Heated Outerwear Warms Up The Cool Golf Months

Walking out of the house this morning was a reminder that the dog days of summer are past us. September in the Northeast offers that sweet relief of temperatures in the 50s before the sun gets up. It’s not necessarily jacket weather yet, but it will be soon.

On the golf course, especially as the days get shorter and afternoon football makes early morning rounds all the more important, there’s nothing worse than bundling up like the kid from “A Christmas Story.” So it’s shocking it’s taken this long for someone to figure out a way to power a jacket with more than body heat. Mobile Warming Outerwear has found the solution.

Kentwool rolls out 19th Hole lifestyle sock to complement golf line

True story: The first time I heard about Kentwool socks, and saw the price sticker, I thought, “I can get a six-pack of socks at Target for less than that.” Then I tried a pair and wonder why I’d been so cheap with my feet all these years.

Going back to 1843, Kentwool has a long history as a family-owned textile company, based in Greenville, S.C., and it was just a few years ago they realized they could start building golf socks. Wool, they knew, would be cool in the summer, warm in the winter and comfortable all the time. They’ve been a hit, growing rapidly and becoming popular on the PGA Tour with stars such as Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar wearing the socks.

Adidas Tour360 ATV Review: Golf Shoes With Bite

The new models of adidas ATV 360 offer even more color options.

Walking 18 holes of golf racks up somewhere around 5 miles of steps on your feet, yet your typical golfer will spend far more time and energy finding a driver to squeeze out 10 more yards than find a pair of shoes that maximize comfort and performance.

Traditionally there have been the high-end golf shoes that look nice at a country club, but until you break them in (if ever), you’re bound to trade looks for a pair of shoes that feel like you just walked 15,000 steps in your father’s wingtips. You don’t play golf in a shirt and tie, why wear uber-fancy shoes just for show?

On the other end of the spectrum is the sporty segment, sneakers that simply look out of place in certain settings, with long pants, or when you’re trying to impress your client (or boss, if you’re lucky enough to have a boss that thinks the course is a great place to do business). But for casual, everyday rounds, these shoes help when walking, wearing shorts or when your only concern is relief for the feet.

Luckily for us as golfers, the footware industry has recognized there is a strong market for a shoe that combines the best of all: Comfort, technology and looks that can be either dressed up or down.

MyGolfUniverse’s Father’s Day Gift Guide

Your dad doesn’t need to be a great golfer to enjoy these gift picks, but they will all help him enjoy the game even more. Click on each photo for more information about the product and a place to buy.