I’ll try to fashion a novel way to win

A topic that inspired me to write my column this week all came about by a recent shopping trip to Mall of the Emirates. It wasn’t in the search of new technology or at least not in the equipment sense of the word, but it was more in search of what was going to make me cut a dash, out on the fairways of St Andrews. You got it – fashion!

I have to admit that over the years of being involved in the golf retail business while managing the golf operation at Nad Al Sheba, I have detached myself from wearing club logoed clothing out on the course.

I can’t put my finger on why – I guess it’s a fashion thing.

I like to class myself young enough to still be a fashion victim and with lead industry designers such as JL Lindeberg, Peak Performance, Puma setting the pace with lean, bold and funky apparel ranges, who can blame me?
In preparation for my trip and planning how I could gain a few shots on the other guys I decided intimidation was the way forward and hence I started thinking bright and bold.

I also thought it was about time to give my wardrobe a lift – but where do you start? Golf gear has evolved immensely over the last four to five years, which is mainly thanks to the likes of Jesper Parnevik who led the Professional game away from the stripes and baggy Hawaiian style shirts you often see on the PGA Tour.

Fabrics are now competing against golf equipment for the amount of technical specifications it is possible to fit on a swing tag.

Fabric is breathable, resilient to UV rays, they have antiseptic properties – what will be the next scientific breakthrough I wonder – perhaps they’ll be able to coil your upper body better for greater resistance and more power?

Whatever way fashion goes we know it will invariably change and that’s great. Golf is full of traditions it has established firm roots over centuries of play, but we should never reserve ourselves to being stuck in the past.

The game itself has evolved no end over the last 40 years, there are more people playing the game than ever before and from countries with little or no culture for golf. Should we impart on these countries traditionalistic views – of course not. Golf is a game of the future and change should be embraced.

Will I be playing great golf in St Andrews because I look good – absolutely not. But it will give the boys something to talk about at the 19th hole.