Some Ideas for Cool Weather Golf Gear

This article over at Golf Digest lists some ideas for stylish fall golf gear. Maybe I'm just behind on the fashion scene (yes, sad but quite possibly true) but I found a couple of things that sort of surprised me.

Like puffy down jackets. Apparently they don't restrict your swing although they can make those irritating zippy noises. This Under Armour ColdGear Reactor jacket is an affordable one that isn't supposed to make noises.



The other thing they mentioned was hoodies. Apparently some of the companies are making hoodies that are "safe" to wear on the golf course -- that is, they won't get you thrown off.

All-in-all, they listed 11 different types of gear that they say you should consider. For my tastes, some of it was too expensive and some was just not me. But you might find the article instructive if you're looking for something fashion-forward to spice up your golf wardrobe.

Some New Casual Golf Shoes

Back in March I did a post about new golf shoes for 2017. Now Ashley Mayo has a new article over at the Golf Digest site called 7 Golf Shoes You Can Easily Wear Off the Course.

The main problem I have with this article is the price of the shoes. (Of course, that's becoming a common problem with golf shoes. But I digress...) There's only one shoe in her list that's under $100, and that's the FootJoy GreenJoys for $70, shown below.



My original post included FootJoy Contour Casuals for $100, and both FootJoy models appear to have similar soles. In either case, FootJoy seems to be the company to check for less expensive sneaker styles. (My original post included a $90 pair from Biion but those looked more like traditional golf shoes, albeit very light.)

My personal fave from the new list is the Adidas Golf Adicross Primeknit. They retail for $115 and remind me of boat slippers.



These appear to have some kind of cloth or synthetic knit upper rather than leather; the description says they're breathable. In any case, they have a simple stylishness that appeals to me.

The list has a fairly wide variety of styles, considering it only contains seven models. Still, it's a quick intro to the types of choices you have if you're looking for golf shoes you can wear when you're in a hurry to leave the course for the 19th hole.

Golf Digest's Best Golf Shoes List

With the weather finally improving somewhat, many of you will be looking for new golf shoes. Today I have a link to Golf Digest's slideshow of their favorite golf shoes of 2017.



Personally, I like some of the new spikeless shoes that you can wear off the course, like these Biion Patterns. They are extremely light, at 8 ounces. I think I could even get used to the psychedelic look. The $90 price tag is nice as well.



And this Ecco Cage Pro Boa has the coolest-looking lugged soles I've seen. But the $230 price tag is a bit high for my taste.



The Footjoy Contour Casuals are very nice as well, and at $100 are reasonable. I just wish they were as light as the Biions.



Those are three of my faves, but there are 36 different types in the slideshow. Well worth a look if you're in the market for new shoes.

Golf Shoes Are About to Get Smart

You're already wearing FitBits and AppleWatches, your Android phone is using an app to keep track of your steps, and your clubs are sending full swing information to your smart phone so you can obsess over your swing plane faster. Now your golf shoes are about to get into the act.

Meet the IOFIT Smart Shoes, complete with phone app.



Golf Digest has a new article about the Kickstarter-funded shoes:

Developed over the last two years, the IOFIT Smart Shoes track weight transfer and balance in your golf swing. IOFIT, a creative off-shoot from Samsung, designed the shoes with thin pressure sensors inside the insoles to track how your feet work (or in many cases don’t work) during the swing.

There's a lot more to them than that. You probably want to go watch Olympic golf right now, so I'll let you read the article later to get all the info. Suffice it to say that they incorporate a portable version of some existing golf tech and they should be available early next year.

Of course, new tech continues to build on itself as we bury ourselves under more and more data. So just think: Soon you'll not only be able to keep track of how many steps you take each day, but you'll know exactly how many of them are the result of poor leg action. I can't wait...

A New Golf Shoe Guide to Check Out

Golf Digest has done a slideshow of 32 new golf shoes that seems to hit just about every kind of shoe you could imagine... and some you couldn't. I mean, I couldn't have imagined the Royal Albartross Club Royale with Vibram soles -- Vibram being the makers of the 'five-toe' running shoes -- and Italian leather uppers. (I couldn't have imagined the $350 price either, but that's another thing altogether.)



