Golf outfitters go crazy for camouflage

According to W Magazine, camouflage is one of the most significant trends in men’s fashion this fall. And golf apparel is no exception. Several golf companies have camo in their fall offerings, and the trend is also carrying over to spring. In fact, this design technique – originally developed to conceal soldiers in battle – can be found in polos, shorts, outerwear, shoes and accessories across several collections.

“We are a little camo crazy here at Chambersburg (Pennsylvania) Country Club,” says Jameson Wallace, PGA general manager/head professional, who carries camo-themed Ahead caps and visors, Seamus headcovers, 2Undr undergarments and Winn camo grips. “We are in a region of the country where hunting is very popular in the fall. So I think this allows my members and guests to show their true colors and their passions while out on the course.”

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Hunting is also popular at Houston (Texas) Country Club, where 90 percent of members hunt and have deer leases or ranches in South Texas, according to AGM merchandiser/buyer Shelley Tomaszewski. The golf shop has carried camo-themed Polar Bear coolers for the last five years, and also brings in Imperial hats to get ready for hunting season.

“We sent an email out to the members about the camo hats and presold 72 in less than an hour,” Tomaszewski says. “The camo coolers are the No. 1 cooler we carry. I have done numerous orders for corporate, hunting leases and ranches with their logo on the outside pocket.”

Hunters certainly aren’t the only ones going crazy for camo, however. At Haggin Oaks Golf Club in Sacramento, California, the golf shop carries camo-themed product from RJ Sports (cart and stand bags), Full Turn Direct (polo shirts), CMC Scottsdale (mini-backpacks), and a variety of headwear vendors.

“I don’t think we can underestimate the strength of the Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and Scheels stores, and the outdoor customer they cater to,” says Ken Morton Jr., AGM, vice president of retail and marketing. “I see this growing.”

And Vicki Bernstein, AGM, president of Bernstein Retail Productions, brings Ahead camo styles into shops she buys for in the Houston area. “Woodland camo headwear is not just for hunting anymore,” she says. “It’s definitely on-trend as a compliment to a more casual, outdoor lifestyle look.”

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Here’s a sampling of the camo styles being offered by golf vendors:

Ahead presents a diverse offering of camouflage head- wear, including everything from authentic Realtree visors and caps to the company’s fashion “Urban Camo” pattern done in its best-selling lightweight fabrication for both men and women.

“No longer just for the avid outdoorsman, camouflage has found a place in many golf shops across the country,” Ahead CEO Anne Broholm says.

From Chase54, look for the Para Nylon Camo Puffer Vest, a waterproof and windproof piece that is fully lined with two-way zipper for custom fit and elastic waist in 100 percent polyester.

Other products include the Ceara Nylon Camo Pant, also waterproof, windproof and fully lined with a hem that can be cinched with hidden drawstring; and the Velha Camo High-Low Carcoat, whose features include a two-way zipper for custom fit, adjustable drawstring at waist, and hood that can be stowed in the collar. 

“Camo has truly become the new neutral, and it has become bigger this season,” says Lulu Faddis, Chase54’s creative director and chief designer. “It’s got a familiar feel, but much more edgy and fashion forward. At Chase54, we tweaked our camo by adding lines to it to create more of a ‘vintage’ feel. We used the custom prints we created on new fabrics and in new silhouettes.”

Nike offers a few different camo-inspired pieces, including Modern Printed Men’s Golf Shorts that are made of a sweat-wicking fabric and feature slight stretch to enhance range of motion, snap closure with zip fly at waist, and side and back pockets.

Also look for the Nike Golf Range Camo V-Neck Men’s Sweater that is 100 percent cotton and adds a layer of warmth while letting the golfer move naturally with stretchy side panels, as well as the TR Dry Print Men’s Golf Polo with notched hems and ergonomic seams for natural range of motion, and made from a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric that helps keep you cool and comfortable.

Oakley has introduced camo into layering items, including the Factory Lite quarter zip in Jet Black, which is done in a windproof DWR lightweight double ripstop fabrication. The piece features an all-over sublimated camo graphic with paneled solid contrast, as well as pockets at side seams and mesh lining on the sleeves. The garment comes in a regular fit and is windproof and embroidery capable.

Titleist offers FJ Spectrum golf gloves in camo colors. The men’s line has two offerings – Camo Green and Camo Gray – in regular, cadet and right, while the women’s line includes gloves in Camo Red and Camo Blue.

Fennec Golf started offering camo in its spring 2016 Tech Windshirt category in full zip, vest, quarter-zip windjacket and full-zip windjacket models. For fall, the company took the same camo pattern and color scheme and designed a merino-blend mock pullover sweater featuring pops of Orange (Fennec’s brand color) as an inside neck stripe and Fennec Fox logo.

For fall 2017, an additional colorway in the sweater will be added that features traditional camo colors of Olive and Tan.

“The Black and Grey color scheme appeals to a more modern customer, while the traditional Olive and Tan gives the hunting enthusiast a more familiar take on this classic pattern,” says Tim Conlin, designer of the Fennec line.

Imperial Headwear has more than 25 camouflage SKUs in its 2017 catalog that are in stock at all times for quick-turn orders.

Camo patterns range from Realtree to digital camo in men’s and women’s color options. Styles offered in camo colorways range from caps and tour visors to sun hats and knits. Imperial even included Realtree Xtra Grey, the company’s best selling Coolcore cap (CC010 The Kaldur) and visor (CC040 The Kaldur Visor).

Also included in the 2017 offerings is an Outdoor Collection that showcases many of these camo styles, as well as many other popular outdoor styles and colors such as Blaze Orange.

And from Straight Down comes the Bunker, a light camo design performance, long sleeve, half-zip pullover with stretch and wicking for quick dry.

Accompanying this 92 percent poly/8 percent Spandex layering item is the company’s Carbon shorts in stretch twill woven, with mesh set in the gusset, deep pockets, nine-inch inseam and elastic waistband with adjustable draw cord.