If you own more than a couple of golf shirts, you surely have at least one with patented technology that was developed specifically for the game by a company called Page and Tuttle. As one of the oldest apparel companies in America, Page and Tuttle has been a leader in apparel innovation for over 100 years.

For example, you probably own a shirt that has what almost seems a patch under the arm. While you likely have never given much thought to this patch, it was introduced in the 1950’s by Munsingwear (now Page and Tuttle) and is the reason your shirt allows for more natural movement. This patch, known as a gusset, is just one example of Page and Tuttle ‘s impact on the golf apparel industry. So while the patent on it has long expired, the gusset is now used by manufacturers world wide.

Page and Tuttle also introduced a fabric called “Cool Elite.” It has embedded cooling minerals in its fibers so when you heat up, the fabric can actually cool you down 2-4 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s right, it actually cools you down as you play. Not a bad idea if I do say so myself.

While the “Three Guys” received the above sharp looking polos, I received a “Cool Swing” white polo and light blue skort. The polo was cut with a feminine style. The collar had no buttons but there was a reinforced lip where the buttons usually go. It made for a new twist on a classic style that is very appealing, especially if you feel like all your shirts seem to blend into each other. You would think that this collar might not hold up after washing and flop since there are no buttons to stabilize it, but I am happy to report, wash and wear is no problem.

I have no intention on wearing golf clothing that I have to iron after washing so this shirt passes the test. The skort is a blend of polyester, rayon and spandex. There is nothing worse than shorts or skorts that don’t stretch with you when you move about the course and are reading your putts. This skort is on the higher end of comfort and flexibility. It had maximum comfort all the while moving and stretching with me in every situation.

On the men’s side, both polos are made from 100% micro polyester Cool Swing material which is code for “very light, breathable and soft”. Both of these shirts got thumbs up from the guys. Perfect for the humid temperatures of North Carolina and nearly impossible to not match with a pair of shorts (a feature not to be underestimated). In terms of sizing, the Page and Tuttle polos run very fair and with a tradition fit.

Page and Tuttle offers a wide variety of products for both men and women across all season. You can find golfing attire with the latest that the industry has to offer at www.pageandtuttlegolf.com. Page and Tuttle offers everything from classic polos to outwear and windwear featuring their Free Swing technology (yet another innovation developed by the company) to give you every comfort and advantage in your game.

I distinctly remember stumbling upon the Kartel booth while wandering through the PGA merchandise show in January and thinking “what the heck does this company sell?” With a name like Kartel any number of thoughts came to mind, so while I was slightly worried about being ushered into some shady dealings, it turns out they just make cool golf gear.

Kartel is an Irish company that has been around since 1985 but is relatively unknown in America. Padraig Harrington, who is  a long time Kartel ambassador, gave many of us our first look at the company but now with the emergence of Graeme McDowell and his seemlingly ever-presence on Sunday in the majors, Kartel is getting much broader exposure. Yup G-Mac, definitely one of the coolest and best dressed cats on tour has a big hand in the brand. So good has this relationship been that Kartel has just released a new G-Mac clothing line.

Because the G-Mac line is brand new we only had the opportunity to review the current Kartel line. Like most apparel companies, Kartel carries a performance line which is well tailored, breathable and sharp looking. However, Kartel also has a line of quality cotton shirts which is not as common. Admittedly I was not too jacked to get a heavy-ish cotton shirt in July since the lows in North Carolina are like 80. Then one evening when inevitably nary a clean shirt was to be found, the Kartel polo was forced into action.

Much like the polos of my childhood, the Kartel polo is striped and heavy but unlike those duds of the 70’s, this one was nicely tailored, very soft and comes with a few nice details like the contrasting colors inside and on back of the collar. While it has remained too humid to wear the Kartel shirt on the golf course, I have now worn it enough times that I felt compelled to sing its praises. There really is something to be said for a solid heavy weave cotton shirt. Sure maybe not in the heat of the summer, but come fall it will be money. As I have written before, I am just getting a bit tired of performance golf shirts so when the weather permits I am going straight up cotton.

Looking forward, I am totally jacked for the new G-Mac gear and we hope to get a review of that line soon, but meanwhile I will continue to be a card carrying member of the Kartel.

You can view the Kartel line on their website and the G-Mac line on this site. 

Criquet Shirts: Every so often I bump into a company and instantly fall in love. Unfortunately this is a rare occurrence since stated company must possess a great product, superb marketing, and have a certain je ne sais quoi (yea, I had to google the spelling). Truth be told, I stumbled upon the Criquet Golf website late one evening while doing some “internet research”.

