Antigua in the High Cotton

I don't know about you, but I've never been fond of the "plastic" feel of the typical high-tech fabrics used in golf shirts these days.  Granted, they have advantages, but they also make me feel like I'm trying to swing while covered with Saran Wrap.  Antigua has just released a solution: Desert Dry Performance Cotton.  It adds fine cotton fibers to the synthetic filaments that promote moisture wicking. The result is dry comfort with a natural feel against the skin.




Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua, explains the company's thinking in this short video:

I reviewed the Antigua Spring Collection earlier, but hadn't tried the Desert Dry Performance Cotton at that time. I have now, and can say that I found it very comfortable and almost retro in the way it feels against the skin -- Retro as in what golf shirts used to feel like before they started making them out of plastic. Maybe I'm getting too particular in my old age, but I'll leave that conclusion up to you.  By the way, I don't wear Spandex when I ride my bike, either.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Features New Fabric Combo for Spring

An all-new fabric combining the best of two technologies--one old and one new--will be featured in the Spring 2015 collection from the Antigua Group. It's Desert Dry Performance Cotton (D2PC).

"The Spring 2015 Men's Golf Performance Cotton Collection includes this amazing new fabric," says Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua. "It combines the moisture-wicking features of our proprietary Desert Dry moisture management technology with the natural fibers of cotton, to create a performance product that offers the best of both."

Cotton as a fiber alone absorbs moisture quickly, but doesn't allow the moisture to travel across the knitted cotton fibers for quicker release like synthetic micro-filament fibers. By engineering fabrics utilizing synthetic micro-filament yarns and blending them with fine natural cotton fibers, D2PC offers the look and casual comfort of cotton while maximizing the wicking properties of a performance fabric.

The D2PC styles have been developed sharing the same color palette that's carried throughout both the men's and women's Spring 2015 fashion collections. For more information, visit www.antigua.com.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

An App to Dress You

Just in case you don't know whether you need shorts or a parka for a given day on the course, Galvin Green has launched ‘Dress for the Weather,’ a free app combining course-specific forecasts with advice on optimum attire for any playing condition. Galvin Green makes functional golf clothing for serious players and says its the No. 1 global golf partner of GORE-TEX.

Offered on the App Store or Google Play, ‘Dress for the Weather’ allows golfers to choose from thousands of courses in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Europe. It then provides detailed five-day forecasts and recommends the ideal layering solution for expected levels of precipitation, temperature and wind speed. A brief demo video is available at vimeo.com/118823848.

“We’re constantly exploring ways to add more value to the experience of our customers in connection with the Multi-Layer Concept we pioneered,” says Nicholai Stein, Brand Manager of Galvin Green. “Facing desert heat, howling Scottish winds or anything in between, golfers can stay ahead of the competition by choosing the proper outfit.”

Aligned with premiere of Galvin Green’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection, the app also lets player’s challenge their friends to a match, locate the nearest stockist and stay updated with the latest brand news.

Based in Sweden, Galvin Green developed the Multi-Layer Concept, golf’s first apparel layering system, more than a decade ago. This distinctive approach uses leading-edge fabric technologies to ensure the dry comfort, thermal regulation and outer protection that helps players optimize performance. Details on this and other elements of the company’s “We Never Compromise” approach can be found at the new GalvinGreen.com.

The line is worn in competition by leading Tour players including David Lynn (European Tour), Lucas Bjerregaard (European Tour) and Caroline Masson (LPGA Tour).

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Bette & Court Goes Sporty Exotic

Bette & Court has announced some new looks for women golfers (and others with an active lifestyle).

"The Fall 2015 collection combines global inspiration with athletic lines and sporty details. Exotic and graphic prints march to an ethnic, tribal beat in bright, rich colors of the season," says Justina Cordova-Bottomley, Senior Designer at Bette & Court.  "Think Mandarin Twist with pops of Margarita and Cornflower, complemented by Sangria. In keeping true to our brand and highlighting the "sportswear as a fashion" trend, we focus on performance and technical fabrics. We cannot stress enough the importance of sun protection, which is why all of our garments are now UPF 30+ and our ever-popular Cool Elements is UPF 50+."

The new collection also includes two new leggings, to keep up with the active lifestyles of Bette & Court customers. The Extension Legging is a practical bottom that gives compression in all the right places. Seamless construction adds perfect flex for any activity; wear them running, to practice yoga, or layered under a skirt while playing nine holes. The Core Legging and matching Core Jacket are fleece lined and warm -- perfect for cooler days. Coordinating performance socks and caps round out the Fall 2015 collection.

