Yes, it will be a fun spring.
By Bill Giering
Illustrations by Renie Hanna
FOOTWEAR
We love to talk about the advances in drivers and golf balls, but no piece of golf equipment has recently advanced more than the golf shoe. The spring lines of footwear are performance driven for men and women, with more athletic and “techie” looks. FootJoy and Nike lead the way in comfort and performance. Or slide your toes into a bit more style with new releases from ECCO and Hi-Tec. And the new Dri-XC from Etonic keeps things dry with waterproof leather and Dri-sorb linings. Also note that Bite Footwear introduced a Golf Boot for the wetter days of spring. For a special outfit, FootJoy allows you to design the style, pick the colors, and put your initials on the back.
TOPS FOR HER
For her, black-and-white never goes out of style. This season sports lots of stretch with more formfitting tailored tops — a little more flirty, but very wearable on the course. EP Pro has used contrasting piping in its tapered shirts, which is both feminine and athletic. The LIJA line is cutting-edge modern and Ahead’s Kate Lord has a sexy pullover. If you love classic, Teha-ma, Bobby Jones, and Fairway & Greene have added some tease to their fun-loving lines. IZOD has three different styles of climate zone-engineered tops that are uniquely packaged in tubes — a great gift idea. Teha-ma is answering the tech demand with a line of luxury performance products with rich, wonderful colors that you can “Hang ’em Dry.”
TOPS FOR HIM
However, it will be a very different season for men. There is a lot of European influence in the color blocking. Many designers, like Claudia Schwartz of Fidra, are mixing textures and fabric in the same shirt. A heavy emphasis on the pink family will keep things interesting around the 19th hole. Popular designer Billy Draddy of Bobby Jones/Hickey Freeman offers a spring collection called “Tennis Greene” that works at the grass courts of Wimbledon or the fast greens at your home club. Greg Norman and MacGregor Golf have taken ownership of his Greg Norman Collection. Norman says he is often asked about his new mock turtle. Aureus is back in a big way this spring, with some interesting surprises. Pima Direct is a newcomer bringing luxury styles and colors at non-luxury prices. For pure lifestyle fashion, designer Joey Rodolfo of Tommy Bahama has a complete morning-to-night, laid-back look with performance features for the course.
BOTTOMS FOR HIM
Men, you will be seeing a lot more chocolate coloring in both slacks and shorts. There’s a movement to more tailored slacks, without a big jump in price. Cargo pockets are (finally) replaced with less intrusive “scorecard pockets” in the back. Fidra, part of Cleveland Golf, offers a poly-cotton stretch twill with details like double pockets and linings. Dockers also has a more tailored look for spring, and the Greg Norman Collection is a must-see in both flat front and pleats. Fairway & Greene, Brooks Brothers, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Cutter & Buck have some wonderful seersucker in both shorts and slacks, which are making a strong comeback for warmer days. (Were they ever gone?) Cuffs, however, are history on the course.
BOTTOMS FOR HER
Women have selections: slacks; capris; skirts; skorts; and shorts — all in a variety of lengths for every body type. Cutter & Buck offers some style-forward skort outfits, with revealing slits on the sides, as well as subtle plaids with matching fitted tops. Bubble gum and chocolate are tastes normally for kids, but some designers are focusing on pink and brown combinations in their spring lines. You’ll also see subtle, sensual colors, especially in banker striped slacks and fitted shorts. Capris will move to just below the knee, with more stretch and tailored detail.
ACCESSORIES
If you like to walk before you run, start with adding a new belt or two. The circle fabric belts can add interest to a subdued outfit. Vineyard Vines boasts some fun belts to wake up sleepy solid colors. If you are looking for the perfect tee gift for a golf event, everyone will be pleased to walk home with a gift from Ahead’s unique selection. Green Friendly Golf has interesting, traditional, and trendy belts that are fun and handy with a divot tool built into the belt.
EYEWEAR
PeakVision’s Dual Zone sunglasses are so comfortable you might forget you have them on. This spring’s “Special Edition” line comes in all the cool colors. Callaway Golf Eyewear has expanded its athletic selections with shades for serious players. They also have introduced a terrific idea called the “Scorecard Readers,” reading glasses if you need a little help with the scorecard. They fold up in a case smaller than a cell phone. Callaway has more than 30 models in several distinctive series.
WATCH
The timepiece that is catching everyone’s eye is the Mio Golf XE. It keeps track of your handicap, your heart rate, and dozens of golf and travel features.
GLOVES
Etonic has a family of gloves for all weather conditions and occasions. And if you are serious about your game, Dynamics Hi-Tech Swing Glove might be the best game improvement tool of the year. From setup to impact, it keeps your hand in perfect position. Of course, if you’re looking for a golf glove with a little flair — like Swarovski crystals, 14-karat gold, sterling silver, and a bracelet that is a stroke counter — take a peek at the Sassy Swings glove.
TRAVEL BAGS
Club Glove is the pick of the Ryder Cup teams and offers many new colors and customized pieces this year.
OUTERWEAR
Outerwear, it’s been said, is the only piece of golf fashion apparel you buy hoping you never have to wear. Tailoring and detail are art forms at Zero Restriction, in both women’s and men’s lines. They have a new comfort suede fabric that might be the tech fabric of the year — looks like real suede and it’s washable. You will turn heads when you wear it. And Marcello Sport has wonderful cashmere sweaters in long and sleeveless looks for the spring.
UNDER-WHAT?
The boy short is Birdie’s fun piece this year. This has been popular in tennis and lingerie, but now it’s walking onto the golf course. Birdie stretch-cotton boy short in fun spring colors turns a skirt into a skort. Makes bending and lining up your putt so much easier.
Bill Giering is a golf writer and speaker. His work also appears in the book Chicken Soup for the Woman Golfer’s Soul.
STYLE RULES
• Headed for vacation? Dress for the region you will be visiting. For example, Hawaii is colorful, loose fitting, and untucked, with patterns of birds and flowers. Scottsdale is beige and sage, with some of the dusty greens of the Sonoran Desert.
• Buy what fits in the dressing room, not what you think will fit next month.
• New belts can add quick style to traditional golf outfits. Quality belts have five holes. Use the third one.
• As you age, your hair and skin color change, which changes your color palette. Choose colors that are still flattering.
• Look in the mirror before you leave the house.
Below are Web site links to the featured designers:
www.aheadweb.com
www.aureusgolf.com
www.birdie.com
www.biteshoes.com
www.bobbyjonesshop.com
www.brooksbrothers.com
www.callawayeyewear.com
www.clevelandgolf.com
www.clubglove.com
www.cutterbuck.com
www.dockers.com
www.eccogolf.com
www.epprogolf.com
www.etonic.com
www.fidragolf.com
www.footjoy.com
www.greenfriendlygolf.com
www.gregnormancollection.com
www.fairwayandgreene.com
www.hi-tec.com
www.izodg.com
www.lijastyle.com
www.marcellosport.com
www.miowatch.com/golf
www.nike.com
www.peakvisiongolf.com
www.pimadirect.com
www.polo.com
www.sassyswings.com
www.swingglove.com
www.tehamainc.com
www.tommybahama.com
www.vineyardvines.com
www.zerorestriction.com