Callaway Apparel offers women and men quality and high-performance clothing for on and off the course. With a wide variety of products, such as polos, skirts, pants, belts and hats, golfers will find everything they need for a day of fun in their collections.
Fairway to Green’s Nathan Rarick had the opportunity to talk with Lupe Benitez, the Senior Vice President of Design at Callaway Apparel.
Nathan Rarick: As the game of golf has evolved, how have you seen apparel evolve with it?
Lupe Benitez: Golf apparel evolves quickly, often faster than people realize. I’ve seen it move from rigid dress codes to relaxed silhouettes, from debates over tucked in or out shirts and hoodies to a more open, expressive style culture.
Today, we’re seeing another shift. After years dominated by ultra-light synthetics, the consumer is gravitating toward more texture interest and natural handfeel, blended yarns like modal and lyocell and even slightly heavier fabric weights. Cotton blends are returning — but engineered with performance.
The pendulum always swings, sometimes full circle. What remains constant at Callaway Apparel is our commitment to performance and innovation. Trends change. Technical integrity and great performance does not.
N.R.: Callaway is one of the most recognizable names in golf. How do you compete with the smaller brands that are popping up and trending?
L.B.: We compete from a position of authenticity. Golf is in our DNA: we are not a sportswear brand interpreting the game. Our team brings decades of expertise in performance engineering, fit and fabrication. Every product is lab-tested and wear-tested for durability, comfort and on-course performance. That level of rigor builds trust with both serious players and retailers.
Smaller brands may move quickly. We combine agility with technical depth and global sourcing expertise. Our advantage is credibility and consistency.
N.R.: Golf has seen renewed interest among younger and more diverse players. How has that affected your approach to design and marketing?
L.B.: The new golfer is more diverse and style-fluid. We stay true to our classically modern, performance-led DNA in our main line, but we design with broader lifestyle crossover in mind. The goal is not to abandon tradition, but to reinterpret it in a way that feels relevant.
N.R.: How closely does the apparel team work with Callaway’s equipment side, and how does that collaboration shape your products?
L.B.: Very closely. We regularly review products together and incorporate performance feedback from athletes and internal experts. Many pieces are wear-tested to ensure durability and true functionality on the course.
We also align on branding and aesthetics so the consumer experiences one cohesive Callaway story, from equipment to apparel.
N.R.: What are your top men’s and women’s apparel pieces to keep an eye out for in 2026?
L.B.: In 2026, we’re elevating comfort and sophistication within performance. In men’s apparel, trans-seasonal layering knits are key: refined quarter-zips with soft-touch handfeel and water-repellent finishes, and lightweight tech vests that transition effortlessly from course to travel are key styles year round.
We are excited to introduce sweater polos and sweater vests in technical performance yarns for Fall 2026. They offer texture and elevated style while remaining fully playable and performing on the course.
For women, the thermal long sleeve colorblock top is a 2026 must-have, suitable for year-round wear as a trans-seasonal item. Additionally, our new essential rib quarter zip in sleeveless and short-sleeve styles provides a great staple for versatile wardrobe use.
