Founded in 2014 as a men’s performance lifestyle brand, Rhone has gravitated to golf as a natural extension of the brand, which promotes both physical and mental well-being. The first official golf line, launched last year, included items like Rhone’s popular Commuter Pants, Delta Pique Polo and other high-performance garments. Now in over 100 green grass locations, the Stamford, Connecticut-based company is releasing its first women’s collection and continues to invest in active lifestyle golf products and “best-in-class” performance technologies.
Co-founder & CEO Nate Checketts discusses his company’s foray into golf, how his company promotes healthy living and “must-have” pieces in the 2024 line.
Golf Fitness Monthly: What made Rhone get into the golf business?
Checketts: Inadvertently, we’ve been in the golf business from early on. While Rhone wasn’t founded with golf in mind, it has been a natural extension of the brand. Our customers are such a big part of our product collection and development. They’ve loved wearing our Commuter pants and polos to work and then straight to the golf course. Over time, the game began seeping into messaging and marketing materials. The first official Rhone golf collection was launched last year and has been growing quickly ever since.
Golf Fitness Monthly: How closely linked are golf and fitness, and how are you promoting that link?
Checketts: Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and there is a lot of synergy in the game of golf with Rhone’s commitment to both physical and mental well-being. By crafting clothing that helps you feel, perform and look your best, Rhone aims to positively impact more than 100 million lives, a natural link to the game of golf.
Golf Fitness Monthly: What is it about your apparel that makes it true performance wear?
Checketts: At Rhone, true performance wear starts with our unwavering commitment to quality and functionality. Every piece is meticulously designed, using premium fabrics that offer both softness and durability, ensuring they not only feel great but stand the test of time. Our apparel is engineered to support natural movement, making it versatile enough for life’s daily demands – whether you're at work, in the gym, on the course or tackling the day’s toughest challenges. We prioritize performance, ensuring our products retain their shape, comfort and longevity.
Golf Fitness Monthly: Your brand is also said to promote mental fitness. Can you explain?
Checketts: Mental resilience is equally, if not more important, than physical fitness, especially in the game of golf. At Rhone, we focus on teaching, inspiring and providing resources to our community about the importance of building daily practices of wellness – from raising awareness around the mental health crisis to providing individuals with practical tools and resources to navigate these challenges.
Golf Fitness Monthly: What would you say are the "must-have" products in Rhone's fall lineup that every golfer should have?
Checketts: For men, the Turn Golf V-Neck Sweater has an extraordinarily soft and refined layer redesigned for optimal performance to keep you warm in the colder months of the golf season. Also, the Momentum Golf Five Pocket Pant uses a lightweight and all-stretch performance fabric, an interior silicone gripper to keep your shirt tucked in, pockets to caddy your personals and a snap button closure – all so you can focus what matters most: finding the ball.
For women, the Course to Court ¼ Zip is ideal as we head into colder months, as it is crafted with our signature CosmicKnit™ fabric for unparalleled softness and performance and is a great layer to have on the course. The Birdie Cropped Trouser is constructed with durable, flexible, wrinkle-resistant Flex-Knit® Pro fabric for an active itinerary. These easy-care pants are perfect as we head further into fall.
Lisa Goulian Twiste is a Senior Apparel Writer at PGA Magazine.