And check out these boat shoe-inspired golf shoes from Canoos, the Tour 2.0. They're around $150 and seriously stylish. They're designed to be worn both on and off the course. I really like the looks of these.



You can find high-tops, flexible soles, retro designs -- I mean, this is a really nice cross-section of what's available this season. Even if you aren't in the market for new golf shoes right now, this is a great overview of the diversity that's become available... for future reference.

Golf Digest Has Put Its New Shoe Guide Online

Golf Digest has its new golf shoe guide up, and it shows 46 different shoes. Click over and take a look, by all means -- there is a wide variety of styles to look at.

You should be forewarned that the shoes are divided up into 3 categories -- performance, casual and classic -- but the links at the top of the guide didn't work when I tried them. However, you can get to the start of each section easily enough, by either changing the slide number in the url or by clicking the photos at the bottom of the slide show:

• Performance starts on slide 1
• Casual starts on slide 20
• Classic starts on slide 39

Clearly there aren't as many classic styles in the guide. However, each shoe has a link to the company website and often you can find a number of other models that are available.

I picked out a couple of the, shall we say, more interesting shoes that caught my attention.

Check this shoe out. It's the Biion (slide #20) and it's made out of plastic and rubber. (I wonder if its mom or dad was a Croc? That's what it reminds me of.) It weighs 15.4 oz and costs between $100 and $110. The company website has a load of models -- the wingtips are wild! -- but this pink flamingo model pictured at Golf Digest is just crazy.



And this is the Puma Monolite El Ray (slide #34). They're only 7.2 oz and $70, but I couldn't find them at the Puma website. There are a couple of other Monolites there, however, and they've got leather uppers and suede lining -- sweet!



There are quite a few normal-looking shoes in the guide as well. But let's face it, it's the unexpected models that tend to get you excited about new shoes... and you'll find plenty of them in the guide.

How to Pick Sunglasses That Look Good on You

I ran across a short article at Golf Digest's site about choosing sunglasses. It's called (not surprisingly) How to Pick a Sunglass Frame That Looks Good on You. But I was a little disappointed because basically all it said was to pick frames that are a different shape than your face -- that is, pick frames with angles if your face is rounder, and vice versa. Not good enough!

So I decided to find some sites that would be more help. Otherwise, how would you know if these Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Cosmos are right for you? Of course, we don't want to be overwhelmed with info, so I'll keep it to a couple of helpful sites.

We'll start at the Sun Authority's website with their Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape guide. (They also have an interactive tool to help you out, if you prefer.) It shows you how to identify your face shape (one of 4 different outlines) and then shows you what frame shapes tend to work best with that shape. The guide is short but it's far more helpful than the Golf Digest article.

The United Shades website takes it a bit farther with their Choosing the Right Sunglasses for Your Face page. This page makes frame recommendations for 6 different face outlines, but also gives some tips on how your hairstyle affects the way the frame looks on your face AND how your skin's complexion should affect the frame color you choose. A very cool page!

That's enough to give you some guidance. I've tagged this page as "fashion" but also as "equipment," simply because sunglasses are more than a fashion statement for golfers -- they're a necessary form of eye protection. Every golfer needs sunglasses...

But it doesn't hurt if they make you look cool as well. ;-)

For All You Shoppers Out There...

For those of you who might be interested, online golf clothing store Function 18 -- who have provided some fashion posts for me in the past as well as a Masters infographic a couple of posts back -- sent me a note that they're having a Masters sale that runs through Sunday.

Since they're located in the UK, the prices are in British pounds. They're offering 10% off all orders over £10 (at the time of this posting, my Google calculator says that's $16.78 in US dollars) and 15% off all orders over £100 ($167.81).

The press release said, "The promotion is available across all major golf brands available online at Function18 including Oscar Jacobson, Nike Golf, Puma Golf, Adidas Golf and Hugo Boss, and will run throughout the Masters tournament until Sunday 13th April."

