Golf Apparel Review: Firethorn Golf, by Jeffrey Reed

There are two must-have weapons for the modern golfer: a hybrid club; and high-tech attire. High-tech apparel, you ask? Most definitely. If you’re not wearing moisture-wicking polos or mock neck golf shirts, or water-repellant, wind-resistant, breathable jackets, then you may as well be playing with hickory shafts and gutta perchas.

With roots in outerwear manufacturing dating back to 1935, Firethorn is today a leader in the golf and leisure markets, the two areas on which is solely focuses. Among the players wearing Firethorn Golf attire are PGA Tour competitors Stephen Ames, Mark Hensby and John Rollins, as well as Canadian Tour players Matt McQuillan and Jerome Blais.

Firethorn has exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture, market and distribute a full line of Canadian Tour branded apparel, and the Montreal-based designer and manufacturer is also the official apparel provider for selected Canadian Tour events.

Here’s what Firethorn has to say about its brand: “Firethorn golfwear reflects the journey of the modern day golfer with today’s lifestyle trends in mind while encompassing its traditional roots. With more than a quarter century of expertise, Firethorn’s attention to fine detail, luxury, and performance allows us to merchandise in the most elite country clubs around the world. Experience what true champions wear to play, win and celebrate life.”

It’s ironic that Firethorn is a Canadian-based company which strongly supports the Canadian Tour. If there is any climate demanding high-tech attire, it’s the Canadian climate. In fact, when it was time to put Firethorn to the test, in typical Canadian fashion, I experienced just about every possible weather element over the course of a few days during late summer.

Firethorn’s golf shirts are not only high-performance attire: they also make solid fashion statements. During two humid afternoons, I donned an aqua-coloured F-Dry moisture wicking textured polo from Firethorn’s Classics summer collection, and a turquoise F-Dry textured polo from the spring 2007 Curaçâo collection. They both stood out amongst the pack, and kept me dry during my rounds.

F-Dry is a moisture-wicking, quick drying, breathable system. Hey, there’s no excuse to look like you just jumped out of the tub to the first tee. In fact, both times on the links, my shirts were dry after dropping the last putt at the 18th – good news when the only thing you want wet and cold at the 19th hole is a beverage. These shirts are wrinkle free, too. And, the Curaçâo polo features fabric treated with UV cutting agents – another plus in today’s climate.

As luck would have it, our recent Labour Day Weekend presented us with a cold, blustery, rainy day. And as luck would have it, Firethorn provided London Ontario Golf with the perfect solution from its spring 2007 Pinto Noir collection: a mesh-lined long-sleeved jacket, both water repellent, and wind resistant. Contrast piping down the sleeves helps this jacket make a real fashion statement. It’s a breathable, insulating jacket that looks great and helps you feel warm and dry.

Scan the Firethorn product catalogue, or visit Firethorn online at www.firethorngolf.com, and you’ll see why the company advertises with the slogan, “Traditional with a twist.” See for yourself why Firethorn is a modern company with a solid tradition of designing and manufacturing solid outerwear.