As you know, most golf websites are fairly boring: shirt, shorts, accessories, blah, blah, blah. On the other hand, the Criquet website has a unique blend of  humor, style and hippie culture. Normally, I don’t post pictures from a company website, but this one I think is just brilliant and gives you a real sense of their brand.

I am at a loss for words

Coincidentally, one of the founders of Criquet Golf spent some time in my town, Chapel Hill, during his studies at the University of NC, which is perhaps why I can relate to their “crunchy” attitude. Founded by Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown, Criquet is now located in an equally hippie town, Austin TX, where they are making wonderfully styled and tailored cotton golf shirts.

Four buttons and a pocket, that’s it, that’s the list. Design is funny in that it comes down to how similar features are put together to create a vibe. The Criquet shirts are available in two basic varieties, solid or striped with some having a flap on the breast pocket. Simple, sure, but both the 4 button placket (which is a bit longer than most shirts) and the pocket with small logo, demonstrate how great design does not need to be overly complicated.

It’s hard to put my finger on why exactly the Criquet shirt is so appealing to me but my hunch is that I am subconsciously reminded of the cotton shirts from my 70’s childhood. Not that Criquet shirts look like the 70’s but they are just hipster enough to bring back that feeling.

Speaking of feel, the shirts are plush and soft, but  in the spirit of thorough product testing I wore the Criquet shirt for 18 holes of golf in 103 degree weather (I kid you not). Yes, there were visible sweat marks on the shirt but in no way was the shirt heavy or uncomfortable. In fact, it was totally dry by the time I got home (a little air-conditioning helps). So come fall, this is gonna be one of my absolute favorite golf shirts. In the meantime, I wear the Criquet shirt all of the time as it is just plain great looking for the office (if I went into one), the club (if I belonged to one) or the bar (now we are talking).

So lets talk cotton for a moment. As a reviewer of golf attire I am starting to see more high end golf shirts made with cotton. As I have noted in a few other posts, clearly cotton is not a wicking or dry fitting as the new high tech material, but what none of those other newfangled shirts can give you is that cotton feel. Sure that is a stupid obvious statement, but you know what I mean. Cotton just feels better and it is so much more versatile. Personally, I never wear a golf shirt unless I am playing golf because to me it is like wearing a basketball jersey to lunch. But with a cotton shirt like Criquet, no one will be the wiser that you are coming from or going to the links. Finally, it is worth noting that Criquet shirts are made with organic cotton. Nope, not a clue what that means but I figure if my wife buys free range chicken, I am all for organic cotton!

While I am on a little bit of a soapbox, the other compelling reason for me to endorse Criquet is because they are a small business. Now I’m as guilty as the next guy for getting a deal at a big box store, but when I get the chance to support a small company who makes a great product at a fair price, I am all in. While the Criquet shirts are not cheap, they are absolutely priced comparably with the competition, giving me just one more reason to throw my support behind these guys.

A note on sizing. Criquet shirts run very fair and I was perfectly fit with my standard medium. So when you are looking for a versatile golf shirt, look no further than Criquet.

You can see all of the styles on their website.

Energy Athletic Golf Shirt: Skeptic, yup I am a huge skeptic. So when I was charged with reviewing the new Energy Athletic Ionized shirt, I immediately put away my Ouija board to give it a go. The way I figure, if Bruce Banner can experiment with Gamma Rays, who am I to shy away from wearing a shirt laced with negative ions. Really, what could go wrong?

Seeing that I did not have a tee time scheduled this week, I decided I would give the shirt a go in a more casual environment to see what kind of reaction it would elicit. On that particular evening I was entertaining some friends and partaking in a friendly game of scrabble, the board version mind you. Yes, we also carry Persimmon woods. Ok, the part about the Persimmons is not true but we were playing scrabble. The truth is we all swing baby grand pianos but who is counting?

What is also true is that the orange Energy Ion shirt really brings out my olive skin tone (did I just say that out loud?). Anyhow, my partners in scrabble crime all were highly complimentary, throwing out remarks normally reserved for rock stars and AA baseball players.

The shirt is extremely comfortable, super light, and while solid in color it has slight textured ribbing that gives it depth. But what my colleagues did not know is that this shirt also is cased with Ion technology. On my late grandmother’s couch I swear I could feel the “power” of the shirt. I truly did. There is something very tangible . . . again, tangible . . . in this technology. Mind you I am only a History major so when it comes to the science of the shirt I will defer to Dr. Al Ouimet who developed the IonX technology.

From the Energy Athletic website I have learned that while the shirt is 95% polyester and 5% spandex, it is also embedded with negative ions in the structure by way of a their X Ionized treatment. This is what is supposed to give you increased power. Like Matt who discussed the powers of Trion-Z, I am not exactly sure how the whole magic works, but I figure if Paul Azinger gives it the thumbs up, their is no harm in adding a little giddy-up to my game.

