Golf fashion favourites that have gone mainstream

  
Throughout the ages, golf has combined fashion with sport more often than most other popular pastimes. And while some of the clothing worn on the fairway has either disappeared into obscurity or stayed firmly on the course, some have transcended their roots and become mainstream fashion staples.

Here are some of our favourites…

The Pringle jumper
While Pringle had been around since 1815, it was in the 1930s and ‘40s that it caught the eye of golfers with the introduction of the now famous Argyle print jumpers.

But it was a two-way street – the designers at Pringle were inspired by the twinsets look of jumper and cardigan that many of the era’s leading golfers wore.

Adding the Argyle print gave them a distinctive look that went mainstream in the 1980s as golfing superstar Nick Faldo became sponsored by Pringle. As a breakout player, the British winner made golf familiar and cool – and with it the Pringle jumper.

The golf visor
Most varieties of causal hat worn these days have their origins in the Welsh beanies of old. The simple wool hat was adapted into the cap of today by adding a visor. Over time, this baseball cap style was adapted for other sports.

Ditching the top to keep the head cooler, while adding a thicker band to double as a sweat band, the visor became a favourite of golfers. It allowed them to block out the sun so they could focus their shots.

While it might have dipped out of fashion for a while, with the 1980s revival, the visor is coming back.  
   

Polo shirt
As the name suggests, this actually originated as part of the polo game in India in the mid-1800s. But these original polo shirts were long-sleeved. Then came French tennis legend Rene Lacoste in the early 1900s with a short sleeved version.

This new, more relaxed version was then adapted by golfers in the 1950s after US President Dwight Eisenhower wore one while playing a round. It was quickly added to many golf clubs’ list of approved attire.

Since then, the polo shirt has moved on from sportswear to become a staple of wardrobes across the world.

Sleeveless jumpers
Adapting the classic Pringle jumper to something that was more suited to warmer days and freedom of movement, the sleeveless jumper – or sweater vest if you’re American – has since become a favourite among the older golfing crowd.

Ditching the sleeves created a more relaxed look, while it could be used over smart dress shirts on colder days. This adaptability has meant it’s stuck around and even can be found on the high street these days.