Golf Equipment: The 2013 NCG waterproofs test
About
We invited all the key manufacturers to send in their latest suits. While wearing the suits, our testers were drenched with a hosepipe and then played a short loop of holes. Happily, there was a fair amount of rain on the test day so initially we had some ideal conditions to test the suits. No golfers have ever been more disappointed to see the sun come out halfway through!
This methodology allowed us to get a full playing experience on each suit – from pulling on the jacket and bottoms to hitting full shots, half shots, chips and putts.
We also had the feedback of our fellow testers on what the suit looked like; and the experience of carrying a bag and the impact on the shoulder areas. The test team then offered feedback on the following criteria:
– How good it felt to wear
– How it felt to swing in when it was wet
– How it felt to putt in
– How well water beaded away
– Where water beaded to
– How easy it was to get on and off
– The fit and style
– Weight/bulk
– Noise
– Comfort
– Any additional features the suit may have
The winners
Gold Medal – Galvin Green Axl jacket/August pant
Silver Medal – Under Armour Armourstorm
Recommended – Nike Hyperadapt
Recommended – Sunice Elmont jacket/Edisson pant
Recommended – Galvin Green Alex jacket/Alf pant
The models we tested
Adidas Gore Jacket/Pant
Ping Response
Sunice Bollon jacket/Grove pant
ProQuip Aquastorm Pro
Under Armour Armourstorm Woven
FootJoy DryJoys Tour XP
Abacus Pitch Stretchlite
ProQuip Tourflex 360
Sunderland WhisperDry Hush
Benross X Tex
Puma Storm Pro
FootJoy Hydrolite
The test panel
Dan Murphy
Handicap: 3
“It’s obvious, but it simply has to be waterproof and the big no-no for me is the suit getting in my way when chipping and putting.”
Joe Whitley
Handicap: 8
“I’m looking for suits I can move and swing easily in. There’s nothing worse for me than feeling restricted while wearing a set of waterproofs.”
Pete Chippindale
Handicap: 12
“I’m a huge fan of Galvin Green kit so I want to see if the others have caught up and can offer the same kind of performance.”
James Tompkinson
Handicap: 28
“As a relative newcomer I am amazed by the cost of waterproof suits. So my expectations are very much dependent on the cost of the suit!”