"Our mission is to enhance our customer's lives, becoming an everyday pleasure," says Lara Burchfield, Marketing Manager at Bette & Court. "Our products aim to be a woman's go-to within her wardrobe - the metaphorical 'favorite shirt' that feels great, performs well, and makes the wearer feel that she looks terrific. We've positioned ourselves as a consistent, quality product line that enhances a woman's lifestyle through a blend of performance, fashion, leisure and personal comfort. Our clothing always lifts you up and elicits a deep, confident internal smile. It's perfect for active women who seek everyday performance for a wide range of activities, all without foregoing fashion at a competitive price."

Bette & Court is a division of Sport Haley, Inc., located in Denver and sold online and at private and public golf shops throughout the world.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Sunice Introduces Outerwear for 2015

The Spring/Summer 2015 collection for Sunice Golf is all about comfort and function allowing golfers to perform better while playing.

"We did not just stop at function in our design. In color there is no other in golf that can compete," says  Kathryn McClemens, Senior Product Manager of Sunice.  "Bold brights are mixed with classic core colors to bring a new vibrant palette to the game.  The true essence of the collection this year is bringing unlikely color pairings together in harmony and unison to create a color palette that is both striking in its appearance yet commercial enough to worn by the most discerning of golfers." 

In the ladies collections the colors embrace femininity yet have undertones of bolder more unexpected twists of colors.  Jeweled tones reflecting City skylines, flamboyant neon pinks complimented with classic whites and grounded to charcoal make a dynamic palette.    

The men's collections also kept a similar approach to color.  The economy of recent years has influenced color palettes to be muted and somber: black, tans and greys that seemed like basics until they become a statement of fashion.  Sunice is witnessing a resurgence of color popped with the basics.  Neon greens, vibrant blues and rich yellows trimmed with color staples of pure white, grey and blacks reinvents modern golf fashion.  Prints that were once classic patterns have been deconstructed to add the unexpected. 

"The main feeling Sunce wanted to evoke in the 2015 color palette was sportsmanship, quality, perseverance and passion - all the things we believe that Sunice as a brand is about," says McClemens.

Sunice continues to design and develop six different categories in the Spring 2015 collection with an expansion adding down vests and jackets with stretch panels.  "We felt there was a need for the player to have the warmth of down but required the stretch and protection of a 3L stretch insert to allow for full range of motion," McClemens says.  Each outerwear category - Hurricane, Tornado, Typhoon, Pro Sport and Sport - provides different levels of protection from an array of weather conditions. "We are continuing to expand our highly technical apparel line, Sunice Silver using only X-Static and XT2 fabrics in our polo collection. The success of Sunice's golf platform derives from our capability to offer innovation through research and development and diversification in our products providing the ultimate Freedom to play, no matter the weather."

Hurricane Collection

Featuring GORE-TEX® and GORE-TEX® enhanced with Paclite® technology, and backed by the GORE-TEX® "Guaranteed to keep you dry™" promise, the Hurricane Collection is the Sunice Gore category.

The Ultimate Jacket is back in its seventh adaptation (V7), with a complete re-design and the reintroduction of the Albany jacket.  The Sunice science is evident in these jackets with the added features, including the X-Static® stretch lining, Pro-Trim™ waist cinching system, in-pocket ball cleaner, and stretch insert back panel. The Sunice DNA is represented in detailing such as laser cut designs on the sleeves and body, laser cut and welded pocket frames, and the Sunice patented V collar design.

Tornado Collection

The standout category for 2015 is the Tornado collection featuring exclusive Flexvent fabric - breathable, extremely lightweight and ultra-quiet stretch knit jackets backed by a four-year waterproof guarantee.    

McClemens says, "These features are all a call out to our commitment to performance outerwear allowing the golfer to focus on their game rather than the weather - with its uniquely soft hand feels and super quiet stretch laminate; we believe this is the future in waterproofs."  

Typhoon Collection

The Typhoon category is now a full-stretch, waterproof category with a three-year waterproof guarantee. Introduced in 2011, Sepal™ is a quieter-performance lightweight fabric that now has the added benefit of full stretch. A complete revamp in the design of the performance jackets with more streamlined silhouettes - less cut and sew and more laser cutting - showcases the brighter pop colors for a more modern feel.  This category has become synonymous with value proposition for a highly technical rain suit, incorporating all the game enhancing features that Sunice is famous for and using laser cut welding detail, ergonomically designed laser cut welded pocket frames, and the Sunice patented V collar design - Designed to enhance comfort without compromising performance. 

