The dog days. The doldrums. The remains of the (summer) day. Whatever you call this time of year, here we are. It’s that point in the season when my golf game inevitably devolves into inexplicable three-putts, bizarre bounces, and swings that feel completely foreign. Past experience tells me that a month or so before the snow falls, my game will return. But until then, I have to grind.
One of the best ways to keep the faith and maintain some semblance of positivity, is to dress for success. Even if my swing currently looks like a 30-handicapper, my on-course attire can still flash a little Tour sauce. Here are a few additions to my golf closet that are keeping my spirits up during the waning weeks of summer.
Turtleson Apparel
“Why do you always dress nicer for golf than for the office?” my wife asked me the other day. To be honest, it’s because my golf clothes are nicer than my work clothes. Even though I could wear my golf clothes for work, I hate to waste them on non-golfing activities.
Turtleson is my new favorite golf outfitter. Never heard of Turtleson? I hadn’t either until some press releases from the East Tennessee company found their way to my inbox. I was immediately taken with the elegant colors and understated designs, all with a bespoke aura around them.
My new favorite golf polo is the Charlie Stripe Two-Button Polo ($120). It’s moisture-wicking but extremely soft, somehow avoiding that plasticky feel that some polyester polos have. Like all the Turtleson apparel, it’s nice and roomy without looking boxy.
In anticipation of cooler weather (I hope, given that this summer was the hottest on record in N. America), Turtleson offers several layering options. Hoodies are all the rage amongst the flatbellies these days, and the Bellfield Hoodie ($150) is ideal for cool, misty days. It’s lightweight and extremely soft – soft enough to wear by itself, even – but provides the perfect “shoulder-season” level of protection against the autumn chill over a polo or t-shirt.
If hoodies aren’t your vibe, you can never go wrong with a classic quarter-zip. The Isaac Series Quarterzip ($160) is constructed from Turtleson’s softest fabric blend (65% cotton, 21% lyocell, 14% polyester). It is lightweight and non-restrictive, but cozy as a hug. And, just so my wife knows, it also looks very nice in the office.
When the elements really start to turn, one more layer will be needed. The Aiden Comfort Shell ($165) is, once again, extremely lightweight to eliminate bulk and restriction. It easily folds up to fit in your golf bag or carry-on, but is still water-resistant and vented for breathability. With these four Turtleson offerings, I can layer up or down for just about any late-season meteorological event. One final important note: Turtleson offers full lines of women’s golfwear, too!
TRUE Linkswear Antigravity Pro Golf Shoes
TRUE Linkswear makes the most comfortable golf shoes in my rather extensive collection. (I also have more golf shoes than I have “civilian” shoes – by a long shot.) Their Antigravity Pro ($225) model is my current go-to when I walk 18. The Antigravity Pros are built on a running-shoe base, with a Pebax® midsole, an elastomer that is derived in part from castor beans. I don’t know how they convert beans into shoes, but I do know that after walking at least a dozen 18-hole rounds, including 4 at Sand Valley, they still feel like I’m walking in a bouncy-house. And I love all the little details in all of TRUE’s shoe models – the attention to detail is second to none.
If you want a little flash, the Antigravity Leather ($225) combines all the lightweight comfort of the Antigravity with a leather upper. And, like Turtleson, TRUE has golf apparel along with shoes, for both men and women.
Logowear
I’m a sucker for a good souvenir – every course I visit, I’m looking at the ballmarkers, the divot repair tools, the logo balls, etc., etc. The best mementos from golf trips, though, are logowear that remind you of the bucketlist courses you’ve played. Sand Valley has a collection of memorable courses, each with its own striking logo (aside from the namesake course logo, which just looks like a weird scribble). My favorite is from the resort’s newest course, the 12-hole Commons, featured on my new favorite souvenir hoodie ($60), which is so soft, it wears like a t-shirt while still providing warmth.
Midwestern Golf 