Greg Norman was my favorite player as a kid. Norman’s summer of 1986 is what got me hooked on the game of golf. I had a shark head cover on my driver. I practiced dragging my back foot during my downswing (much to the chagrin of my instructor). I even played those Tour Edition golf balls that were slightly firmer than a marshmallow and spun like an over-caffeinated top. If the Shark was doing it, so was I.
When Norman formed his own clothing brand, I was the first in line. The bold colors and brash patterns were a perfect fit for Norman’s swashbuckling style and epitomized late 80s fashion.
Greg Norman remains one of the coolest golfers on the planet and his apparel brand’s innovative fabrics and classic styles are keeping other golfers cool on the fairways in more ways than one.
One of my big takeaways from the PGA Merchandise Show in January was that performance fabrics continue to be lighter and thinner, and a great example of this is Greg Norman Collection’s ML75 fabric. Now that the weather has warmed up a bit I’ve been wearing the brand’s Shadow Stripe polo with ML75 fabric and it is one of the lightest, thinnest shirts I’ve ever worn. What makes this fabric unique is that it is a very technical fabric, but the super fine microfiber yarn helps it to maintain a silky feel and upscale aesthetic. Couple this with a traditional shadow stripe design and this shirt plays well everywhere from the local muni to country clubs and upscale resort courses.
One of the unique features of the ML75 shirts is the aerated collar. Here’s what you need to know about aeration — aerated greens are bad, but aerated collars are good. The neck is typically one of those areas of the body that sweats a lot. It is also one of the pulse points and cooling points. The tiny perforations that are anatomically placed in the back and around the sides of the collar on the ML75 shirts help to improve air circulation to the neck. The result is a cooler neck and a drier and more comfortable collar.
One of my favorite shirts in the current lineup from the Greg Norman Collection is the Chest Stripe polo. You probably saw 2014 Valspar Champion, John Senden, rocking this shirt at the Masters and throughout the spring. Probably the only thing I have in common with Senden is that this shirt has firmly planted itself in my rotation. It is another shirt from the brand that can go anywhere and do anything. The simple series of stripes across the chest add just enough style without being over the top and the Play Dry fabric provides the moisture wicking performance you need on the course.
The two standout features of the Chest Stripe polo for me are the collar and the metal Shark logo plate on the right sleeve. Collars say so much about the style and quality of shirts. The size, shape and structure of a collar can put a shirt on trend or send it careening off the tracks. The collar on the Chest Stripe polo enhances the rich aesthetic of the shirt and the firm structure will hold its shape even after taking trips through the spin cycle. The Shark logo plate is just an added detail that feeds into the up-market look of the shirt and separates it from the pack of $70 polos on the market.
Anytime ‘Loch Ness’ can be worked into a product name it automatically doubles the ‘cool factor’ of said product and that is certainly the case with the Loch Ness 1/4 Zip pullover from the Greg Norman Collection. Prints are in right now and the classy all-over jacquard print puts this layering piece on-point for the season. The collar is quite versatile, as well. Zip it up to protect to the neck on those blustery days, or you can turn it down and allow the collar of a brightly colored polo to pop from underneath.
My recent experience with the Greg Norman Collection shirts has reinforced with me the importance of finding the right size and fit.
When I spoke with the folks at the Greg Norman Collection at the PGA Merchandise Show, I mentioned that I have struggled with the fit of their shirts over the years. I wanted to have the same clean fit that Bud Cauley has been sporting on Tour. They suggested that I size down (to a small, believe it or not) and they were right on. I still think the sleeves could be about a 1/2″ shorter, but sizing down has given me the fit that I was looking for.
That being said, I’d recommend sizing down when purchasing shirts and pullovers from the Greg Norman Collection. Also, consult the size guide on the brand’s website. It really helped me to select the correct size.
For more on the Greg Norman Collection, check out the brand’s website, follow them on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.