On to the course. I wore the shirt on Tuesday, July 10 in New Hampshire, 90 degree heat (that’s Fahrenheit for those working on their visas) and boy was I comfortable and ready to roll. As my less enlightened friends used to say, “do you think you can crush balls now?”.  Yes, but it is just one ball and I can play with it all day in this shirt – and let’s play from the tips.

Oh, and one final note on sizing, they are an American cut meaning they run fair a touch big. Matt and I typically wear a large but we could have probably taken a medium and been happy.

You can learn more about Energy Athletic shirts on their website.

Antiqua Golf Shirts: Just before I embarked on my summer vacation to the outer banks of North Carolina, Three Guys Golf (hey, what about the girl?) received a package from Antigua. Antigua is a designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear. As usual, my first thought was “ok, it just a shirt with a collar, buttons and needs to be tucked in. How can these shirts be different or better than any other?” Well, it was my duty to give it a try and see what I think.

Antigua Women’s Golf Shirts

In Georgia, every summer day feels as if global warming is beating down your door, and no type of shirt on the golf course is going to make a huge difference . . . we all wear some type of quick drying material to combat the heat as best we can. I set out for the course with my new Antigua golf shirt and hardly any expectations. How different can it be? Oh how little I knew. It was a relatively cool 93 degrees on that Friday with the humidity at about 70 percent. I do not profess to be an expert in the textile industry but I do know what I like and what I don’t.

Being a mother of two very active kids, I am well versed in the moisture wicking materials and I can absoluetly say the Antigua shirts are top notch in that regard. It was an extremely busy day on the course and slow play is an understatement – I spent more than my fair share of time waiting at each tee box baking like a Georgia peach pie. However, the best way I can describe this shirt is tissue paper. If you could wear tissue paper without it ripping and getting soaking wet, this shirt would be it. Seriously, at times, I felt as if I didn’t even have anything on. I was truly impressed.

Fast forward to my vacation on the tiny island of Ocracoke, NC. I went into a shop one day with my sister and ran into another vacationer in a golf shirt. The shirt had an LGPA logo on the front and the Antigua brand on the sleeve. Well, there isn’t a golf course within a two hour drive of this island where tanks and tees rule so this lady stood out. I approached her and started talking about her shirt. She was a golfer, and it was her favorite and coolest shirt, so she brought it with her to this island hot spot. There you go, it wasn’t just me that thought so much of this shirt, she too had high praise for the brand.

On the men’s side the styling is also very pleasing. Like the women’s, some of the Antigua golf shirts have sleeves that are longer than usual but we found it to be a nice change from the euro cut. Additionally, we dug the heavy contrasting over stitch on the shoulder and sleeve which is prominent on the Antigua Journey shirt.

Mens Antiqua Journey

Mens Antiqua Journey

The Antigua men’s golf shirts also feature the Desert Dry technology. While the Journey material was a bit thicker, the Antiqua Relay was extremly light which of course is wonderful for those burning hot days. In short, we were very impressed with both the styling and material of all the samples we received. Moreover, the Antigua product line has a huge offering with many color combinations in each style so that you will have little fear of ever running into someone with the exact shirt as you (am I the only one who worries about this?)

Mens Antigua Replay

Mens Antigua Replay

Antigua started out as company with roots firmly in the golf market. It has since moved into the growing corporate market as well as other sports leagues. They currently hold licenses with the NBA, MLB, and NHL among others. Antigua clearly wouldn’t be where it is if were not a good product. My endorsement might not be much, but having lived my entire life in the south and now almost half of it in “Hotlanta,” I do know that beating the heat is never going to happen. But I also know I can do my best to try, and now Antigua is at the top of that list.

You can find the whole line of Antigua shirts on their website.

Sundog Eyewear: So there I was…Wollaston Country Club, Milton MA, 1st tee with my two buddies, Rob and Martin. Temperature: 95 degrees, relative humidity: ask the devil since he seemed to running the show. First order of business, after making friends with the cart girl, was to set the odds to give myself a fighting chance against these two hustlers. Truth be told, l’m an index of 12 of 13…well I’m a 9-10, but I want one stroke per nine. Sandbagger? Sure, but heck I have a big money round next week against Karl and he feigns back pain – all fair in love and golf right? What’s that? Where did I get these shades?