"To keep in tune with this commitment to a bolder and edgier collection we have combined vivid blues and bright neon greens with saturated yellows to take us to the next level," McClemens explains. "We feel it is a perfect blend of fashion and sport.  A true testimony to the Sunice Player - bold and fun but should be taken seriously."  

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Sun Mountain Tour Series Rainwear for 2015

It's the time of year, at least in my neck of the woods, when rain and ugly weather plays an increasingly prevalent role in my game.  Which makes it the perfect time for Sun Mountain to introduce its new line of rain gear for 2015.

The company says the Sun Mountain Tour Series golf rain wear is its best yet, offering waterproof, breath-ability, stretch, durability, light weight and quiet in one rain suit. The Tour Series collection is available now as a full-zip jacket ($199), long-sleeve pullover ($179) and pants ($199). For your most convenient Sun Mountain retailer, check out www.sunmountain.com.

Incorporating three-layer technology, the Tour Series has a waterproof, breathable membrane bonded to a four-way stretch shell and a soft, protective inner layer. The result is durable, lightweight, quiet, breathable rain gear that is the perfect protective outer layer.

Tour Series is fully seam-sealed, guaranteed waterproof and offers the convenience of a two-way front zipper and adjustable laser-cut cuffs. Wear it alone for protection from wind and rain and pair it up with a Sun Mountain thermal pullover or vest for those brisk rounds.

The Tour Series full-zip jacket is available in black, navy and titanium/steel/citron. The long-sleeve pullover is offered in gray, black, or royal, and the pants in black.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

AUR Spring Collection Released

AUR Golf, an active golfsport brand targeted towards the golfer who wants authentic golf apparel with a distinct look and feel, is rolling out its Spring 2015 golf collections for men and women.

The design ethos at AUR Golf emphasizes a refined modern aesthetic by utilizing technical fabrics in a more sophisticated form. Authentic design is inspired by the active nature of the sport combined with awareness for the environment in which it is played.

"The AUR Golf brand continues to grow at a rapid pace," says Mark Fletcher, President - Fletcher Sport Brands. " From Canada to Germany, to the United States and Spain, golf professionals and consumers looking for authentic golf apparel with a distinct modern aesthetic are turning to AUR Golf as their golf apparel brand of choice."

The Spring 2015 Collection from AUR Golf features bold and dynamic color-blocking paired with sophisticated and elegant geometric prints. Such dramatic colors as Sonic Green, Sunglo Yellow and Rowan Red highlight the season's color palette for men and Kiss Pink and Malibu Green for women. Additionally, this season sees the introduction of AUR Golf's Active-Dry™, Active-Stretch™, Active-Cool™ and Active-Warm™ fabric ranges.

"We are extremely excited to launch the Spring 2015 collection and are confident these season's collection is the finest in the history of the brand," said Brad Franklin, head of design.  "Our goal for this season was to bring the consumer a collection that evokes emotion and excitement in the wearer through enhanced fabric offerings and the thoughtful use of color, patterns and prints."

Collection Highlights - Men's:

The Triumphant Collection, consisting of colors Sunglo Yellow, Neptune Blue and White, launches the brand into the new season with a design and color palette that is fresh and stimulating. The feature style from this collection is the Sparwood Polo. Constructed from AUR's proprietary Active-Stretch™ fabric, this style features premium moisture wicking technology as well as 4-way stretch for enhanced freedom of movement and comfort.

The additional men's collections include: the Rapture Collection, consisting of colors: Rowan Red, Nightfall Navy and White and the Frequency Collection consisting of colors: Sonic Green, Black and White.

Collection Highlights - Women's

The Luminance Collection, consisting of colors Black and White, is a remarkably simple yet striking collection elevated through the use of metallic silver and black enamel trims. The feature style from this collection is the Bentley Polo. This style features an athletic, yet sophisticated racer-back design, with contrast placket and The Luminance Collection's signature black enamel buttons. Constructed from AUR's proprietary Active-Cool™ fabric, this polo is lightweight, breathable and provides excellent UV-protection, making it the perfect polo for those hot and humid summer days.

The additional women's collections include: The Europhia Collection, consisting of colors Kiss Pink, Nightfall Navy and White and the Bliss Collection, consisting of Malibu Green, Nightfall Navy, Shoreline Blue and White.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Brightens Women's Collection for 2015

The Antigua Group's Spring 2015 Women's Golf Collection has been released.

"We're very excited about our Spring 2015 Women's Golf Collection," said Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua. "Response to the bright colors, fantastic new styling, and the advanced moisture-wicking technology has been outstanding. This promises to be our best-selling women's collection to date."

