Malbon Gold: A Driving Force in Golf Fashion
According to Stephen Malbon, the company’s mission is to “inspire today’s youth to participate in the greatest game on Earth.”
Golf fashion is in a period of change. The COVID-19 pandemic drove a boom in the sport, and with that increase in players came a rush of diversity. Younger players took to the course, wearing stylish apparel to show their respect and affection for the game in their own original manner.
While there are still traditionalists who don a proper polo shirt and maybe a sweater if the weather cools off a bit, younger players turn to branded crewnecks and upscale hoodies. It’s golf wear that looks more casual to the older player, while being a salute to golf with the younger set.
One of the driving forces in the evolution of golf fashion is Malbon Golf. Founded in 2017 in L.A. by Stephen and Erica Malbon, the brand launched with a limited collection of items for men. The set included multifunctional golf apparel to be worn on and off the course. Since then, the husband-and-wife team has continued promoting their brand. According to Stephen Malbon, the company’s mission is to inspire today’s youth to participate in the greatest game on Earth, and he hopes fashion might lead some players with doubts to try the game.
“There are many people who may have preconceived notions that golf isn’t for them or that they need to fit into a specific box,” Malbon says. “We want everyone to feel comfortable and happy, both on and off the course. We provide quality products, share stories, and invite customers to be part of our community of like-minded individuals.”
Today, the manufacturer offers a complete line of limited-edition men’s and women’s clothingl, footwear, and accessories, described by Malbon as “designed to reimagine the status quo and aspire across all ages with the ultimate goal of bringing a fresh perspective and an accessible, personal approach to the game.”
A quick perusal of the current merchandise reveals a wide variety of golf gear cut with a sharper knife. The logos are bolder and the fashions often less stuffy than classic brands. The exception is the footwear partnership Malbon entered with the legendary on-course brand FootJoy.
The biggest name showing Malbon flair on the PGA Tour is Jason Day. The 36-year-old native of Queensland, Australia, won the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and finished the rare Runner-Up Grand Slam (finishing in second place at The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship) before back injuries temporarily derailed his tour run. Back on course full time again, Day wears Malbon gear and Payntr golf shoes.
The Malbon Golf Jason Day Performance Line hit stores last May and featured everything from caps and pullovers to shirts and shorts–all in Day’s familiar dark hues.
Malbon explains that the inspiration to go in a more modern, youthful direction with golf wear came from personal experience and a need for more choices.
“I found it hard to dress in traditional golf clothing, so I started wearing lifestyle brands on the golf course,” he says. “This inspired the idea of a lifestyle brand that redefines how golf attire can look. Our brand is about creating and sharing a feeling—a mutual love for the game.”
