Golf Fashion: The Skin Game

Are you doing enough to protect your flesh from the sun? Here’s some golf fashion, clothes and products that will help…

By Suzanne S. Brown

MATERIAL GAINS

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The construction of its fabrics is what sets SanSoleil apart. Both its women’s and men’s designs utilize a combination of UPF 50+ ventilated stretch material that wicks moisture and also has anti-odor properties. The company offers such pieces as, from left, the Wildcat print long-sleeved polo, $96, and pants, and the same print in a sleeveless polo, $87, and skortie, $110, which features capri-length cooling fabric legging. SanSoleil’s SolTek Ice long-sleeved polos come in a UV 50 SPF cooling nylon fabric in polo and mock-neck styles, and a wide range of solids and prints, $96. sansoleil.com

HAT TRICK

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Visors and baseball caps are ubiquitous on the golf course, but those who want headwear with style as well as protection are finding it from such companies as Physician Endorsed, which makes hats that are rated from UPF 30 to 50. Options for summer include the cowgirl-style Sierra in natural straw and a 3.75-inch brim, $36; Diamante with a diamond-patterned band and 3-inch brim in front, $42; and the packable black tweed Taylor fedora, $39, with tasseled rope trim and 3-inch brim. Find the styles at readygolf.com

PEEK PERFORMANCE

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While reading the greens, your vision needs to be at its best. Under Armour’s eyewear division is addressing that with its new collection of contrast-enhancing golfer lenses. The UA Tuned Golf Performance lens in its Pulse model, $125, was engineered to provide heightened contrast, improved depth perception and better definition of the fairway and green. Après-golf, slip on the Tuned Recovery lens in a UA Glimpse design, $110, designed to rest and protect your eyes by filtering blue light to help regulate natural circadian rhythms and return your eyesight to its optimal state. underarmour.com

COOL AND COLLECTED

Chase 54 has been steadily adding sun-protective clothing to its collections for fashion and function-minded golfers. Its multicolored CoolFuze sun shirt in a polyester-spandex blend wicks moisture while offering UPF 50, $88, worn with the white Frost skort in a pleated DryFuze fabric that is also rated at UPF 50+, $80. Another fashionable offering is the purple and black high-low hem polo with zip placket, $68, and Sassy skirt, $84, both in UPF 50+ fabric. The male model wears a Blaze stripe polo in a poly-spandex, moisture-wicking UPF 50+ material, $73; and Pioneer trousers, $92.50. chase54.com

PROTECTION PLUS

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SKIN Sunscreen was created by golfers for golfers, including the 280 players on the PGA Tour, European Tour and Web.com Tour who now use the product. The sunscreen offers UVA/UVB protection in a non-greasy and water-resistant formula with zinc and titanium oxide base. It is offered as a 1.4-ounce or 3.4-ounce SPF 30+ lotion, $8.25 or $14.25;  5-ounce UPF 50 spray, $15.25; and  UPF 30+ lip balm, $4.99. skinsunscreen.com

FOR A ROUND OR AROUND TOWN

Sun-protective clothing is important on the golf course, but it’s also popular with guys who spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, which is why such companies as Adidas are adding SPF-intensive styles. In addition to the Adidas Ultimate365 polo with a UPF 50 rating, the urban-inspired and non-traditional Adicross line is golf-ready but can be worn anywhere. Included for summer is the Beyond 18 Oxford Shirt in a lightweight, breathable stretch fabric, $80. It has a fold-down collar, split side hems and UPF 30 sun protection. adidas.com

SUN SHIELD

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For hitting the links or just hanging out, Miami-based BloqUV’s clothing with a UPF of 50 will prevent 98 percent of the sun’s rays from reaching your skin. Men’s options include an army-green collared long sleeve shirt in a loose fit, $86. The women’s crewneck 24/7 Top with elongated sleeves for hand protection, $64, looks great with a navy wrap skort, $70. Many recreational golfers are taking sun-protection cues from the pros and layering their outfits. Other women’s options include a sleeveless white polo, $70 over a long-sleeved pink crop top, $60 and steel blue lifestyle skort, $78; or an orchid sleeveless polo, $70, over a lavender long-sleeved crop top, $60, and white skort with flippy hem, $74. bloquv.com

MAKING IT MESH

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One of the design tricks companies use in keeping their garments from getting too hot is strategically placing mesh on the underarms. IBKÜL uses this technique in such items as its Ashly print long-sleeved polo, $96, worn with crystal-pleat skort, $92; and bell-sleeved Kenya print dress, $122. ibkul.com

Suzanne S. Brown is the former fashion and features editor for The Denver Post. She also contributes to Mountain Living and Colorado Expression.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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