It seems as if some of the brands that some of us “older” patrons of Golf Today thought cool back in the 90s (or earlier!) are making a bit of a return to being cool again (and some of the brands that weren’t so hot back in the day are now really making their mark).
Is Reebok Reeback as a Golf Brand?
Some of us had to do a double-take when Bryson stepped onto the tee last Thursday sporting Reebok. Reebok classics were THE brand to have in the 90s, and it was at the PGA Championship in 1991 and the 1995 British Open that John Daly wore Reebok gear to complete his unconventional look that deviated from the traditional golf style of the time. But then Reebok seemed to slip out of golf-conscious and has been absent as a brand in golf apparel since 2005. However, the brand has re-established its golf-apparel range and marked its return to the sport in March this year with Bryson DeChambeau being its poster boy and the range being embraced by his LIV-golf Crushers GC team mates, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahri.
All Day I Dream About Sport (that sport being golf!)
Another “classic” brand, Adidas, packed a punch at this year’s Masters too. Ludvig Aberg, who finished 7th this year, is sponsored by Adidas and was wearing the brand’s “Return to Originals” collection. Launched shortly before The Masters, the range of golf gear (from head to foot) features the iconic Adidas Originals Trefoil, which was prevalent on leisure and sports clothing during the 1970s (having a resurgence in the 1990s alongside Adidas’ “Equipment” logo of the three stripes).
Adidas certainly seems to be flexing its muscles against the likes of Nike and overshadowing Under Armour as a prolific golf brand at the moment. Aberg showcased the “Originals”, wearing a classic golf polo shirt printed with the trefoil in near-yellow, stylishly matched with the Originals Golf Tour Achieve Patch Hat in white, whilst his Adidas Coursecup Spikeless shoes sported the classic three stripes synonymous with the brand.
Having been launched to coincide with this prestigious event, the “Return to Originals” range is a real nod to the “classic” (possibly stereotypical) golf gear of stylish cashmere jumpers and classy shirts in hues of blues, whites, greens and yellow. Yet it feels like the range is more in line with the Adidas streetwear than is usual in golf apparel. It definitely feels like Adidas have made an attempt to invite leisure clothing wearers to join the culture surrounding the game of golf. Adidas are clever in that it also feels like they are inviting golfers to be more akin with “streetwear” fashion with the likes of Colin Morikawa sporting trends from Adidas outside of its “Return to Originals” collection, such as the Ultimate 365 micro-textured polo and Adizero golf shoes.
Whilst the “Return to the Originals” collection afforded Aberg with the accolade of being one of the “Best Dressed Golfer” at this year’s competition, it’s worth noting that the collection, and Adidas’ golf clothing in general, isn’t just for men. The Originals range definitely caters for the woman golfer with the same range of colours and patterns in the shirts and jumpers, but also featuring a pleated skort (skirt with integrated shorts) tipping and a sleeveless Originals dress that features a ribbed V-neck with 3-stripe elastic band detailing. There’s a real nod to the 70s in this collection, but it is in deference to an era of sporting greats, which, for some of us, is in living memory, and for others sparks inspiration!
The full range of Adidas’ golf apparel and accessories can be found at https://www.adidas.co.uk/golf (and look out for the Originals Golf Boston Bag in green, which has a really retro look but is just so cool!).
New Balance has a new lease of life on the course
Whilst none of the pros in the hunt for the coveted Green Jacket appeared to be wearing New Balance shoes, this is a brand that seems to be making some headway back into being a fashion brand of choice. New Balance has been around for over 100 years and back in the late 1980s their popular 574 model was everywhere with the iconic “N” logo on the side, with another surge in popularity in 1991 with the 997.
Though always around, New Balance kinda fell into the background until a resurgence in popularity in the 2020s thanks to the “Dad shoe” trend and is now a Gen-Z essential.
Renowned for being comfortable, New Balance entered the golf-shoe market in 2014 with their 574-inspired model and has since then expanded its offering.
In April this year, New Balance launched it’s SS25 Golf Shoe collection for both men and women. Again, they have that kind of “retro” look but without looking old-fashioned. In fact they are fabulous blend of ultra-modern outsole technology with classic design with their iconic “N” logo.
There are spiked and spikeless offerings across 15 styles in over 30 colours! It’s the construction of the shoe that sets New Balance apart. Made from DynaSoft® ( a midsole foam designed and created by New Balance), Abzorb® (shock-absorbing blend of foam and rubber polymers designed to disperse impact energy and reduce stress on the joints) and /or REVlite®, (an even lighter-weight foam compound designed to offer responsiveness and durability), these shoes provide comfort and stability to those on their feet for 6600 yards or more.
So if you are looking for a truly comfortable shoe that the younger generation will assume you are wearing for style rather than the supreme comfort they offer, then check out New Balance’s 574 Greens V2 Spikeless shoe or the 327 (which is the leading shoe in their range for women which is as fashion-forward off the course as it is on).
If you need the grip of spikes to feature in your footwear on the course, but the desired comfort of a trainer, then take a look at New Balance’s 997 Softspike shoe (with Fast Twist 3.0 removable cleats).
For those in the US, the full collection by New Balance is available on their website, but for UK-based golfers, visit, New Balance stockist, American Golf.
It will be interesting to see what styles and brands are prominent as the year progresses. With The Open at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland the next big golf gala on the list, maybe it will be the styles and fashions at Royal St Georges in 2011 that will reflected in the coats and wind-breakers this time around (though we do really hope it is the polo shirts under the fashion spotlight!).
