Article - Professionally Branded Golf Shirts by XCO
11 Jan 2018
Can you imagine the shock, horror, and public outcry that would explode throughout a sports-loving country like South Africa if the national rugby team ran onto the field for a test match against New Zealand’s All Blacks, or the Proteas took on a determined Aussie cricket team, or our Olympic swimming team showed up at their events – all without any discernible branding on some item of their apparel, particularly their shirts? The same holds true for members of the golfing fraternity, plus all other team sports and team activities of any description, nationally and internationally. Your team may play darts, squash, or chess. They may even be involved in building and racing a go-kart. In all instances, branded team shirts, accessories, and equipment are essential. They allow participants and observers to distinguish one group from the other.
Professional and Amateur Golf
In the so-called gentleman’s game of golf, participants in top-level, professional competitions compete as individual players, who have adopted competitive golf as their profession and means to earn a living by it. They generally wear golf shirts with subtle branding. While golf is still perceived to be an elitist game – possibly because it’s an expensive sport – it has become a lot more accessible to people who aren’t necessarily wealthy. Amateur players can be seen on courses right across South Africa, especially on Wednesday afternoons and on weekends.
There are numerous golf development initiatives in South Africa, while corporate companies regularly put together teams consisting of their employees or guests, and/or they also sponsor amateur golf tournaments. In order to get maximum exposure and marketing mileage from sponsoring such teams, certain items of their apparel must be branded – especially golf shirts and caps or visors. Caps are worn to protect players from the worst effects of the sun, while their peaks and those of visors serve a vital purpose – cutting down on glare while the player is aiming at that elusive hole.
Apparel and Etiquette
Being a game of gentlemen (and nowadays, ladies too), golf, golfers, and their guests are still required to adhere to traditional etiquette, involving standards of behaviour, ethics, rules, and dress, both on the course and in each course’s clubhouse.
Shirts, Pants, and Shoes
Although modern golf dress codes are more lenient, certain criteria still apply to shirts, pants, and footwear. Some clubs may have additional or specific requirements over and above those that are universal:
- Shirts may have long or short sleeves, but are never sleeveless. Modern golf shirts are made of a stretchy knit fabric that allows freedom of movement. They’re loose-fitting and must have collars, while featuring a neck opening with three buttons. A chest pocket may be included, which is perfect for branding. Otherwise, branding can be applied on the one side of the chest area.
- Trousers may be long or short, reaching to just below or above the knee. A chino style is preferred by many players.
- Golf shoes feature soft spikes on the sole. Some clubs may allow running shoes.
- Ladies’ shirts are similar. Women are not permitted to expose the midriff nor wear low-cut, revealing garments.
Where to Buy Branded Golf Shirts
In the suburb of Irene, between Johannesburg and Pretoria, you’ll find the warehouse, showroom, and branding department of the XCO Group, a leading company that specialises in the supply of all things corporate and branded. Everything takes place on these premises, virtually eliminating the possibility of errors creeping in.
Branded golf shirts are among the top sellers at XCO, since these garments are smarter than T-shirts, whilst still being comfortable to wear and cool in hot conditions. Whether you are assembling a golf team or needing casual branded corporate shirts for personnel working in an informal environment, XCO Group’s gear should be on your shopping list.