What we can learn from Payne swinging in the rain

With the US Open played at Pinehurst last week, thoughts returned to Payne Stewart's epic 1999 victory there. Unlike this year's heat, that years final wet day, saw Payne wearing what looked like a gilet; but look closely at pictures of him with the trophy and you'll see the shoulders are ragged. In fact I heard that Payne took a pair of scissors to his bulky waterproof jacket sleeves that week.

This episode highlights a big shift in golfing outerwear. Back then, suit makers tried to create freedom to swing through a baggy fit; today, thanks in part to new materials, they create freedom through a snug and stretching fit, as represented by the quality garments in our shop.

Anyone who has tried both knows what Payne knew - that it's much easier to make that full, unrestricted coil without all that extra material flapping around.

It's nice not to have to butcher your rainwear too. Click here to see some of our rainwear. I wonder what we will learn from The Open in a few weeks time?