The importance of clothing for your game
Insights from the supercoach Hans Larsson
Regarding the consideration of clothing as part of golf equipment, we at Abacus see it as a given. The clothes influence your ability to swing and how comfortable you are on the course. We asked Hans Larsson if he shares our perspective on this matter.
He doesn't hesitate: - It's super clear that clothes are part of the equipment, and at Abacus you are extremely good at knowing what functionality golfers need!
- For me personally, in my role as a coach for young golf talents, it gives me a significant advantage to dress in layers. With thin, flexible clothes, it’s possible without feeling like I have put too much clothing on. I can easily switch between standing still and observing, discussing, and commenting without feeling cold; to stepping in, demonstrating, and playing, without the clothes getting in my way. I can have four layers of clothing on, but the feeling is still that I'm in trousers and a polo shirt.
Hans on the importance of being prepared for bad weather
- If you are always prepared with rain wear in your bag, which you know work well, you don't need to put any focus on wondering if it will start raining or not. The same applies when you feel confident knowing that your rain wear will not affect the game, that the swing will be the same weather or not you are wearing rain garments. That you will be able to maintain your game regardless of whether it gets colder or starts raining. Moreover, if you know that your rain wear is easy to put on and take off, the rain will not interrupt your game at all.
- Regularly training in changing weather conditions such as wind and rain showers can also give you a significant advantage. Looking at the pros: European players, in general, are more accustomed to and more comfortable playing in wind and rain, and it has made a big difference in many competitions. With experience and the right clothes, there is less risk of the game dipping during a round when the player has to change what they are wearing.
Hans on the importance of stretchy in garments
- Material with a high degree of stretch is crucial in clothing to maximize game functionality. The stretch allows you to move as if you were hardly wearing clothes at all, experience full freedom of movement. You don't want anything to hinder or slow you down, as it would prevent you performing golf movements. Having the feeling of playing in shorts and a polo, even though you have significantly more clothes on – that's the ultimate feeling. Then, the clothes are to your advantage, not something that risks being in your way.
Hans about his favorite outfit from Abacus – in four layers
- For most of the year, except in summer, I dress in four layers to be prepared for all weather conditions, avoid feeling cold, and still experience full mobility. I want the same free feeling as if I was dressed in shorts and a polo, and with these layers from Abacus, the feeling is not far from that.
- If you are always prepared with rain wear in your bag, which you know work well, you don't need to put any focus on wondering if it will start raining or not. The same applies when you feel confident knowing that your rain wear will not affect the game, that the swing will be the same weather or not you are wearing rain garments. That you will be able to maintain your game regardless of whether it gets colder or starts raining. Moreover, if you know that your rain wear is easy to put on and take off, the rain will not interrupt your game at all.
- Regularly training in changing weather conditions such as wind and rain showers can also give you a significant advantage. Looking at the pros: European players, in general, are more accustomed to and more comfortable playing in wind and rain, and it has made a big difference in many competitions. With experience and the right clothes, there is less risk of the game dipping during a round when the player has to change what they are wearing.
Hans on the importance of stretchy in garments
- Material with a high degree of stretch is crucial in clothing to maximize game functionality. The stretch allows you to move as if you were hardly wearing clothes at all, experience full freedom of movement. You don't want anything to hinder or slow you down, as it would prevent you performing golf movements. Having the feeling of playing in shorts and a polo, even though you have significantly more clothes on – that's the ultimate feeling. Then, the clothes are to your advantage, not something that risks being in your way.
Hans about his favorite outfit from Abacus – in four layers
- For most of the year, except in summer, I dress in four layers to be prepared for all weather conditions, avoid feeling cold, and still experience full mobility. I want the same free feeling as if I was dressed in shorts and a polo, and with these layers from Abacus, the feeling is not far from that.
1.
Always Spin longsleeve as first layer.
2.
A polo shirt as layer 2.
3.
Long sleeved sweater with zip as layer 3.
4.
In case of rain, a rain jacket as layer 4, otherwise the Grove hybrid jacket.
Bottoms
Thin long pants with a lot of stretch are desired; Cleek or Mellion - for women, Elite is a perfect alternative. In "bad" weather, such as rain, rain trousers are required.
