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NEWS

In Fiamme Initiates Special-Order Program

In Fiamme: The Italian golf apparel company launches a new Special-Order Program, allowing clubs and retail shops that do not carry the brand the opportunity to still make the line available.

Adidas Golf Introduces Adicross II Footwear

Adidas Golf: Introduces its new Adicross II shoe, which features strategically-placed square-shaped traction lugs and updated outsole design to promote improved traction.

Tifosi Has Eye On 2013

Tifosi: Launches its 2013 product line, which features six models.

Sun Mountain Expands Sales Staff

Sun Mountain: Announces the addition of four sales representatives - Mike Connors (South Florida territory), Charley Carlson (Utah and New Mexico), Josh Lampley (Mississippi and Louisiana) and Kevin Neff (Colorado and Wyoming).

Adidas Golf Announces New Era In Golf Footwear

Adidas Golf: Introduces its Adipure Motion footwear, which increases a golfer's contact with the ground throughout the swing.

Loudmouth, Punkeelove Hook Up

Loudmouth Golf: Signs a licensing deal with Punkeelove, a headband manufacturer. Punkeelove has expanded its offering with 10 Loudmouth patterns.

By Janice Ferguson
GPA Style Editor

Most people probably do not think much about how golf shorts are made. After all, what can be so complicated about sewing four pieces of fabric together, adding a couple of pockets and a few belt loops, and throwing a zipper on the front?

For others like Ralph Dunning, the founder of Dunning Golf, there is a whole lot more that goes into the anatomy of a great golf short.

For example, the new Player Fit four-way stretch performance short - and pants - introduced for spring 2013 has a cleaner and more modern fit in comparison to the Original Fit short. The Player Fit short has a slight tapering of the leg, a v-notch in the back waistband and l-shape pockets with a two-piece waistband designed for increased comfort and playability.

Both bottoms are engineered with the four-way stretch fabric, making them lightweight and breathable while offering complete freedom of movement.

From early indications, reaction to the new short has been positive.

"Our accounts, both existing and new, are very excited about the Player Fit bottoms. The new features further advance the functionality of the four-way stretch program," said Jimmy Glass, national sales manager. "The waistband has been upgraded to a two-piece stretch lining and the new 'L' front pocket design forms the perfect fit on the hips and eliminates bulging pockets. The notch in the back of the waistband is a common trait of better men's trousers and adds comfort when taking a golf stance or while riding in a golf cart. We also removed the back pocket buttons and re-enforced the top of the pocket, making it easier to use for gloves and scorecards. The new modern fit has a one-inch narrower opening at the knee, a quarter-inch shorter length and one-inch removed from the back rise to create a fit that is clean and has a more tailored look."

Pair the new Player Fit bottom with the new Interface Stretch Pique polo shirts that are also debuting spring 2013. The technical golf fabric has mechanical stretch, extreme wicking yarns and an ultra-soft hand feel. It also features excellent colorfastness and high breathability, keeping the contact surface of the skin dry in extreme heat. The polo style offers an updated button down collar in six solid and stripe colors as well as a traditional polo in 10 colors.

The new fabric consists of 50 percent Coolmax Extreme and 50 percent Cationic polyester - a formula that took two years to develop. The end result is a performance fabric that is soft and feels like cotton.

"The new Interface Stretch Pique fabric we've created for spring 2013 gives golf shops the ability to create a strong folded presentation with a classic look and feel in a tech fabric offered in colors that are fresh and eye catching, " Dunning said.

A brushed backing to the fabric creates a smooth surface against the skin. The Cationic yarn absorbs dye differently and is more saturated. Combined with Coolmax it creates a cotton soft hand when spun in a pique stitch configuration. It's a new look to an all-synthetic fabric and, as an added value, the product folds neatly for table merchandising.

Suggested retail pricing of the Player Fit bottoms is $79 for solids, $89 for patterns. The long pant is $99. Interface pique polo tops range from $89 - $95.

For information, go to www.dunninggolf.com.