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Alex Elias  Every golfer experiences periods when their swing feels off. For me, it’s coming over the top in the downswing—something many golfers can relate to. Although many golfers are aware of their over-the-top move, Matt Benton, Head Golf Professional at Old Marsh Golf Club, said, “You can’t just know that you’re coming over the top. You have to understand what’s causing it.”
Once the issue is identified, the swing change can begin—but not without understanding that change doesn’t happen overnight. “The speed at which golfers abandon change is crazy. In order to make a change, you have to understand the feel,” said Benton. “To best understand the feel, the swing must be exaggerated,” said Benton. “Swing changes are often minimal but feel drastic. To achieve your goal at full swing speed, you need to repeatedly exaggerate the new feeling in slow motion first.” Even when rehearsed and practiced properly, many golfers abandon change—often during the transition from the range to the course. “If you’re making a swing change and doing it well on the range, that doesn’t guarantee you’ll do it well on the course. In fact, chances are it won’t go well, but that doesn’t mean you need to start diagnosing something else,” said Benton. “You have to stick with the change and recognize when a shot is the result of the new swing versus the old swing. That’s how you’ll successfully make the change and eventually see positive results.”
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Alex Elias Why do you think golfers, myself included, have such a fascination with logos?
Logos give people something to talk about and connect over. I hear stories all the time of someone a thousand miles from their home club—when another person recognizes the logo they’re wearing, an instant connection forms that might never have happened otherwise. As someone who loves logos, I think it’s fun to talk about them, rank your Top-5 with friends, and collect merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. What brands do you enjoy working with most? Men: Holderness & Bourne and B. Draddy Women: Renwick, Smith & Quinn, Fairway & Greene As patterned polos are becoming just as popular as solids and stripes, have you noticed golfers embracing more creativity in their style choices? I think golfers have become much more creative! Women’s golf, in particular, has grown tremendously in recent years, and I like to think the expanded apparel options have played a role. I always tell people to wear what makes them feel comfortable—so they can enjoy the game and focus less on their score. I grew up playing golf in my older brother’s polos and sneakers, and I wish I’d had bright pink shoes to rock! Overall, it’s had a positive effect on golf, especially women’s golf. What other recent trends have you noticed? Hoodies, hoodies, and more hoodies. My experience is somewhat skewed since the clubs I’ve worked at tend to be more conservative, but I do see golfers experimenting and showing more personality. At the same time, there’s a shift back to the classics, with more knit tops, crew-neck sweaters, and traditional leather saddle shoes. As someone who most often wears Holderness & Bourne, I greatly appreciate how I can wear H&B on the course, in the office, or at dinner. Have you noticed members gravitating toward products with versatility? Yes! I’m frequently asked for sweaters and trousers that can be worn on and off the course. People especially like tonal logos that blend into the sweater—it’s subtle but still visible. For women, it’s more about athleisure—sweaters or dresses that can be worn on and off the course. |
