One Man’s Journey to Fix Golf Apparel

Golfers shouldn’t have to choose between style and performance, but after playing a few sweat-soaked rounds on the big island of Hawai’i, Ralph Dunning couldn’t help but notice that his golf apparel was seriously lacking when compared to the gear he wore as a triathlete. Technical apparel already existed, but to Dunning, it appeared that golf hadn’t noticed yet. Since nobody was moving the game forward from an apparel point of view, the multi-talented Dunning did what every innovator does — he just did it himself. 

When you heard the name “Dunning Golf”, Ralph wanted two things to come to mind: high-performance fabrics and timeless, sophisticated design. When the brand was founded in 2000, most golf brands were still making all of their apparel from cotton, sizing up their shirts and pants to make up for a lack of stretch, and, in many ways, foregoing performance considerations altogether. Dunning changed the entire scene by developing performance fabrics that looked good on and off the course, giving the modern golfer an outfit that wouldn’t leave them drenched in sweat at the end of a round. Over 20 years later, and Dunning is still doing its thing, utilizing the finest, most technologically advanced textiles to craft high-quality performance golf apparel. 

Dunning’s apparel takes the guesswork out of getting dressed for a round of golf, making on-course and lifestyle apparel that has all of the classic style cues the game of golf is known for while incorporating the very best technical fabrics and technologies that exist in the apparel world today. Where most tech-heavy brands lean on crazy graphics, neon colorways, and out-of-the-box design choices, Dunning’s apparel is classy, easy-wearing, and timeless — perfect for the player who likes to let their swing do the talking. 

Performance-Focused Classics

Dunning’s ethos is this: “Engineered for athletes, designed for players.” Their crack team of designers work in tandem with the creative team to develop clothes that, of course, look excellent on the course, but are also meticulously researched and crafted, starting with that very first fiber that goes into a pair of the brand’s fan-favorite Players shorts or their new Ventilated Polo, a polo that happens to be one of the brand’s most exciting new innovations.

When we asked Creative Director Omar Jermaine to give us the scoop on his current Dunning favorites, he went straight to their new ventilated mesh shirts, saying, “the overall star [of our apparel line] is the ventilated mesh. It is, bar none, one of the best things that we’ve developed. The playability, the comfort, the lightness, the actual weight of the goods…the way that we can print on it, we can do engineered stripes with it. I mean, we’re really playing with how many different ways we can actually engineer this ventilated mesh.” 

By utilizing modern technologies like COOLMAX, EcoMade THERMOLITE, and Primaloft (just to name a few), Dunning is able to make some of the most comfortable performance gear in the fitness world, let alone the game of golf. Each garment is made to serve a purpose, whether that means keeping you cool in sweltering heat or staving off a late fall chill. 

Investing in the Women’s Game

One of Dunning’s most important parts of its business is its women’s line. For too long, female golfers were left with a disappointing selection of golf clothes — a pink polo, some bermuda shorts, maybe a skort here and there. Well, with the recent boom in golf, more women are playing than ever and Dunning wants to make sure it’s investing significant resources into its women’s line. Dunning’s women’s line is stylish, comfortable, versatile and, most of all, performs just as well as anything you’ll find in the men’s section. 

Their investment into women’s apparel has paid off. They have been selected as the exclusive outfitter for the U.S. women’s team in September’s Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va. The selection is proof that Dunning’s apparel is not only stylish, but provides the performance required of the world’s best players. 

Style On and Off the Course

As you’ve probably realized by now, Dunning is fully committed to making performance apparel that keeps your mind off your ensemble and on your swing. That doesn’t mean they only know how to dress you for the course, though. One of their most popular pants is their 5-Pocket Pant, a performance chino cut like your favorite five-pocket denim. Thanks to their luxe stretch fabric, they provide all of the mobility and moisture-wicking properties you want on the course but their casual style looks just as good at the bar or on date night. 

Prefer shorts? Dunning has you covered there, too. They make a classic 10-inch inseam short but to keep up with today’s styles they’ve added eight- and nine-inch inseam lengths, as well. No matter how you like your shorts to fit, they’ve got you covered (well, at least covered to your knees). 

Look past the cult-like following their bottoms have gained and you’ll find breezy polos like the Venitlated Polo we mentioned, performance button-downs and, maybe our favorite piece in Dunning’s entire collection, the Campbell Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater. Yep, you read that right, it’s 100 percent cashmere, some of the softest we’ve ever felt. Cashmere Keith Mitchell would be proud. 

Bottom Line

Dunning himself may have left the brand in 2020, but the brand’s goals remain the same: make highly technical apparel that performs just as well as it looks. 

If you love the traditional look of a polo, well-fitting chinos, lay-flat shorts and classic layering, you can probably start and end your search with Dunning. Not only does their apparel look great, Dunning is one of golf’s leaders in performance, from their proprietary fabrics to body-mapping for comfort and breathability, to sourcing the finest wool in the world. No matter which pieces you choose, you’ll be happy with your decision. 

This article was written in partnership with Dunning.