Scott Pinckney, Jamie Lovemark, Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau, Patrick Rodgers (L-R)
The Nike Golf Spring/Summer 16 line disrupts the status quo with bold new polo designs, advanced legwear and radical footwear that takes tailored performance to a new place, for the modern golf athlete. Over the past decade, there has been a huge evolution in golf fashion, going from very loose, subtle colours to slim fitting, bold designs. Nike Golf continues this evolution with the introduction of their new Spring/Summer 16 collection.
While it still requires a synchronization of function and aesthetic, the sport’s progressive apparel doesn’t communicate stuffy style or mandate that players appear as crusty carbon copies. Nike Golf’s new polo designs, with modern cuts and “collars” evidence this evolution by athletes to select the look and feel best suited to their personal needs. Collars come in the distinct designs: blade, roll and classic and are reminiscent of Tiger Woods’ mock/turtleneck polos while fit options range from standard — for a relaxed, comfortable fit — to modern slim, which offers maximum mobility and modern style. Buttons are now “snap buttons” in these polos rather than a traditional button.
The modern slim fit polos feature a tailored fit through the chest for a modern, contoured look. Sleeves are one inch shorter with a slimmer fit and the overall shirt features a modern taper with shorter body length and slim waist width. The standard fit polos have a regular fit through the chest with a tailored style. Sleeves have a standard length with a relaxed fit through the arm and a regular body length with standard taper and waist width.
NIKE MM FLY BLADE POLO
As Rory McIlroy explains, “I wanted a great fitting polo. I wanted something I could pull on at the beginning of my round and not think about again until after the last putt,” McIlroy says. The Nike MM Fly Blade Polo met this ask with lightweight, Dri-FIT fabric and ergonomic seams for a full range of motion. The new blade collar design provides comfort with a minimal rib design and a refined look. “When they finally let me try their prototype polo,” he attests, “I thought: this is it! I really didn’t want to give it back.”
NIKE MM FLY ROLL POLO
Trying on another of the collection’s designs, the Nike MM Fly Roll Polo — with similar Dri-FIT fabric, ergonomic design and polished roll collar — Scott Pickney has a similar reckoning. “I remember putting it on, before the designers had even completely finished it, and thinking, I don’t feel like a golfer in this. I feel like an athlete,” he recalls.
NIKE MM FLY FRAMING COMMANDER POLO
Meanwhile the MM Fly Framing Commander Polo’s perforated collar stand atop breathable Dri-FIT fabric is particularly attuned to Thorbjorn Olesen’s desire for individual expression. “Anytime I can have my off-course style blend in with my on course style, it’s a big thing for me,” Olesen elaborates. “The clothes we wear on the course almost become an expression of our personality.”
Performance tights have become a regular fixture on runners and in the gym, and on gridiron sidelines and basketball courts. Now, Nike Golf introduces golf specific performance tights – the Nike Golf Hyperwarm tights tackle the course, providing a locked-in feel and disruptive new aesthetic.
“Tights are good for recovery,” Brooks Koepka explains. “We train so hard on and off the golf course that I think it would help us stay on the Tour for a little longer by keeping our bodies fresh for years down the road.”
Designed to enhance movement with a compression feel, regulate body temperature and provide an extra layer of warmth, the Nike tights are made with a high-stretch Dri-FIT fabric that helps keep athletes dry. And as Scott Pickney adds, they also tap into the psychological aspect of the sport.
“I absolutely love wearing the tights when I practice and workout,” Nike Golf athlete Scott Pinckney explains. “I feel more athletic and my legs always feel better after I practice when I wear them.”
It’s something that we at Eighteen Under Par have been doing over the past couple years. Through our winter rounds of golf, we would wear Nike’s ThermalFit tights to help keep us warm throughout our round and layer clothing on top of that. It’s a great way to battle the elements and stay warm without the clothing being too restrictive to the golf swing.
Source: Nike Inc.
