One of the few advantages of writing a golf blog is that it gives me a chance to see and review a wide range of golf apparel. Inevitably, I end up digging some brands more than others, and if push comes to shove, I can definitely name my favorite golf outfit. Call it the “Championship Script”.

With that in mind, I reached out to some of the more notable bloggers who also do a lots of apparel reviews to see if they would be interested in submitting their “Championship Script”.

The rules were simple: Choose an outfit that you would wear for your Club Championship or other important round. NOTE: all bloggers submitted their picks with no prior knowledge of what the others would choose, nor did they get any “coaching” from me.

The panel: For our inaugural post, we have the following list of distinguished bloggers (in alphabetical order)

Championship Scripts: 2013 Blogger Edition

Ben Carey | Fresh Golf Reviews 

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Ryan Heiman | Independent Golf Reviews |

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It is a Sunday Morning in late August and the Club Championship is today. It is an opportunity to show off my style. I’m not looking to blend in. I’ll let my game and apparel say, “I’m here and I’m going to win.” My favorite apparel will give me a confidence boost to win the championship. The picture of me holding the trophy is going to be on the clubhouse wall for a long time and I want to be wearing something that will look great for many years down the road. That is why I’m going to be wearing something traditional, yet stylish. From top to bottom my choices are: An iGr FlexFit hat. I’ve yet to find any hats more comfortable than these. My shirt will be a Vesti Ascendi Golf Dress shirt with matching tie. It’s a classic old school look with stretch comfort and cotton breathability. If the temperatures soar over 85, then I’d probably have to switch out for a QED Style white Eureka shirt. My pants would surprisingly be a pair of C9 pants from Target. I have a couple other brands that are awesome pants, but I don’t have them in the right color, besides these are amazing pants at a great price and available at any Target. My pants would be held up with a 59 Belt and custom stainless buckle. I consider my socks a key part of my wardrobe. I’d wear ProCompression Tour Golf socks. Since I’d be walking to play, the benefits of compression keep my calves and feet feeling great all 18 holes. I’d finish with a pair of white ECCO Hybrid wingtips. They are the perfect blend of style and comfort. The look is classic, tradition, stylish and wins my Club Championship.

Fernando Solorzano | S. Florida Golf Magazine

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Not too many people love South Florida during the summer months like I do. Sizzling temperatures and humidity just below the melting point makes most daring golfers stay indoors. Staying ahead of the game and making the right choice using cool / quick drying fabrics has become the standard. Today, I was invited to play a round of golf at the exclusive Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, home of 15+ past and present PGA touring professionals including Lee Westwood, Darren Clark, Louis Oosthuizen, Raymond Floyd, Charl Schwartzel and many others.

My outfit feels cool and confortable as I am wearing the best of the best in high performance fabrics. From top to bottom I am wearing an Imperial Microfiber Tour Golf Hat, Hand Made Limited Edition The National Tour Crested by Iliac Golf (high performance silk with moisture wicking technology material for the ultimate in luxury and performance). My khaki golf pants, also 100% microfiber polyester, are from the new Greg Norman Collection Epic Ultra Light Rain and Wind pant for the ever-late afternoon South Florida rain. My leather belt is the Slater Model by J. Lindeberg. My golf socks (not pictured) are FootJoy Men’s ProDry Sport Socks and last but not least I am wearing the super confortable Crocs Men’s AllCast Duck Golf Shoe.

Adam Staelin | Three Guys Golf

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Each fall I play in our club championship and while I may not finish in the top 10, I am at least gonna look good. Although I like a lot of the big brands, my picks are primarily from lesser known companies. As many regular readers know, I am not shy about wearing colorful and crazy clothing but when it comes to a big match I want to go with something a little more traditional but include a few details that say “yea, this is kinda money”.

First, I really like the idea of wearing the same brand shirt and shorts as great companies have designed them to fit together. Currently, my favorite golf apparel brand is QED Style. The Logan polo, while solid in color has nice over-stiching and pearl snap buttons rarely seen in other shirts. The Alpine shorts are super comfortable and absolutely functional. My belt collection may be in double digits but there is no doubt I will be wearing my 59 Belt (one of only two made with this particular finish). My socks are of course are Kentwool (the best socks on the planet). As for the shoes, I wear my True Linkswear about 70% of the time but for this big match I am breaking out my custom Footjoy Icons. Boom! Finally, I will be wearing a logo “Breakfast Ball” hat to give props to our contributing writer Mathew Wangrych who is the author of that fine blog.

