Nike's apparel offerings for Spring/Summer 2016 centre around the idea of disrupting the status quo.
This isn't surprising. In 2015 its collection was all about clothes that golfers could feel comfortable in on and off the course and 2016 sees new materials, cuts and concepts that look to lead the way in evolving golf style and performance.
Nike Golf Flyknit Chukka Shoes
Nike's Flyknit Chukka shoe has been a staple of its street-style line since 2013, a result of an ongoing collaboration between Nike CEO and designer Mark Parker, Nike design legend Tinker Hatfield and style ambassador Hiroshi Fujiwara.
The Flyknit Chukka shoe made it's way into sport, and onto the podium, at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and has now made the step onto the golf course.
Flyknit is made with a revolutionary manufacturing method where designers can micro-engineer every stitch of the Chukka to create an extremely light, one-piece upper in a process that also reduces manufacturing waste and materials.
To add the support and stability required for top level sport Nike has incorporated its Flywire technology, a staple in all of its recent golf shoes, as well as a golf-specific Nike Free-inspired sole, that has enhanced traction elements in the toe and heel to increase grip. A thin skin TPU layer across the upper also provides enough waterproofing to protect the feet against light rain or a morning dew.
Already put into play by Patrick Rodgers, Jamie Lovemark and Kevin Tway, the Flyknit Chukka comes in either black/white or racer/blue white for men and black/white or pink pow/white for women.
Nike Golf Polo Shirts
The polo shirts in the collection are designed to enhance the personality of the the players who take them to the course.
Modern cuts, three collar designs - blade, roll and classic - plus fit options that range from standard to an athletic modern slim, look to lead the way in the progressive apparel that's changing golf's traditional style.
Rory McIlroy's polo of choice is the Nike MM Fly Blade Polo. It is made from a lightweight, Dri-FIT fabric and has ergonomic seams that offer a full range of athletic motion. The blade collar features a minimal rib design to bring comfort and a refined look as the Northern Irishman explains:
I wanted a great fitting polo. I wanted something I could pull on at the beginning of my round and not think about again until after the last putt.
The MM Fly Roll Polo is the choice of Nike athlete Scott Pickney, made from a similar Dri-Fit fabric, it is another ergonomic design with a polished roll collar.
The MM Fly Framing Commander Polo has a perforated collar at the top of the breathable Dri-FIT tailored fit. Thorbjorn Olesen chose this shirt as an ideal fit for his individual expression:
Anytime I can have my off-course style blend in with my on course style, it's a bit thing for me. The clothes we wear on the course almost become an expression of our personality.
Nike Golf Hyperwarm Tights
Recovery is something that professional sportsman realise is key to their performance. Performance tights have become the norm in the gym, for runners and on sporting sidelines.
The Nike Golf Hyperwarm tights look to bring this to the golf course providing a locked in-feel during play and compression benefit in recovery.
Brooks Koepka explains the benefits:
Tights are good for recovery. We train so hard on and off the golf course that I think it would help us stay on the Tour for a little longer by keeping our bodies fresh for years down the road.
The tights are made from a high-stretch Dri-Fit fabric to help keep athletes dry and are designed to enhance movement with a compression feel, regulate body temperature and provide an extra layer of warmth.