Adidas Golf Flew Me To Scotland In November To Prove They Could Keep Me Warm. The Results Surprised Me
I went to Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles to get the lowdown on the Ultimate365 range from adidas and see if it could keep the extreme elements at bay
Recently, I was hugely fortunate to be whisked away to Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles for 3 days by adidas golf. The purpose of the trip was primarily to highlight the benefits of their Ultimate 365 Layering concept, and Scotland in early November seemed as good a time and place as any to prove it works!
In essence, Ultimate 365 Layering, is a collection of pieces within the adidas golf range that can be paired up to provide the best possible protection from the elements. Like many of the best sweaters, half-zips, vests and hoodies, some of these pieces are designed with pure warmth in mind, some are waterproof and some are even both, but they all claim to do their job whilst still providing great freedom of movement.
I have been provided with some items from the Ultimate 365 range to put these claims to the test! The warmth orientated pieces that arrived were the Tour Wind.RDY Half-zip, Tour Frostguard Full-zip padded vest, Tour Cold.RDY crewneck sweatshirt, and the Tour Frostguard padded hoodie. The Rain.RDY Waterproof jacket and trousers were also in the box to cover me for those rainy days.
The concept of layering is not a new one, but adidas has created a really strong range here where each piece compliments one another and can supplement the other garments to help you really dial in the right temperature more easily and precisely.
For example, when testing the range, I started one round in the early afternoon on a relatively temperate day for November in the South West of England. I was wearing just the Tour Wind.RDY Half-zip over a polo shirt and felt suitably warm for the first few holes before the temperature started to drop somewhat.
I wanted to keep the chill at bay but didn’t want anything too bulky that may affect my movement. Cue the Tour Frostguard Full-zip padded vest! I just slipped this piece over my half-zip and the Frostguard technology instantly helped me feel warmer while still maintaining full range of motion in my arms. I really liked the low collar on this garment as I can find my shoulder turn restricted by higher, thicker collars.
Fast forward a couple of hours and late into the back nine, the temperature had really plummeted and my arms were starting to feel it. This felt like the perfect time to try the Tour Frostguard padded hoodie. Very similar in thickness on the torso to the vest I had on previously, and using the same Frostguard technology, now however I had the added benefit of the recycled polyester fleece sleeves to take the chill away from my arms.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The stretchy nature of the sleeves still allowed me real freedom in my swing whilst keeping my arms that bit warmer. The clever design of the sleeve and torso in different materials on this hoodie gives the illusion that you are simply wearing a vest over a sweater which I really liked.
Here lies the essence of the Ultimate 365 Layering range. The ability to really fine tune your requirements in inclement weather and also the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Instead of making do, being just that bit too hot or too cold, there are endless combinations to create exactly what you are looking for.
Layering in general really is the smart way to go about dressing for winter golf. If you are someone who simply chucks on a thick sweater over a polo for a round in the cold you are likely affecting your performance. Thicker garments can impede your range of motion and also generally feel more uncomfortable.
Not only that, you are only really prepared for two circumstances… really warm or really cold! Anything in between that and you will likely not be achieving optimal comfort levels.
Whilst I really enjoyed all of the range I received, my standout pieces were the Tour Frostguard padded hoodie and the Tour Cold.Rdy crewneck sweatshirt. The hoodie in particular provided a fantastic blend of genuine insulation and real freedom, while the crewneck sweatshirt is a great crossover piece that can be worn just as easily off the course.
Having some strong layering pieces in your winter wardrobe can really benefit your performance and enjoyment of the game and the Ultimate 365 Layering range provides some great options in this regard.
Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade. He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice.
Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.
Joe's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Switch between Ping G430 Max 10K & TaylorMade Qi10 - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X
Fairway wood 1: TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X
Fairway wood 2: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD 5 Wood - Fujikura Ventus Black 8-X
Irons: TaylorMade P7CB 3-PW with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts
Wedges: Callaway Opus 50, 54, and 60 degrees - Project X LS 6.0 shafts
Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9
Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R
Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand
-
Justin Thomas Sends Memo To PGA Tour Peers Advocating Closer TV-Player Relationships To Help Viewing Experience
Penning a lengthy letter to the PGA Tour membership, Thomas explained that 'more access and insight' can make a 'world of difference' to golf's overall viewing experience
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Can You Play Music From A Speaker During A Golf Competition?
We'll all have our views on whether or not you should play music out on the course, but from a Rules perspective, can you play music from a speaker during a golf competition?
By Jeremy Ellwood Published
-
How Titleist 'Used Every Tool In The Toolbox' To Enhance The New Pro V1 And Pro V1x Golf Balls
After months of testing and tour validation the new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls are set to launch, but what's new? We explain all
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
How The New Cobra DS-ADAPT Range Looks To Have Changed Driver Fitting Forever
With a revolutionary hosel design and refined aerodynamics, the Cobra DS-ADAPT may just become the standout driver in 2025
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
£39 Vs £169 Wedge Test... Surprising Results!
In his latest Retro Review, Joe Ferguson sees if the original Vokey wedge picked up for just £39 can compete with the modern equivalent four times the price
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
7 Useful Golf Rangefinder Features You Never Knew About
Think you know everything a rangefinder can do? Think again. We've got seven of the best features currently available on the best modern rangefinders
By Dan Parker Published
-
Do Putting Mats Help Improve Your Putting?
Former professional golfer Sam De’Ath sheds light on whether or not a home putting mat can help improve your performance on the greens
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
I Tried Bryson DeChambeau’s Actual 7-iron And It Blew My Mind!
Irons expert Joe Ferguson got his hands on an Avoda 7-iron that was built specifically for the US Open Champion, and here’s what he learned…
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
3 Reasons You Should Be Thinking Of Yonex For Your Next Golf Club Upgrade…
Yonex Golf has some genuine heritage within the game, and with some exciting new product lines, they should be a serious consideration for your next purchase…
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
10 Clever Golf Gear Hacks You Should Try This Winter
These subtle changes to your equipment could well transform your scoring ability in the winter, so why not give some of them a try?
By Joel Tadman Published