Early April Fools invokes warmth and protection of Galway Bay golf apparel

Mother Nature granted western New York an unforgettable month of warmth, sunshine and dry conditions. Every golf course, public and private, opened ahead of schedule when it became clear that the pleasant days were not a fad. Then, on April 30th, the keeper of the climate grinned a sly grin and returned a spate of snow to the Buffalo area. No permanence, mind you, just a a teasing memory test.

And I recalled the pants and vest I expected to wear on the golf course and practice field until May, given western New York’s tupical Spring weather. Galway Bay, a company based in Alpharetta, Georgia, had released three pieces of clothing for colder-weather activities: pants, vest and jacket. I was fortunate to road-test the black vest and pants before the arrival of the heat, and I like what I felt.

I had suspected, after speaking with company officers, that the pants and vest would serve double and triple-duty for other cold weather ventures. The apparel lent itself to other recreational activities, like skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, as well as daily tasks like shoveling snow and other winter work. The items give plenty of room for flexible movement (an obvious need for the golf swing) and offer an insulating yet whicking warmth that heats yet keeps dry, simultaneously.

Three points on the company’s FAQ page illustrate the difference-makers behind the product:

CAN THE FLEECE LINING BE REMOVED?
No, it is part of the design. These garments were designed to be worn in inclement weather with temperatures ranging from 20 up to 55 degrees. The fleece cuffs around the ankle to keep wind from blowing up the pant leg.

HOW ARE THESE DIFFERENT COMPARED TO “FLANNEL” LINED PANTS?
Flannel is a cotton product and absorbs water. If flannel gets wet, it feels heavy and damp. Fleece wicks water away, and is very comfortable against the skin.

WHAT MAKES GALWAY BAY APPAREL DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER BRANDS?
Our original goal was to make a stylish dress pant with all of the look and fit of traditional pants, but with the added features of an all-weather garment. Our pants are not bulky, and do not look like rain pants. We feel that, in inclement weather, many golfers would prefer to wear one pair of pants, as opposed to three. (Long underwear, golf pants, rain pants).
When we designed the jacket, we wanted to provide maximum flexibility, during the swing, and still keep the jacket attractive and non-bulky. We made the body of the jacket/vest from the same fabric combination we used in the pants, and, we use a fabric in the sleeve that contains four-way stretch, and provides wind/water resistance, and warmth.

Strangely, I’m attracted to the arrival of 2012’s Fall golf season, to see how the GBA pants and vest keep me warm and comfortable from neck to ankles. In cold weather golf, it’s the game and the experience that matter and my suspicion is that Galway Bay will enhance both.