The new collection mixes comfort and trend. It features a blend of neon colors with black and white in fresh, new, fashion-forward styles. And it's all made using Antigua's Desert Dry and Desert Dry XtraLite technologies that keep golfers dry and comfortable.

"There's so much lifestyle apparel out in the marketplace right now," says Danielle Dellios, Antigua Women's Head Designer. "Many customers are looking for something to wear on the course but also to social events, out running errands, etc. That in mind, I combined a professional-yet-relaxed look for this line. Women want new necklines, collar treatments and styles -- which led me to play with the idea of a non-conventional polo silhouette."

The 2015 line combines trim details and flirty necklines with soft and stretchy fabrics, in multiple textures and contents that give a fresh feel to the product. This includes non-traditional polo styles, such as Envy with its soccer-style collar and neckline and sporty color-blocked silhouette and Zoom, a sleeveless mini-stripe polo that blends polyester/cotton/spandex jersey plus a cut-out at the placket that reveals some skin without being inappropriate. "Geometric shapes and details are trending, and by adding small details like a triangle cut-out on the placket, the once-mundane silhouette now offers something fun and unique," says Dellios.

Neon colors continue running strong with women, and there's a wider acceptance of this somewhat retro-color palette. Dellios believes consumers are drawn to brights after so many years of wearing washed-out pastels and neutrals. "By mixing black and white in with fun colors such as calypso, electric and papaya, I'm providing older customers with a neutral base and a pop of color to make them feel trendy while still maintaining a wide demographic," says Dellios, who for this line used brights with their corresponding deeper tones, to give a more tonal effect and playful feel to stripe patterns and color-blocking.

Thus, the new Clever style uses a three-color braided trim that mixes bright shades into the garment without being overpowering, while Excite blends a white ground stripe with multiple pop colors, allowing customers to choose multiple bottom colors while mixing and matching.

Technology is also featured in the collection. Antigua's exclusive Desert Dry™ technology absorbs and wicks moisture quickly and evenly, achieving the most-efficient evaporation possible to keep golfers comfortable and dry. The Desert Dry™ family now includes poly/cotton blends. Customers have been requesting a more casual fabric, without compromising the wicking capabilities of the poly fabrics. Thus, it's included in two new blends -- one in the Clever, which is a super soft poly/cotton solid jersey, and the other in the Zoom, which is a poly/cotton/spandex mini yarn dye stripe.

Meanwhile, Desert Dry™ XTRA-LITE (D2XL) combines the Desert Dry™ moisture-wicking feature with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics for maximum wicking performance and optimum comfort. New additions to this category are 100% poly fabrics that feel and look like cotton. For instance, the Jubilee style uses a slub yarn that gives the hand-feel and drape of cotton, but the wicking capabilities of poly. And the Thrill style uses a popular multi-colored nap yarn. The garment feels like cozy cotton, but handles perspiration like poly.

These new cotton-like poly fabrics open up a whole new world to our consumers, who can have the comfort of their favorite tee while maintaining the ease of poly's wear and wicking power.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Previews Spring Men's Collection

The Antigua Group has introduced the Antigua Spring 2015 Men's Golf Collection featuring the all-new Desert Dry™ Performance Cotton apparel.

"We're very excited about our Spring 2015 Men's Golf Collection," says Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua. "Response to the bright colors, fantastic new styling, and the advanced moisture-wicking technology has been outstanding. This promises to be our best-selling men's collection to date."

Antigua's Spring 2015 Men's Golf collection is loaded with technology. The exclusive Desert Dry™ technology absorbs and wicks moisture quickly and evenly, achieving the most-efficient evaporation possible to keep you comfortable and dry. This year, Antigua has taken Desert Dry™ moisture management technology and constructed fabrics with fine cotton fibers blended with synthetic filaments to create Desert Dry™ Performance Cotton. Customers have been requesting a more casual fabric, without compromising the wicking capabilities of the poly fabrics.

Meanwhile, Desert Dry™ Xtra-Lite combines the Desert Dry™ moisture-wicking feature with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics that feel like cozy cotton, but handle perspiration like poly.

The Spring 2015 Men's Golf Collection includes 11 new shirt styles featuring proprietary Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra-Lite technology, as well as an assortment of pullovers, jackets, shorts, vest and hats.

"Antigua's Men's Performance 72  Collection - Spring 2015 reflects the inspiration of defined and refined lines and angles both symmetric and asymmetric," says Sean Gregg, Antigua's director of product development and marketing support. "Each piece offers this distinction from our newly introduced style Soul with its high-low horizontal multi-wale double knit stripe in solid colors to style Vantage with its contrasting elastic taping details that highlight the styles linear raglan form."