So yea, the shades, they call them Sundogs. Groovy name, cool style, great lens and reasonably priced-we call that the whole ball of wax. Speaking of balls, how bout that big ball in the sky bearing down on me all day. Lucky these puppies are full coverage wrap around (Louis Oosthuizen style). Lens, yup, they have those too but no ordinary lens. Nope, the Sundogs have what is called a Mela-Lens. This patented technology is really what makes these guys rock. See, Sundog created these lenses to filter the harmful rays and make everything crystal clear.

Now you might ask, “Hey Skip, you said it was hot, but how freakin’ humid was it?” Well, Danny, it was damn near unbearable and for a while there we nearly had to call in the EMT’s to head off Martin’s heat stroke. As for me, sure I looked cool, but my brain was turning to mush by the 13th hole. Fortunately, the Sundogs were staving off the glare and refused to fog up despite the sauna like conditions.

Head down, thirteen foot putt…(that’s for dramatic tension)…sweat rolls off my forehead onto the lens and onto my ball…mind you no streak on the lens. I was able to finish for an 8, but that’s not important…Sundogs can bark for you when its hot and there’s meat on the bone…although gambling is illegal at Bushwood.

Check out the whole line of Sundog on their website.

Linksoul Golf Shirt: You know what is always in? Cool. Cool is always in and I think that is the essence of what Linksoul is about. Linksoul is the brainchild of long-time fashion designer John Ashworth. Now I would love to tell you more about the company, but their website is a virtual DaVinci Code that either requires the aid of Tom Hanks to decipher or the coolness of James Dean to comprehend.

So when we had the opportunity to review a Linksoul Golf shirt I literally had no idea what to expect other than hopefully something cool?  From my research, I surmised that Linksoul made comfortable clothes but honestly the catalog is so mysteriously cool (Blogger Matt called it something else) that I was hopelessly confused as to what Linksoul makes. Seriously, you think I am joking-I challenge you to check out their website and figure out what they make or how to buy it in less than 10 minutes.

So in the end, what I got was a black cotton shirt with a single pocket. No big deal, right? Well I am not going to say it is earth changing but it is one hell of a good looking and comfortable shirt. This thing can be worn anywhere with anything and you will always look money (especially when you go to the bar with no name).

So where is this bar? oh, and by the way, that shirt is money!

Seriously, it does not need to be ironed, you can tuck it in, not tuck it in, wear it with jeans, go out on the town or wear it on the golf course, it just does not matter – you will always look great. Oh, and it is about the softest cotton I have ever worn. So you get the point, this is a crazy hip company but they back it up with crazy comfortable stuff.

So yes, I am making fun of the incredibly hip nature of Linksoul, but let me be clear, they make really cool stuff that is brilliantly well made and versatile. Unfortunately, we only saw one item of their line and without my decoder ring, I cannot really tell you what their other stuff looks like but my guess it that it is all super cool, super soft and super well-made.

Linksoul is can be found in a number of golf clubs across the country. You can learn more (or try to) on their website.

Arnie Wear: Ever find yourself watching reruns of the 1971 US Open and being mesmerized – not by the shotmaking but by the idea that somehow these men were not told by their wives to go back and put on a pair of slacks that actually fit? Well my hand is raised for sure, but as it turns out, there were apparently some hidden gems of style buried amongst the ill-fitting, poorly matched fashions of yesteryear . . . all we needed was access to the closet of perhaps one of the coolest men to walk the fairways – Arnold Palmer!

Can I get those in a size 40?

Coming off of their recent success, the guys at Quagmire Golf teamed up with Arnold Palmer to design a new line of clothing called…..wait for it…Arnie Wear. The idea is simple, take the essence of Arnold Palmer’s style throughout the decades and modernize it to make it 2012 fashionable.

The story of how this was done is actually just as cool as the product itself. From what I was told, the Quagmire team literally raided Arnold Palmer’s closets to photograph hundreds of outfits he had saved. Apparently Arnie has not heard of the PTA Thrift Store.

From that exercise in hoarding has come three lines of clothes, one for each decade: 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. While not as dramatic as the original Arnie duds, you can definitely see the DNA of Arnie’s old outfits in every item. The three shirts we looked at all came from the sixties – specifically, we saw the “Role Model”, “Albatross” and “Sam”. Here at Three Guys Golf Blog central, we all agreed that by far, the “Sam” and its wide green stripes was pure money!

The “Sam” is 95% polyester so technically it should be a product of the 70’s. Fortunately, this polyester is a bit lighter and cooler than its predecessor. Like most high performance shirts, Arnie Wear is breathable, moisture wicking and anti-bacterial. However, what makes this shirt pop is the large stripes and huge Arnie logo (Ralph Lauren Polo eat your heart out). So while the “Sam” shirt looks completely unique, it does not look over the top or out of place on the course. I would go so far as to say it has become one of my favorite golf shirts. Plus I actually saw Ryan Moore wear this exact same shirt during the Wells Fargo Championship, and that dude has serious style.