You can find the sale at www.function18.com. Just click the sale button on the front page. Here's the graphic with the sale codes (GET10 and GET15, in case they don't show up clearly):

Need Some Masters Facts?

No doubt many of you are seeking useful trivia about the Masters so you can impress some of those folks who say all your golf is a waste of time. Well, here's help!

The folks over at Function18 came up with this neat infographic about the Masters. (Remember them? They provide me with fashion articles sometimes.) If you click on the graphic, you'll be taken to the original -- it's a bit large for me to show full width on my site.

Now, while you're having lunch with friends, you can casually tell them that green jackets take a long time to make. And please, try not to smirk as your vast knowledge goes to your head...



UPDATE: And here's another Masters infographic created by the betting website spreadex.com. It has entirely different information.

Men's Golf Style for Dummies

I haven't done a fashion post in a while and when I saw this Golf Digest post called Golf Style for Dummies I just couldn't resist it. It's by Marty Hackel but the advice isn't quite as... daring as he often seems to gives. (Sometimes when he shows up on Morning Drive he reminds me of a salmon swimming upstream to mate -- "Hey, look at me!")

As an example, I offer this photo from the slideshow that shows the proper length for golf shorts... just to the top of the kneecaps.



There are 29 slides giving advice on how things should fit and how to make yourself look slimmer if you're a bit on the large side. All-in-all, it's fairly conservative advice from Mr. Style. I suspect even the older guys like me will feel comfortable following it.

And I don't recall seeing a single picture in the bunch that showed a guy in blue shirt and salmon pants. Thank you for that, Marty.

How to Do... Everything!

Now that you're stuffed with turkey and all the assorted accoutrements of a huge Thanksgiving dinner, you need some exercise. It's time to go play some golf!

But maybe you've got a few questions about... well, any number of things that happen on a golf course. Then Golf Digest has just the thing for you. They've done a web-only article called How To Do Everything In Golf that you can find at this link. It's a massive 43-frame slideshow that covers all sorts of things:

• etiquette questions like how to tend the flag or rake a bunker or use your phone on the course;
• rules questions like how to take relief (that's the slide below; there's text beside it in the slide show);
• playing questions like how to practice vs how to warm up, or how to practice in your backyard;
• diverse questions like how to yell "fore," how to avoid losing balls and how to stretch;

and more besides.



And the text that accompanies each slide, while brief, is very informative.  You'll probably learn something you didn't know just by flipping through it. (For example, I didn't know that whole grain bread is a better energy source on the course than multigrain bread. That's on slide 30, "How to eat and drink during a round.")

It's a pretty impressive little guide that gives you quick guidance on a wide variety of things that can make your round more enjoyable. So, if you've got a little time, take a quick flip through it. You might pick up something really useful.

Top 5 Golf Fashion Tips for Men in the Fall

As the season starts to change and the air begins to turn a bit chilly, it's time to put away the heat resistant light clothing of summer and break out the kind of golf wear that can stand-up to the very different demands of playing in the fall. Let's take a look at some of the best bets for meeting the demands of the new season in a fashionable and practical way.

Golfing jumper: If there is one key to fall golf wear, it's layering. Golfing jumpers are perfect for this as they provide the warmth of a sweater, and the styling that allows you to fit right in with traditional golfing fashion. Jumpers come in many varieties, from v-neck, crew and zipper models, to straight pullovers.

Seasonal head gear: Not only is the sun still a factor during the fall, but keeping your head warm can be a key to not losing concentration at the wrong moment. Driving caps, bucket hats, and fedoras are quite popular this year, providing a nice range of styling options for the fashion conscious.

Long-sleeved polo shirt: Few pieces of clothing are more ubiquitous on the course than a stylish polo shirt. Long-sleeve polo shirts are multi-functional in giving you freedom of movement, stylish looks, and the little bit of extra protection from the chill that fall play demands.

Rain-ready outwear: A little wet weather won't stop the average golfer, but getting soaked to the bone might. Light jackets, pullovers, and windbreakers now come in a variety of breathable waterproof, water-resistant, and windproof materials that can meet any wet weather challenge.