 

Stephen Zinger | My Golf Spy

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It’s no secret to the readers over on our site that Iliac Golf is my top pick for golf apparel. There is just something about the brand, and the guy running it, Bert LeMar, that I like. Most of the selections from Iliac are made to order, meaning production for the piece starts after you have placed the order. Contrasting collars on the shirts, luxury fabrics, contemporary fit, and the best pants in golf are just some of the reasons why this company is on the top of my list. My pants are typically held stationary with a leather strap and buckle from 59 Belts.  There is something cool about having your buckle cut out of a block of stainless steel, just for you.  On the feet are almost always TRUE Linkswear shoes.  Since their inception as a brand in 2010, I have worn their shoes almost exclusively.  The TRUE Protos from this season have to be the most comfortable shoe in golf.  Pair the TRUE’s with Kentwool socks, and you have the most enjoyable walk in golf. Last but not least, one of my favorite hats of all time is the Vesti Acendi Plaid “VA” hat.

Thanks to all of the bloggers who made this post happen. Let us know what you think and hopefully we can make this a regular piece with other guest bloggers weighing in on the subject.

Hunter Mahan, until recently withdrawing from the Canadian Open to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, was most known for his signature flat-bill cap and large sunglasses. Oddly enough, very few PGA players wear sunglasses while most amateurs do. I suspect this is because Pros believe their vision is somehow not optimized with sunglasses. However, for the rest of us, we wisely choose proper eye protection even if is costs us .25 strokes a round (which I doubt anyhow).

Under Armour has slowly but methodically been making their way into the golfing world. Originally known for “Protecting this House”, they have since broadened their reach just a tad and now are also known for having an outstanding golf apparel line (including my personal favorite: Under Armour briefs). With the success of their apparel line, Under Amour is now poised for a move into additional accessories like sunglasses.

Right off, the UA Drives are very unique in their looks. Honestly, when I opened up the box and pulled them out I thought I had received a damaged pair. The lenses of the sunglasses are what I can only describe as a “floating” lens. They are unlike any sunglasses that I have ever seen, hence my fear that they had broken in transit. As it turns out, Under Armour’s “Airflow Technology” has the lenses attached to the frame just above the adjustable nose piece, such that nowhere else does the lens come in contact with the frames. The reasoning is brilliant – it allows for superior air flow and completely eliminates the dreaded fogging feature.

The frames of the UA Drives are built from a combination of titanium and Grilamid, which Under Armour calls “Ultra-light ArmourFusion™”, making them very light, very strong and super flexible. Basically, you hardly notice the glasses when wearing them. They’re surprisingly comfortable and remain in place, which is something that irritates me about my other pair of sunglasses.

Another reason for them being hardly noticeable is Under Armour’s Patented ArmourSight® technology, which delivers 20% more undistorted peripheral vision. In laymen’s terms the lenses wrap around a bit more than a standard pair of sunglasses, giving you that much more visible sight lines and also more protection. All models of Under Armour’s performance sunglass line block 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

The ArmorSight® lenses are also ten times stronger than ordinary polycarbonate lenses and with the addition of the Patented Multiflection™ lens coating. which eliminates obstructions by repelling water, resisting scratching, smudging  and staining. The sunglasses not only become unbelievably reliable but that have the fashion sense that you find in Under Armour’s apparel line as well.

Another unique feature that you’ll find in the UA Drives is the interchangeable logo clips that are located on the side of the glasses. Available in a variety of colors, like the green you see below, this adds just a little bit of flare to an already stunning set of shades.

I can’t say I would classify these as a golf-only pair of sunglasses. Because they are super comfortable, I find myself wearing them quite often and I’m looking forward to using them the next time I take my mountain bike out for ride. That being said, if you’re not comfortable taking your $500 pair of Dolce & Gabbana’s out on the course or maybe your 1980 pair of Ray-Ban’s just don’t do the job you need them to do, you might want to consider this sleek new line from Under Armour. They just might be the last pair of sunglasses you ever buy!

The UA Drive sunglasses retail for $149.99 and can be viewed along with all the other golf sunglasses on the Under Armour site.

Editors note: There are only two things I spend a lot of money on: shoes and sunglasses. I figure if I take care of my eyes and feet the rest will fall into place. Moreover, I rarely lose sunglasses so I do not shy away from dropping $240 on a pair. Frankly, I did not expect to wear the Under Armour glasses more than one time simply because my other pair is so awesome. Surprisingly, I have been wearing the Under Amour Power nearly as much as my Costa Del Mar (which cost almost twice as much). The lens is extremely clear, the frame is comfortable and the style is hip without making a 4o-something year old look like a dope. Bottom line, I dig the Under Amours and feel they are a great pair of sunglasses (and sell at a great price point).

As a typical golf meathead barreling towards my 40s, I have never been all that adept at procuring high-fashion apparel to complement my golf game. In fact, I still don’t see what the big snafu is with wearing cargo shorts on the course, but Adam has recently convinced me to at least put them on furlough for a while. So if I really want to look good on the course, my best chances are to take my own brain out of the equation and put myself in the hands of professionals. Problem is, some experts would have me looking like a bit too much of a ninny for my taste (see: every outfit Adam has worn since March, 2012), and of course, like with anyone, some apparel lines just aren’t going to match up right with my build.