They say fashion always comes around so I guess it should come as no surprise that we are willing to go back 50 years to re-define cool. Fortunately, Arnold Palmer was and is one cool cat (and makes one heck of a good iced tea too). As I said, I love the “Sam” shirt, but to be honest, some of the Arnie Wear styles do seem to be directed toward an older crowd or are at least hindered by the fact that not all fashions in the 60’s were necessarily cool.

With that said, there is plenty of good stuff to choose from in the catalog and what I really like about all of the styles is that they are incredibly wearable by regular guys with regular builds, which as we all know is not par for the course with the euro trends these days. Arnie Wear can be found at many high end golf clubs and also in select online retailers for about $80.

Channel your inner Arnie!

You can learn more about the whole line on the Arnie website.

Even though I am the smallest male in my family, no one except my brothers has ever called me scrawny. I am not heavy mind you, just “big boned” as they say. So if  you are built anything like me, you know you need a little more room in your golf shirt than some of the current tight-fitting fashions provide. And no, we are also not wearing a lot of white belts and plaid bell-bottoms. Nope, we like a shirt that is comfortable, breathes well and helps you look like you’ve still got some muscles under the bit of winter layering that you still like to keep around, in case of… well in case of winter.

So, along those lines, was I very glad to have the opportunity to review the Oxford Golf shirt. I will tell you that I don’t hype something without cause and as Adam will attest, it’s pretty clear which gear I like as I tend to put it into the heavy rotation once I decide I like it. Of course the added bonus (for me at least) is that my wife digs the Oxford Golf shirt too (and she does not give the universal thumbs up).

The first impression you get from the Oxford Golf shirt is that the material is a true ‘cut above.’ This muy-breatheable fabric is really lightweight, soft, and it’s as well-fitting as anything I’ve tried (and better than most). In terms of performance, I walked an 18-hole round recently in 90 degree heat and came off the course exhausted and dying of thirst, but the shirt was dry.  Check one.

I’ve already mentioned that it’s roomy, but the material also has a bit of stretch which gives you that extra room to swing and play without any rub or tension from the shirt, but it doesn’t look like it’s drowning me either. It’s long enough to wear untucked but it also looks sharp when tucked in. One of the ways you spot a really nice shirt from just your average golf shirt is by looking at the details. With the Oxford Golf shirt, the stitching is top-notch, buttons sewn on securely and the seams are clean and sturdy. As a sizing note, the Oxford Golf shirts run true or just a little big. For example, Matt always gets a large but was totally happy with a medium.

Even though I mentioned that I’m not in the white belt crowd, these shirts come in really good-looking colors and patterns. The orange and white one I wear has absolutely gotten a number of compliments (and I don’t even tuck my shirt in). However, if you’ve got the physique for it, I would think you could pair this with a white belt (who am I kidding? I have no idea if it goes with a white belt since I have never nor will I ever wear a white belt).

While the Oxford shirts are not the cheapest shirts on the shelf (around $80), the quality is absolutely legit. Here at Three Guys Golf Blog Central we get to check out a lot of stuff, and for me, the Oxford shirt is definitely one of my favorites. Between the fabric, sizing and style, Oxford is a keeper. Plus, David Toms wears Oxford Golf shirts and we all know he is one of the classiest dressers on tour (oh and he is pretty good too).

You can see all of the Oxford Golf Styles on their website.

Travis Mathew: Why does Bubba Watson button his shirt all the way? Believe it or not, this seems to be a burning question in the golf world. How do I know this? Well because when you run a blog you get to see all the crazy ways people end up on your site, and it just so happens that each day way too many people find my blog post on Bubba Watson by searching on the phrase “why does Bubba Watson button his shirt all the way up?” Unfortunately, I still do not have an answer to that question, but I am happy to report that I am now going “Bubba Style” whenever I wear this sweet Travis Mathews shirt.

It is hard to believe that Travis Mathew has only been on the scene since 2008, because judging from their monster presence at the PGA Merchandise show, you would think they have been a staple in the golf industry for a century. Plus now that Bubba Watson has broken through with his insane Masters win, in which he strode down the fairways on live TV for six hours sporting Travis Mathew, I expect bandwagon to grow exponentially.

What impresses me about Travis Mathew is that they are somehow forward thinking in their style while maintaining classic good looks. Moreover, they are also one of the few companies that is getting back to cotton. It seems that ever since the polyester fad of 8 or so years ago, golf shirts have been primarily made with some type of performance material rather than a softer cotton. Personally, I was of the opinion that cotton was going to go the way of the dodo bird when it came to athletic gear, but the new prima cotton is changing my mind. Perhaps it’s not quite as wicking as some of the poly blends, but this new cotton is a long way from the old Izod alligator shirts that weighed about 4 pounds.

