Year End Style Review

By Marty Hackel, Golf Digest's Mr. Style

January 12, 2009

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One of the strong style notes of the 2008 season was the advent of the belts and buckles. Anthony Kim's "AK" which he purchased at a "pop-up" shop at the Sooner Mall while he attended Oklahoma, surely made a statement and received lots of visibility. (Of course winning a few tournaments will do that for you).One of the strong style notes of the 2008 season was the advent of the belts and buckles. Anthony Kim's "AK" which he purchased at a "pop-up" shop at the Sooner Mall while he attended Oklahoma, surely made a statement and received lots of visibility. (Of course winning a few tournaments will do that for you).

Kim's "USA" buckle was a nice touch at the Ryder Cup.Kim's "USA" buckle was a nice touch at the Ryder Cup.

We did miss seeing Darren Clarke as he has an encyclopedic knowledge and huge collection of great belts and buckles. Darren has "Style" and is one of the few players who can start trends.We did miss seeing Darren Clarke as he has an encyclopedic knowledge and huge collection of great belts and buckles. Darren has "Style" and is one of the few players who can start trends.

Camilo's Villegas "Red Bull" buckle and Sergio's Adidas three stripe buckle also stood out as STATEMENTS in '08. Expect this to continue as more and more companies see this as another logo opportunity.Camilo's Villegas "Red Bull" buckle and Sergio's Adidas three stripe buckle also stood out as STATEMENTS in '08. Expect this to continue as more and more companies see this as another logo opportunity.

Note to players: Monochromatic can be a very interesting way of making a statement. The past winners of the Players Championship (Sergio and Phil Mickelson in '07) as well as some other players adopted this simple and elegant look.Note to players: Monochromatic can be a very interesting way of making a statement. The past winners of the Players Championship (Sergio and Phil Mickelson in '07) as well as some other players adopted this simple and elegant look.

The USA team Sunday Red shirt manufactured by Nike was made available, for the first time, in the merchandise tent. A pretty instant sell out. Let's hope that the 2010 team makes all three "game shirts" available to the public.The USA team Sunday Red shirt manufactured by Nike was made available, for the first time, in the merchandise tent. A pretty instant sell out. Let's hope that the 2010 team makes all three "game shirts" available to the public.

The U.S. team blue suits worn during the opening ceremonies had a patch on the breast pocket, which to me is a style NO-NO. Just, a small step ahead of the TSA!The U.S. team blue suits worn during the opening ceremonies had a patch on the breast pocket, which to me is a style NO-NO. Just, a small step ahead of the TSA!

Badges only belong on blazers: Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus, who had light-colored trousers, looked very good.Badges only belong on blazers: Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus, who had light-colored trousers, looked very good.

The Friday white argyle design was by far the best-looking USA shirt. I loved it and wish it had been available in the merchandise tent.The Friday white argyle design was by far the best-looking USA shirt. I loved it and wish it had been available in the merchandise tent.

The Euros Opening Ceremony Canali blue suits looked more trim and tailored and hence modern.The Euros Opening Ceremony Canali blue suits looked more trim and tailored and hence modern.

The Euro golf shirts had a more graphic design and, as expected, had a trimmer fit.The Euro golf shirts had a more graphic design and, as expected, had a trimmer fit.

Details (zippers) and shirt backs were all used as design components and made a strong graphic statement.Details (zippers) and shirt backs were all used as design components and made a strong graphic statement.

Poulter showed us how to wear pink with style and he also provided a great lesson in how to pack. If you review the images of the Open Championship you will see that he packed white and pink tops and bottoms and mixed them beautifully on Saturday and Sunday. As a result he won the "Hackel" at the British Open.Poulter showed us how to wear pink with style and he also provided a great lesson in how to pack. If you review the images of the Open Championship you will see that he packed white and pink tops and bottoms and mixed them beautifully on Saturday and Sunday. As a result he won the "Hackel" at the British Open.

One of the style controversies in '08 was Justin Rose wearing five pocket trousers at The Masters. This is the same pattern as denim jeans. He was pictured on the cover of "Golf World" and this created a bit of a stir with many feeling that he should not have been allowed to wear this style on the golf course.One of the style controversies in '08 was Justin Rose wearing five pocket trousers at The Masters. This is the same pattern as denim jeans. He was pictured on the cover of "Golf World" and this created a bit of a stir with many feeling that he should not have been allowed to wear this style on the golf course.

The 2008 color coordination award goes to Camilo Villegas who often wore one color/monochromatic tops and bottoms and set them off with well-chosen and colorful belts and hats. His consistent stylish dress at the U.S. Open won him the "Hackel" at Torrey Pines.The 2008 color coordination award goes to Camilo Villegas who often wore one color/monochromatic tops and bottoms and set them off with well-chosen and colorful belts and hats. His consistent stylish dress at the U.S. Open won him the "Hackel" at Torrey Pines.

Trevor Immelman looked sharp winning the Masters and his Nike wardrobe fit him well. This also earned him the first "Hackel" Award for Style.Trevor Immelman looked sharp winning the Masters and his Nike wardrobe fit him well. This also earned him the first "Hackel" Award for Style.

Aaron Baddeley is one of the few PGA Tour players who understand fit and have confidence to wear the stylish Original Penguin Collection. Event after event Badds can make plaid trousers look cool and he won the "Hackel" at the PGA Championships.Aaron Baddeley is one of the few PGA Tour players who understand fit and have confidence to wear the stylish Original Penguin Collection. Event after event Badds can make plaid trousers look cool and he won the "Hackel" at the PGA Championships.

Robert Karlsson who won the Dunhill Links consistently looked smart in his Conte of Florence wardrobe. Of course when you have his game and height it's a little bit easier to look great.Robert Karlsson who won the Dunhill Links consistently looked smart in his Conte of Florence wardrobe. Of course when you have his game and height it's a little bit easier to look great.

Henrik Stenson consistently looked great in Hugo Boss and it's time for this brand to return to the U.S. market.Henrik Stenson consistently looked great in Hugo Boss and it's time for this brand to return to the U.S. market.

Luke Donald, who always looks great in RLX/Ralph Lauren, was missed after his injury at the U.S. Open.Hurry back Tiger we need to see more of those red shirts this year!!Luke Donald, who always looks great in RLX/Ralph Lauren, was missed after his injury at the U.S. Open.Hurry back Tiger we need to see more of those red shirts this year!!

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