By Lisa Goulian Twiste, Senior Apparel Writer
As the game of golf continues to thrive five years after the onset of COVID-19, leading apparel companies are taking advantage of opportunities not only to sell highly functional on-course apparel but a range of lifestyle items, as well. This is all coinciding with a trend toward more streamlined, sophisticated looks – or high-end wardrobe staples – as well as expanded layering categories that are keeping golfers comfortable and safe from the elements while they play.
“We’re noticing an emerging interest in a classic look,” says Jacinta Courter, Golf Experience Curator at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pennsylvania. “Brands are following suit with pieces that are simple in style and exceptional in quality. Our 2025 buy is heavily featuring this kind of apparel.”
“The shift toward neutral tones and tonal layering continues to gain momentum, with members favoring versatile pieces that transition seamlessly from the course to everyday life,” says Patrick Crow, PGA of America Director of Golf at Chicago Highlands Club in Westchester, Illinois. “Clean designs and sophisticated palettes are replacing bold patterns, creating a timeless aesthetic that resonates with today’s consumer.”
On the men’s side of the market, this means combining refined looks with the latest technical fabrics offering moisture management, sun protection, anti-odor properties and easy care. For example, Holderness & Bourne’s fall line has a New England feel marked by timeless herringbone, advanced heathered performance fabrics and polos in classy stripes and prints. The brand’s exclusive AIRATION range is engineered to help golfers stay cool on warm fall days, while the Shaw Merino Cashmere Blend Sweater offers four-way stretch and notable softness.
In addition, the layering category now includes the Tilley Pullover in a heavyweight performance blend; Logan Pullover, Holderness & Bourne’s first-ever wool/cashmere blend offered in five seasonal colors; and Hamilton Hoodie, featuring a streamlined and stylish design with no extraneous drawstrings or pouches.
“In our opinion, less is more when it comes to golf hoodies,” the company says.
Turtleson, known for “sophisticated apparel for discerning customers,” also blends luxury and performance in items like the Zarren Hybrid Hoodie with kangaroo pocket and performance fleece hood; Pinnacle Lattice Stitch Sweater Jacket with a lattice stitch on the top half and double knit rib on the bottom; Woolen Fleece Quarter-Zip Pullover that’s naturally water repellent and breathable; and Landen Quilted Vest with leather patch and pull, rib knit collar and sport coat fabric lining.
Print fatigue in the market has prompted Puma to go in a new direction that emphasizes a nice mix of layers with visual value and tactile interest. This includes chunky sweater knits, layering items with a nice pop of texture and polos in different weights, textures and fabrics. Special items include the Boulder Hoodie and Quarter-Zip updated with softer, stretchier fabrics and done in a smaller, more wearable jacquard pattern, and a houndstooth polo that brings in a menswear texture and goes with other more polished and refined items in the line this year. The Volition collection has undergone a graphic refresh for fall that brings in more commercial silhouettes and graphics to appeal to a general audience.
Performance Front and Center
Galvin Green combines a love for classic golf heritage with a commitment to cutting edge technology in the 2025 “part 2” collection, which merges traditional prints and patterns – including a redefined houndstooth – with advanced materials and designs. New technologies include the first-ever Gore-Tex without PFAS (plastic compounds) available in the Aston Jacket and Aron Pant; INSULA Dalton Quarter-Zip with padded chest detailing for added warmth; ultra-light weight INTERFACE-1 Warming Effect Windbreaker Jacket; and breathable VENTIL8 PLUS Maple Shirt with an oxford-like texture and stitched grosgrain details for a stylish finish.
The new collection from Oakley puts an emphasis on technology, including Hydrofree DWR for water repellence, Ciclo for a natural feeling fabric and recycled polyester derived from post-consumer water bottles offering absorption, wicking and permeability. Key items include the C1 Bark Pullover with raised mock collar and heat transfer Oakley logo at center chest; C1 Engineered EXO Polo, a jacquard knit with a bungee loop at the placket for eyewear; and Terrain Performance Pant with zipper fly snap closure with belt loops, welt back pocket and Ellipse logo on the back right leg.
In addition, Rhone adds to its “mindful” performance lifestyle brand with fall items like the Fairway Polo, which brings together premium comfort and technical precision, allowing for full range of motion; Founders Golf Quarter-Zip, a layer designed to perform no matter the conditions with Glacier Cooling Technology for all-weather comfort; and Commuter Pant Slim, crafted from a fine Italian fabric and optimized for active living with breathability and stretch that adapts to your swing.
Collars & Co. presents long- and short-sleeved collared polos that can be worn for golf, as a first layer with a sweater or under a sport coat. These lightweight performance shirts are made with a moisture wicking fabric and come in a variety of solids and prints with a semi-spread or button-down collar. Other pieces in the collection include a Quattro Flex Dress Shirt, women’s Cap Sleeve Semi-Spread Polo and a variety of quarter-zips and sweaters in everything from cotton and Drirelease performance polyester to merino wool and luxury cashmere. Also look for the Voyager Quilted Vest and the Maverick Performance Blazer – both available in blue and navy.
Summit Brands has the market covered in several price/product categories with its trio of brands: B. Draddy, Zero Restriction and Fairway & Greene. B. Draddy makes a statement at the high end with luxury items like the Marsay Quarter-Zip in 100 percent Baruffa merino wool, Quinlivan Polo with refined cutaway collar in long-staple organic Peruvian Pima cotton and Andy Hoodie combining a quilted texture and classic hoodie silhouette. B. Draddy Sport is a bit more active with the Everyday Jacket with a wind and water-resistant stretch shell, Brownie Vest made of 100 percent goose down with comfortable stretch jersey at the bottom, and lightweight Cool Polo designed to keep the golfer dry all day long.
The most high-performance brand in the Summit fold is Zero Restriction, whose fall lineup includes the TKO Hoodie, a modern, motion-tuned sweatshirt that’s engineered to keep you warm, dry and fully mobile; Future Jacket with grey goose down fill for superior warmth in a classic quilted look; and Maier Jacket, a full-zip staple piece made with mélange knit sweater fleece. And then there’s Fairway & Greene’s everyday golfwear highlighted by the Coughlin Quarter-Zip, made of a wicking fabric with UPF 50+ protection; structured collar three-button polos in a jersey fabrication; and Freedom Print Polo, a fun, American flag-inspired print with cutaway collar and moisture-wicking, UPF 50+ fabric.
three Trends