My first round with the Travis Mathew shirt was in a balmy 87 degree NC day. Honestly, I was expecting to have to wring out the shirt at the end of the round, but to my surprise, it was dry as a bone. So seeing that cotton is about the most comfortable material known to man, I say “yes to cotton”. I mean there is a reason we wear blue jeans and not polyester leisure suits-right?

From a style standpoint, I categorize Travis Mathew as classic cool. In other words, you will look sharp without looking like you are trying to make a fashion statement. You just cannot go wrong with a well cut, cleanly designed, quality outfit.

In terms of the shorts, the Travis Mathews have instantly become my favorite pair of golf shorts. First, they are cut really well. Trim enough to be stylish but plenty of length with a few cool details like the white stitching on the side pocket. However, what sets the Travis Mathew shorts apart from most others is the material. It just says “polyester and cotton” on the tag, but they have a plush feel similar to suede. It’s hard to explain, but they are money – trust me.

Finally let me touch on the Travis Mathew website which is one of the few sites (frankly, the only one I know of) that tells you exactly how big the model is (ie “6’2″ 180 lbs”) – brilliant! Seriously, did it take until 2012 for someone to figure this out? I am always confused by sizing charts, but if I see a guy who is my exact size and it says he is wearing a medium – boom, even I can figure what to order. Huge kudos for the rocket scientist who added that gem to their website.

Bottom line: Top quality, well cut, reasonably priced good looking golf clothes!

You can see the whole line of Travis Mathew on their website.

Bunker Mentality Golf Apparel: Ah, jolly old England – land of Wimbledon, the English gentleman, and Pippa herself. Part of golf’s old country, Great Britain is often known for its royal family, afternoon tea, and generally refined culture. So who would have guessed that one of the loudest voices in the punk-rock golf movement would be coming from Old Blighty herself?

Sub70 Golf Apparel: Another brand name that is a cruel reminder of my mid-handicap status. Shooting in the 60’s is probably a pipe dream for me at this point but just in case the Sub70 shirts are made with golfing god karma, I am willing to give them a try. While Sub70 has been in England since 2004 it has flown under the radar for most American golfers but this may quickly change since the inception of Sub70 USA which will sell directly in the US (and it does not hurt that Aaron Baddeley wore Sub70 during the 2011 Masters).

The truth is, we dig just about every thing we get at Three Guys Golf Blog but typically one of us is particularly jacked by a given brand (and hence that person is “rewarded” with the honor of writing the post). Frankly, I was not overly excited about Sub70 based on their website since the colors seemed a bit muted to me. However, once I saw the gear in person…. I knew they were money!  We actually looked at three shirts and shorts from Sub70 so here goes.

Sub70 Fredrik Green Golf Shirt:

I love this shirt because of the two pockets on the chest which is a bit unusual but super cool. It has just enough Euro/retro look to set it apart from most of the American shirts but not too Euro to draw the ire of my foursome. You know, it’s a fine line to walk between looking sharp and looking like an idiot (this is especially true for us 40 something year olds).

In my opinion, the Sub70 shirt is a clear path to fashion success even for those us who have a face for radio. In terms of fit and comfort, Sub70 runs a touch small but I would not classify it as too small just european cut. Fabric wise, they are made from a polar dry polyester that breathes well and is very comfortable (albeit not super soft).

Sub 70 Fredrick Green Golf Shirt-Size Medium

Sub70 Plaid Shorts:

Lets face it, most of us wear khaki or blue shorts 95% of the time because we can barely match two colors or patterns. With that said, I went out on a limb and got the plaid shorts and like the shirt, I was pleasantly surprised. Mostly what I care about in shorts are that they fit well and are made from light material. The Sub70 shorts absolutely meet that criteria but they also have a few bonus features. Check out the flap over back pockets, double front pockets, wide belt loop in the back and the stitched cut on the sides – yup, they are money!

Sub 70 Issac Green Shorts

Sub 70 Issac Green Shorts

Sub70 Tristan Pullover:

Matt went with a sweater since he contends he has zero non-dopey looking cold weather golf attire. Again, the website does not do the sweater justice. Typically not one to get excited by golf clothes, Matt was genuinely giddy about the sweater.

Sub70 Tristan Pullover

Since no one ever says “I wish I had another layer so that I could feel more constricted”, having a well fitting go-to pullover is definitely a must have for the cooler months. Plus, unlike many golf sweaters, the Sub70 does not scream “I just played golf” so you can wear it pretty much anywhere.