Some highlights:

Illusion: This 100 percent polyester Desert Dry™ Xtra-Lite short sleeve polo marries the appeal of a solid with the subtlety of a stripe by blending engineered yarns that reflect or absorb light with opposing results giving the 'illusion' of an engineered stripe pattern. Offered in seven colors.

Asset: The long-sleeve quarter-zip pullover has a 92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex jersey face with brushed back knit. It sports an open cuff, tail bottom, self fabric collar, and contrast taping detail at top sleeve seam.

Crux: This is a 100 percent polyester yarn dye heather, double-knit interlock long sleeve quarter-zip pullover that has a contrast color sleeve, shoulder inset and collar. With coverstitch detail, it's offered in five colors.

Dune: This Desert Dry™ lightweight ripstop woven short is made of 100 percent nylon. It boasts hook & loop back welt pockets and on-seam slash pockets in front.

Fiji: The printed plaid pattern on this 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex Desert Dry™ moisture-wicking lightweight dobby back, texture-woven short looks great. It's complemented by front on-seam pockets with back hook & loop pockets.

Striker: Features an irregular linear repeat of neutral ground shades offset with a regularly repeated pop accent color stripe tying back to the same palette.

Zone: An update to 'the golf stripe' style, it offers a background of this season's color palette that offsets a neutral charcoal pointelle mesh knit, in a narrow automatic repeat stripe. Side inset mesh panels mirror the ground and collar colors while adding performance breathability.

Radar: Updates the classic golf shirt with a faux raglan sleeve accented along the top with contrast pop color, meeting up the collar tipped in the same shade. Offered in neutral ground colors, white, black and shades of grey with the inset under-sleeve and side panels pulling from the dominant neutral color and separating it into a tonal neutral stripe effect.

"This season's collection is complemented by the addition of prints," adds Gregg. "In addition to the fashion inspired linear cut-and-sew body details and in keeping with the linear inspiration, proprietary prints have been created to incorporate the palette and maintain the theme. From thin symmetrically balanced 'pin-striping' on a style like Linear, which emulates the look of rhythm and speed with angular dark contrasting side chest print to the asymmetric silicone multi-color, geometric-stepped chest print in tonal and neutral, complementing print shades as used on style Image. Meanwhile, the style Psych embraces a contrasting full front panel honeycomb print pattern in color against neutral backgrounds, and is set in to the front body with linear engineered seams."

Additionally this season, Antigua has reintroduced some fashion Performance 72 classics - updated in performance fabrics and offered in new colors representing the seasonal palette.  Style Major has been a popular performance spin on the classic 50-50, color-to-white horizontal feed stripe with a matching flat knit collar. Style Rush has carried forward in new colors and represents fashion newness with its self-fabric collar and dress shirt-inspired collar band, and updates the classic narrow pin stripe with added flexibility and a soft-touch fabric hand that includes spandex. Less classic and more staple, style Titan is a derivative of Antigua's own essential style Icon with its pique, single wale one-inch repeating texture stripe and seam-engineered contrasting color filament chain stitch. Titan's newness is demonstrated in its dual color spun micro-filament yarn knit, to offer a heather appearance in all the neutral ground shades.

Antigua has also developed several new styles with "self-flat knit collars" that invoke a self-collar appearance with the stability of a yarn-dyed flat knit collar. These include the irregular stripe body fabric pattern of style Trend; style Striker, which incorporates a pop color body fabric stripe and places it as a collar-tipped edge; and style Hue that utilizes the same concept adopting the narrowly repeated neutral body stripe as a matching collar effect.

This season's newly developed color palette also contributes to the collection's fashion appeal. After seasons of color building to a crescendo which piqued with the cleanest of bright shades, this season's inspired palette has transcended to a softer range with less flare and vibrancy. The shades are not muted, though they lack the intensity of seasons past. The color names similarly reflect their inspired depth of saturation. In addition to maintaining optic white as the base around which this Spring '15 collection's colors revolve, colors Papaya, Pistachio, Purple Haze, Chambray and Electric are a new balance of scaled-back brights that retain the sportswear appeal while being cleverly fashion friendly.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Distinctive Look? Devereux!

The look may be kind of retro, but there's finally something truly new in golf apparel.  It's "Proper Threads" from Devereux, a Texas-based company that debuted its first line early this year.  I've been trying their shirts this summer and really, really like the feel.  I'll leave it to others to decide if I look good in them, but I sure feel like I do.

