How you can get Rickie’s untucked shirt look
By James Savage
Another year has begun which means there’s an absolute shed load of new golf equipment coming your way.
This is good news for me. It keeps me busy at a time of the year where golf courses are pretty much no-go areas. I don’t like getting new shoes muddy.
But it’s obviously good news for you too if you’re in the market for some new clubs, clothes or shoes.
It is worth pointing out that you don’t HAVE to go out and buy all the latest gear.
If you bought a TaylorMade M2 driver last year it hasn’t suddenly become obsolete because there are new M3 and M4 drivers out.
Please relax, there’s no need to get worked up. Understand that golf companies make money by creating a buzz around their brands through product launches.
Nobody expects YOU to buy a new driver every year.
But if you want to go and buy the latest driver with the cool new technology, that’s absolutely fine too.
The Rickie Fowler untucked shirt look
Let’s lighten the mood with a little trip to Hawaii where Rickie Fowler has been sporting Puma’s new Aloha collection.
He looks like he’s on his holidays doesn’t he? And what’s wrong with that? He’s a young man playing golf in Hawaii and getting paid loads of money. He’s living the dream.
And I think he looks great. It’s another step in the right reaction to help attract more youngsters to the game.
Puma say the collection is inspired by Rickie’s deep respect for his Japanese heritage with a fresh take on classic Hawaiian style.
This Aloha Woven Shirt has moisture-wicking fabric which draws sweat away from the skin keeping golfers dry, comfortable and protected from the sun.
Can’t see too many of these being sold in the pro shops of north Leeds this month…
And yes, Rickie is wearing it untucked. And no one has died as a result.
More information on the full collection can be found on the Puma website.
Tour player transfer window
The year kicked off with the official announcement of Sergio Garcia joining Team Callaway and we’ve had a few more movers and shakers.
Xander Schauffele – Tour Championship winner and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year – has also made the switch from TaylorMade to Callaway.
He remains an Adidas athlete and will be joined wearing their clothes and shoes by Tyrrell Hatton.
And Nike have also boosted their ranks with the signing of Patrick Reed who previously wore Callaway apparel, sorry clothing.
Could we have Tiger Woods and Reed going head-to-head on a major Sunday wearing the EXACT same outfit? That would be fun.
England’s Chris Wood has also signed with Nike after being prized away from wearing Mizuno gear.
In club and ball news, Jason Dufner has been seen playing with a new TaylorMade M4 driver and without his Titleist cap on.
But former TaylorMade staffer Brian Harman has put Titleist clubs and ball (and new FootJoy shoes) into play at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Callaway X Forged UT irons
Callaway have managed to sneak this one in ahead of a couple of bigger launches over the next two weeks.
We have already tested out their 2018 X Forged irons but they’ve now added some long iron replacements for ‘better players’ who aren’t big fans of hybrids.
The X Forged UT Irons are available in 18°, 21° and 24° lofts and feature a strategically-positioned CG locations – directly in line with the centre of the face – promoting straighter ball flights and maximum ball speed.
With fairly compact head shapes and minimal offset, these are hardly confidence boosters at address but that won’t bother tour players like Sergio Garcia who has put one in his bag.
More information on the X Forged UT, which have an SRP of £199 and are available to buy on January 26, can be found on the Callaway website.
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James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
