Is Golf Apparel Going Retro?

If you were watching any of the golf action outside Chicago at the BMW Championship, you may have thought you were back in the 1930’s. Ryan Moore was strolling the fairways and shooting up the leadboard in his retro look - a white shirt, khaki slacks, a black cardigan sweater and burgundy tie. Ryan has no problem pulling off the look as he has always done things a little different. Remember his look at the Masters? It made me think of a wee leprechaun.

"I love this look," said Moore, who finished at 6 under, a shot off the lead. "I love that golf used to have that look and I like to wear it when I can - when weather permits. It's not for attention or anything like that."

"Everybody in the crowd absolutely loves it," Moore said. "Everywhere I go, anywhere I've worn it, they love it. I went over to the British Open this year after wearing it at the Masters and during the practice rounds that's all the people would ask me, what my ties were going to be like that week."

Captain Corey Pavin and his wife Lisa (Team USA secret weapon) unveiled the fashions for the Ryder Cup this week. Even though photos (here's one of Lisa below) won’t be made available until September 19th, from all accounts, the look definitely has a retro flare.

The Khaki Crusader and Marty Hackel were there and had some great insight as to the 2010 Ryder Cup apparel. 

Among the highlights from Marty Hackel:

• golf shirts, sweaters, and accessories were developed with Peter Millar. Men's suits, sport coats, tuxedos, and trousers will be furnished by Hickey Freeman. The rainwear is being provided by Sun Mountain. Players will wear their own shoes in either black or white.

• Given the locale and the time of year, the Sun Mountain rain gear is going to be quite prevalent. These outfits in particular will be a departure from the classic all-black waterproofs we've seen in Ryder Cups past.

• A great deal of time was spent select the proper typeface for both this and the team bags. With a prominent "USA" logo and team members' names embroidered on the back, there will be no confusing players at Celtic Manor.

• Every detail has been considered. Even the team logos on the sweaters are placed on felt patches in the spirit of the collegiate pennants.

• Peter Millar founder Chris Knott and Lisa Pavin spent a great deal of time looking at iconic golfers and their wardrobes. The color palette they suggested is very traditional. Lisa said she wanted to honor the style of past greats such as Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson.

• The practice uniforms feature colorful sleeveless sweaters. The black outfit for Sunday is a show-stopper. The Saturday sweater selection is a marvelous cardigan in the Ben Hogan style (think Graeme McDowell on the weekend at Pebble Beach).

• While the uniform fit for players in recent Ryder Cups have been inconsistent, this year's choices have a trimmer tour cut. Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson will shine!

• Rather than a classic gray, a marvelous brown fabric has been selected as the color for the Opening Ceremony suits. The camel blazers that the players will wear getting off the plane will make them look like college professors.

• The historical theme has been taken so far that the Pavins have selected old-school Belding team bags and headcovers.

• The most conservative apparel item are the Imperial hats -- very tasteful, very classic.

• With the exception of the sport coats worn on the plane, all of the apparel will be pressed and hanging in each player's hotel room awaiting their arrival. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rank the effort 10.5, and the results a 9.98. Nothing's perfect.

I can’t wait to see Rickie Fowler in his Ryder Cup attire. Now we just have to get the Ryder Cup lads to play with some Sweet Wood golf clubs (see video below) and we’ll have a great ole time come October 1st!