Look good, play good, right? There’s just something about getting dressed for a round of golf that gets us in the right headspace and leaves us feeling more confident than our handicap warrants.
The pandemic brought new players to the game and brought back many who had left it behind. Whether seeking a challenge, returning to a sport they loved or just trying to get out for a nice long walk, these folks were eager to bring a bit more of themselves to the first tee. They wanted personality, inclusivity and a greater emphasis on style.
While there’s nothing wrong with modern-day NIKE and adidas golf gear (both brands make stuff that is really good), there are a ton of under-the-radar brands rising through the ranks.
Metalwood
LA-based Metalwood takes style cues from the pleated pants and voluminous polos of the ‘90s and 2000s. The brand’s offerings conjure up relaxed vibes and are made with even more relaxed tailoring, resulting in the perfect blend of streetwear and golf style. Don’t miss their camo Metalwood hat, a cheeky workwear reference that has won over style guys and recreational golfers alike.
Malbon
Malbon’s apparel is a combination of on-course performance and off-course style. Many of the ideas for their collections come straight from founder Stephen Malbon’s imagination. Picture yourself taking the trip of a lifetime, stopping off for golf along the way. If you’re in the mountains, you may think of pairing your favorite fleece with some casual golf pants. If your idea of the perfect vacation is by the sea, you might start each round with linen shorts and a seersucker shirt. These are the images Malbon conjures up, resulting in a prolific schedule of apparel drops that always bring something new to the table.
Bogey Boys
This one may not be that under the radar but, if you haven’t heard, Bogey Boys is the brand started by Thrift Shop rapper Macklemore. Where Metalwood turns to the ‘90s and 2000s for inspiration, Bogey Boys gives off a distinctly ‘70s’ vibe. Sure, you can pick up a hoodie or a tee but where the brand really shines is with its houndstooth polos, satin bomber jackets, varsity sweaters and pleated pants—all of which are comfortable enough to take to the course. That is, if you don’t end up sneaking to the 19th hole early.
Manors
Manors co-founder and creative director Luke Davies thinks golfers shouldn’t have to choose between performance and lifestyle when it comes to apparel. The Manors lineup of apparel features easy-fitting polos with graphics that stand out but don’t distract, subtle oversized wind shirts and windbreakers ideal for blustery days in their native United Kingdom. One of the standout pieces is their Zip Off Tech Plus-Fours which start out as full-length pants but zip off into a pair of technical plus-fours that would make Payne Stewart proud.
Gumtree Golf and Nature Club
Sometimes you play golf just because you need to get out of the house and go for a walk. Never mind that you’re also playing one of the toughest games in the world but, hey, sometimes hacking the ball down the fairway plays second fiddle to the peaceful scenes of a golf course. New York City-based Gumtree Golf and Nature Club wants to get golfers to do less riding and more walking. The brand makes apparel and some nifty vintage-inspired MacKenzie walking bags, all of which directly call back to the outdoors and the feeling you get of fully immersing yourself in the act of strolling from shot to shot.
Random Golf Club
Random Golf Club is a worldwide golf club that champions inclusivity and community over just about anything else. Their playful designs and endless supply of YouTube videos serve as inspiration to take things less seriously on the course and fully embrace your personal style. “As the game changes, we in the golf industry need to understand that new people to golf don’t want to change who they are when they come to the golf course,” says RGC founder Erik Anders Lang. Lang hopes that when you rep RGC, you feel a connection to the club, just as you would when you sport a polo you bought at your local pro shop.
Quiet Golf
Are you starting to see a bit of a trend here? Quiet Golf Club is a brand dead-set on capturing the peaceful, beautiful quiet of the golf course and translating it to apparel, objects and tools that golfers can use on and off the course. While rambunctious environments like the WM Phoenix Open certainly have their place so does the serenity of a low fog settling over the first tee on a brisk fall morning or sinking a putt on the 18th green as the sun sinks low in the sky. When you look at Quiet Golf’s apparel and inspirational aesthetic, there’s no way a day on the golf course could stress you out.
Students Golf
One thing all golfers have in common: we’re all students of the game. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a club champion, a caddie or spend your days picking up range balls, everyone can learn something from golf. Students Golf captures that spirit and spits out some of the coolest golf apparel you’ll find. From groundskeeper-worthy pants with a comfy elastic waist to graphic tees to outerwear, Students Golf apparel reflects the complexity and excitement of our favorite sport.
Whim Golf
It’s not often that our first exposure to a golf brand is through a stylish menswear website but that’s exactly what happened with Whim Golf. With apparel equally at home on the golf course as on the streetwear scene, seeing someone rocking Whim at your local club is just as likely as seeing it on streets of New York or Los Angeles. A lean operation of just two people, Whim is surprisingly omnipresent in the golf scene. They’re taking their apparel to the next level in 2024 by offering it to country club pro shops in addition to their thriving e-commerce and menswear presence.
Eastside Golf
If you’ve seen someone wearing Air Jordan golf shoes on the course in the last few years, it’s likely Eastside Golf was involved. Whether it’s one of their collaborations or just the long reach of their influence on golf style as a whole, Eastside’s impact on the game is undeniable. Their impact goes beyond cool golf shoes, though. Founded by Atlanta native and collegiate golf national champion Olajuwon Ajanaku, Eastside’s mission is to bring awareness of the game to the youth and non-golfers through culture-building and inclusivity. They want new golfers to feel comfortable and at home on the course whether that’s through personal style or community.
Radry
Described as an art project hidden within a golf brand, Radry brings fun design and thoughtful detail to the course. Pops of color and nature scenes make the brand stand out. You’ll find everything from flower-adorned needlepoint putter covers to caps with designs that look hijacked straight out of a vintage Cabelas catalog. Somehow that combination works flawlessly. When you hit the brand’s website or Instagram account, you can’t help but smile (and pull out your wallet).
RealGolfers
Founded by a lifelong caddie, RealGolfers prioritizes limited drops and avoids frequent restocking which means if you’re able to get your hands on something, you might be the only person you ever see wearing it. Talk about personal style. Just because quantities are limited doesn’t mean you’ll have trouble finding something you like. The brand is constantly releasing new apparel and accessories, all of which can easily find a home on and off the course. While you peruse their website, be sure to check out one of their caddie profiles. Not only do they champion caddies, they also donate 10 percent of their proceeds to the First Tee of Greater Charleston, a non-profit that empowers youth and teens through the game of golf.
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