Monochrome styling is back: Remember Gary Player - the Black Knight? Well sporting a uniform color look is not only back in fashion, but it's a great strategy for meeting the demands of fall golfing since the all-dark look also works to absorb what few rays of the sun there are, and help keep you warm so you can keep your mind on your game.

By wearing the appropriate gear on the golf course, you can avoid stiff swings, shaky putts, and muscle tension.  Ensuring you wear the proper attire for peak performance is crucial in the competitive arena.  There are a variety of options for men to look good without sacrificing agility.  Look around for your favorite apparel, and remember to layer accordingly.  As the temperatures continue to plummet, you can be sure your golf game won’t follow. 

Melinda Bailey's an avid golfer as well as the blog manager for 9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel You can read her Women of Golf blog, or connect with her on Twitter through @9Dine.

Top 5 Golf Fashion Tips for Women in the Fall

So the Tour decided to postpone the Limerick Summary again. At least we get to watch golf today -- in case you missed it, GC will broadcast the entire final round starting at 10am ET. Also, in case you missed it, apparently Lydia Ko told one of the interviewers at Evian that she might not be an amateur next time we see her. (Maybe she's getting tired of the limited LPGA starts an amateur is allowed? It couldn't be the millions she can't accept...)

At any rate, that leaves room for one of those fashion posts I promised yesterday. Melinda Bailey over at 9&Dine, an American golf clothier (my other fashion posts have come from UK-based companies), has a neat fashion blog and offered to give me some fashion help as needed. A quick note about the links: The golfing jackets and cardigans are about halfway down the linked page.

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The cold air and brisk winds on the golf course should never interfere with a woman’s ability to play.  Then again, neither should bulky overlays to protect from the cold.  As the weather continually drops in temperatures, women are finding it harder and harder to find comfort for agility to play on the greens.  To keep yourself warm and play at peak performance, here are some of the top items for fall weather.

Golfing jackets: Dressing in layers is a great strategy for the ladies, and the wide selection of women’s golfing jackets now on the market make this an easy thing to do. Golfing jackets come with many different combinations of down and weather-proofing, and can be quickly shed if the temperature starts to rise.  Many offer light weight, heat absorbing fabrics to keep you both warm and comfortable throughout the day.

 

Head gear: Wool and fleece headbands are a stylish golfing look during fall play, and provide that extra bit of ear and head protection cooler conditions usually call for. Rain resistant visors and more robust rainproof bucket hats also fit in on any course, allowing the game to keep going when conditions get wet. On a nicer day, a simple baseball style golf hat protects the skin from the sun, something golfers tend to overlook during the fall season.


Waterproof shoes: A pair of stylish leather golf shoes featuring waterproofing is a great choice for fall play. Today's waterproof golf shoes come in a wide range of colors and styles, and are guaranteed to keep your feet dry in wet grass, while providing eye catching fashion features.

Cardigans: No longer the bulky, unattractive pieces for the holiday season, women’s golf cardigans are the new hot fall item of 2013. Modern cardigans are now lightweight, trim fitting, and offer the protection needed from whatever the fall weather may throw your way.

Golf gloves: Here is a great way to bring practicality and style together on the course. Golf gloves offer finger warming protection for those cold early morning tee times, and the wide range of colors now available help bring a little pizzazz to the somewhat somber color schemes of fall clothing.

Melinda Bailey's an avid golfer as well as the blog manager for 9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel. You can read her Women of Golf blog, or connect with her on Twitter through @9Dine.

Selecting the Right Golf Shoes for You

I asked the folks over at Function18 if they'd do an article for me about selecting golf shoes, and they were kind enough to provide the following. Short of a shoe-by-shoe comparison, it hits all the main points and should help you know what questions to ask when you shop for new shoes. Where they gave prices I've added dollar equivalents for my American readers; exchange rates change daily but they should be close enough to give you an idea.

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We all understand how important comfort is when playing on the green. The average golfer walks around 4-5 miles per hour, now think about how long your average game lasts - and that is a lot of walking!