Sometimes you stumble across a line of clothing that just hits the sweet spot for you seemingly without fail, and when it comes the THIS golf guy, Travis Mathew fills that role. The company has only been around since 2008, but in the world of progressive golf apparel, we’re talking dog years. You’ve seen their stuff on Bubba Watson before he went Oakley, and a long list of other golfers that may not be as notable but are always looking sharp on the course.

Folks, this Johnuary polo is just a good damn golf shirt. Looks cool, fits right, and is well made.

The only logo is the subtle “Travis Mathew” on the back right shoulder, allowing me to keep things classy as I sneak my cooler onto the back of the cart.

It deserves mention that after donning this puppy for a few months during my most important rounds, my boy Tiger has all of a sudden started hauling out the contrasting collars and plackets.

Travis Mathew also ushered in a new era for me – the golf “outfit”.  Yep, they sent me the shirt, the belt, AND the shorts, and let’s be honest – simply ravishing. Don’t believe me? Okay, then why is someone sneaking up behind me on the tee box to take pictures of my arse, wiseguy? Really though, I had no idea that picture was being taken.

Up until now I’ve always had a strict one-fruity-item-at-a-time policy when it came to what I wear on the course . . . my golf game simply could not sustain anything more than 1 item making it look like I thought I was a good golfer. But under Travis Mathews’ watch, I realized that I could actually match a pair of true golf shorts to a true golf shirt (and even a color-y belt!), and still feel like a normal dude. A well-dressed normal dude actually, who now thinks that cart girl might be kynda diggin’ that little wedge shot he just carved into the 7th green.

Wait, I think she’s asleep and just has the cart facing our direction. Whatever, I’m pretty sure I look like James Bond so she snoozed and loozed.

The clothes have that top-caliber feel to them when you’re playing the round, which can help make one feel like an official golfer. Maybe that’s just me, but they handle the heat and humidity with no trouble and all the stitching/buttons/collars/belt loops are up to snuff.

You’re probably hip to this by now, but I am a huge Travis Mathew fan – I have two of their shirts and they are my true go-to shirts. Now I have a belt and shorts to round out the package, and they are the sharpest looking items I have. I never have to worry that they are tacky or cheesy or lame, I just trust that if Travis Mathew made them, they’re money. My only disappointment is this little label inside the shorts . . . seems a bit Team Britney to me and I’m hoping it was just a momentary lapse of judgement by my favorite tailors. I guess as long as I hold up my end of the bargain and don’t leave my fly down, no one will know the difference.

You can visit Travis Mathew on their website.

The Open is just days away, so we thought we would give you a preview of the actual Ashworth script that will be worn by 2013 US Open winner Justin Rose. So far this year, we have personally seen all three Major Championship Ashworth scripts (one of which you can win here). For the Open, Ashworth again shows why they are one of the premier golf apparel companies.

All four shirts are fairly traditional but with nice details that set them apart from your basic off the rack polo. Specifically, Ashworth has added four button plackets, breast pockets, and button down collars in various combinations that give the polos a certain level of distinction and class.

Addtionally, Ashworth has done a nice job with color. While 3 of the shirts are mostly solid in color, the Performance EZ-SOF Blocked Golf Shirt features wide stripes across the chest. My only complaint is that the pattern is only on the front of the shirt as I prefer when it wraps around.

The EZ-SOF Cut and Sew Golf Shirt uses a smaller striped pattern, but still manages to give the illusion of a wider chest, which for slimmer guys is a welcomed feature. Note that the pattern on this polo is also on the back of the shirt.

While the remaining two polos are solid in color, I dig the addition of a breast pocket. Even though they are basically functionally useless outside of stashing the $5 bill you took from your buddy, they act as a splash of style.

The only downside of course is that we will likely never see any of these polos on TV, as temperatures and weather are rarely “ideal” for the Open. Still, my hat’s off to Ashworth for another great script for a major championship.

You can visit Ashworth on the web here.

I bet you never saw this coming – golf attire for children. And no we’re not talking about a goofy seasonal thing. . . Fore!! by Axel and Hudson is a golf clothing line designed specifically for kids (including infants) by Paul Nguyen, a self-described golf addict who started his career designing children’s clothing for some of the larger companies. As the story goes, Paul had two kids of his own and was suddenly inspired to create his own line, apparently frustrated by his kids’ lack of fashion badassery when it comes to golf. As far as overall vibe goes, the website urges us to “think country club meets California cool”. The company also strives to be an eco-friendly brand, crafting most pieces from ultra-soft and sustainable bamboo/spandex. So they’ve got that going for them . . . which is nice.

With a young son just turning 3, I couldn’t resist landing some duds for the little one (or maybe it was my wife that pulled the trigger). I’ve never been one to think that my meatball son was in dire need of official golf clothes, but he does like to knock the ball around our backyard, so why not look good doing it?  (Again, maybe my wife said that.)

