Apparel (Friday, 10th October)

Fashion is now big business for the golf market and this year saw a number of impressive designs making an appearance for the first time. Its an exciting time for this sector of golf so look out for a lot of new styles hitting the shops next spring.

After entering into the branded golf and leisure clothing market last year Top-Flite has now come out with a fully co-ordinated range spring/summer '98. The range has a mix-and-match potential and is discreetly branded with the TF logo which Top-Flite hope will made the clothes ideal for general leisurewear as well as on the golf course.

Lyle & Scott is bringing out a Summer Links Collection which is a stylish range developed into a seasonal theme. The men's range has three stunning colour stories aptly named Sun, Sea and Sand whilst a ladies range is based on the themes Ice Cream, Tropical Fruit and Marine. It promises to be a fine collection of golfwear from the first tee to the clubhouse.

The is little doubt that Greg Norman is an icon of the active lifestyle.Like the man, the Greg Norman Collection is striving for more and the company has announced an important transition for the brand with a move towards aspirational 'lifestyle' clothing directly targeted for wear both on an off the course. Already a well developed line in the USA, the new spring'98 range is poised to claim a larger share of the UK golf market

With the emphasis on luxury and comfort, the easy mix-and-match of polo shorts, sweaters, vests, casual shirts, outerwear and accessories introduces a richer fabric blends, elegant prints and sophisticated colour palette with a broad appeal. Colour collections include Eastern Coastline blending greys, navy and creams; Nova Scotia Nights, blending black and grey with earth tones; and Beach House, a soft mix of blues, creams, reds and greens.

A new spikeless shoe, The Difference, has been launched by Etonic for the UK market and will be on sale from early spring. Constructed to offer comfort, stability and green-friendly traction, The Difference is the first Softspike golf shoe which integrates its outsole design with a replaceable, non-metal DSS-1 spike system.

"Etonic has long been a leader in golf shoe and outsole technology and the launch of The Difference reaffirms that status, says Bill Kirkendall, president Etonic Worldwide Corp. "As a means of minimising spike damage to golf courses and improving greens maintenance, a growing number of golf courses worldwide are examining the alternatives to metal spike golf shoes."

Equipped with green-friendly, pyramid-shaped turf grips and slip resistance DSS-1 alternative spikes, The Difference outsole is as durable as its metal spike counterpart. Additionally, Etonic's Stabilizer outsole boasts a wide heel and stability roll bar which provides a more secure platform to swing a golf club.

Reebok has also introduced a spikeless shoe, the DMX Trac, which features the use of DMX in the insole of the shoe. DMX is the result of three years research that gives an insole with 23 hollow chambers connected by a network of channels that regulate the flow of air.

At £109.99, this shoe also features a TRAC outsole, a rubber groove grip system which produces the ultimate spikeless traction and lateral stability. The TRAC outsole is claimed to reduce leg and back fatigue. The shoe is available in black, white and black and brown and tan. The shoe also features an Aqua Shield waterproof system with a limited two-year waterproof guarantee.

Reebok has also brought out the Trumball, a waterproof shoe with a quick lock spike system for quick and easy replacement of spikes.The shoe retails at £69.99 and has a removable moulded footbed with added cushioning, arch support and an EVA midsole.

A new look in its apparel collection was also unveiled by Reebok which it describes as the most sophisticated and aspirational collection of golf apparel to date. The new spring'98 collection has the emphasis on style, balancing on-course comfort and performance with an elegant look.

Pringle's styles for spring/summer'98 are the Faldo and the Faldo Women collection. This time Pringle has gone for the clean look with sweatshirt detailing, bold graphics and a modern use of the Faldo branding.

The shirt range uses new stitch structures, effective colour blocking and vertical stripes. Emphasis, however, still remains on fit and comfort designed for action and suitable for sports and leisurewear.

The Faldo Women's collection is predominantly designed in cotton using solid bright colours working with white.