I hope you all enjoyed the Masters as much as we did at the Fort. As for the winner, it hasn’t sunk in that Patrick Reed gets to play in The Masters for the rest of his life. I’ll touch on that later.
One of my favorite parts of The Masters is the merch. It seems that I’m not the only one. #MastersMerch was pretty popular on Instagram, as well as #NotMastersMerch which was the Augusta National stuff. As I mentioned in my Masters Monday post, this years’ merchandise didn’t really blow me away. There are usually a few goodies that are a ‘must have’, but this year was a bit slow. Well, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and I have some ideas on how they can shake it up a little.
Belts: Smathers and Vineyard Vines have been making the belts, and after five years, I think it’s time to add something fun. I have two ideas: First, a needlepoint idea. Smathers produces belts for golf clubs that feature the overhead view of all 18 holes. I think that would be a GREAT design for The Masters. Do each nine on a Masters green background, with the Clubhouse in the center back. Sign me up.
Second, I would suggest an embroidered ‘Amen Corner’ belt, something like what JT Spencer does. Do a light green belt, with ‘AMEN’ in yellow on the center back. On each side, embroider the flowers for hole: 11 (white dogwood), 12 (golden bell), and 13 (pink azalea). Maybe ‘1934’ where the monogram goes. I think that would be a nice, preppy touch.
Hats: I think the hats are pretty standard. I was happy to see the Tilley hats, as it was a nice change up. Honestly, I’d love to see more yellow hats. I have a yellow Imperial hat from Ansley’s Settindown Creek course, and I love it. So does Mrs. RCS.
T-shirts: While I’m not a huge T-shirt guy, I believe there is a lot of opportunity to capitalize on some iconic Masters moments. Think about the Palmer/Cadillac image (above), Tiger’s reaction on 16 in ’05, Nicklaus raising the putter in ’86, Phil’s jump, etc. Those images on your typical fratty Custom Colors pocket-T with the Masters logo on the front and the image on the back with something like ‘A Tradition Unlike Any Other’…I could see those being popular.
Sweaters: It felt like every pullover was a quarter zip. While I own quite a few, it would be nice if they offered a crewneck (or v-neck). Peter Millar does these blend sweaters that are great for on the course as well as at the office. This with a subtle Masters logo (tonal?) would be something I’d seriously consider.
Art: I’m a big fan of old patent drawings, architectural plans, etc. I’d love it if they would sell the original layout of the club…something like the image above. These would be a hit on office walls all over the world.
What would you like to see from Golf Shop at The Masters?
I’ve never been, I’ve only seen whats on ebay or via instagram – so this is just what I think would be cool to own. That being said, I have not seen any neoprene koozies or even an old school thick foam one. A yellow visor. A trucker snapback, green, with a yellow rope, kind of like the nike Paul Casey was wearing sunday but more structured like the new titleist ones.
They do make koozies, some really nice ones, with a magnet on one side. Year I went they had the standard green, and green and pink seersucker.
I’ve never been, I’ve only seen what’s on eBay or via instagram – so this is just what I think would be cool to own. That being said, I have not seen any neoprene koozies or even an old school thick foam one. A yellow visor. A trucker snapback, green, with a yellow rope, kind of like the Nike Paul Casey was wearing Sunday but more structured like the new Titleist ones.
I’m no expert so ignore me if they already sell something similar, but I think a branded Hudson Sutler soft cooler would be something I’d buy in a heartbeat.
Would like to see Imperial Visors and Imperial XL size hats – They have a better fit than American Needle. This year I was a big fan of the glassware – the Juliska collection and the copper tumblers at Berkmans were killer.
Would also buy seed packets branded as Fruitland Nursery in each of the varieties named for the holes. Also – instead of a Smathers hole-by-hole belt, I would like to see a Smathers belt with each flower the holes are named for.
It would be cool to have the Penley guy that does Onward Reserve’s shirts do some of those designs you mentioned. That would be a solid shirt there.
Ebbets Field can be a little too hipster for some tastes, but the Masters Instagram account had a shot of a what looked to be dark green baseball hat from them with ‘MASTERS’ across the front in white that I really liked. Don’t think it was being sold in the shop.
I would like to see them feature the clubhouse on some merch and all of the namesake flower blossoms. They did have some framed prints with the flower blossoms but a needlepoint belt of those wpuld be slick.
Friend, the pale yellow item in the photo above the Arnold photo is a CAP, not a hat.
I think a smathers belt with the logo and the club house switching off would be killer.
Call me crazy but because the weather is so fickle there have been times when I wish they had a stocking cap and sweatshirt!