Callaway Apparel Spring 2016 Review

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Callaway Apparel Spring 2016 1

50 Words or Less

With sophisticated styles and clean lines, the Spring 2016 collection from Callaway apparel delivers with technology and functionality that is sure to resonate with golfers.

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Introduction

I had to stop and ponder the marketing summary that came with this shipment when it opened with:  “Callaway is the most authentic brand in the golf industry”.  But as I thought about all the brands associated with golf, Callaway is the only one that focuses solely on golf and offers everything a golfer needs: equipment, clothing, and accessories.  So far, so good.

To stay true to the apparel demands of golf, Callaway utilizes a collection of nine fabric technologies called the Opti-Series.  Four were prevalent in the pieces I tested:  Opti-dri, Opti-stretch, Opti-vent, and Opti-shield.  The functions of the first three, obvious from their names, are discussed below.  Opti-Shield offers proven protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  The solid and the blocked polos I evaluated are from the essentials line and offer UPF 50, which equates to blocking 98% of UV rays.   As an added bonus, those two polos are also silky soft.

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Performance

Staying cool and dry are important for the spring and summer golf seasons.  All the Callaway polos, shorts, and pants in the photos incorporate Opti-dri, and true to the name, moved sweat from my body for quick evaporation.  It’s extremely nice to have your clothes dry shortly after finishing a round.  For additional comfort in the heat, my favorite polos – pictured above – offer engineered ventilation in Opti-vent.  You can actually see the perforations in the back panels of the polos.  Now I have a better understanding of how tour pros can wear dark colors when it’s hot.

And when the weather isn’t ideal, the Callaway Weather Series has you covered – literally.  The half-sleeved stretch windshirt has found a permanent home in my bag for the season.  It’s wind and water resistant and the Opti-stretch panels provide all the flexibility I need to swing.

All the pieces except one polo had Opti-stretch, and I found all of them easy to move in.  Even with the fit being athletic (see next section), bending and turning were never encumbered.

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Style & Fit

Callaway apparel has really captured an upscale style for their spring 2016 sportswear line.  Colors are vibrant with equally snazzy names like clematis and blue atoll.  Interest is added by pops of accent colors and subtle stripes created with changes of fabric weave, not flashy colors or space age graphics.  Whether you prefer your polos in solids or with more interesting stripes, Callaway apparel has something for everyone. The pants and shorts offer clean lines in simple coordinated colors, all optimized to wear on the golf course but equally appropriate for dinner out with friends.

For me, the fit is as close to perfection as I can imagine.  I’d describe the fit as athletic – not tight and not loose.  And that applies to the chest, arms, mid-section, waist, and below.  Very consistent.  For the polos, the sleeve seam is right where your arm starts and the sleeve extends two-thirds of the way to your elbow.  The shorts have a typical 10-1/12″ inseam and are cut nicely so that they don’t look like they’re ballooning above the knees.

Part of fit comes by good sizing.  Please utilize the size chart on the Callaway apparel website.  I’m a 38″ chest and typically wear a medium in most brands, and the small shirt size fits perfect for these Callaway polos.  Callaway is transitioning shorts/pants sizing, so again check to charts.  I’m a 33″ waist and need to go to 34″ (or medium) when only even sizes are offered.  The Callaway windshirt is a small and fits nicely over a Callaway polo shirt.  If I was layering for other times of the year, I would move up to a medium.

Another great quality of the Callaway brand is the attention to details.  Every stitch looks perfect, and I’ve yet to find a loose thread.  I loved discovering the embroidered chevron between the buttons on the polos.  And the coin pocket in the shorts is actually a usable size in a functional location.

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Conclusion

I enjoy having clothes that look good and perform well on the golf course, and the spring 2016 collection from Callaway apparel exceeded my expectations.  The engineered fabrics truly help when the temperature rises or the clouds gather.  The fit offers clean lines for a tour pro look.  I may not have Danny Willett’s green jacket, but at least we can share that Callaway style.

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Matt Meeker

Matt - aka 'Meeks' - is the Senior Writer at Plugged In Golf based on both tenure and age. Matt lives in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina with his wife who allows his golf obsession to stretch the limits of normalcy.

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