Article - Must-Have Features of Golf Shirts
24 Aug 2021
Go for Golf Shirts – Skip the Skippers
Did you know that “skipper” is a word with various meanings, some of which are completely disparate? We’re not referring to a form of address or alternative title for the captain, commander or pilot of an aircraft, ship, yacht or spacecraft.
Something Fishy
You may also omit a curious, strange-looking species of fish – the mudskipper, which is an amphibian that lives in or on tidal or mangrove mudflats. Mudskippers move deftly on land and rapidly “skip” across mudflats by using their stubby pectoral fins like a pair of legs to propel themselves forward. Fascinating as mud – and other skippers may be, they do not feature in the XCO Group’s collection.
A Clue
A certain core element that’s integral to our business at XCO Group may give you a clue. A significant part of what we do at XCO includes the manufacture, customisation and supply of extensive ranges of corporate clothing, sportswear, team wear and associated attire for relevant market sectors. Therein lies a clue to the identity of the skipper to which we refer.
When Golf Shirts “Wore” Skipper’s Caps
Some people, in late 1960s South Africa, used the term “skipper” as an alternative name for T-shirts. In the country’s informal sector, golf shirts were also known as skippers. These most popular and sought-after skippers were made of a cotton knit, stretchy fabric, available in various colours. Fabrics were plain or patterned.
Skippers featured long or short sleeves, a collar and a placket with three buttons, very much like today’s iconic golf shirts, firm favourites for the players of the great game of golf, other sports and most leisure activities – plain old R & R included. Very little beats the comfort provided by soft and giving, well-designed golf shirts that allow almost limitless freedom of movement regardless of what the wearers may be doing, even when they are doing nothing at all.
Today, companies like XCO Group and XCO customers – our loyal clientele – prefer to differentiate between skipper T-shirts and bona fide golf shirts. Our extensive range of T-shirts features numerous designs with round, scooped, boat, or V-necklines and long or short sleeves. In the fashion and overall garment industry, sleeveless T-shirt versions are typically known as tank tops or vests.
The Golfer’s Choice
At XCO, there’s no mistaking our options of golf shirts as such. All designs comply with the criteria set by modern golfing organisations, clubs, golfing etiquette and dress codes in general, as well as the demands of latter-day golf aficionados themselves – amateur and professional.
Must-Have Features of Golf Shirts
Although elements such as colours, patterns, designs, the composition of golf shirt fabrics and garments’ cut and fit vary, certain features are fundamental to a true, modern golfing upper-body garment, once known as a “skipper”.
· Soft, breathable knit-type fabric with adequate “give”
· Fully machine washable, fade-resistant or, ideally, colourfast fabric, which holds its shape during and after being laundered repeatedly
· Variety of fabrics, colours and finish details
· Fabrics that are suitable for customised screen-printed or embroidered corporate or team logos
· Design, cut and comfortable, flattering fit for different body types and shapes
· Not too tight-fitting to hinder maximum freedom and range of movement, but without appearing to be too big for the wearer
· Impeccable quality and workmanship throughout
· Long or short sleeves in standard or raglan designs
· Collar contrasting with or matching the fabric of the shirt
· Placket with three or four buttons
· Optional pocket/s on the chest area
· Priced to suit a wide range of budgets
· An overall neat appearance, on the smart side of being classified as completely casual and thus eminently suitable sportswear for the gentleman’s game of golf and numerous other leisure or informal pursuits
As custom manufacturers, branding specialists, suppliers and wholesalers of enormous ranges of corporate, team and sportswear (and a great deal more), XCO Group has a vast range of great golf shirts from which to make your selection. In total, we supply some 230 000 products and in excess of 130 respected brands of goods, destined for the corporate sector in almost all of its guises and permutations.
Whether you intend on winning the game or just looking the professional part, forget about skippers. Your XCO attire places you right where it’s all happening, every time – in style.