Sponsorships work. Take it from me, from someone who doesn't really give in to advertisements and marketing hype. Until now. Watching Jordan Spieth rack up those major championship wins (2015 Masters, 2015 US Open, 2017 British Open) and looking good while doing so in Under Armour gear was apparently enough to get me to buy new Under Armour gear for myself.
Under Armour's golf apparel looks great on TV. Some people might like the Rickie Fowler look (Puma), the Dustin Johnson look (Adidas), or the Jason Day or Rory McIlroy look (Nike). I've always preferred the scripted outfits Under Armour designed for Spieth. I love my new golf shorts and golf belt from Under Armour.
I actually already owned an Under Armour golf shirt before Under Armour hit it big with Spieth. I found it on a discount rack at Doral. Admittedly, I haven't been too impressed with it. It's a pretty ordinary shirt, but I think Under Armour's designs have improved over the years.
I got a pair of Under Armour's Showdown tapered shorts in "Academy" color (navy) for $65 and Showdown vented tapered shorts in zinc gray (a light gray) for $70. I ordered these from Under Armour's website where, at the time, shipping was free for any order over $60. I was charged $8.10 in taxes. I ordered my shorts on a Monday afternoon and they were in my hands in just two days.
The shorts fit almost perfectly. They feel and look great. If anything, they might be a tad too long, but I read the opposite from customer reviews on Under Armour's website (several customers thought the shorts were too short). Both shorts have an 11-inch inseam. I'm going to take one of the pairs to my tailor and get them shortened a bit to see how they look/feel. Note I'm a short person (5-6 to 5-7).
The description for these shorts on Under Armour's website is funny:
"Built for the next era of golfers, these shorts were made to flex with your body with any movement you make. We used a high-performance, mobile fabric, a stretch waistband, and a new streamlined fit to reduce drag on every swing and unlock total mobility on the course."
Under the Product DNA section, I found these two bullet points to be true:
* "Material wicks sweat & dries really fast"
* "Stretch-engineered waistband for superior mobility & insane comfort"
The shorts are so comfortable, I could go to sleep in them. They just feel really soft and nice.
One thing that Under Armour's website did not explain is the difference between the regular Showdown shorts and the vented Showdown shorts. One of the reasons I ordered one of each kind was to see what the difference would be. It turns out the vented shorts have tiny holes in them which are better for when the weather is hot. They're super breathable. However, the regular shorts look nicer and a bit more refined. In the end, you can't go wrong with either option.
I liked my men's UA Showdown tapered shorts (non-vented) in navy so much that I later also purchased a pair in white. They cost $68.90 after tax with free shipping ($65 for the shorts + $3.90 in taxes). I noticed after less than a half-dozen wears and washes, the threading on the back right pocket of the white shorts started coming loose. That was disappointing given the amount I spent on the shorts.
Admittedly, I saw no improvement in my golf game from wearing my new Under Armour golf shorts, so I took it one step further. I bought a Webbing Belt 2.0. I was hoping this was the final piece of the puzzle. The Under Armour belt would lock in my Under Armour shirt and shorts to unlock my complete swing dynamics.
Since $60 was the purchase minimum on Under Armour's website for free shipping, I looked to see if I could buy the belt elsewhere. Amazon had the exact same belt for the exact same price ($20) with free Prime shipping, so I ordered the belt through Amazon. It arrived in three days. I had to pay $1.20 in taxes.
The belt looks great and fits perfectly. It fits perfectly because it's a belt that you cut to size yourself so it ends up being a custom-fit belt. I had trouble opening the clasp on the back. Under Armour provided no instructions on how to open it so I ended up finding a YouTube video that showed me how to do it: https://youtu.be/WQHiOAumz10. I had to use a screwdriver and in the process, ended up scratching the back of the buckle. Fortunately, the damage is not visible when the belt is worn normally. The belt is reversible so it's almost like I got two belts for the price of one. One side is white while the other is gray.
Finally, I purchased a pair of UA Performance SL Leather golf shoes for $119.77 after taxes and shipping. The shoes were tight and uncomfortable, especially in the toe area. I ended up returning them. Skechers are way more comfortable.
Overall, I'm satisfied with my purchases from Under Armour. Even at full price, I think the prices are fair. I think the quality is worth it, for the most part. I'm sure I'll be buying more Under Armour golf gear in the future. read more