Sub70 Tristan Pullover

Sub70 Zane Golf Shirt:

Finally we have Wade who is always the tough nut seeing he wears XXL and is not too keen on anything remotely Euro in style. In general, I think most big sized shirts end up just being larger versions of the medium rather than cut for someone 6′ 4″ and 240 lbs. With the Sub70, even the XXL is cut to properly fit with the arms and shoulders being of appropriate size. So, while Wade prefers a stock blue golf shirt, he still gave the Sub70 at least 1 and 1/2  thumbs up in part because Sub70’s description which reads “Designed with straight hem that looks good tucked in or worn out”.  Music to Wade’s ears (Wade is not a big shirt tucker). One thing to note with this particular shirt is that some of the stripes are actually made in part with a rubbery type of material which does give it a different feel.

Sub 70 Zane White and Purple Golf shirt-XXL

In the end, Three Guys Golf Blog is now a big fan of Sub70. You can see the whole line of clothing and accessories on their website.

You can also see more full res. pictures on our Facebook Gallery.

If you read my posts on Druh or 59 Belts, you know I am a big fan of belt buckles. As a precursor, the only golf belt buckles I will not wear are ones that are simply the logo of a big name brand. Nothing against Nike, Puma or Adidas, I just have enough of their stuff in my bag without having a swoosh on my mid-section. The way I figure it, a belt buckle is of of the few golf items that project a little personality, so until I get a sponsorship deal there will be no logo from a company who is listed on the NYSE holding up my britches. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the White Ball who makes really cool golf belt buckles and straps, and even though everyone’s favorite, Rory Sabbatini, wears the White Ball buckle, I do not yet classify The White Ball as a big brand logo.

Since our site name is “Three Guys Golf Blog”, we looked at three buckles from the White Ball: the Zen, Champion and Pride. In my opinion the Zen is the standard-bearer of the line. Out of the gate, you can see it has a platinum finish which is super clean and bright. Going beyond my personal comfort zone, I paired it with a green strap, which by the way, instantly became one of my favorites. I have historically only worn black straps, but after realizing that you can wear a colored stap with nearly every outfit,  I am now a huge fan of the bright belt colors. Plus the green belt gets two thumbs up from my wife (if you happen to care what she thinks).

The White Ball Zen Belt

The White Ball Zen Belt

A little Zen cannot hurt

Beyond the simple fact the Zen belt is just a super good looking golf belt buckle, the designer also cleverly weaved in a number of themes into the logo.

• First, if you look closely, the logo is actually two letters overlapping each other. There is a “W” from straight on and a “B”  when the buckle is turned sideways (get it – “White Ball” = WB).
• The shape also resembles an Archer’s Composite Bow, who like a golfer must harness their concentration to create accurate shots.
• Finally, the logo also resembles the Zen position of the hands that a statue of Buddha is usually posed.

Enough symbolism for even Mr. Poe.

The White Ball Champion

Finally, we looked at the Pride buckle since Wade contends no man who has a 40″ waist should ever wear a large belt buckle (paging Mr. Daly). The Pride buckle is the style that 95% of golfer wear, except the White Ball version is like 1000% cooler. Again, check out the small details that you just don’t find on the belt you picked up at Dick’s Sporting Goods (apologies to Dick’s who for some reason I aways pick on).

The White Ball Pride Belt Buckle

The White Ball Pride Belt Buckle

See how both the golf ball graphic and the company name is milled into the side of the buckle as well as on the front clasp? While simple in design, this buckle is way classier than your average buckle.

Lastly, let me touch on the straps. All of the straps made by the White Ball are Genuine Italian Leather. While they do offer black and white, they also have eight other colors that I promise you will dig. Like many high end buckles, all of the White Ball buckles can be interchanged as they can be easily unclamped (and sized).

The White Ball Strap

The White Ball offers two other styles, Crystal and Dandy, and has a number of accessories that all can be found on their website. The Zen buckle and strap retail for $159, the Champion and Pride for $119.

You can also see all of the high res images on our Facebook Gallery.

ps, Ken Duke, Brad Faxon, Hal “Be the right stick today” Sutton and Bob “I can’t believe Tiger made that putt” May all wear the White Ball.

Fila Golf Shirts: With the trend in golf fashion moving farther and farther away from the standard blues and khakis, some of us are starting to really feel old. While orange may flatter Rickey Fowler, those of us who only have a six pack in the fridge usually find it hard to pull off many of today’s golf fashions. Fortunately, there are still some options for those of us who are not exactly hitting the gym everyday but still want to wear good looking, well fitting fashionable golf attire.

