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WRX Interview: Tom Patterson of Tommy John

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The married team of Tom Patterson and Erin Fujimoto presented Tommy John to the world 10 years ago. While the focus at the beginning was in men’s undergarments, ladies, you now get to be a part of Tommy John.

Why has Tommy John had success, and why should you care? I had the privilege of corresponding with Tom Patterson recently, and I will let him answer that for you.

For those who have never heard of or know little about Tommy John, what would be your response on why they absolutely should try Tommy John?

TP: Underwear is the first thing a person puts on in the morning and the last thing a person takes off. It should be the most comfortable article of clothing you own. Tommy John has spent the last 10 years challenging the status quo in the underwear industry with premium fabrics, innovative fits and problem-solving functionality, but the main reason someone should try Tommy John is because there’s literally no risk involved. We stand by our product and if it’s not the best pair of underwear you’ve ever worn, we’ll refund you hassle free. We’re proud to have many players on tour that have worn Tommy John for years.

The undergarment market seems to be an afterthought for most, what are some of the key points that Tommy John has made from the beginning that have created excitement in an otherwise looked-over segment?

TP: For too long people were purchasing underwear based on price and convenience instead of quality and comfort. Tommy John entered the market with a product that solves the problems people face with their underwear tied to comfort and function by addressing the problems head on. We use smart fabrics that are soft, light weight, and moisture wicking, we have innovative designs that keeps the product from pinching, bunching or riding up. We even have a “No Wedgie Guarantee.” We’ve created a product that actually lives up to its claims and that’s really what has generated excitement in the segment.

There are a few companies that claim that they have apparel that will stay tucked in or won’t roll up and yet, they do not seem to hold up to the quick movements of a golf swing. How has Tommy John proven over the years that their materials can hold with the quick movements in multiple directions that can be generated from a golf swing?

TP: Our 360 Sport fabric has 360 degree stretch that moves with you not against you so it stretches in 16 directions. Our undershirts have a longer, tapered, and patented design that is proven to stay tucked through movement. Our socks have zoned cushioning and promise never to slide down. Before we bring products to market, we put them to the test. We make sure our fit models lunge, squat, swing, jump, sit, stand, and endure every movement they may encounter during the day to make sure our product performs.

As someone who is involved in building a small business, I understand that what you first start out with blossoms into something that you could have never imagined at the beginning. After leaving stable careers 10 years ago, what are some of the things that you have learned and would like to share about Tommy John?

The biggest thing I’ve learned over these past 10 years at Tommy John, is the importance to trust your gut. As the company grows and scales, you’re continuously faced with tough decisions. Some small, some bigger. I’ve learned the importance of trusting your instincts because at the end of the day, your gut is your greatest asset.

And finally, where do you see Tommy John in the future?

Becoming the global market leader in all things comfort. We never stop innovating at Tommy John and are excited to launch several new innovations in 2019 and beyond. We look forward to launching more brick and mortar stores, and expanding globally in the future

 

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Known as a golf junkie among his friends and family, Bryan Montgomery's passion for this game started at a young age which has blossomed into what is now a 10 year career in the golf industry. Part of the second class to graduate from Eastern Kentucky Universities PGA Golf Management program he has since worked as an assistant golf professional, customer service manager, director of club fitting and merchandise sales, and fitting specialist for Mizuno. Recently he started his own brand, Form Golf which currently focuses on the style and equipment in the golf industry. As a writer for GolfWRX Bryan's primary focus is on style in the golf industry and helping the readers become the best looking member among their group of friends. Please feel free to reach out to Bryan through Twitter or Instagram. Enjoy!

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Matt

    Feb 12, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Selling man-made fabrics (read chemical based; polyester, rayon etc.) as ‘smart’ fabrics has been the key in pulling the wool over people’s eyes that these ‘smart’ fabrics are better than cotton.
    Bottom line is that cotton is ‘smarter’ than these man-made fabrics and feels much more comfortable to your skin. Problem for these clothing manufacturers is that cotton is more expensive than chemical fabrics (hey…shale crude is abundant and a cheap feedstock to make chemical fabrics).

  2. TLW

    Feb 5, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Wow! Can’t believe this topic was covered here. I’ve purchased multiple pairs of Tommy John’s and absolutely loved them. Unfortunately, they all ripped apart within the first six months. They charge a premium price for their product but it’s just not durable.

