Columbia Golf Spring 2017 Apparel Review

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Columbia Golf combines contemporary style with high tech fabrics in a very appealing Spring 2017 collection.

Introduction

Now in its second full season in the golf market, Columbia Golf apparel is showing up on golfers around my local courses.  With Brian Harman leading Columbia Golf’s stable of PGA Tour players with two top 10s early in the season, exposure continues to grow.  Just as revealed in my Fall 2016 review, Columbia Golf is technology driven, but not at the sacrifice of fashion.

Performance

We’ll get to the polos in a second, but I’m sure you want to know more about the Regulation ¼ Zip shown above.  When I first saw the Omni-HEAT thermal reflective fabric, I thought I’d been recruited by NASA.   That technology reflects your own body heat back to you to keep you warm.  It also allows moisture to escape, keeping you dry when you work up a sweat pounding balls at the range.  The amazing aspect to me was that the inside feels ‘normal’ – no different than the outside.  It’s a remarkably thin fabric that provides the warmth of a pullover twice as heavy.

Even though bonding technology wasn’t utilized in these Spring 2017 polos, they are still the lightest shirts I’ve worn this season.  All the polos feature Omni-WICK which moves sweat away from the skin for quick evaporation.  Most synthetic golf shirts have some sort of wicking capability, but with their light fabric weight, these by Columbia Golf really dry fast.

The Stormy Blue Reflective Tape polo features Omni-FREEZE Zero which actually lowers the temperature of the material.  I can’t see the blue rings like last fall, but I trust they are there.  Utilizing a tight weave for Omni-SHADE, the Mayan Green Distance and grey striped Groove polos provide UPF 30 protection.  As we head into summer, remember that UPF is a different scale than SPF of sunscreen.  UPF 30 means that of 30 units of UV, 1 unit will pass through, equating to 96.7 % blockage!

Style & Fit

I’m going to stick with defining the Columbia Golf style as contemporary.  Heathers are very popular this season, and the reflective tape on the Stormy Blue polo is a nice accent.  I’m a big fan of self collars and glad these continue with the sewn in collar stand to maintain a clean look.  The dark grey body with striped shoulders and sleeves of the Groove polo are an eye catching combo.   The weave pattern and blues of the ¼ zip pullover are more great examples of contemporary styling on a highly technical piece.

I enjoy golfing in Columbia Golf polos because the fit hits that sweet spot between trim cut and regular.  The shoulder seam sits right at the shoulder and the sleeves sit comfortably cover the biceps.  The fit runs true to size.  The sleeves of the ¼ zip pullover are form fitting but not tight, perfect for not interfering with my golf swing.

Conclusion

The Spring 2017 line from Columbia Golf really showcases the company’s technology while at the same time keeping the apparel appealing to a wide variety of fashion tastes.  The fit is also appropriate for the general population of golfers.  Columbia Golf has established itself as a solid brand and a great choice for golfers trying to stay warm or keep cool.

Matt Meeker
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