Hans' warm favourite - Grove hybrid
The importance of clothing for your game
Insights from the supercoach Hans Larsson
Regarding the consideration of clothing as part of golf equipment, we at Abacus see it as a given. The clothes influence your ability to swing and how comfortable you are on the course. We asked Hans Larsson if he shares our perspective on this matter.
He doesn't hesitate: - It's super clear that clothes are part of the equipment, and at Abacus you are extremely good at knowing what functionality golfers need!
- For me personally, in my role as a coach for young golf talents, it gives me a significant advantage to dress in layers. With thin, flexible clothes, it’s possible without feeling like I have put too much clothing on. I can easily switch between standing still and observing, discussing, and commenting without feeling cold; to stepping in, demonstrating, and playing, without the clothes getting in my way. I can have four layers of clothing on, but the feeling is still that I'm in trousers and a polo shirt.
Hans on the importance of functional clothing
- When I, as a coach, have a player in front of me who I notice has baggy or stiff clothes, hindering their movements, it's challenging for me to do my job. It’s dependent on the person I'm coaching having clothes that will allow them to move freely.
Hans continues: - It's not uncommon for students to come to practice without rain wear, assuming the weather will be fine. However, since training takes place in all weather conditions, they usually learn that lesson after being surprised by a rain shower without proper rain wear to put on. Especially during practices in bad weather, a discussion regarding how clothes need to fit for optimal functionality comes naturally. If sleeves hang too low when putting, causing the putter to get stuck in the jacket that will of course directly affect your score for example.
Hans on playing in rain wear
- In the past, when I competed in golf myself, I was reluctant to wear a rain jacket on course. I often felt the garment was in the way, that the swing became shorter and felt rhythmless and was hindering my ability to move. But now, after finding Pitch, the jacket goes on in the rain because nothing with the jacket hinders my movements, and besides, I also avoid getting wet. So, I absolutely agree that clothes are a crucial part of the equipment and play a significant role in the game, especially in challenging weather!
- Abacus Pitch 37.5 rain jacket is actually the garment I use the most. It's often my outermost layer, and I hardly notice that I have the jacket on.
Hans further explains that he brings his Pitch rain jacket everywhere, even to Dubai, when joining Ludvig Åberg, one of the professional players Hans coaches, in a tournament. - Ludde laughed a little at me, but it ended up with the game being suspended due to rain. Ludvig had to contact his sponsor to get some rain wear, while I was prepared!
Hans on the importance of being
prepared for bad weather
- If you are always prepared with rain wear in your bag, which you know work well, you don't need to put any focus on wondering if it will start raining or not. The same applies when you feel confident knowing that your rain wear will not affect the game, that the swing will be the same weather or not you are wearing rain garments. That you will be able to maintain your game regardless of whether it gets colder or starts raining. Moreover, if you know that your rain wear is easy to put on and take off, the rain will not interrupt your game at all.
- Regularly training in changing weather conditions such as wind and rain showers can also give you a significant advantage. Looking at the pros: European players, in general, are more accustomed to and more comfortable playing in wind and rain, and it has made a big difference in many competitions. With experience and the right clothes, there is less risk of the game dipping during a round when the player has to change what they are wearing.
Hans on the importance of stretchy in garments
- Material with a high degree of stretch is crucial in clothing to maximize game functionality. The stretch allows you to move as if you were hardly wearing clothes at all, experience full freedom of movement. You don't want anything to hinder or slow you down, as it would prevent you performing golf movements. Having the feeling of playing in shorts and a polo, even though you have significantly more clothes on – that's the ultimate feeling. Then, the clothes are to your advantage, not something that risks being in your way.
Hans about his favorite outfit from Abacus
– in four layers
– in four layers
- For most of the year, except in summer, I dress in four layers to be prepared for all weather conditions, avoid feeling cold, and still experience full mobility. I want the same free feeling as if I was dressed in shorts and a polo, and with these layers from Abacus, the feeling is not far from that.
1.
Always Spin longsleeve as first layer.
2.
A polo shirt as layer 2.
3.
Long sleeved sweater with zip as layer 3.
4.
In case of rain, a rain jacket as layer 4, otherwise the Grove hybrid jacket.
Bottoms
Thin long pants with a lot of stretch are desired; Cleek or Mellion - for women, Elite is a perfect alternative. In "bad" weather, such as rain, rain trousers are required.
