4 Winter Golf Apparel items I thought I would Hate—Now I Can’t Play Without Them!

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Never judge a book by its cover. Or should it now be, never judge a golf apparel item before you actually wear it! These 4 items really surprised me.

Every year I have the pleasure of reviewing a whole host of winter golf apparel items. What this process has taught me is that never pre-judge any golf gear before you actually try it out. I can honestly say that the items below I thought I would end up giving a low rating and writing words like – Though not for me they would be great for those looking for XYZ.

So, hands up, I fell into this trap of pre-judgement and now have the delight to list the golf clothing below that come highly recommended and are now firmly in my golf winter wardrobe.

Let’s dive in and see which items have made a middle aged man, who jumps to unfounded conclusions, a totally changed person, in a literal wardrobe sense, but also as I embark on a journey towards having a more open mind!


The Fab Four


Peter Millar Pine Performance Hoodie 

5 star review

Hands up, I am not a golf hoodie wearer – until this year! The Sunderland hoodie made me view these items in a different light. Dare I say, I am a hoodie convert! I absolutely loved this Peter Millar hoodie. 

The fit is perfect – snug but not tight, and it moves easily with me. The stretch is impressive, making it super comfortable during swings (and walks).  

I was surprised at how warm it kept me, even on a cooler day, without feeling bulky. The fabric felt soft and breathable, so I never felt overheated.  

I also liked how easy it was to care for – just toss it in the wash and dry. 

Overall, this hoodie is a great mix of comfort, style, and warmth. It’s become my go-to piece for golf days and casual wear. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a hoodie that fits well and feels great. 

PROS

  • Lightweight yet warm 
  • Great fit and stretch 
  • Easy care 

CONS

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  • None

RRP: £120 

Sizes: S-2XL 

Colours: Sky, Blue Haze Tango Pink, Nordic Pine, Navy, White 

More info: Peter Millar Website UK / Peter Millar Website US


Callaway Thermal Trousers

5 star review

I’ve got to say, I was genuinely surprised by these Callaway Winter Thermal Trousers.  

I’ve never really considered thermal golf trousers before, but I decided to give them a try, and I’m glad I did! 

Worn on the course, they kept me warm without feeling bulky, even during those chilly mornings. The fabric is surprisingly comfortable and flexible thanks to the mechanical stretch—no restrictions during my swing.  

What really stood out was how versatile they are outside of golf. I’ve worn them on the touchline watching my kids play sport in freezing weather, and they’ve been fantastic—wind resistant, water resistant, yet still breathable.  

They look smart enough for casual wear too, with a subtle embroidered logo. Overall, an unexpected but excellent addition to my winter wardrobe, blending style, comfort, and practicality both on and off the course. 

PROS

  • Comfortable stretchy feel 
  • Keeps you warm but not overly bulky 
  • Great for general sport spectating or other outdoor activities

CONS

  • None

RRP: £70

Sizes: 32-38 waist / 30-32 leg 

Colours: Caviar / Ashphalt

More info: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Zerofit Ultimate Base Layer

5 star review
winter golf apparel items

I have to say that out of all the items tested this winter this item surprised me the most.

When unboxing the item and feeling it for the first time I was left somewhat perplexed. I do wear a base layer when it gets to winter golf and this was like no other base layer I had felt or seen before. My usual base layers are stretchy and thin whereas this was thicker, more like a light jumper, and had a furry inner lining. I therefore was not expecting much before I put it on and was concerned it might be a little itchy and overly warm.

How wrong was I? Firstly, putting it on was a doddle and did not have fight to put it on. Secondly, the inner lining caused no itchiness what so ever. Thirdly, and most importantly for me, it kept me warm but at no point was I overheating or sweating.

Out on the course there was freedom of movement to my swing – though thicker than a usual base layer there is stretch and give in it.

It seemed to somehow regulate my temperature whereby sweating was never an issue. I also liked how it fitted round my neck, not too tight and not too loose. As such I concur that the Japanese patented heatrub technology – the furry lining – worked for me.

The final test was getting it off. For me, and it might just be me, sometimes getting a base layer off can be a bit of a challenge due the tightness and stretchiness. For those who know what I am talking about you will know what I mean! You will be glad to know that the Zerofit Ultimate base layer passed with flying colours with the getting off test. So much so, I think it should be renamed the FitsAll Ultimate base layer.

I was so intrigued by this item that I put it to the test whilst watching my kids play sports most of the day on a chilly Sunday. The comfort and warmth were still there and I even left it on when I got home. Something I would never do with my usual base layers – I cannot wait to get them off!

So, for these reasons it is a 5 out of 5 and totally recommend.

PROS

  • Keeps you warm without over heating or sweating
  • Easy to get on and off
  • Did not impede my swing
  • Versatile – great for other cold outdoor activities

CONS

  • It is cold if you are having to put it on

RRP – £60 / $75

SIZES: XS-3XL

COLOUR: Black / Forest Green / Grey / Navy / Red / White

More info – ZeroFit Ultimate Base Layer UK / US

Ecco Biom H5 High Top Boa

5 star review
winter golf apparel items

The Ecco Biom H5 High Top Boa is a fantastic winter golf boot. The waterproofing, the high-top protection, the precision Boa-inspired fit and the lightweight nature of this boot make it perfectly suited to the demands of British winter golf.

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For those of us who play our way through through the rain, wind, fog and worse, this is exactly the kind of footwear that you need to have at your disposal.

You can also move with total freedom, which is important. The fact you can also clean them easily after use is an added bonus.

They also come in black if you prefer that colour for winter golf.

PROS

  • The ultimate item of footwear for the British winter
  • Easy to slide on and off – and you can just wipe the shoes clean after use
  • Surprisingly lightweight

CONS

  • None

RRP: £220 / $279

SIZE: 6-12.5 UK / 5-13.5 US

COLOUR: White / Black

More information: Ecco UK / Ecco US

Read the full review here.


Summary

Overall, this has shown me that it’s worth giving things a proper try before judging them.

I was surprised to find some items I didn’t think much of actually turned out to be really useful. I just hope this encourages others not to dismiss gear without trying it first. Sometimes, the stuff we’re ready to ignore can end up being exactly what we need.

So, whether you’re a regular golfer or new to the game, it’s worth keeping an open mind—you might find something that works better than you expected.

Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.

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About the author

Paul Miller

Paul has been playing golf for around a fourth of a Century, whilst his time on this Earth is rapidly approaching half a Century!

During that time his handicap, on average, has gone down around half a shot a year and is currently at 8.

His general love of Sport included a time studying the Philosophy and Sociology of Sport.

In 2013 he co-authored a book chapter 'The good and bad of youth sport today'.

His passion for youth sport is equally matched in his role heading up the Buyer's Guides for National Club Golfer.

He wants to inform golfers what gear is the best whilst finding all the best golf deals so you can save money.

Since joining the equipment testing team at NCG he has become a hybrid convert and is ready to tell you to ditch the long irons if you want to hit more greens this season!

Paul uses Titleist GT3 driver, Callaway Ai Smoke hybrids, a SeeMore Giant Putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.

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4 Winter Golf Apparel items I thought I would Hate—Now I Can't Play Without Them! | National Club Golfer