Linksoul

John Ashworth, the creator of Ashworth golf apparel, has more than paid his penance in the golf apparel industry. After walking away from Ashworth, trying his hand at course design in Scotland, designing Fidra, a golf apparel line for Quicksilver and then another brief run at Ashworth, he's back at it again with his new company, Linksoul.

I had the opportunity to review some Linksoul apparel in 2012, shortly after the company started and to be honest, it was OK, but nothing special. Not exactly what I had come to expect from the guy who designed the little gofer guy on the left breast and surrounded him with brilliant colors and designs.
I saw them again last January at the PGA Show and was able to speak with a couple of representatives there who assured me they had some "big things coming down the pike" and that we should talk again in the fall. Well, it's now the fall and they wasn't lying! But first, let's get a little more in-depth with the company.

It seems that somewhere in the back of his mind, John Ashworth planned all along that he would give the golf apparel industry another shot. He left Ashworth in 1997 due to "philosophical differences," so it only makes sense that he would return to a place where he had much success. During his first run in the golf apparel industry, he had been assembling an all-star team that would someday band together to nurture and grow the idea of Linksoul. In 2011, John and his band of merry men (and women) partnered briefly with Mark Killeen and his custom branding company, Pima Direct. A couple of years into the partnership, both parties felt that things just weren't right, so they mutually agreed to go their separate ways. Nowadays, Linksoul is just a small, tight-knit group, primarily made up of family and longtime friends, trying to keep the company moving onward and upward.

As it says on the tags of their polos, Linksoul is more of a philosophy than a brand. It is the collective life's work of family and friends with the purpose of reconnecting golfers with the soul of the game.

Linksoul clothing is the evolution of John Ashworth's fashion sensibility for a golfer's way of life and the closest he has come in his quest for the perfect golf shirt. Linksoul looks to expand upon the concept of "business as usual," however it's no longer just about golf, it's about everything. Although, golf is still mandatory on Fridays.

I was fortunate enough to receive several articles of clothing from Linksoul to review. Here are a few pieces that have stuck with me:

The Innosoft Micro Stripe Polo ($78) is a dyed micro stripe jersey with a self-collar and open sleeve. The stripes are wide but not quite rugby shirt wide and really give the shirt a classy look. Innosoft cotton jersey offers the best of both worlds: it's a soft cotton like you would find in a tee shirt and it's easy to care for. The finish won't shrink, fade, or wrinkle. A man's dream - no iron needed! It features a 3-button placket and the Linksoul badge tag on the right sleeve. This super soft, lightweight golf shirt is perfect either on or off the course! The Innosoft Micro Stripe Polo is available in sizes S-XXL and in three colors: Ink, Slate and Black. Retail price: $78.

The Coast Highway Classic Knit polo is Linksoul's signature short-sleeve polo shirt. It too features Innosoft's 100% cotton jersey finish, giving it a luxurious feel and carefree ease. It features a self-collar, three button placket and a small pocket with a button on the front right chest. The tonal embroidered logo is located on the chest pocket. The Coast Highway Classic Knit polo offers the perfect blend between a modern and vintage look and could easily become your favorite polo. It's available in 21 colors and sizes S-XXL with a retail price of $68.

The Stretch Drytec Shirt is a long sleeve, woven shirt made from a comfortable cotton blend fabric (50% cotton/45% polyester/5% spandex) that offers moisture wicking technology. This cotton-rich technical fabric is breathable, easy to care for and won't let them see you sweat. It features a button down front, button down collar and button down cuffs. This is a shirt that the elegantly dressed Bobby Jones, would be proud to wear! The Stretch Drytec is available in sizes S-XXL and in five colors: aqua heather, dark gray heather, ink heather, white and black heather. Retail price: $95.

The Interlock Quarter-Zip Pullover is a necessary layering garment and comes with an easy-care finish that is 100% luxury cotton. It features a quarter-zip front with the Linksoul logo on the zipper pull, banded cuffs and a garment loop for hanging it up. This perfect lightweight layering piece will add class and style to your golf apparel wardrobe. It's available in sizes S-XXL and in five colors: charcoal heather, black, midnight, white, and navy.

Solid Boardwalker Short. This 4-way stretch linen texture short offers solid performance on or off the course. Made from a 92% polyester/8% spandex fabric, the Boardwalker Short features a zip closure and six pockets including a small pocket on the front right, perfect for a small GPS or tees and a ball marker and a media pocket on the back right leg that will hold just about any sized smartphone. There is a pocket flap with a snap on the back right pocket and the green thread for the pocket flap and the button closure adds a nice contrast. The front pockets have mesh pocket bags and the Links logo is visible on the front of the right leg as well as the back left pocket. There shorts are very stylish and lightweight and are available in sizes 30-40 and in nine colors. Retail price: $72.

linChambray Micro Stripe Flat Front Chino Pant. Living in Florida, I don't wear long pants that often but these Linksoul chinos have me looking forward to cold weather. The 98% cotton/2% spandex blend fabric offers added stretch for extra comfort. These pants feature a button closure and 4 pockets. The contrast white stitching adds a different flair. This is the type of pant you can wear on the golf course or on the town with your favorite gal. The Chambray Micro Stripe Flat Front pant is available in sizes 30-40 but only in a vintage navy color. Retail Price: $95.

THE Original Tee. You'll enjoy lounging around the house in this extra comfortable short-sleeve t-shirt with the trademark round Linksoul logo. It's made of a 50% polyester/25% cotton/25% rayon fabric and is available in sizes S-XXL but only in vintage black. Retail price is $35.

BIG LOGO TRUCKER HAT - Perfect for driving a semi but not something I would wear driving a golf ball. The logo on the front is massive so expect a few inquiries into what exactly Linksoul is. The bill, no matter how much I bend it, always flattens out. Rickie Fowler followers (say that three times fast) would probably love it. The Big Logo Trucker hat is available in black, verdant green and navy and retails for $30.

Last Word: I'm very impressed with the apparel I received from Linksoul. You won't find any Loudmouth-like colors in their palette; all of LinkSoul's colors are muted and much softer. That's not a bad thing, they directly reflect the style of apparel I think Linksoul is looking for.

The feel of the fabrics are incredible; not a lot of polyester (aka moisture wicking, odor eating, etc.) in this collection. I'm actually looking forward to the colder weather so I can wear a few different layers.

Linksoul apparel isn't available at any of the major big-box retailers as far as I know, however you can find them at several online shops. For more information on Linksoul, you can visit their website at www.Linksoul.com. If you'd rather chat with them in person, many of them can be found at Goat Hill Park Municipal Golf Course in Oceanside, CA on Mandatory Golf Friday!