Fore!! was cool enough to let us pick out a shirt and pair of shorts for the knucklehead, and it doesn’t take long on the website to notice that they make some good looking clothes. We went with a classic green-stripe polo shirt and some money blue plaid shorts, thinking they had enough country club in them to have our kid looking better than par, but not so much that he would be in danger of getting beaten up at the swingset.

So to the backyard we go . . .

Fore!! passed the first test, as my son was actually willing to try the suckers on, which is not always a given. I’m sure all parents are familiar with this random selection process that 2-3 year olds like to employ, and while it is primarily a source of frustration, I must admit to a few subtle fist pumps when he turned down the seersucker overalls the mother-in-law presented to him on Easter. But I digress – Fore!! got the nod, and the kid was looking good.

Several details confirm that Fore!! is not messing around. The polo shirt has cuffs and placket that contrast the pattern of the shirt, giving a cool modern look to an overall timeless shirt. Buttons have a bamboo look and feel (probably made out of actual bamboo), contributing to the high-end vibe in a subtle way. The shorts are in the same boat: well-crafted with cool cuffs on the bottom, clean white stitching throughout, and even some sturdy little pockets – perfect for my kid to hide a cookie in so he can ask for another.

Also, the shorts have an expandable waistline to accommodate the inevitable growth of toddlers, which is a somewhat common feature in high-end clothing that is valuable enough to deserve props no matter what. And finally, it’s worth noting that all the Fore!! designs just look better than what you would find in a bargain spot, the same way a Banana Republic shirt just looks better than it’s copycat at Kohl’s. I’ve never quite understood it, because a better plaid with better colors shouldn’t cost any more to actually make, but for some reason only the pros can get it done.

One aspect of this adventure that I did not see coming: my wife and I described this outfit as “golf clothes”, and my kid ate it up. So now if we want him to look good for a Sunday brunch or whatever high-fallutin’ affair we get involved in, it’s no trouble to persuade the munchkin to don his best outfit. The only downside is when we pull back into the garage and he realizes he’s been bamboozled, at which time it’s on to the backyard yet again to smash the pill around.

I absolutely nutted that.

So here’s the scoop – if you don’t see paying $40.00 or more for a toddler’s shirt in your near future, then you’ll have to let Fore!! play through. Our household is full of hand-me-downs, so I am not an expert in this arena, but I have to believe that there are plenty of folks out there who are shelling out big bucks for their kids to look good, and as long as they’re not stealing my parking spots, more power to them. And shoot, maybe I’m out of touch and $40.00 for your kid to have some legit threads is no big deal. The bottom line is, Fore!! by Axel and Hudson is a solid bang-for-buck transaction: the clothes are well made and stand out as handsome and cool.

You can check out Fore!! by Axel and Hudson on their website.

I discovered G Belts a few months ago when they popped up on my Instagram feed. Now, you would think there are only so many ways to photograph a belt buckle, but company founder Roderick McDaniel’s clever product placement defies commonality. Being a huge belt buckle fan (especially of huge belt buckles), I reached out to see if we could do a review of the early prototypes. 3 days later, voila,  G Belt in the mailbox.

I have about 6 belts in the stable, so for a new one to “crack the starting lineup” it has to really stand out. Quite simply, a belt is made up of two parts, the strap and the buckle. Each one is equally important to the overall look and feel but too often the strap does not get enough attention.

Beyond color and texture, the strap is critical as it must hold up for years without showing wear (other than nice aging). Too often straps are flimsy and thin. Fortunately, the strap that comes with the G Belt is 100% genuine leather and super wide, 1.75 inches to be exact. This makes the G Belt a perfect choice for pants or shorts that have really wide loops.

On to the main dish – the buckle. Big, bold and brash and just like it should be. Believe it or not, I spent two weeks trying to figure out what the “G” stood for before I broke down and asked Roderick. “Golf” that is what the “G” stands for – duh.

I felt like a complete moron until I realized no one else who I asked ever thought to say “Golf” either. Honestly, I am glad no one guessed “golf” because that is just too obvious. Anyhow, the font is great and the brushed metal allows it to stand out without being over bearing.

G Belts come in three versions, Sport ($80.00), Hybrid ($100.00) and Limited Edition ($150.00) with the difference between each being the leather quality. Personally, I received the Hybrid which is made from 100% cowhide leather. The Sport is also leather but I assume a slightly lesser quality.

Conversely, the Limited Edition is made from premium Italian Mammoth leather. Again, because a great belt should last 10 years at least, the leather is really critical.

Additionally, you can buy colored straps that come in 8 varieties so you can mix and match with the same buckle. G Belts can be purchased on their website. I would also recommend following the G Belt Instagram feed.

For whatever reason, I have never really been a Callaway guy, but because I am a social media nut, I have recently found myself paying more attention than ever to the brand. Primarily my increased awareness is due to the fact that Callaway is very active and effective on Twitter. For example, take a peak and you will see many of the top Callaway brass like Chad Coleman and Harry Arnett tweeting regularly in a very conversational manner (something most big companies do very poorly).