Not only is comfortable and stable footwear important for walking, stable footing is extremely important to your performance. Professional golfers take their selection of footwear very seriously, and so should you! So here’s our top guide to choosing the perfect golf shoes for you;

STYLE
When it comes to selecting stylish golf shoes, there are 3 main styles on the market - traditional, athletic with spikes, and athletic without spikes. Traditional golf shoes are made from leather, are very hard wearing and long lasting, yet lack flexibility and breathability. Athletic golf shoes, both with and without spikes, are lightweight and extremely flexible. Many of the top golf brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Footjoy and Oakley supply a wide range of athletic golf shoes, often worn in major tournaments by professionals.

FIT
No matter how great your golf shoes look, if they don’t fit correctly, you will not be a happy golfer! Your new golf shoes should give you space to wiggle your toes, feel secure yet give you room for your feet to breathe. Your golf shoes should be a little tighter than your day to day shoes, as you will need extra support from your whole body when swinging the club - and if your shoes are too loose this can also cause you to slide or loose stability when swinging the club.

We also suggest getting your feet measured before picking your new shoes - our top tip is to get your feet measured at the end of the day as this is when your feel will be a little swollen. Also many golfers wear extra thick socks for comfort when playing, so be sure to wear the same thickness of socks when trying on new golf shoes.

PRICE
Golf shoes generally range in price from around £45 to £150 and above. [That’s roughly $70 to $225 American.] Depending on the amount of golf you play, we suggest weighing up a number of options before splashing out on a new pair of golf shoes. Just because a golf shoe is more expensive doesn’t mean it is the best shoe for you. For example Rory McIlroy is a big fan of Nike Footwear, in particular Nike Lunar Footwear, as are many pro and amateur golfers, which are available from around £89.99. [Roughly $150 American.]

WATERPROOFING
It may be the height of summer, but you want your golf shoes to last you through all seasons! Be sure your new shoes have a waterproof element to them, as there is nothing worse that wet feet on the green. Many golfers recommend Footjoy, Oakley and Adidas branded golf shoes for sustainability in wet weather.

SPIKES OR NO SPIKES?
Spikes will give you more grip when playing and are a must on hilly courses. Some say spikeless shoes are more comfortable especially for a short game, but choose based on your swing, environment and how regularly you are playing.

Overall, your golf shoes should provide maximum comfort so you can thoroughly enjoy your game and perform to the best of your ability. To shop a wide range of golf shoes, clothing and accessories visit online golf store www.function18.co.uk.

Galvin Green Autumn / Winter Collection 2013

As I've tried to do more fashion posts, I've learned that Galvin Green is one of the big players in the market. Function18 sent me a press release about the new autumn and winter collection, complete with a link to a short video near the end. Hope this helps you would-be fashionistas out there!

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As one of the key brands within the golfing industry, Galvin Green quality garments are celebrated throughout the sport. Therefore the arrival of their latest Autumn / Winter collection is highly anticipated in the world of golf.

It may be August, but in the world of sporting fashion we’re already thinking about the next season. Designed by golfers for golfers, every Galvin Green garment has been developed to provide exceptional comfort, freedom of movement and protection from the elements that sometimes face us out on the course.

As the colder weather starts to roll in, the conditions on the course can get pretty extreme, and all golfers (no matter your level) need great, guaranteed protection from their clothing - and from outerwear and waterproofs to windstoppers, the new collection certainly does not disappoint.

Galvin Green has become a favourite amongst professional golfers, amateurs and fans of the sport, and online clothing store Function18 is pleased to announce that the Galvin Green 2013 autumn / winter collection is now available to purchase online at www.function18.co.uk.

The new collection brings with it a multitude of new Gore-Tex waterproof garments, with the introduction of the colour purple. The mid layer collection has also been expanded for autumn 2013 with the inclusion of the Dexter 1/4 zip Insula pullover and the Dawson full zip jacket.


The Ventil8 shirt collection from spring / summer 2013 has also been built upon, with the introduction of the body mapping Miller shirt, available in 4 colour ways.

The expert team at Function18 feel that the strongest product line for Galvin Green AW2013 is the collection of new Gore Windstoppers which are totally windproof, offering effective protection against wind-chill. The Brett Windstopper is also a very striking garment with contrast panel styling.

