of apparel and accessory pieces for men and women.
Evoknit is a knitted design that utilizes body mapped ventilation, strategically placed rib panels and seamless engineering for unrestricted range of motion. The moisture-wicking, highly breathable fabric provides extreme comfort and breathability.
The Evoknit seamless golf polo shown here, style number 573283, is composed of 86% nylon and 14% polyester, and also features Puma’s dryCELL technology.
Its engineered stretch construction for unrestricted range of motion works effortlessly, making this one of the most comfortable shirts on the market.
$75.00
The Women’s EVOKNIT Golf Sweater
The 100% nylon EVOKNIT sweater will be the layering piece you won’t want to leave home without. This is a gorgeous sweater that exudes style and class. Peacoat is the only color available.
It’s comfortable, fashionable and engineered for unrestricted range of motion through your swing.
Featuring stylish color blocked sleeves, the sweater is also equipped with UV protection and warmCELL technology and will keep you warm and comfortable on the course.
Warming comfort blends perfectly with traditional style in the PUMA Women’s Evoknit Sweater.
Thanks to PUMA’s warmCELL designation, this long sleeve top retains heat to keep you at your optimal temperature. Its UV resistant finish creates a layer of protection from damaging ultraviolet rays.
The crew neck style looks great and the Puma Cat logo is strategically placed on the left sleeve.
Sizes from XS to XL $63.95 www.cobragolf.com
Footjoy Shoes
Who doesn’t own at least one pair of Footjoys?
The company is FootJoy. It’s about comfort. It’s about performance. It’s about tradition. FootJoy has been committed to creating superior golf footwear, gloves, and accessories that will enhance your on-course experience. . For more than 60 years, FootJoy has been the leading golf shoe on the PGA tour. This proves, when given a choice, the best golfers in the world choose the best golf shoes in the world.
Second to none, FootJoy is the choice of those who love the game, from young to old, from amateur to top professional. For more than 60 years, FootJoy has been the leading golf shoe on the PGA tour. This proves, when given a choice, the best golfers in the world choose the best golf shoes in the world.
In 2016, FootJoy introduced a radically new category of golf shoes, called FreeStyle, highlighted by unique technology specifically designed to deliver exceptional traction, mobility and comfort.
Also in 2016, FootJoy, the #1 women’s shoe and glove in golf , announced its plan to expand into women’s performance apparel with the launch of FootJoy Golfleisure. With the rapid growth of its men’s golf apparel line after entering the market just 4 years ago, FJ expands into the women’s market with a golf focused line inspired by the women’s athleisure lifestyle movement.
The latest from FootJoy is the newest version of the very successful D.N.A. (DryJoys Next Advancement) franchise with the introduction of the all-new D.N.A. Helix – featuring a wider platform and a structured, lightweight construction to create power from the ground up.
The new NitroThinTM 3.0 TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) outsole foundation in DNA Helix was developed to deliver the additional stability requested by Tour players. In fact, DNA Helix is 38% more stable than its predecessor. This was achieved by increasing the width between the cleat receptacles in the heel by 13% for more surface coverage underfoot. In addition, a new fit-bed was developed with more lateral stability and the integration of a 3D FoamCollar also helps to lock the player’s foot in place.
The new outsole also features strategically placed cut-outs in the TPU to expose more of the softer midsole which contributes to this outsole being 23% lighter than the previous version, as well as being more flexible.
These amazing and most comfortable DNA shoes are available with or without the BOA (heel mounted fit solution). Available in White/Black Bicycle and White/Silver Bicycle.
D.N.A. Helix $209.99 (White/Red, Black/Silver and White/Silver). Sizes from 7 -15, including half sizes. Shoe widths are Narrow/B, Medium, Wide 2/E and Extra Wide/4E.
DNA Helix BOA $239.99 (shown to the left). Currently only available for men White/Black color combination.
Sizes from 7-12, including half sizes and 3 widths – M, W/2E and Extra Wide/4E.
For ladies, we recommend the FJASPIRE ($159.99) and the FJASPIRE BOA Women ($179.99). These models are almost identical to the DNA men’s shoes. The main distinction is that The FJ Aspire uses a Flex Grid material (not leather) which will be a little bit lighter than the HELIX.
The shoes are fitted with Pulsar cleats by Softspikes which are the #1 selling cleat in golf and the overwhelming choice of touring professionals worldwide. The Pulsar cleats feature all the same turf grip and walking comfort advantages of Black Widow golf spikes, plus the additions of radiused legs for extra durability and cleat webbing for easier cleaning.
The FJ Aspire shoes were engineered specifically for women’s feet.
They are indeed beautifully styled and supercharged with tour-proven performance.
Both shoes have a Two Year Waterproof guarantee. Sizes 5 – 11 in medium and wide.
New Balance
The most comfortable golf shoes available for wide feet.
The Minimus Tour is New Balance’s first Minimus golf shoe with spikes. The athletic looking style shoe is built on a NL-1 last with a wider forefoot and lower instep.
The wider forefoot allows the foot to spread out for balance, while the lower instep height helps the foot to stay connected to the ground, which improves overall feel and power.
The shoe features a waterproof upper with a FantomFit® support system, providing ultralight support and fit.
The REVlite® 4mm drop midsole gives golfers a lightweight ride without sacrificing cushioning and stability. The outsole is made of Ultra-flexible Ndurance® rubber and has six Champ Slim-Lok® Zarma Tour cleats.
The shoe also has an Ortholite® insole for cool, dry comfort.
Minimus Tour Specs:
- Weight: 11.7 oz.
- Color: Dark Grey/Green, White/Black and Black.
- Sizes: 7 -12, 13, 14; Widths: D, 2E
- Warranty: Two-year limited waterproof
- Retail Pricing: $119.95
Barry Lotz, J.D.,
Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His latest book,” The Right Mind for Golf”, released last year, is now in its 6th printing.
He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net