I was first struck by colors and designs that are easy on the eye, but fell big time for the soft comfort of the shirts when I first tried one one.  Devereux uses a natural (Pima Cotton) and Synthetic (Polyester) fiber blend that combines the best of both fibers characteristic and has easy care qualities.  One of the signature design elements on many of the shirts is a unique chest pocket that announces the brand like a logo without making you feel like a walking billboard.  Prices are on the high side of the middle pricing tier.

The line is the brainchild of brothers and avid golfers, Robert and Will Brunner, who named the company after their grandmother, although there are appropriate echoes of golf history (I've played many courses designed by Golden Age architect Devereux Emmet) in the name as well.  They debuted it at the PGA Merchandise Show this year and the critical reception has been excellent.

I recently had the chance to pose a few questions to Creative Director Robert Brunner:

Q: What brought you into golf wear design?
A:  Deciding to design golf wear was simple for us at Devereux.  We fused our two greatest passions which are golf and fashion.  The problem we faced was finding clothing that could transcend on course to off course.  This sparked the idea to make golf apparel that could be worn after a round of 18.

Q: The Devereux “look” is distinctive. What makes it so and where did it come from?
A:  What makes Devereux distinctive is the sophistication and clean look of each garment.  We design to be bold not loud.  Our look is very contemporary and fashion forward, I think that sets us apart.

Q:  What inspired your color palette?
A:  Throughout the seasons our color palettes are inspired by what is going on in the fashion world and our own creative vision.  What you see on runways in Milan, Paris and New York are the colors that inspire each collection.  Once we grasp the idea of color we add our inspiration whether it is art, cuisine, traveling, etc., and bringing together our palette for the season.

Q:  I really like the feel of the fabric in your shirts. Why did you choose the blend you use?
A:  We did a lot of research at Devereux regarding fabrication and trends of fabrication.  We notice that cotton is still very relevant and believe it is having a huge resurgence, but we did not want to get away from the technical side of our fabrication.  We chose the Pima Cotton/Polyester blend because it is very functional with golf and in our opinion is the best fabric on course.

Q:  Why the proliferation of pockets?
A:  You started to see a resurgence of pockets about three years ago.  This was a design trend that designers really took to and started adding the pocket to shirts more and more.  The pocket adds an element to the shirt that can really set it apart from any basic polo.

Q:  What comes next for Devereux?
A:  There is a lot in store for Devereux.  We are working hard on producing more and more pieces for our collection.  In the near future you will see an assortment of garments that will define the lifestyle element of Devereux.

Devereux apparel is available online or from select retailers.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Celebrates 35 Years

I opened a pleasant surprise package last week. It was a polo from Antigua with a sleeve patch celebrating the company's 35th anniversary in the performance apparel business.  Aside from the pleasure that came from being remembered by the company, I was delighted with the shirt itself, a Men's Icon in a tonal stripe.

While it probably doesn't look as good on me as it does on the model in this picture, I can guarantee it feels great.  The Desert Dry Xtra Lite D2XL fabric is comfortable and forgiving in all the right places.  It has a moisture wicking component that remains smooth to the skin under playing conditions, unlike that in many "extra cool" shirts by other makers that tend to become sticky and plastic.

Antigua's roots are in the golf market, although it now holds licenses with Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, and hundreds of colleges and universities as well as 5,000 corporate customers.  Chances are, when you see better shirts in your golf pro shop, they're Antigua.  If you see a member of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association sporting a logo shirt, it came from Antigua, too. I own a bunch of them.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Adds to Women's Spring Collection

The Antigua Group has added three women's bottoms to its Spring 2014 Women's Golf Collection.

"Women are going to love these new skorts and shorts," says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of Antigua. "The Unity, Classic and Cinch bring a variety of color, style and fabrics to our spring line. We're very excited about them, as are our customers. In fact, our women's business is up 40 percent this year. This new trio of products help make us a strong contender in complete outfits and women's bottoms, and not just in women's tops."

The new Unity short features a perfected fit and lighter weight fabric than the company's previous collections. With a standard 9" inseam, the Unity provides enough coverage for private courses but isn't too long for the flirty girl who wants to show a little leg. Unity's lightweight fabric wicks two times faster than their previous bottom fabric and has four-way stretch that allows for maximum movement and temperature control. Its pop-color contrast stitching detail gives the short some flair without being overly stylized.

The Classic is Antigua's version of a basic short that's revamped with new four-way stretch ultra-light fabric. With a 9" inseam and zipper hip pockets, the Classic is flattering on any figure and provides high functionality. The poly/spandex dobby-back, four-way stretch fabric wicks faster than any of their previous short fabrics. Its smooth face provides a clean, classy look, while the dobby texture back pulls moisture away from the skin and brings it to the fabric surface to dry. Classic is featured in core colors of black, khaki and navy.

