Charley Hull and Jason Day to Become Malbon’s Trump Cards for Golf’s Expected NBA-NFL Transition: ’A Great Opportunity ‘

A wind of change in golf? Jason Day’s partnership with Malbon Golf indicates as much. Calling it historic might be an exaggeration now, but the underlying current hints at a change in attitude towards traditional golf attire. While the NBA and the NFL have embraced non-traditional fashion choices during tunnel entrance and pressers, Golf might soon follow suit.

Although you might not see golfers entering through a tunnel, expect them to go through an image makeover. That also was the reason why Day partnered with Malbon Golf ending his seven-year partnership with Nike. The CEO of the Los Angeles-based apparel brand, too called for an overhaul.

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Stephen Malbon, the founder of Malbon Golf, wants to free Golf from the straitjackets of formal attires. That is where Day and Malbon found a common cause. Both wanted to break the norm of what one was supposed to wear on the golf course.

Speaking of the way NBA and NFL stars are free to appear in their gym clothes, Malbon director said, “It’s such a great opportunity to show who you are.” Contrarily, if you only know your golfer from “dry-fit Nike for the last seven years”, do you even know the real person behind the attire? “There’s so much more to him,” Malbon said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

Malbon cites Allen Iverson’s influence in the NBA. Iverson’s seamless fusion of hip-hop culture with his off-court styles brought a wind of change in basketball. Years later, speaking of his influence, LeBron James said, “He represented what black kids were all about and he resonated with every inner-city kid in the world who had a struggle.”

However, that doesn’t mean traditional golf attire will be roped in right away. The lifestyle brand’s wardrobe will be a mix of both. At the same time, Malbon is also looking to expand on the other side of the men’s circuit.

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Earlier, the Los Angeles-based fashion brand found its ideal partner in Jesper Parnevik, the former World No1, who was famous for his non-traditional attire choice on the greens. But it’s not just the men’s circuit that’s going through a change. On the LPGA Tour, Charley Hull, and Jeongeun Lee will sport Malbon Golf’s attire next season as well. 

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Malbon insists it’s all about bringing your authentic self to the greens. Looking at players like Jason Day, Viktor Hovland, and Min Woo Lee, it appears the younger generation of golfers are not afraid to break free of the tradition. Min Woo Lee has become an instant hit with the crowd after latching on to a social media trend. If golfers want to connect more with fans, apparel can be the first step toward that.

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