  3. X

    Feb 5, 2019 at 12:17 am

    LOL. Innovative designs you say? Yet you have that GIANT waist band? I hate those things. Get rid of that ugly, cumbersome thick waist band and may be I’ll consider

  4. Tom

    Feb 4, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    Underwear? you are writing about underwear?

    • geohogan

      Mar 7, 2019 at 9:05 pm

      Advertising keeps this site going. Keep it coming.

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Accessory Reviews

Insider photos from Tiger Woods’ launch event for his new “Sun Day Red” apparel line

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On Monday evening, inside the swanky, second-story “Coach House” event center in the Palisades Village, just minutes down the road from the 2024 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods and TaylorMade officially announced their new apparel/footwear/accessory line, called “Sun Day Red.”

The Sun Day Red website officially launched on Monday night during the event, and the products are set to go on sale starting May 1.

The “Sun Day Red,” or “SDR” name will be self-explanatory for most golf fans, since he’s been wearing a victory-red shirt on Sunday’s for his entire professional career, but Woods explained the meaning of Sun Day Red at the launch event:

“It started with mom. Mom thought – being a Capricorn – that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red; Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

The Sunday Red outfit has worked to perfection for his 82 PGA Tour victories, including 15 majors, so why not make an entire apparel line based on the career-long superstition?

As I learned at Monday’s launch event, the new Sun Day Red line includes much more than just clothing. To go along with a slew of different golf shirt designs and colorways, there were also windbreakers, hoodies, shoes, hats, headcovers, ball markers and gloves on display.

The upscale event was hosted by sports media personality Erin Andrews, with special guests David Abeles (CEO of TaylorMade) and Tiger Woods himself.

As explained by Abeles, the Sun Day Red brand is an independently-run business under the TaylorMade umbrella, and is based in San Clemente, California (rather than Carlsbad, where TaylorMade headquarters is located), and it’s run by a newly-formed, independent group. Brad Blackinship, formerly of Quiksilver and RVCA, is the appointed president of the new brand.

As for the logo itself, obviously, it’s made to look like a Tiger (the animal), and is comprised of 15 tiger stripes, which correspond with Woods’ 15 major championships. While the logo may need a 16th stripe if Woods adds a major trophy to his collection, it makes perfect sense for the time being.

The golf/lifestyle line is meant to combine premium precision and athletic comfort, while still having plenty of wearability and style off the course. Like Woods said on stage at the event, he wants to be able to go right from the course to dinner wearing Sun Day Red, and that was exactly the aesthetic on display at the event on Monday.

Following the official announcement from Woods and Abeles, they revealed multiple pieces of clothing, accessories and footwear for the event-goers to ogle (and photograph). Check out a selection of product/event photos below, or head over to our @GolfWRX Instagram page for video coverage…OR, head into our GolfWRX Forums for even more photos and member discussion.

Enjoy this exclusive look at Tiger Woods’ new Sun Day Red apparel lineup below.

See more photos from the Sun Day Red launch event here

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Apparel Reviews

Apparel review: Justin Rose Collection @ Bonobos

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Bonobos? Bonnaroo? What do they have in common, besides being fun words to pronounce that belong to today’s generations? That’s a question for another story. We’re here to tell you about the latest addition to our curated polo collection, the Performance Golf Polo from the Justin Rose collection. It comes from Bonobos, so kick back to this 2020 Bonnaroo mixtape and read up on white anchors.

Professional golfer, Justin Rose, photographed for his Spring 2021 Bonobos capsule collection.

Bonobos has been working to reinvigorate its golf category that launched in 2011 and bring a fresh face and new thinking to their golf mix. The brand has been eyeing pro-golfer Justin Rose for some time, especially as he’s risen in the game and his style on and off course aligned with the brand’s aesthetic, it was a natural fit. Bonobos made the official partnership in 2019 and since then, Justin has worn Bonobos on the course during his tours, and in his everyday life, by choice.

In March 2021, the brand launched the Justin Rose Golf Collection, its first co-designed golf line with Justin consisting of an assortment of printed performance polos, pants, and shorts that are versatile for casual days on the course, to playing 18-holes and to the clubhouse afterward.

My fit arrived promptly, and I couldn’t help but throw it over my head and shoulders, and strut around the house. No matter the time of year nor the weather outside, a golf polo always works in the indoor arena. I had considered the slim fit, but opted for the standard. It was reassuring to realize that either one would have draped well over my torso. Plenty of room from shoulders to ribs to belly, both static and active. First box, checked.

