Designers who are thinking outside of the tee box.

{ Shi Golf Zip Up Sweater Jacket }

Golf clothes don’t have to be loud or boyish or pink. As Seema Sadekar of the LPGA’s Futures Tour points out, golf clothes don’t even have to have pockets. “Your ball marker is on your hat, and your tees can go in your hair,” says the former Big Break glitter girl. “Who needs pockets to ruin your nice, sleek lines?”

Sadekar shops the racks in her favorite stores and turns high fashion into golf fashion. You can do that too, or you might want to investigate some of the newer players in the “golf apparel” market. Here are four who are aiming for the woman who wants her golf clothes to move with her – not only as she moves around the course, but beyond.

Grace & Game Golf
As an attorney in Washington state, Jessica Eaves Mathews saw her share of women wearing what she calls “mini-man” outfits. Then she took up golf, and, how about that, more mini-men! Her Grace & Game Golf markets feminine, fitted, multi-tasking clothes – V-neck tops with a ruffle, or a ruffled cap sleeve, gathers in unexpected places, fitted bottoms and cardigans, and fabrics such as organic cotton, silk and even some leather.  Tops start at around $75. Sizes 0-12 and XS-XL, GraceAndGame.com

MiC Sport
Designer Melba Lee’s descriptions of MiC (the “i” is a golf tee) make frequent use of the word “sexy,” and LPGA Tour player Paige Mackenzie makes her clothes look great. This is a line for the fit woman, or the young woman; skirts and skorts are short, pants and capris are form-fitting and low-rising, and shirts might reveal a bit more than expected at the top or bottom. Shirts start at about $120, and the embroidered drop yoke skirt, in cotton with 3 percent spandex, is listed at $160. Sizes 0-14 and XS-XL, MicSport.com.

Shi Golf
A golf dress? Why not! No hunting for the top that goes with the bottom, no worries about a midriff exposed on the backswing, no need for a belt. And that soft, stretchy cotton that moves so well with the golf swing moves just fine on to dinner. Now if only Shi Golf would design some golf dress shoes to complete the outfit.  Kelly Su used to mix golf pieces with her favorite ready-to-wear finds; when too many friends said, “I wish I could find golf outfits like that,” she started designing a line that includes wrap tops and flouncy skirts, with plenty of every woman’s favorite color, black. Dresses are in the $100 ballpark. Sizes XS-XL and 0-10, Shi-Golf.com

Toby Tucker Golf
Toby Tucker Peters played on the men’s golf team in college and kept playing as she established her career as a fashion magazine editor. So it’s not surprising that her collection of golf clothes – all clearly made to be worn for various activities – screams out “Runway!” Inspired by whatever’s hot this season in New York, Paris and Milan, Toby Tucker ranges from the “Sand Wedge Wide-Leg” pant in navy palm graphic print ($300) to culottes, a “Putting Skirt,” and a water resistant anorak. Sizes 2-12, TobyTuckerGolf.com.

By Susan Fornoff
From the August issue of GottaGoGolf Magazine, free and online in the archives for women who love the game.