Over time, golf has evolved from a mild-weather sport to a nearly year-round passion for many, thanks in large part to advancements in outerwear technology.
Dropping temperatures and precipitation no longer need to stop an avid golfer from planning a day at the course. He or she can dress from head to toe in garments warm and dry enough for comfort, yet sufficiently lightweight for fluid movement during the golf swing.
As summer draws to a close, many golfers will be thinking about what they need to shore up their fall/winter wardrobe. Conditions can change dramatically during a round, so having a good mix of compression or second-skin garments, thermals, insulated pieces and rainwear can keep golfers prepared for just about any weather.
“Our membership is constantly on the move worldwide, so having a selection of clothing not only for Utah mountain golf, but opportunities for wherever their travels take them in necessary,” says Travis Alley, PGA, Director of Golf at Talisker Club in Park City, Utah. “It wouldn’t be unusual to see someone playing in 80-degree weather on Friday, a chance of snow showers on Sunday and then fly out to Scotland on Monday. We carry layering pieces year-round in the shop to accommodate.”
The Talisker Club’s golf shop stocks KJUS, Peter Millar and Holderness & Bourne for layering; FootJoy for logoed socks; Titleist for logoed gloves; and G-shock heated hand warmers. While there are fewer members around during the colder months, Alley and his team buy for fluke storms and trips to the UK – with KJUS being Alley’s best-selling outerwear brand.
“We also dove deep into hats this year after major success last year, carrying nine different vendors and customizing all products while introducing new logo variations,” he says. “We sell cashmere and merino beanies, and while I can’t say any have actually extended the season, sales are solid in those SKUs.”
At the Cedars of Dungeness, a resort facility in Sequim, Washington, roughly 30 percent of sales are in the outerwear/cold/wet weather gear category. PGA of America Head Professional and Director of Group Services Garrett Smithson says being in the Pacific Northwest means exposure to all types of weather year-round, and since guests are often unprepared for the changing conditions, his offerings cover a full range of protective garments.
“The categories we stock are rainwear, headwear, thermal, wind resistant, puffer jackets and battery powered heated apparel,” he says. “We also stock merchandise for our local non-golfers who come by – lifestyle type cold-weather gear.”
When it comes to merchandising, Smithson displays outerwear/cold-weather gear front and center in the shop during the fall and winter months, moving it further back in spring and summer. Overall, outerwear is the third-best category in the shop, behind clubs and balls.
“Our season doesn’t stop,” he adds. “We are open year-round and have events/outings every month of the year. It certainly helps our shop sales and revenue stocking these items.”
Another club that carries a wide range of protective products is Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. According to PGA of America Head Professional Bryan Nicholson, it’s crucial to have a well-stocked golf shop in the Denver area, where weather can present a wide range of challenges throughout the year.
“We experience rapidly changing conditions, wind, sudden temperature swings and the occasional storm system that can move in quickly and disrupt an otherwise pleasant day of golf,” he says. “Having the right outerwear and layering options readily available ensures that members and guests can adapt on the fly and stay comfortable.”
From an operational standpoint, Nicholson and his staff think about outerwear as both performance equipment and an essential part of playing the game in the Rocky Mountain environment. He says the goal is to maintain depth and variety across weight, fit, style and functionality so members can find the right piece for the day they are experiencing. This also creates incremental sales opportunities throughout the season.
“Members who may not have planned for weather gear often make purchase decisions in the moment when conditions change, and a well-prepared shop allows us to meet that demand,” Nicholson adds. “In that sense, outerwear becomes less about traditional retail and more about enabling the golf experience to continue comfortably regardless of what Colorado weather delivers.”
Golf Gear for Every Condition
From a manufacturer’s perspective, outerwear and related products continue to advance through game changing technologies that help golfers perform their best in every season. While function remains the top priority – especially for higher priced pieces – style now plays a growing role, as golfers look for versatile items that work both on and off the course, and deliver strong value.
Here is a sampling of cutting-edge offerings from leading brands across apparel, headwear and accessories:
Apparel
Galvin Green’s fall offering includes the multi-material DRYVR collection combining advanced, fully waterproof fabrics with eye-catching silhouettes in items like the Arlo full-zip jacket, as well as the INTERFACE-1 range, highlighted by the Luca Padded Windproof Vest. On the women’s side, look for the long-sleeve Luna jacket and the eco-generation INSULA category spearheaded by the Daphne hoodie.
From FootJoy comes ThermoSeries, the company’s most advanced and versatile apparel layering system to date. Engineered to adapt as the weather changes, the line includes full-zip jackets, vests, quarter-zips, hoodies and bottoms for men and women.
