Original Penguin sells stylish golf clothing, shoes and other accessories for the course. The famous penguin logo comes from a salesman buying a stuffed penguin at a taxidermist shop before his flight. The stewardess told him that the penguin belonged on a shirt. When he landed, Pete the penguin was created and embroidered on shirts.
Arnold Palmer and Clint Eastwood were some of the brand’s earliest ambassadors at Original Penguin’s start. Nico Echavarria, Brian Campbell and Johnny Keefer are current brand ambassadors on the PGA Tour.
Fairway to Green’s Nathan Rarick had the opportunity to talk with Lupe Benitez, Senior Vice President of Design at Original Penguin.
Nathan Rarick: How do you keep up with today’s modern golf trends while still maintaining your classic look that is so synonymous with Original Penguin?
Lupe Benitez:
Original Penguin is a true heritage brand. Our aesthetic is timeless, and right now the cultural moment is leaning into nostalgia, which plays beautifully into our DNA. That said, we never rely on nostalgia alone. We continually return to our Munsingwear archives to ground ourselves in authenticity, then reinterpret those icons through modern fabrication, performance innovation and updated fits.
It’s about evolution, not reinvention. We honor our roots, but we design for how people live and play today.
N.R.: What does the Penguin brand stand for today?
L.B.:
Original Penguin by Munsingwear introduced the first golf polo in 1955; even then, it was built with performance in mind. Today, we still stand for that same principle: timeless design engineered for functionality. But equally important, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Golf can be traditional. We bring levity, personality and style to the game. We represent confidence, heritage and a sense of fun.
N.R.: How has your apparel evolved since Original Penguin launched?
L.B.:
For Spring 2026 and beyond, we’re leaning into alternative natural yarns: cellulose-based fibers like modal, Tencel™ and lyocell blends, in addition to our signature high-gauge performance fabrics.
When we relaunched the golf collection back in 2018, it featured exclusively all synthetic fabrics with stretch. However, the market today is evolving. We are seeing a consumer shift towards performance fabrics with a natural, elevated feel. We’re developing textiles that deliver moisture management, stretch and durability while offering a softer hand and more refined drape. The goal is performance with sophistication.
N.R.: What makes your design process stand apart from other brands?
L.B.:
We have over 70 years of authentic golf history through the Munsingwear archives. That’s not something you can manufacture. Our process always begins with research: studying original garments, detailing, trims, proportion and attitude. We reinterpret those pieces through a modern lens rather than chasing trends. Because our inspiration is rooted in something real, our collections feel grounded, not reactive.
N.R.: Where do you see golf apparel in both the men’s and women’s spaces going next?
L.B.:
Golf apparel continues to merge with everyday wear; we have seen many non-golf brands enter our space over the past few years. Consumers want versatility — pieces that transition seamlessly from the course to travel to everyday life.
After several seasons dominated by bold prints, there’s a sense of print fatigue. We’re seeing a shift toward more texture, subtle patterns and elevated solids. We still have some fun with print and pattern, especially in the high summer months, but as we move into fall, solid texture and classic jacquards become more important.
Fabrication is becoming the new statement. The next evolution is tactile luxury.
N.R.: What are your top men’s and women’s apparel pieces to keep an eye out for in 2026?
L.B.:
In men’s apparel, our new Luxe Heritage Earl Polo is a refined evolution of our iconic Earl Polo, one of the most imitated polos in golf. We’ve reimagined it in a premium lyocell, polyester and elastane blend that delivers an ultra-soft hand with performance integrity: moisture-wicking, easy care, stretch and built-in sun protection. It’s elevated, versatile and designed for long days on and off the course.
In women’s apparel, the Veronica Dress returns in short-sleeve and sleeveless options, now engineered in an ultra-lightweight 4-way stretch fabrication with high-power mesh ventilation. It’s feminine, functional and built for movement — a true performance piece that doesn’t sacrifice polish.
