Sartorial Shakeup: Men’s Golf Apparel

These menswear brands are designing apparel and accessories that are anything but par for the course.

By Suzanne S. Brown

BOYS CLUB

Guys who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing clothing sporting the same brand name as the equipment in his bag or emblazoned with a logo featuring the name of a senior golfer gravitate to labels like Naughty Boy Golf (seen atop). The brand was founded with the idea that golf wear should be bright and daring rather than country-club conservative. Aggressive patterns and prints, colors that clash, and shirts that are meant to be worn untucked rule with Naughty Boy. Despite the in-your-face styling, NBG shirts conform with club requirements for collars and sleeves, and the fabrics are designed to perform. nbggolf.com

FORE SIGHT

Giannulli Mossimo earned his stripes as a sportswear designer, but insiders know him lately as the force behind the fashion-forward golf label G/FORE. Mossimo has a passion for the sport and says on his website that he wanted “to help inject a little more fun and flair back into the game.” T-shirts have cheeky sayings like “No 1 CARES what you shot,” $55, and leather club covers, $200, sport a logo with a skull and crossed tees. A resurgent Bubba Watson has worn puffy G/FORE Disruptor high tops, $250, in his PGA Tour wins this year. The brand caught the notice of golf’s major players and was bought earlier this year by Peter Millar, with which it first collaborated on shoe designs. Let’s hope it doesn’t lose its edge. gfore.com

WHO’S YOUR CADDY?

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Long before Caddyshack, actor Bill Murray knew a thing or two about golf. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, he and his five brothers enjoyed playing and caddying. “But let’s be honest here, golf can be stuffy and somewhat boring,” the William Murray website states, noting the brand “is about infusing the game with energy and a little irreverence.” The classic Murray tartan plaid in royal blue, green, red and black shows up as an accent on many items or on its own in a button-down, $90, or reversible bucket hat, $36. Going a little bolder, there are multiple variations on camouflage prints in shirts, $72-$80, and pants, $90. In the Critter Camo print you start seeing little squirrels, foxes and deer and then wonder whether you’re looking at camouflage spots or bunkers. williammurraygolf.com

MAJOR FEAT

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Golf footwear has come a long way since the days of metal spikes and saddle shoes. Many now look and feel as comfortable as your favorite pair of sneakers—or sandals. Created by Minnesotan Sam Swanson, Swannies now come in three color combinations, $59. The soccer-slide style sandal has an adjustable strap, slip-resistant footbed and soft spikes. The company also sells shirts, shorts and accessories, and sponsors nine-hole Swannies Party Scrambles around the country. None of the events, which also feature such games as cornhole, are scheduled in Colorado—yet. swannies.co

VISIBLE INK

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With a motto of “violating the rules of golf fashion since 1999,” Tattoo Golf offers bold color-blocked polos, patterned pants and shorts, visors, caps, belts and such accessories as knit club covers with pompoms, $18 each. The brand’s logo features a skull and crossed clubs, indicating a take-no-prisoners approach to the game (or maybe just someone with a sense of humor). Tattoo even takes the guesswork out of deciding what to wear on a given day by offering Outfits of the Month featuring a performance fabric shirt and shorts in ProCool material, $115. Co-owner Greg Shaw says groups often buy the outfits for tournament wear. The brand has a women’s collection as well. tattoogolf.com

LOUD AND PROUD

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John Daly is among the more colorful members of the pro tour in the United States, so it’s only fitting that he wear the industry’s boldest brand: Loudmouth Golf. Founded in 2000 by Scott “Woody” Woodworth, the company has grown to include a line for women as well as licensing deals with college and pro teams, and beer brands. Featuring oversized prints of such items as pizza slices and tropical flowers or geometrics in eye-popping colors, Loudmouth’s shorts, $80-$90; pants, $100-$110; and shirts, $55-$80, turn heads. While the brand makes its biggest impact in the golf world, other sports have picked up on the look. Check out the Norwegian men’s curling team. loudmouthgolf.com

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. This article appears in the August/September 2018 issue of the publication.

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