While the lion share of Callaway media revolves around their equipment, it appears as though Callaway is making a concerted effort to shine a brighter light on the apparel side of the business.

Like most big golf companies, the Callaway apparel is fairly traditional, although there are hints of trendy touches like contrasting collars and plackets. Historically, big companies rarely draw too far outside the lines when it comes to fashion; a decision that is probably wise since about 90% of golfers prefer traditional colors and styling, with purchasing decisions based primarily on the fit and price.

For our review we personally looked at two polos and two pairs of shorts. First off, we noticed the shirts run a touch big, nearly a whole size in our opinion. Specifically, Matt (pictured below) was much better suited to wear the medium polos than I was (he typically wears a large while I am a medium).

When you think of Callaway apparel, the names Ernie Els and Phil Mickleson bubble to the top. Both men, while never being accused of being fashion trendsetters, always look sharp and well put together. This is basically where I think the Callaway sweet spot is. Put another way, traditional golf attire with hints of hip.

The two polos we saw were the Simon Polo and Victor Polo. Again, both ran a size big but we were particularly impressed with the Viktor as we dug the offset color on the collar, placket and arm as well as the button down collar. This is a performance blend so it makes for a great choice in warmer temperatures.

The Simon Polo, while also 100% polyester, had a thicker look and feel than most. In fact it looks almost cottonish. Typically, I am not a huge fan of shirts that have contrasting colors on either side, but Callaway pulls it off aided by details like the chest pocket.

We also checked out the Torrell Tech Shorts and the Mikel Tech Shorts. Both had very similar cuts which I would describe as country club conservative with knee-length hems and wide legs. I did particularly like the Torrell houndstooth as a pattern that can add a touch of style when paired with a solid polo. The Mikel come in a solid grey which is obviously a bonus as you can pretty much wear them with any shirt on the planet.

Overall, we thought the Callaway line did a nice job of providing reasonably priced apparel that has the designer look. Interestingly, the Callaway website does not carry much of the apparel but from what I understand, they will be relaunching a whole new apparel e-commerce site later this year. Not to worry, you can find them in big box stores and lots of retail websites. Most of the polos run in the mid $30s and the shorts about $60. Pretty good bang for the buck in our opinion.

You can visit the Callaway website here.

At Three Guys Golf we love to search out new lines of golf apparel, but it is equally rewarding to rediscover brands that we have forgotten about. One such company who has recently stepped up their game is Ashworth Golf.

If you are not a regular viewer of the PGA you may have missed it, but this past year or so, Ashworth Golf has made a tremendous and triumphant return to the apparel segment of the golf industry.

After TaylorMade-Adidas acquired Ashworth back in October of 2008, the company has been on a steady climb to the top in the classic golf attire world. With their new 2013 spring line offering inspired designs and improved fit, Ashworth is again making name for themselves as a solid choice for players looking for a classic look with modern technology. Their new line not only fits fantastic but it is also amazingly comfortable.

Helping Ashworth’s increased popularity is the addition of pros like Fred Couples, Justin Rose, Sean O’Hair, Justin Leonard, Rory Sabbatini and Johnson Wagner. Beyond building out a solid team, Ashworth has also been creative with their marketing by releasing limited edition performance polos that carry the Fred Couples name.

You will note, Freddie’s signature is embroidered on the inside of the polo right under the tag, adding a touch of Boom-Boom class to the shirt. Looking closer, you will even find this particular shirt is only 1 of 300 – yeah, that’s pretty cool. Some might be prone to sealing it up and seeing what they could get for it a few years from now but not me. I plan on wearing it until the stitches come apart!

In addition to the new line of polos, Ashworth has extended their product line to include pants, shorts, sweaters, hats, visors, socks, belts and even shoes. The best part is it how all flows together seamlessly.

Ashworth is certainly doing its part to make sure everyone is aware that they are here to stay. Case in point: the new “The Pants Petition” which very cleverly shows off the brand. So if you have been out to lunch on the Ashworth revival, it’s time to take a fresh look.

You can see the whole line of Ashworth apparel on their website.

AUR Golf Apparel Review: Unless you live under a rock you know the fashion revolution has overtaken professional golf. While there has always been a handful of colorful players, we have now reached a point where nearly every single tour player is meticulously dressed by their sponsors.

On the other hand, when we refocus the lens to our local golf clubs, the scene is a little different. Yeah, you see a few white belts here and there, and some people are finally getting the message about spikeless golf shoes, but by and large things are not changing as fast as you may think. The fact is designer golf gear is not cheap and are moreover many of us are not exactly built to pull off the “white pants” look.

Thankfully, AUR Golf  is offering a line of apparel suited for folks who want functional good looking apparel that will not break the bank. Plus, they are integrating environmentally responsible fabrics made from a variety of natural sources like coffee, bamboo charcoal and other recycled products. AUR then processes these materials into yarn that is extremely moisture wicking, odor-reducing performance polyester. The way I figure it, saving the Earth and still getting a shirt with UV protection, quick drying times and easy care sounds like a winning proposition.