Galvin Green’s recent video commercial demonstrates the class of their latest WindStopper, and is definitely worth a watch - click here to view video.

The new autumn / winter collection is now available to purchase online from Function18.

What the Nike Pros Are Wearing This Week

(I've made friends with some of the folks over at Function18 in the UK and they occasionally send me potential fashion articles. Thursday they sent me this little piece which I found interesting because of the attachment. If you click this link, you'll open a PDF that shows you the complete outfits that 12 different Nike pros (including Tiger and Rory) will be wearing each day at the Open. If you like to dress like your favorite player, now's your chance!)

The Open Championship is now under way and Nike Golf have released details of what each Nike athlete will be wearing throughout the tournament. With Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Nick Watney and Thorbjorn Olesen dressed head to toe in the new 2013 Nike golf collection; all eyes will be on these key players throughout the four day event.

Each of the Nike athletes will be not only dressed in the new Autumn / Winter collection for the tournament, but will also be showcasing the latest sporting technology, garments designed to provide ultimate weather protection and maximum breathability.

New A/W polo’s, outerwear and shoes will be debuted at the event next week, with each key player dressed in the new collection, still in fitting with their signature golf styles. As with any major tournament, Nike has released detail of each athletes outfit for each day of the event, a great way to showcase the new lines and their performance capabilities.

One of the new collection pieces which will be launched at the Open Championship is the innovative Nike Hyperadapy Storm-FIT jacket - If the weather changes, this garment will provide ultimate weather protection throughout the event. The unique jacket, which will be worn by Rory McIlroy, features a sweater-like stretch material and an impenetrable outer layer - with both elements working together to provide maximum protection without sacrificing performance.

Star Nike athlete Tiger Woods will sport the new Nike TW’14 footwear at the tournament, with McIlroy, Watney and Olesen wearing Nike Lunar Control footwear for maximum performance and comfort. Nike Lunar Footwear are a firm favorite for many golfers, from armatures to professionals, and are available to purchase from leading golf clothing stores. 

Merritt Richardson, Vice President of Global Golf Apparel and Footwear for Nike Golf said; “We make sure our athletes have the base layers, Dri-FIT polo’s, cover-ups and outerwear so they are prepared for a round that could see four different seasons over 18 holes.

With our breathable, lightweight fabrics, layering is key without adding weight or bulk.  Our athletes will be armed with the essentials so they don’t have to think about their apparel during their quest for a Major Championship trophy.”

With 12 outstanding Nike athletes taking place in the 2013 Championship, keep your eyes peeled for the latest autumn / winter collection from Nike debuted at Murfeild.

Online store Function18 stock a wide range of Nike Golf clothing and will shortly stocking key autumn / winter Nike Golf pieces debuted at the championship in the next few weeks. Visit www.function18.co.uk to shop Nike golf online today.

A Clothing Sale at Function18

As you all know, I don't do a lot of posts about sales -- even if they're my own books. (I tend to announce titles when they're released and I figure you guys can see the cover images in the sidebar.) That's because I hate being pestered by salespeople as much as you do.

However, on occasion I get info about a sale that I think you readers might want to know about, especially when it won't be going for long and it's one of those "first come, first serve" things. That's the case with this sale from Function18. They're an online golf retailer in the UK, so some of you might not be interested... but I've been wrong before. ;-)

They sent me a press release about the sale -- the clothing is up to 50% off, which is the main reason I decided to post about it. (Waterproofs can get expensive, and apparently there are a number of them included in this sale.) For those of you who are interested, that can add up. In addition, I contacted them for some specific extra information and they were kind enough to provide it. As a result, I'm posting the main part of the press release, followed by the extra info they sent me.

First, the release:

Online golf clothing store Function 18 has today announced the launch of their anticipated summer sale.

With up to 50% off everything from golf clothes, shoes & accessories, Function 18's sale is not to be missed for golf enthusiasts.

