Wow! Time flies. PING Apparel has become such a staple in my wardrobe, it is difficult to believe the new SS’17 Collection is only the brand’s third collection since rebooting its soft goods business. In this short amount of time, PING Apparel has become one of my favorite brands to sport on the fairways.
Fit, performance and style have been the keys to PING’s success. For SS’17, the brand has taken these three qualities to another level with well-tailored looks, new fabric technologies, and three eye-catching color stories.
On Point Tailoring
I’m a stickler for how a garment fits. There are plenty of stylish polos in my closet that never make it off their hangers because the sleeves are too wide or too long, the body is too boxy, or the shoulders are too wide. The razor sharp fit is the biggest reason why PING is one of my go-to’s. Either I was born to wear PING polos or there is a mannequin in the brand’s design studio that is built to my exact dimensions.
While PING is one of the great American OEMs, its apparel possesses a streamlined European fit. The short and narrow sleeves, high armholes, and the slim cut torsos give PING’s shirts a well-tailored Savile Row vibe. So, what does this mean for sizing? If you like a slim cut, stick with your typical size. If you prefer a more classic fit, consider sizing up.
Performance-Driven Innovation
When I think about PING, some of the most innovative pieces of equipment in the history of the game come to mind. Anser putters, Eye2 irons, G Series woods, and Hoofer stand bags all brought revolutionary technology to the course. It is no surprise seeing the brand bringing that same level of passion and innovation to the game on the apparel side of the house.
At the core of PING’s apparel technologies is the Sensor Technology Platform—a series of cutting-edge fabrics that work together, from the base layer to the outer shell, to keep players cool, warm, or dry depending on the conditions.
All the polos in PING’s SS’17 Collection feature SensorCool, which dries quickly, moves moisture away from the skin, provides UV protection, and stretches with the swing. This fabric was made for the hot and humid conditions that summer throws at us. SensorWarm is found in many of PING’s layering pieces. Insulated thermal properties lock in heat, while an outer shell offers a barrier of protection against wind and rain. Taking that layer of defense to the next level is SensorDry. Fully sealed seams and the revolutionary waterproof and windproof Pertex Shield+ fabric protect against heavy rains and winds, while also providing breathability and flexibility. Sounds perfect for those warm summer gulley washers.
In an effort to continue innovating, PING has added the CoolMax fabric technology to select polos in its SS’17 Collection. CoolMax is an all-season fabric. It knows exactly how the body is feeling and has the ability to regulate the body’s temperature. When body temperature rises, fibers with a channeled surface move moisture away from the body. On cooler days, hollow core fibers trap heat and return it to the body. That is one smart fabric.
Inspiring Color Stories for Summer
PING has succeeded in creating three attractive and masculine color stories for the season. The cool Heritage story features a mix of brilliant blues. We’re talking cobalt, deep sea, Malibu, lagoon, and cerulean hues. You may think this many blues would clash, but PING’s design team has made them work in perfect harmony.
As tranquil and inviting as the Heritage story is, Mercury Rising is the exact opposite. Fiery reds and oranges are played off dark greys and black to create intense, high-contrast looks. These are the colors you want to grab for a strong final round charge at your club championship.
Rounding out PING’s color stories is the softer and more creative Oceans Depth story. The muted blues and yellows are balanced against natural silver and mineral tones. This is one of the unique color stories in the game this summer. Expect the guy with the imaginative short game to be all over this one.
Summer Favorites
The Brett and the Harris are two new polo styles in the SS’17 Collection that feature the aforementioned CoolMax fabric technology. Since PING brought its apparel business in-house, it has used marled prints to create depth with its polos. The Brett elegantly combines this marled print on the front with tonal stripes on the back, front shoulders and side panels. A ribbon detail on the inner placket brings a splash of color and sophistication to this shirt. The Harris brings a modern and athletic vibe to the classic striped polo thanks to a contrasting placket, collar, and sleeve hems made from PING’s marled fabric.
The Rhys Polo has quickly become my favorite shirt in PING’s collection for the simple fact that it is fabricated from one of the softest technical materials I have ever worn. Are we sure this isn’t cotton? While many of the other shirts in PING’s Collection feature a subtle marled texture, the Rhys uses a space dyed fabric to offer a bolder and grainier texture.
For sportier styles, check out the paneled designs of the Keyes and Drake Polos. Both achieve a rarity in the world of golf fashion by delivering athletic aesthetics while maintaining a crisp and clean look. The Keyes introduces the element of a jacquard fabric into PING’s line. The jacquard design on the contrasting sleeves, back, placket, and collar bring a unique depth and texture to the shirt. On the other hand, the Drake takes a more aggressive approach with a bold contrasting chest panel and collar. Plus, the technical pique fabric provides much needed airflow and ventilation during the hot summer months.
Living in Northern California, layering is a year-round necessity. However, there is a fine line between being too hot and being too cold during the warmer months, which is why PING’s Largo Pullover has been my go-to this spring and summer. While many layering pieces are made to lock in warmth for cooler conditions, the Largo is constructed with PING’s SensorCool fabric. As a result, it provides a thin layer of warmth and also offers breathability and moisture movement. The Largo has been with me for every round over the last few months. I don’t even risk taking it out of my bag when I leave the course. Good thing it is wrinkle resistant.
Looking Ahead to the PING AW’17 Collection
As good as PING’s SS’17 Collection is, expect its AW’17 Collection to be even better. Another new technology, PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, will be introduced to layering pieces, including the Norse Jacket. PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active is a lightweight, breathable, high-performance thermal insulation with permanent water resistant technology. In other words, it is the perfect jacket for extending the golf season into the winter.
See Also: 12 Insanely Stylish Things from the PGA Show
Favorites like the Karsten Polo with a modern interpretation of a chest pocket and the Lennox 5-Pocket Pant return for another tour of duty in updated colorways for the season. Speaking of colors, PING has hit another home run with its color stories for AW’17. The palette of deep reds, rich blues, and dark teals is one of the best in the industry. I could easily see myself wearing everything in the collection. Is it fall yet? I can’t wait!
Pings stuff used to be terrible. Giant in tapered shirts, ugly colors, very blah. They have come a long way and it is paying dividends