The Cinch skort is a step away from the traditional, featuring Desert Dry Xtra-Lite stretch jersey knit fabric and adjustable length via an elastic drawcord. With a standard 17" full body length, the elastic drawcord can be pulled tighter to shorten the skirt and create a unique drape. Its versatility makes it a winning piece on and off the course. The Xtra-Lite knit fabric allows for ease of motion and feels cool against the skin due to the spandex content.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

FILA Expands Rain Gear Lines

Are you a little damp around the edges this spring? FILA Golf has added two new rain jackets, the Auckland for men and Rockingham for women, to their outerwear lines this year.

The lightweight, waterproof performance jackets are loaded with technical features that include:\

• Breathable mesh lining
• Detachable hood
• Self-adjustable, Velcro-sleeve closure
• Critical seam-sealing
• Microfleece-lined neck and pockets.

They're bright and colorful, too, so your buddies won't lose you in the fog.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Galvin Green Introduces Ultralight Rain Gear

Galvin Green has introduced Aron, its latest ultralight men’s full zip jacket featuring GORE-TEX Paclite Technology.  Aron is totally waterproof and engineered using sophisticated techniques that ensure ideal freedom of movement. It's also guaranteed to keep you dry.

The company says features include:
• GORE-TEX Stretch Fabric – Ergonomically applied to maximize playability and comfort, the stretch effect is used in different directions in distinct regions of the garment
• Adjustable Chest Width – Tabs on each side of the back with touch-and-close fasteners
• Angled Side Seams – Styled to avoid unnecessary fabric at the front that could impede the swing
• Rain Channels – Wrist cuffs with an integrated rain channel that leads water away from the front of hands

“Aron is at its best when weight and space are critical yet you need to make certain to stay dry even in a driving rain,” says Martin Nilsson, President of Galvin Green USA. “Combine that with the exceptional release of excess body heat and moisture and you’ve got the perfect outer shell in our Multi-Layer Concept.”

Said to be extremely durable, hard wearing and long lasting, Aron (MSRP $460) is available in five colors, sizes S-3XL. It can be maintained via machine wash and tumble dry.

An approach pioneered by Galvin Green more than a decade ago, the Multi-Layer Concept uses leading-edge fabric technologies to ensure the dry comfort, thermal regulation and outer protection that helps players optimize performance. Details on this and other elements of the company’s “We Never Compromise” approach can be found at the new GalvinGreen.com.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Bobby Jones 2014 Woven Collection

Bobby Jones, celebrating the apparel brand’s 25th anniversary in 2014, announced today that its Spring 2014 Collection features an extensive line of woven shirts perfect for relaxing at the clubhouse or even wearing to the office. The line of wovens offers a variety of colors, patterns and collar options designed to fit any style.  

Beginning with the traditional, the Solid Oxford from Bobby Jones is made of 100% cotton and features a button down collar and breast pocket. Available in five solid colors (Blue, Lavender, Mandarin, Tangerine and White) the Solid Oxford offers a splash of color to accompany the customary look with a plaid pattern inner collar.  
 
The Medal Plaid offers great style and comfort for men who prefer a spread collar look. Again made of 100% cotton and featuring a breast pocket, the Medal Plaid comes in Cerulean, Hyacinth and Melon hues, all in the tight plaid pattern.

For a more casual look, the Beach Plaid woven is the perfect option.  Available in Blue and Tangerine, both offerings incorporate an array of colors that mix together perfectly showcasing an ideal springtime vibe. The Beach Plaid is also made of 100% cotton and has a button-down collar.

With more than 20 variations of solids, plaids, stripes, piques and textures, the entire Bobby Jones Spring 2014 Woven Collection offers options to suit each discerning wearer’s tastes.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Stay Dry and Swing Smooth with New Sun Mountain New Rain Suit

Sun Mountain has unveiled a new golf rain suit for 2014. Cumulus is the company’s most breathable golf rain suit to-date, offering the light weight of 2.5 layer technology with a two-year waterproof guarantee. Cumulus is available now in men’s full-zip jacket ($129) and pants ($119).

Incorporating 2.5 layer technology, Cumulus has a woven shell laminated to a waterproof, breathable membrane, with a protective inner layer. This slick inner layer will be appreciated when taking the suit on and off as well as during the golf swing when it slides over clothing rather than catching and offering resistance to the swing.  In addition, a durable water repellent (DWR) finish provides additional surface water and stain resistance.

Features of the Cumulus Jacket include a pleated back which allows an expanded range of motion, a two-way front zipper that  lies flat and out of the way when putting, adjustable hem and cuffs, zippered hand warmer pockets, and a stand-up collar.