While AUR does offer a number of styles with progressive colors and patterns, I went with a standard black polo shirt and khaki pants. The pants are well cut and sewn to be durable. Size wise, they are flat-front and they have plenty of room to move without being baggy. Even thought the shirt is solid black, I was impressed with the detail in the extra stitching in places like the shoulders where you need a shirt to hold together. Over the course of several rounds, they did all they were supposed to do in terms of stretch, moisture-wicking and sun-protection.

AUR Golf clothes are made for men and women and can be found at many stores and online. There is quite a variety of styles and colors to choose from, and a basic stylish polo will run you around $65. You can see the whole AUR line on their website.

With most major golf apparel brands going the way of techno performance, In Fiamme is one of the few companies who is still making classic golf polos. I know, “classic cotton polo” is not exactly sexy but this is not your average cotton pique (and not all of us want to be sexy anyhow). Yes, In Fiamme polos are cotton, but that is about all they have with the other duds in your closet.

Off the bat, each In Fiamme shirt is hand cut and sewn in Milan, Italy (and not in some big manufacturing plant). No, these are carefully produced in small lots such that each shirt has immaculate quality and detail. Specifically, In Fiamme polos are all constructed of double-mercerized, 100% Egyptian cotton yarns which is considered one of the finest cotton fabrics in the world.

Admittedly, I prefer a more modern fit and look but that does not mean I cannot appreciate the quality of the shirt. Moreover, the In Fiamme shirts have a certain level of class that you will never get with a performance polo. The reality is that the company understands their customers prefer substance over pizazz.

While I only wore two of the In Fiamme polos, I was able to personally see the whole apparel line in January at the PGA Merchandise show. In general, I would characterize the majority of styles as “Country Club Conservative” but they do have a number of more progressive styles as well.

What all of the styles do share, however, is a classic fit that complements a “mature” figure. In other words, if you carry a little weight, you really should avoid the sheer, thin material. What In Fiamme understands is that a more gentlemanly look can be achieved though the combination of fine cotton and complex patterns.

With that said, the shirts are not cut such that they look like the Tiger Woods shirts of 1999 where if you hold your arms up you look like a triangle of cotton. The shoulders meet at the end of your shoulders and girth of the shirt is size appropriate. I did note, however, that most of the shirt sleeves are longer than today’s modern cut. Sleeves go from mid-bicep to elbow. Again, longer than the modern cut but preferred by the more conservative gentleman.

As anyone who has worn a cotton polo knows, what is a dead give away for a cheap shirt is the buttons and collars. All In Fiamme shirts are made with laser etched genuine mother-of-pearl buttons and have double stitch hems with a lycra-infused collar to prevent curling. In other words, these shirts will look this good for a long time.

The other thing you will notice (or not notice), is that the shirts do not have a logo which is great news for those of us who prefer to not look like a walking billboard. To me, knowing that you are wearing a fine Italian garment is enough-I don’t need to have it advertised on my chest. Slightly off topic, but ever see a totally bad ass car that you know is a loaded up Audi, BMW, Porsche or Maserati but the owner has cleverly taken off ever single emblem? Yea, it makes it that much cooler. Be that guy.

You can see the whole collection of In Fiamme shirts on their website.

It was hardly a surprise when the king of the khakis, Bonobos, launched a new golf-specific clothing line called Maide. For those of you who have not heard of Bonobos (is there anyone?), you know that they make a pretty straightforward pair of trousers. Known for the flat front and straight cut, the original Bonobos would easily make a great pair of golf pants in their own right but I think many of us want to have “golf-specific” pants. Hence the Maide brand has just enough “golf” details to qualify for “golf pants” but retain the appealing aspects of Bonobos.

Aside from the details, which we will get into later, what I really like about Maide is they are just solid clothes. Nothing too fancy in either the pants or the shirt, but perfect for looking good while not sticking out. I think the fact that Bonobos has years of experience with this style made it super easy for them to just change some of the material and add a few bells and whistles and boom!, a new line of clothing.

Okay, bells and whistles. First, the pants are made of 100% performance polyester which gives them a bit of stretch and a little water resistance. They also added a zipper at the cuff, a really cool snap, a sticky liner inside the waistband and heavy stitching on the trousers. Finally, they added a mock scorecard that indicates the length and waist size lest you forget they are for golf.

Taken as a whole, the Maide trouser harkens back to the “golden age of golf” with simple lines and straight leg cut. Even most of the colors are basic (khaki, white, blue and grey). They do, however, also offer a bright green and red version as well. All of which can be ordered with specific waist and length dimensions.

Maide’s goal was to create a traditional line of apparel that is forward fashion. To me, that means the cut is basic but with a more athletic cut and improved materials. Interestingly, the Maide Berwick polo has a cotton pique look but in actuality it is 51% cotton 49% poly which means it will do well in the heat but not have that sheer look that many of us are not crazy about. Again, a traditional look but by shortening the arms and smaller collar, they have updated it for a sportier, more hip audience.

