50 Words or Less
New to the golf market but rooted in an innovative heritage, Columbia Golf utilizes cutting edge fabric technology to deliver modern styles in its Fall 2016 apparel line.
Introduction
Columbia Sportswear has long been recognized for their outstanding outdoor apparel, but it was only this past January that they officially entered the golf market with Columbia Golf. And they didn’t just wade in, they signed eleven PGA touring pros including Ryan Palmer, Boo Weekley and Jason Kokrak to help get the word out. But even with an instantly recognized name I wouldn’t be surprised if this is your first time learning about Columbia Golf. Even Matt and Bill gave me a, “What?” not a month ago. So read on and find out why Columbia Golf is soon to become a name you know.
Performance
It’s hard to know where to start when it seems like every day I was discovering something new about the polos. Sure, the tags tell you about Columbia’s Omni-Wick moisture transferring technology and Omni-Shade UPF 30 sun protection that all the polos and pullover included – those are expected in performance golf apparel. Where Columbia Golf steps up its game is in the not-so-obvious aspects. Take a close look at the placket above (yes that button place) – where are the threads? That’s bonding technology holding the shirt and placket together, which provides a smoother feel and a lighter weight. There’s also a bonded seam pocket on the sleeve of the pullover. Overall, these are the lightest polos I’ve ever worn. And the sewn-in collar stays may not affect performance, but they sure keep the collar looking good.
Ok, back to technology. I’m still not sure how it works, but the Columbia Golf Snap Placket Polo includes Omni-Freeze Zero, a sweat activated cooling system. Those little blue rings have a cooling agent that activates with sweat to lower the actual fabric temperature. I can’t say I noticed a difference in said fabric temperature during my 95°F Florida testing, but I can state that all the polos performed great in sweat evaporation.
Two side notes. One, I found it really cool (no pun intended) that it took a while to notice the Omni-Freeze and Patent Pending text in the fabric. It was part of the extended surprise element. Second, I laundered the polos three different ways, including as directed, and noticed no difference in the outcome. I now wash them all the same, no bag, cold water, regular cycle and dry on low. And yes, I do the laundry in my household.
Style & Fit
I rate the style of the Columbia Golf Fall 2016 apparel line as contemporary. Clean lines, pointed collar, with distinctive yet subtle colors and patterns. The kind of polos you can wear to play golf as well as out to dinner at the trendy bistro. The Snap Placket Polo definitely could play with a pair of jeans and not scream “I’m a golfer”. The 1/4 zip pullover is also a versatile piece with a relaxed look.
The fit of the Columbia Golf Fall 2016 polos is a nice balance between relaxed and athletic. At 5′-10″ and 165 lbs, the medium is an excellent fit. Sleeves cover the bicep, shirt tails are extended, and overall the shirts allow a comfortable range of motion. The sleeves of the pullover are a little loose in the forearm for my golfing pleasure but will definitely be good for slipping on post round and other outdoor pursuits when the weather cools.
Conclusion
Don’t be fooled by the fall designation, these polos from Columbia Golf are built to battle the summer heat and humidity. The soft, thin material and high tech construction keep these polos lightweight and looking great. The contemporary style would make a nice addition to most golfers’ closets, and the 1/4 zip pullover should be a hit with any outdoor enthusiast.
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Matt Meeker
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