The next task was no less arduous: wear the shirt in the out-and-about. A brisk day arrived, so I tucked a long-sleeved shirt beneath my polo, and went about my daily business, aka teaching. My students perked up when I entered the hall, and asked immediately about the anchors. “Ya know, just a new polo,” I replied. The company logo was apparent on my sleeve, so no need to ask about its origin. I’ve worn polos in the past that did not interface well with a shirt beneath. When you play golf in the wee morning hours or the evening gloaming, or the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, you often need to trick out your fit with another layer. The Bonobos Performance Golf Polo was comfortable beyond words on this day, and the collaboration with the long sleeve was a success. Second box, checked.

At this point, a little transparency will help matters. I looked good in this shirt, but when I read the added description about the model 40-inch chest, six feet two inches tall, size medium slim fit), I couldn’t help but feel a bit…inadequate? Then I looked in the mirror again, smiled, and winked, and I still looked good.

The final checkpoint was my new, Bryson-esque golf swing pitted against the Bonobos PGP. Having played golf with a gentle, consistent, non-violent swing since I picked up a club, I made the decision that 2021 would be the year that I would tear the cover off the ball. Why wait for a better time than the present, am I right? Swing after swing at the dome produced a variety of shot traces (Bryson wasn’t built in a day, after all), and my body still loved my second skin. Box three, checked.

In addition to the White Anchor pattern, something I would call the small-repeat, Bonobos offers five other patterns for purchase in this shirt model. Two floral patterns (Red Tropical and Teal & Pink) fall under the large-repeat style. The Green Sailboat Geo fills the entire top with a small-repeat, making it hard on the eyes for me. The Blue Lighthouses pattern is a medium-repeat; not as large as the Florals, but more sizable than the anchors, sailboats, and the last pattern (on a dark-blue shirt) the Navy Golf Bags small-repeat. Three white backgrounds, one blue, one red, one teal. That’s a pretty nice lineup from which to select a few new coller-poppers.

End of the day: Two happy shoulders (out of two) for the affordable ($69 retail) Bonobos Performance Golf Polo. If you’ll excuse me, I’m off to check out the rest of their virtual Guideshop. Peace!

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Apparel Reviews

WRX Spotlight: Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa Golf Shoe

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The Product

The new Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa, available in North America now, selling for $250 at adidas.com (only available on Adidas’ website, this shoe will not be at retail).

The Pitch

From Adidas: “The adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa® is the epitome of performance golf footwear, designed to offer micro-adjustability in two separate zones. The first is the independent main dial with high strength Boa lace that when combined with the forged 360 wrap creates unparalleled power for your swing by locking the area between your midfoot and forefoot. The second provides micro-adjustability from the middle to bottom instep for a customized fit, feel, and support. The Boa Fit System activates both zones to deliver the ultimate in power, stability, and performance.”

Our take on Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa

BOA technology, a ratcheting cable system that replaces laces for securing the shoe, has been around for a while now. It was a radical departure when it first hit the market and traditionalists viewed it with some skepticism, but those who tried shoes using the system became hooked on the ease of use, secure feel, and reliability of the system. I have had to replace shoelaces, but I have never had a cable fail in a pair of shoes with Boa technology.

With the TOUR360 XT Twin Boa, Adidas has introduced the next step on Boa technology (pun intended). The shoe has a sleek, technology-forward look that is associated with Adidas products. It even looks good in the size 13 that I sport. The color selection is limited, to say the least. You can choose from white with green trim or white without green trim. But the star of the show is the Boa technology, which is implemented in two dials located on the outside of each shoe, replacing the one dial on previous iterations.

Each dial controls the fit for a different part of the shoe, and the ratcheting dial gives the wearer the most precise fit available. The real advantage over laces is that the Boa system stays secure longer and is easier to tighten than re-tying shoelaces. It’s so easy to reach down and give a couple of clicks that it became routine for me to check on each tee box to make sure I had a good fit before teeing off. Equally pleasing is the quick release on each dial that gets you out of your shoes at the end of a round without the terror of facing a wet double-knot.

The shoe is waterproof leather, and it is light and comfortable enough to walk 18 on hilly tracks. I personally would have preferred a slightly wider toe box, but that is nit-picking.

Overall, the Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa is a performance shoe that promises, fit, comfort and stability, and it delivers on all fronts. Not everyone has $250 to drop on a pair of golf shoes, but if you want the tech on your feet to match the tech in your bag, then the Adidas TOUR360 XT Twin Boa is perfect for you.

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