The end result is a really easy to wear, sharp looking traditional golf outfit that comes across as slightly cooler than most. In addition to the Highland pants and Berwick polo, Maide also offers shorts and sweaters. While we did not personally see these items, it would appear that the Barton shorts are just a sawed-off version of the pants. The sweaters, on the other hand, range from traditional solids to striped cardigans, allowing you to add some personality to the solid shirts and pants.

You can see the whole line of the new Maide golf attire on their website.

I have long suspected that European apparel companies have an inherent advantage when it comes to designing clothes meant for cooler temperatures. The fact is, their weather can be politely described as “not so good”. It makes sense then that Scandanavian based Cross Golf has become very good at making clothes that are well suited to windy, wet, and rapidly changing temperatures.

I first ran into Cross Golf at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show but it was not until February 2013 that I actually got to put their gear to the test. Seeing that the conditions in North Carolina throughout February and March are pretty similar to the best of weather in the Old Country, I figured it made for a good testing environment. Specifically, we will review the Cross Golf Pro Jacket, Vitas Pants and Yannick Polo.

Let’s start with the Vitas trousers since I think there is a dearth of solid pants on the market. The first thing I noticed when I put on the Vitas Pants was they were extremely light, slick and breezy. Because they are made with a polyamide/elastane poplin they are incredibly easy to care for and are perfect for even warm temperatures.

While not waterproof, they are extremely water resistant (I have held them under a stream of water for over 5 minutes and not had them leak). You can see from the below picture how the water just runs off the material. Great news for when you get caught in a rain shower. Not surprisingly, the Vitas Pants have a much slimmer European cut which I think is better looking for the athletic/thin build. In terms of care, these guys are a simple wash, dry and wear. Super easy and always look great.

The Pro Jacket is again a perfect example of technology made for changing weather. Cross Golf uses FTX technology which is made to be waterproof yet breathable. I actually had no idea the jacket was waterproof for a long time because it does not feel like a rain jacket and I have primarily been wearing it during windy and cold conditions. Additionally, because of the breathability, the Pro Jacket it works really well over just a shirt on warm breezy conditions or covering a sweater when temperatures are in the low 40’s.

Even though the Pro Jacket is really light, because of the tall collar, taped zipper and velcro arms, you have the ability to lock out all of the elements to stay warm even in harsh wind, cold and even rain.

Lastly, we took a look at the Cross Golf polo. First note – they run small, a full size by my estimation. Made from performance material, the polos are very light and progressively cut with short arms and small collars. Like the rest of the Cross Golf line, the Polos are very well made and easy to care for. While maybe not as impressive as the jacket and trousers, the polo holds its own.

As I have written before, one of the perks to the blog is the opportunity to check out gear I would otherwise never get to. Going back to the 2012 PGA Show, I was pretty sure I would like the Cross Golf apparel line in terms of looks but what I was super impressed with was the construction and versatility. The Pro Jacket can be worn in temperatures for the 40’s to the 60’s and double as a rain jacket. The Vitas Pants are so comfortable and easy to care for that they will be your “go to” golf pants.

You can see the whole line of Cross Golf on their website.

At Three Guys Golf we really enjoy finding new companies as it provides us an opportunity to share with our readers apparel outside of the big box stores. The only downside is that most new companies have a very limited line. However, in the case of newcomer CHASE54, because or their relationship with their parent company, they have been able to charge out of the gate with a huge collection.

CHASE54 PANTS & SHORTS

The cotton pants and their cotton shorts (some of the best feeling, most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn) blew me away. Being the desert rat that I am the last thing I’ve ever considered wearing out on the course in Vegas is cotton, but not anymore. This portion of the CHASE54 collection is hands down the winner. I’ve always maintained my distance when its come to natural cotton pants but after wearing the Long Shots & the McCouls I am rethinking my postion on the matter.

While the cotton pants and shorts were my favorite, I also really liked the poly blend line. Specifically, Chase54 offers a weather resistant polyester blend that can hold up in wet conditions and shorts that have a very relaxed comfortable fit. A bonus is that they did not cheat us out on the pockets, they are REAL pockets (I hate having to fish down into child size pocket trying to find a ball marker).

Where CHASE54 differs from your garden variety apparel line is their attention to detail. Unique placements of their logo throughout the line and creative tags that display CHASE54 makes the branding stand out without being obnoxious.

Beyond the style, the quality is outstanding and the comfort is top notch. The only issues we had were on a few of the zippers, but after talking with the company, we learned that they have discontinued the plastic zippers and will only offer the metal version which held up like a champ.

CHASE54 POLO’S

Polo’s with a traditional look like the Mosby Polo in white or in black are great for on the course activities but also carry enough style that you can wear them out for a night on the town. It’s an easy argument to make that the CHASE54 polo’s can easily be worn for a round of golf where your game will hopefully match your style or just a casual night out with friends where you can feel classy but not uncomfortable.