Zero Restriction enters the scene with the men’s Summit Reversible Vest, made with a downproof and water- repellent two-layer stretch woven shell and featuring grey goose down fill for greater warmth. On the women’s side, the Anna Down Vest is filled with premium grey goose down and features a fleece-lined collar and hood, while the Brigid Fleece Jacket is made from warm and fuzzy fleece.
Marking its 50th anniversary, Sunice presents a fall collection built around five proprietary fabric tiers: Zephal Elite Max for heavy rain, Zephal Elite for lightweight waterproof protection, WxTech for windproof performance and Thermal Element Shield and Aerosoft layers for insulation and moisture management. New fall colors include denim, forest, periwinkle and atmosphere.
KJUS presents the Pro 3L 3.0 series of enhanced rainwear with full-stretch fabric and innovative features. The group include full-zip jackets for men and women, as well as bottoms designed to fit over golf pants without looking bulky. Other features on these windproof, breathable garments include a back pocket with magnetic closure and long side two-way zippers.
From Ororo comes a collection of heated vests, jackets and accessories for men and women made to ensure golfers can “stay warm without sacrificing the perfect swing.” The versatile designs provide three heat settings with rechargeable batteries that can provide comfort both on the course and for other activities.
Puma is offering the Women’s Boulder LC Crew Golf Sweater made of a durable jacquard fabric with built-in stretch and the Men’s Boulder 2.0 Hoodie, finished with moisture-wicking tech and UPF protection.
Also presenting “season-extending” outerwear is Holderness & Bourne, whose fall collection includes the Kenan windproof grid-fleece style jacket with thermoregulation and Wells Vest and Jacket that provides warmth and reduces bulk for maximum mobility.
Add to that Oakley’s Fusion Collection, whose garments focus on comfort, movement and protection. Designed to adapt, each piece features modern innovation, including Hydrolix and Thermoregulation, providing versatility for any condition, the company says.
In addition, FootJoy presents its ThermoSeries Fleece Base Layer in a four-way stretch, non-restricting compression fabric that conforms to the body and helps to retain warmth, while reinforced seams offer added durability.
adidas comes to market with a men’s core base layer that combines moisture-managing AEROREADY technology with breathable mesh underarm panels and a mock neck design that adds lightweight coverage without sacrificing mobility.
And from J. Lindeberg comes the Ello Compression Top for men and Ella Compression Top for women, crafted in a stretch fabric that provides a close fit that enhances movement and stability. Can be worn as a base layer or stand-alone piece.
Headwear and Accessories
Pukka’s knit and cold-weather program offers custom colors so each facility can build a look that feels specific to their brand, membership and market. The assortment includes more than 25 silhouettes, giving buyers the flexibility to merchandise across multiple styles, fits and price points. The new Signature Knit program takes customization even further by allowing a club to incorporate its logo directly into just about any jacquard pattern.
Cold-weather and knit collections from Ahead have continued to grow significantly, with the women’s collection centered around elevated hand feel, soft textures, warmth and wearable lifestyle dressing. The men’s side features cuffed and non-cuffed fits, styles with and without pom accents and a mix of flat knit, ribbed, jacquard and novelty constructions.
Imperial balances performance, style and brand storytelling in cold-weather styles like The Retreat, which pairs a wide-pinwale cotton corduroy with a heavy stone wash for a relaxed, weathered look; The Plan and The Method, constructed with a dense weave of canvas that adds a layer of defense against wind, light rain and cooler playing conditions; and The Mori, a classic cuffed beanie that pairs a soft five-gauge merino wool knit with a merino wool sweatband. Also note the introduction of knit watchcaps, including The Swede and The Mercer.
On the accessories side, FootJoy offers WinterSof Gloves, whose water-resistant Sure-Grip Autosuede knit palm provides a soft feel and consistent fit with a secure grip during cool weather conditions. An extended knit cuff, coupled with Weather-Shield foam fleece on the back of the glove helps retain warmth and resist cold.
Built with sweat-wicking Softec Yarn, enhanced mesh ventilation, targeted reinforcement and a seamless toe, Bombas’ Golf Quarter Sock helps keep feet comfortable from tee to green. Honeycomb arch compression provides added support, while enhanced durability ensures long-lasting performance.
Solos Socks, which remains committed to both “technical excellence and mental health awareness,” presents NeuWave arch compression and stability technology that provides a precision-engineered fit designed to increase stability and reduce fatigue during play. The socks are made from premium Australian merino wool.
And from OS1st comes merino socks offering a secure performance fit with a natural fiber upgrade designed for temperature adaptability. The merino wool blend promotes natural moisture and temperature regulation.
