Among the many changes Tiger Woods has brought to the game of golf on a professional level, the evolution of out of shape golfer into fit athlete might be the most pronounced. To keep up with today’s competition, most PGA Tour players dedicate themselves to a high level of fitness, flexibility and strength. Tiger’s focus on fitness that was once unique has now become the norm. And the game of golf will probably never be the same.
Today’s top professional golfers like Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Michelle Wie are elite athletes who bring a level of physicality that extends beyond what was expected from previous generations. Players like these are in tremendous shape and apparel manufacturers provide these athletes with precisely tailored golf wear to fit their individual shape. Gone are the baggy and loose-fitting days of golf apparel. Today’s look is more fit, bold and expressive.
To keep up with this trend towards a more active, athletic game, Canadian golf apparel brand Longball Athletics was born. The company was created by three friends looking for a way to stay connected with the golf. The founders noticed a potential opportunity in the industry for a young, fun brand that was developed by the player for the player. What they’ve produced is a bold new look with an extreme attention to detail and performance.
To get a better idea of what Longball is about, I tested two different golf shirts, Shark and Pure. Both shirts feature an athletic cut that looks really good with their color patterns. The craftsmanship is topnotch, with durable seams built for maneuverability. These Longball shirts are composed of a lightweight and flexible Polyester/Spandex blended fabric that is durable, breathable, responsive and sweat-wicking.
These shirts look and feel great, even after a few wash cycles. But what really makes them unique in the crowded world of golf apparel is their previously mentioned dedication to the details. Both shirts use long lasting, custom engraved metal snap buttons, reflective brand logos and a folded-over and bonded collar for a modern look. Make no mistake, the Longball brand was built for today’s golfer with a focus on fit, function and athleticism.
Longball’s golf pants take their commitment to detail a step further with a number of unique components to help keep you cool under pressure. Made with a lightweight and flexible Polyester fabric, Longball’s Grind pants offer custom ventilation through the groin hot spots as well as a non-slip waist band inlay to keep your shirt from slipping out. I’ll admit, I was surprised at how effective a simple non-slip waist band gripper inlay could be.
Another cool feature of these pants are the fusion enhanced pockets that are quite breathable, which is highly useful on a warm day. The back pockets have tuck in flaps as well as a non-slip gripper band – similar to the waist band, to help keep the pocket closed.
Longball’s shirts and pants definitely hit the mark when it comes to appealing to today’s young, athletic golfer. With custom-designed, affordable golf apparel like this, it’s easy to see how the game of golf and the athletes that play the game have changed dramatically.