Each style comes in a multitude of color choices. There is the Stonewall Polo that comes in White, HD Orange, Dark Grey and Carolina Blue. More choices like the MacArthur Polo that is available in White, HD Orange, Blue and GT Yellow and many more. When you take all of the options and pair them with the creative styling and color choices of their pants and shorts you can see why I had such a difficult choice in picking my outfit for my round.

I ended up pairing the Truman polo in black with the Long Shots cotton pants in white for my 18 holes. I dug deep down inside and searched for my inner Rickie Fowler but just couldn’t do it yet. I’m still stuck in the plain not so vibrant pattern I’ve been in since I started playing. Never the less I made it out to the course and had a great day, I just wish my play would have looked half as good as I did!

The polos are designed very well, even for my rather portly physique. The large shirts fit me very well and were not a hindrance at all during my round. Sometimes you get that shirt that just will not let you enjoy yourself, be it a snag or a bunch-up here or some overly aggressive static there, but the Chase54 polo handled my outing without a hiccup. The last thing you want to worry about in the course is your clothes malfunctioning and being a distraction. That wasn’t the case at all, in fact the only issue that I’ve run across since receiving everything is deciding which outfit to wear next!

CHASE54 Tee Shirts and Ball Markers

Lastly, CHASE54 surprised me with a little something extra in the package. They included in the shipment a couple of T-Shirts. You don’t see too many apparel companies putting out T-Shirts as much as I wish they would. Kudos to them for doing so. I love wearing my golf polos but sometimes I just want to bum around in a T-Shirt. They also threw in some poker chips that have the CHASE54 logo on them and some wristbands. I love the wristbands because they have their company motto “Chasing Perfection” on them. It’s a simple but effective phrase and it came in handy as a nice head clearer when I was in the middle of my round. I look down to address the ball and seeing the words “chasing perfection” helped me regain my focus a couple of times. As far as branding goes, I think they’re spot on with their concept of chasing perfection, and are almost near it with their apparel.

Overall it’s the variety, in this reviewer’s opinion, that separates CHASE54 from the other new brands that are out on the market. Cutting edge style in a way that appeals to masses but done with quality, integrity and class.

Be sure to check out the full clothing line from CHASE54  which can be seen on their site.

As regular readers know, I am not shy about wearing goofy golf clothing, but the other day I had an epiphany while I was getting ready to play a round of golf  (okay this is where the story becomes a bit girly but get over it). When I got to the “pants’ part of the equation, I was momentarily stumped. I put on two trendy pairs and was driving myself crazy with second-guessing . .   something was not right. Finally I decided the heck with it and threw on my pair of QED Park City Trousers. Sure I wear them all of the time but they are just so money. No fuss, no mess, just damn good golf pants. I paired them with a QED Logan polo and boom – simple, comfortable and great looking.

Last fall I reviewed the first line of QED which included a few polo,s but this winter, QED came out with a greatly expanded line including shorts, pants and even a button down and pullover. True story: I was at a high school reunion and I literally had two guys ask me what kind of shirt I was wearing (and one of those guys placed an order the next day).

So here is the deal with the polos. They have a great cut and style with many featuring two breast pockets and/or over-stitching which gives them just enough flare to stand out but not too much that you look over the top. The button down, called the Roy Woven Shirt, while not a golf shirt, is a perfect shirt to wear after hours either tucked or untucked. The other new detail added to the shirts are the enhanced snaps. I am not sure but they are some kind of stone or something, but whatever the case, I don’t have any other shirt with this type of snap. Money!

The pants are perfect in a bunch of ways. First the cut is generous. Not euro, not trendy, just mens cut. The waist has a band that helps keep your shirt tucked in, and they have a snap instead of a button and the material is water resistant. As an added bonus, they also have a small zipper on the cuff.

Made with a nylon spandex they are excellent in terms of give and they never wrinkle. And again, I won’t say waterproof but definitely water resistant which comes in real handy in a light drizzle.

So here is the bottom line on QED: Straight forward golf apparel for the golfer who wants function and style without all of the hoopla. Every detail has been carefully considered, right down to the matching black squares on the back shoulder of the shirt and waist of the trouser. QED is a math term for “finished” or “done”. When you wear QED, you know your are complete, you are set, and you will never, ever get called out for looking like a dope. QED.

NOTE that the new Holden, Logan and Torrey Polo sizes run fair rather than small which is a change from the Eureka, Francis and Heber which run a size small.

You can check out the whole new line of QED apparel on their website.

What in the world does “windproof” mean? I mean, if it is cold or windy enough that you need a jacket, wouldn’t you just grab your sweater or  jacket that keeps you warm? For whatever reason, I have never bought into the “windproof” idea – just seemed like a silly gimmick to me. I figured it was just one more reason a company could convince me to buy extra gear I don’t need and will probably never use.