There are many planets in the orbit of golf’s polo-verse. If you pull for Tiger or Rory you can succumb to Nike’s gravitational force or rock Puma for Ricky Fowler, Under Armor for Jordan Spieth, Adidas for Dustin Johnson, Uniqlo for Adam Scott, RLX for Luke Donald or Hugo Boss for Kaymer. But sometimes you want something that isn’t on every other Bubba’s back. We cut to the cotton on an up and comer and an old stalwart that predates all the above by more than a century.
Go Old School Foxy with Wolsey
Born in 1755 Wolsey is one of the oldest sports apparel labels still kicking. Wolsey’s thermal underwear was worn by Captain Robert Falcon Scott on his race to the South Pole and Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team wore their skivvies on their Murmansk expedition in North Russia. Eighteen million Wolsey items were worn by British and Allied troops in WWI. Golf-wise Tony Jacklin, Peter Alliss, Fuzzy Zoeller, and David Feherty have donned their togs and Tom Lewis, who was the European Tour’s rookie of the year in ’11 sported their sportsman line at the U.S. Open. Robert Rock, (no relation to Bob) and James Heath also don the duds.
Criquet is Comfy
“From shankers to bankers our players shirt improves all games,” chimes Criquet’s cheeky copy. This quirky Austin, Texas based purveyor of vintage preppyness should pique the curiosity of cotton clad golfers who prefer an organic cotton feel to the sweat wicking, dri-fitting, climate-cooling Franken-fabrics that the mainstream brands trot out to pro shops. Criquet’s four button polo masterpieces offer subtle sophistication with just a touch of retro 1970s flair.
With golf polos in the end it all comes down to feel, in all senses of the word. How does it make you feel when you put it on? How does it feel on your torso when you make a golf swing? How does that feel hold up through 18 holes? And when you’re having your beer on the 19th hole does it still feel alright? Criquet and Wolsey ace the feel test, and that’s what it takes to become a golfer’s go-to polo.
