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The Masters Style Review

By Marty Hackel

The Masters is not only the first major, but also the first significant opportunity for players to showcase the major themes that apparel companies want to communicate for the upcoming golf season. What we saw is a lot of color, a lot of bright, strong statements with a heavy does of neon. We saw an alarming number of white belts, which we think is tired and overplayed. And we confirmed that the trend of hybrid (non-cleated) footwear is definitely here to stay. Here are our hits and misses from Augusta.

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Geoff Ogilvy (Propr)
This is what a striped shirt should look like: Geoff Ogilvy in Propr gear!
Rickie Fowler (Puma)
Look up perfectly-coordinated in the dictionary and this is what you will find: Rickie Fowler in PUMA. (Yes, he can wear a white belt, and if you can play like him, you can, too!)
Webb Simpson (Polo Golf)
Webb Simpson's Polo Golf gear is a statement: BOLD, STRONG, not for the timid. Caddie Paul Tesori's white coveralls are the perfect foil.
Brandt Snedeker (Peter Millar)
Oh boy, check out Snedeker's Peter Millar trousers. Buy them fast as they will soon be SOLD OUT!!
Henrik Stenson (Hugo Boss)
Stenson's Hugo Boss outfit is clean and bold. Matching the belt to the shirt is a good strategy. Do it.
Bo Van Pelt (Alial Filtal )
Bo Van Pelt's hole-in-one includes this Alial Filtal shirt -- which, incidentally, was featured in our December 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!
Fredrik Jacobson (Oscar Jacobson)
Freddie Jacobson in an Oscar Jacobson (no relation) shirt with a distinct Easter egg color.
Hunter Mahan (Under Armour)
Hunter, good job of coordinating the stripes on his Under Armour shirt with his flat-brimmed hat.
Ian Poulter (IJP Design)
Ian Poulter in IJP Design's best. Notice the fun Pumas as well.
Bubba Watson (Travis Mathew)
Bubba Watson wore this same Travis Mathew outfit every day and they sold all 100 outfits on the website to benefit FRESH START, which provide funding for cosmetic reconstructive surgery for children with physical defects. Good for him for using his clothing to focus attention on something other than just what he's wearing.
Darren Clarke (IJP Design)
Darren Clarke, who has always been at the forefront of golf style, really stepped up his game in selecting a pair of the iconic Ian Poulter tartans. No question, he was on the style leader board at Augusta.
Ryo Ishikawa
Ryo Ishikawa is the best-dressed golfer week in, week out. Everything works in unison, from his footwear to his accessories (armband) to yes, even his white belt.
Graeme McDowell (Kartel)
If Ishikawa is No. 1, GMac is a close second in his Kartel clothing: simple, classic, and dare we say, elegant. You could always count on Graeme to make an understated and classic statement. My only complaint is his use of the occasional white belt.
Fred Couples (Ecco)
Fred Couples started the trend of hybrid shoes when he debuted the Ecco Golf Street shoe at the 2010 Masters. Two years later, he continues to wear hybrids, with Ecco preparing a special BIOM-style shoe just for this year's Masters. Not only were hybrids noticeable on players. They were a popular choice in the galleries as well.
Hunter Mahan (Under Armour)
I know, I know but isn't it refreshing that he matches his belt not to his shoes, but to his hat?
Fred Couples and Darren Clarke
Two major champions, two style icons. Both Couples and Clarke have always been at the forefront of golf style.
Justin Rose (adidas)
I applaud Justin Rose and adidas for making a modern product out of a classic motif.
Keegan Bradley (Tommy Hilfiger)
Keegan in Hilfiger. A marriage made in heaven.
Tiger Woods (Nike)
I think these Nike Golf TW 13 shoes are great. They'll be available in June!
Seen In The Gallery
There is a time and place for these Loudmouth outfits. The Masters wasn't it.
Scott Stallings (Under Armour)
This is why you should not wear a contrasting belt, especially with this physique.
Scott Stallings (Under Armour)
NO MORE WHITE BELTS. We repeat: NO MORE WHITE BELTS!! (Exception: If you have no waist. Another exception: If you are a male nurse).
Luke Donald (RLX Ralph Lauren)
Love the outfit, other than the see-through pants.
Graeme McDowell
Even GMac makes the occasional style bogey. We love the white belt, but not here.
Ben Crane (Hugo Boss)
Is that Hugo Boss or Waste Management?
Peter Hanson (Galvin Green)
The 54-hole leader Peter Hanson in Galvin Green. Love the black outfit, but the pants are too long. The pant legs should be "kissing" the top of your shoes.
Phil Mickelson
Beautiful trousers, but they are lost on TV. As for the Callaway shoes, you either love them or hate them.
Phil Mickelson
This look, however, is perfect.
Sang-Moon Bae
Please wear a better-fitting shirt. I don't like the bare midriff on the LPGA, and I definitely don't like it here.
Sergio Garcia (adidas)
Sergio finally understands how to make bold yellow look good.
Brendan Steele (Oakley)
Brendan, you're great. The shirt is another story. And DON'T even get me started on that belt....
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