Ideal for topping off that professional playing look without having to break the bank, Function18 have big discounts on top golfing brands including Oscar Jacobson, Nike Golf, Puma Golf, Adidas and Galvin Green. The sale features the very latest designs from these brands, which are sure to make sure you always look the part - both on and off the course.

The sale also now includes a range of waterproofs, perfect for being prepared in unpredictable UK weather. With so many waterproofs to choose from including jackets, trousers and shirts with waterproof properties, you can say goodbye to having to call off a game just because of a spot of rain.

With so many famous golf brands and high street brands to choose from, the Function 18 sale is the perfect place to get your hands on your favourite brands - and take advantage of discounted prices too - visit www.function18.com/on-sale.html.

That left me with several questions, so here's the extra info they provided:

• The sale started on the 1st July and will end when all stock has been sold (estimated around 1 month).
• There is free delivery on all UK Orders.
• Shipping to Ireland is available at a flat rate of £5.95.
• Shipping to all other countries within the European Union is available at a cost of £9.95 and will take approximately 3 working days.
• Shipping to the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and all other countries outside of the European Union is available at a cost of £14.95. The shipping time to these countries is 5 working days but this can be extended due to delays in customs. (For my American friends, that's $22.28 at the current rate of exchange.)

In addition, I've been told that IJP has the widest selection of clothing in this sale. That's Ian Poulter's company, in case you don't know, so if you really like Ian's designs you might want to take a good look at what's available. And yes, you can search the sales by designer, as well as sizes and color. (The price search probably won't help much, as it just gives you items above or below £100.) You'll have to hunt for the waterproofs, though.

So if you're looking for some new golf clothes, it might be worth taking a look even if you live outside the EU. If you find a few items you like, that $22 shipping fee isn't out of line -- even compared with some of the American retailers I've seen.

Galvin Green's Spring/ Summer 2013 Collection

Here’s another of my attempts to provide some useful golf fashion info. I have to get outside help, as the labels on my golf wear show names like Hanes and Dockers, maybe some Hagar. They look good but they certainly don’t use the newer high-tech fabrics like the golf-specific designers. As I’ve tried to learn more about it in the last couple of months, I’ve recognized one name that’s shown up a lot - Galvin Green, a Swedish company which distributes in around 20 countries. The folks over at Function 18 were kind enough to send me this little article and a bunch of neat photos.

There is no shortage of golf clothing available on the market today, but as some brands can generally fall short of that essential combination of style, comfort and performance it is easy to see why golf wear specialists Galvin Green have stood the test of time. Designed by golfers for golfers, the new Spring/ Summer 2013 Galvin Green collection focuses on three core elements: distinctive designs, protection and freedom of movement - demonstrating that looking good and playing well really do go hand in hand.

A Swedish brand, Galvin Green has built an edge on its competitors through how their in-house designers and clothing specialists are actually golfers themselves - therefore no one has a better understanding of the requirements and aesthetics of golf clothing.



To create a range of distinctive designs that will set any golfer apart on the course, Galvin Green have incorporated a bold mix of colours which can be seen in their selection of waterproofs as well as in their funky golf trousers. These vibrant pieces can be effortlessly mixed with smart golfing polo shirts as well as golf shorts to build a classic and distinctive playing look every time.



Strong protection has been skilfully implemented by Galvin Green designers through the use of innovative materials such as Gore-Tex®. No one likes to call off a game just because of a spot of rain, and with Galvin Green golf clothing you will not only stay protected from whatever the elements throw at you, you will also remain smart on the course.



Every golfer knows that well-fitting golf clothing is all about freedom of movement. Galvin Green have incorporated full stretch materials to ensure you get that full freedom of swing - so not only will you look well, you will play well too.

The new season range of Galvin Green golf wear is available to buy online at specialist golf clothing retailers.

Dress Code: The Dos and Don’ts on the Course

(I'm trying to include an occasional post on golf fashion -- especially since you guys responded so positively to the first one. Of course, I'm not a fashion expert so I'm bringing in some guest posts. This one's from James Reynolds, a freelance writer and blogger from England.)

When on the course, one area many golfers (both beginner and experienced) slip up is the etiquette that is required on the golf course. Some golf clubs are more lenient than others but most have a very strict dress code that golfers have to adhere to.

