Golf is conservative and squeaky clean for the most part. I thought it would be fun for GolfThreads to recognize PGA Tour pros who bring a little (Ric) flair (Woo!) and/or counter-culture to the course.
I have developed a Spinal Tap Top 10 list for the most aggressively styled golfers. My eligibility criteria: players must be ranked within the top 300 of the OWGR, I only considered style from the 2017 season, and clothing was the primary focus, but additional points were given for things such as long hair, tattoos, beards, sponsorship, and accessories (belts, socks, shoes).
Just to clarify this is NOT a best or worst dressed list. It is recognition to those who use their style to break away from the traditional ‘golf uniforms’ and make the game a bit more interesting. Now turn it up to eleven and get this party started…..
11. Ian Poulter
A few years back, when IJP Design was in full swing, Poulter would have been higher on the list. He has tamed his style recently but will still break out the iconic tartans, which give Ian an honorary spot on this list.
10. Danny Willett
Willett has embraced the switch to Descente by wearing polos that adorn the boldest patterns east of J.Lindeberg. Bonus points for the tattoo and scruff.
9. Graham DeLaet
If bonus points are given to Willett for his ink and wispy whiskers, then the hirsute Canadian, DeLaet needs to be one spot higher! Although Graham has toned down the beard a bit over the past year, he still has the most “ZZ Top” facial hair on tour. Does anyone know what the tattoo is on his right arm? (It is barely visible in the pictures).
8. Wesley Bryan
A penchant for pastels and Taco Bell belts will get you the #8 slot on my list any day. For anyone who is interested; the #8 combo meal at Taco Bell would be 3 crunchy or soft tacos ($5.49).
7. Anirban Lahiri
Anirban knows how to mix it up. He can come at you with camo, tartan, and fluorescent all in one tournament.
6. Pat Perez
(Hair) + (a collection of Air Jordans that would make Imelda Marcos blush) + (William Murray) + (MGM Grand sponsorship) = #6 on the list
5. Bubba Watson
The big debate at GolfThreads headquarters was whether Bubba should make the list. Greg says his oversized polos and shapeless trousers look bad! I don’t disagree, however, the loud Oakley shirts (buttoned all the way up), colorful G/FORE gloves and high top kicks get you in the discussion. In fact, add in his “Angie” ring finger tattoo and it gets you recognized as an aggressively styled golfer. Good, bad or indifferent.
4. Yuta Ikeda
I look forward to seeing what Ikeda wears whenever he is in a tournament. Striking patterns on his polos. Popped collars. Tartans. Fearless in his shoe game. Not only is he a contender for the Most Aggressively Styled Golfer but a contender for best dressed, too.
3. Rickie Fowler
The Godfather of golf fashion, especially when it comes to adding flair and some counter-culture to the game (hair, tattoos, introducing new trends–flat brim hats, joggers, high tops). Rickie always seems to be ahead of the curve. A trailblazer. It is hard not to rank him #1. Fowler has mellowed a bit the past few years but still is the in-your-face personality week after week. What he has done for the game (and golf fashion) is transcendent.
2. Kevin Na
Sponsored by a company whose mascot is a devil-looking character named, Waacky. Need more be said?
1. Ryo Ishikawa
It could have been any of the top three guys in this spot. The deciding factor was his shirt with mopeds driven by squirrels. This made me think of the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song, Downtown (which starts, “I went to the Moped store….”). This is my second post in a row that had me singing Macklemore (Pop the Cork with Ace of Clubs Golf had me singing Thrift Shop, “I’m gonna’ pop some tags”). That’s it. That is how I made my final decision. Scientific method be damned!
Yuta is very bold in his choices and sometimes does so much its crazy. The point of the list was to be bold, attitude and stand out… then Bubba easily does that. He wears some weird stuff when Rafa always looks put together by the same brand. Anirban loves yellow and does stand out but Yellow has to be the hardest color to really look good in.
A good list of bold dressed players but only a couple of these guys look slick. I suppose you can get away with dressing so badly if you play so well but us amateurs could do a lot worse than follow the great fit & classic colours worn by DJ & Adam Scott. Class.