Normally I do not associate Fila with golf, but like a lot of sporting companies, Fila is getting into the mix (in part because of their recent purchase of Titleist). Three Guys recently got a few samples of the 2012 Fila line to check out and we can report we were very impressed. The three shirts we looked at were the Vicenza Polo, Bristol Polo and the Phoenix Polo.

Lets start with Wade, who is what we call a big guy. Going 39″ waist and a XXL shirt, Wade is always the tester for “regular guy” golf fashion. Even though I have been able to talk Wade into some Euro shirts, it is clear that he is more comfortable in a more traditional style. So when it came to the Fila shirt, Wade immediately called to tell me how much he like the Phoenix Polo. With wide shoulder panels and a stretchy material, the Fila shirt gives even Wade tons of freedom to move and is way better looking than the average golf shirt you get at a big box store. In Wades words it “fits like a jersey”.

Fila Phoenix Polo-Size XXL

The other two shirts we looked at were what I would call classic american style. Fitting was fair and the material has tons of stretch which allows for lots of movement. From a style standpoint, most of us dopes, just want to be able to put on tan pants and a good looking shirt.

Fila Vicenza Polo-This is a medium.

Fila absolutly fits the bill. They are clearly better than your off the rack shirt but you never feel like you trying to pull off a look. They are just plain old good looking, good fitting, well made golf shirts.

Fila Bristol Polo. This is a large.

Since we started doing apparel reviews we have seen quite a number of shirts. While the styles vary widely, the one thing they all have in common is that they are all much better made than the stuff I used to get at the big box golf stores. Yes they may run a little more in terms of cost (these three shirts run between $80-$100), but they are all clearly much better in terms of fit and quality. So for those of you looking to upgrade your golf wardrobe, check out the 2012 Fila line as I think you will find something you like.

You can see the whole line of shirts on the Fila website.

59 Belts (a very cool golf belt buckle): Every sport has its magic number. In baseball it’s 73 homeruns*, basketball 100 points and in golf it is 59. Typically 13 under par, 59 has only been carded five times in a PGA event. Stuart Appleby at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic, Paul Goydos at the 2010 John Deere Classic, Al Geiberger at the 1977 Memphis Classic, Chip Beck at the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational and David Duval at the 1999 Bob Hope Classic.

The number 59 is also the inspiration for 59 Belt founder Trevor Derrheim. Despite only being around for six years, 59 Belts are worn by number of PGA players including Keegan Bradley, Ricky Barnes, Jason Gore and of course Mr 59, Stuart Appleby. On the lady side, Yani Tseng wears 59 Belts on a regular basis. New to the 59 team is US Open surprise Beau Hossler who wore a 59 Belt during his memorable 2012 run and Troy Kelly who wore his 59 Belt during the 2012 Greenbrier Classic.

The 59 buckles come in a number of versions but all are hand milled from either solid stainless steel or more recently aluminum. The aluminum buckles are powder coated in a durable finish to protect the surface of the buckle and come in a number of styles. While the aluminum is their least expensive buckle, they still carry the unique look and feel. At just $79 for both buckle and strap the Players Series is an absolute steal.

As cool as the Player’s Series is, it is the stainless steel version where the 59 brand really shines (literally). One look at this baby and you know it is all quality. To start, these belt buckles are all hand milled and polished making no two exactly the same. Not only that, but because of the finish, the buckle has a different look depending on the angle of the light. You will notice from the below pictures how it picks up blue and purple colors when held at certain angles to the sun.

For me, golf belt buckles are a great way to show off a bit of personality. Clearly, I am not alone as most clothing companies have added one to their product lines. Unlike most companies, 59 Belts only makes buckles and straps, keeping with the old adage “do one thing and do it well”. I had the opportunity to meet Trevor at the PGA Show in January 2012 . . . easy going, but incredibly proud of his work, the company is clearly in good hands. While the core product remains the same, Trevor continues to tinker with styles and finishes. In fact the finish on the above buckle is just now hitting the market and it was only because he was wearing a prototype that I found out about it.

Just like each buckle is one of a kind, the sizing for 59 straps is personalized to fit your waist perfectly (with some wiggle room for the winter months). Additionally the locking system allows you to change straps, giving you the option to utilize the same buckle with multiple colored straps.

Even thought the buckles are clearly golf inspired, they can be worn anywhere without looking out of place. Unlike most golf buckles that look stupid when worn with jeans or off the course, I will wear my 59 buckle for nearly every occasion.

Aside from the 59 branded buckles, Trevor will custom make buckles with any logo or writing of your choice. You can see all of the styles of buckles on the super cool 59 Belts website and more images of these on our Facebook Gallery.