Here is a guide on how to dress (and NOT dress) for the golf course.

Golf Course Dress Code: Dos

• Men’s shirts must always have a collar and must always have sleeves. The most popular choice for the golf course is a polo shirt. There are some specialist brands which are ideal for first timers wanting to get the golfing etiquette spot on.
• Wear tailored shorts or long trousers. If the weather is warm and you want to wear shorts instead of trousers, make sure they are smart and tailored. Find men’s golf clothing here.
• Take a golf bag to store your golf clubs in. A standard golf bag should store at least five of your clubs. Many golf clothing brands also branch out into bags and accessories so you will be able to find a suitable bag at your nearest retailer.
• Socks can be either long or short but they need to be above the ankle and they also need to look smart and clean.
• Golf shoes are to be worn when playing this sport. Specialist shoes can be purchased from most online or high street golf retailers.

Golf Course Dress Code: Don’ts

• Do not wear a t-shirt, a football shirt or a shirt without sleeves. Shirts or tops that are too casual will not be deemed acceptable at your golf club.
• Don’t wear your shirt / polo shirt tucked outside of your shorts and trousers. Always make sure they are tucked in and look smart.
• Do not wear sport shorts, swim shorts or beach shorts. If you want to wear shorts, make sure you do not wear casual ones that are not tailored.
• Do not leave the house without your golf bag. Carrying your golf clubs without the proper equipment or accessory is poor golfing etiquette and reflects badly on you as a player. Always make sure you have the right storage solutions for your golf equipment.
• Do not wear your trousers tucked into your socks.
• Do not wear sports trainers or casual footwear. If you are unsure of what is acceptable footwear, the best thing to do is to purchase footwear from a specialist golf shop.

Golfing Fashion: Performance vs. Style

(I get requests to use guest posts every now and then, and some of them don't exactly fit the mold of a typical Ruthless Golf post. Golf fashion articles typically come under that heading. But many golf courses are getting picky about how golfers dress, and this one -- written by freelance writer Adam Mace -- looks at some of the new options that are available. The Wall Street Journal link gives a good overview of the new directions in golf wear, while the Galvin Green link shows some some of the new shirts that are stylish without being garish.)

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the changing attitudes towards on-course attire when it comes to the average golfer. While many pros (though certainly not all) might be decked out head to toe in branded gear, most of us would prefer something a little more understated. Not least because this means we don’t have to visit the locker rooms before getting stuck in. Of course, there will always be a contingent that loves the garish on-course only look, but a neo-classic and easy going style means that you won’t be afraid to step off the course in the same clothes.

The only problem of course, is that a lot of the loud sports attire that you’ll see the pros wearing has high performance in mind. This means it’s designed to keep you dry and at the optimum temperature; because let’s face it, who wants to be too hot, too cold, or damp from the rain or your own sweat? A lot of vintage-style polo shirts and pants might give you that really classy, easy going look, but they’re not always the most advanced items of clothing that you can buy.

Fortunately, a lot of clothing companies have now taken note of the new style, and are trying to incorporate their design and technology into clothes that are more understated, feature minimum branding, and ultimately get the job done while you look great doing it. Galvin Green golf shirts are one such example; they’ve always had a focus on functional clothing, but they now offer toned down polo shirts that wouldn’t look out of place on Arnold Palmer sixty years ago. These feature alongside their more intense sports clothes.

If you want to look good and feel good both on and off the course, then stick with something that has modern construction and retro styling. We all want to look like the legendary players of times gone by, and now we can do, without sacrificing comfort. The best thing is that this kind of look walks right out into society without looking out of place. Boutiques are going to be a better bet than your average golfing superstore if you’re looking to buy. Not only will they have a selection of more exclusive brands, but you can be sure that you’re going to get something that fits really nicely.

The key thing to take away is that you don’t have to choose between a modern techy look and old school style. An outfit that performs well on the course, and doesn’t look out of place in the bar after a round, is entirely possible. You can look like your heroes and be comfortable; you just have to know where to look.