Cumulus rain pants offer the same ultra-lightweight, 2.5 layer, guaranteed waterproof and breathable construction as the jacket along with a partial elastic waist and zipper fly, zippered hand warmer pockets and wallet pockets, deep lower leg zippers, and a snap system that allows length to be shortened by 2.5”.

The minimalistic construction of the Cumulus results in a compact folded size for easy storage in your golf bag.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Dunning Engineers Better Bottoms

If you're like me, you take a fair amount of time trying various shirts, sweaters, jackets, and pullovers to make sure they don't interfere with your golf swing. Pants and shorts, though, tend to get a quick once-over in the fitting room mirror--if at all. The results are not only often not pretty, but they leave a lot to be desired in the performance department.

Ralph Dunning of Dunning Golf explains why we should take a little more time to choose well-engineered technology for the lower half of our body as well:

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua Brightens Summer With Bold, Bright Colors

The Antigua Summer Men's Performance Golf Collection continues the bolder and brighter color stories introduced in Spring 2013. These trending pop colors are used as subtle details created to appeal to a wide age demographic of male golfers. The color palette includes invigorating pop colors such as Lapis, Margarita, Apple, Melon, Phlox, and Zest, for the Men's Collections.

"For Summer 2013, the focus of pop accent colors on less conspicuous fabrications throughout the collections shows off the styling and design features of the individual garments ," said Sean Gregg, Director of Product Development for Antigua. "The collections are current in both color and design trend, and are additionally embellished with performance enhancing features by incorporating Antigua's proprietary Desert Dry™ and Desert Dry™ Xtra-Lite moisture management technology to produce collections that are both merchandised appropriately for the season while offering performance functionality", Gregg added.

New for the Men's Collection is the addition of two New Hybrid Pullovers, Styles Flare and Omega. They're Hybrid in the sense that they have the design lines of mid-to-light weight outer while utilizing the short sleeve styling found on performance polos. Both hybrid pullover styles feature Desert Dry™ moisture management technology and a ¼ zip placket with a stand up collar.

The Antigua Women’s Collection color palette was developed based on only the most current trends, and for 2013 the overall market is screaming for color. The new women’s color palette has been expanded with a total of six hues ranging from hot pink to a soft purple called “pansy”. Other color names such as ‘fountain’ and ‘kiss’ inspire memories of slow summer days and nights in the Caribbean. A great addition to any essentials golf wardrobe is a Desert-Dry™ polo available in numerous styles and color combinations.

“We’ve had great success with our white & black groups over the years, so by expanding our offering of fashion color with neutrals, the customer can purchase one or several items from the collection and mix it with their current wardrobe,” said Danielle Dellios.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Dad Deserves Cool Golf Gifts

Treat Dad to a pair of the Jet-A or Panorama Composite Hybrid from Scheyden Precision Eyewear. They're perfect for golf, fishing, boating, hunting or any outdoor activity where absolute clarity is a must. Also features: repellant coating, scratch-resistant finish and thin arms that tuck comfortably beneath headwear. $259-309 www.Scheyden.com

Club Glove’s TravelRX was inspired by a classic doctor’s bag, making it great for the on-the-go Dad. He will love the TravelRX vintage design updated with modern features for optimal use. Whether headed on a work trip or weekend getaway, the extremely space-efficient upper and lower compartments create separation when packing or adjust into one large bag. $399 www.clubglove.com

From the brand that pioneered the hybrid golf shoe, ECCO offers Dad an array of non-cleated styles for wear on or off the course. A classic wingtip pattern, Tour Hybrid, transitions nicely from the office to first tee. The BIOM Hybrid and Golf Street offer sport-driven and casual looks. All feature the ECCO E-DTS outsole with more than 800 traction angles for superb grip on any surface. $140-$190 www.eccousa.com

Fila Golf For the average Joe or avid golfer, tops, bottoms and accessories from Fila Golf will make your Dad stand out on the first tee, because of his style, not just his swing. The latest developments from this heritage sportswear brand feature UV-protectant, eco-friendly, wrinkle-resistant and moisture wicking fabrics that will him cool, dry and comfortable all summer long. $16-130 www.ShopFilaGolf.com

Dad can create a personalized ball mark by tracing a design from the 100 existing patterns from Tin Cup Golf Ball Marking Stencil. Tin Cup is 100% made-in-the-USA stainless steel cup construction and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Models also include Bombs Away, Jolly Roger (skull and cross bones), Luck of the Irish (shamrock) and Five O’Clock Somewhere. $19.95 www.tin-cup.com


Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf