Since its creation in 2009, Linksoul has become synonymous with golf apparel appropriate for Southern California’s laid-back style and the region’s benign temperatures. During a time when the rest of the golf world was creating golf shirts made from shiny synthetic fabrics, Linksoul was using natural fibers for a soft hand feel that became the antithesis of the golf uniform.
Cotton is cool when it comes to a dry climate with low humidity. But the reality is certain climates require performance fabrics on the golf course. Early iterations of Linksoul gear didn’t wear well in Florida summers, for example. As any evolutionary biologist will tell you, the rate of evolution refers to the speed of morphological change in a lineage over time. And one of the key factors that influence the rate of evolution is environmental pressure.
Environmental Pressures
As we’ve seen more and more professional golfers wearing Linksoul on Tour and an increase in Linksouldiers nationwide embracing the MGF mantra, it has become obvious that the casual and comfortable cotton blends appropriate for California don’t perform as well in the humidity of the Carolinas. When the team at Linksoul Lab announced that they were releasing a true Performance Collection, admittedly, the response they received was, “What the f*ck took you so long?” The people spoke. Linksoul listened. My concern was that after fifteen years of doing things one way, would this evolution dramatically alter their DNA? (Spoiler alert, it did NOT).
(Still) Unassumingly Cool
Linksoul has always maintained a simply styled, unassumingly cool vibe that stood out from other golf apparel brands. Despite the absence of cotton in the Linksoul Performance Collection, it keeps in lockstep with the fashion roots of its forefathers. In addition to looking cool, it will keep you feeling cool on those hot and humid days. The polyester/spandex blend offers a triple chill effect featuring brrr° technology with mineral cooling, active wicking, and rapid drying. It might’ve taken years to get here but the results were worth it! Check it out…
‘Best In Show’ Award
The weather in New England is not quite suitable yet for testing purposes, so I took my new gear to St. Augustine, Florida in April to put it to the test. First off, it still has the same unmistakable Linksoul styling but with a slightly more athletic look to it (think Vuori or Lululemon). I have always worn a Large in Linksoul and the fit is similar to what I have worn in the past, maybe slightly more tailored but otherwise true to size.
After testing the Linksoul Performance Collection, my opinion is that the individual technologies might not perform as well as some of the competitors but overall, it gets my “Best in Show” award. The brrr° technology works and did keep me feeling cool-ish on a day when it was 85 and muggy. It didn’t feel as cool to the touch as the Under Armour Iso-Chill (although UA shirts are heavier), but you could definitely sense the cooling minerals.
I found the lightweight fabric (almost as light as the johnnie-O Featherweight Collection but with less of a polyester appearance) coupled with the brrr° technology to combine for the ultimate shirt for those oppressively hot days. When you add in the rapid drying and active wicking properties, you get one of the most technologically advanced golf shirts that still fits the Linksoul DNA.
Finally, I have always been a Boardwalker Shorts guy, but the new 8″ Icon is going to make me rethink my selection. The ripstop fabric feels durable and seems impervious to piling and wear. It is infused with brrr° technology for a cooling sensation. The front and back security zipper are a nice touch that keeps me feeling like my valuables are safe.