Heated Golf Jackets

Last updated: 29th October 2012

With winter about to descend on the Northern Hemisphere and summer on the Southern Hemisphere, two interesting new items of outwear have hit the market.

For those washing to keep snug and warm as they play through the cold, the rain and the snow of the Northern Clime's up-coming winter months, US-based Mobel Warming Gear have launched a new collection of heated, breathable, water-proof outerwear designed specifically to cater for the needs of golfers.

Their jackets are made of a lightweight, breathable, waterproof fabric heated by a rechargeable 7.4-volt lithium battery.

"About half the size of a cell phone," claims Keith Apple, general manager golf for Mobile Warming Gear, "the battery pack can be adjusted from 90 degrees to 130 degrees. At the lower setting, the battery will last 10 hours before it requires re-charging.

The jacket is the brain-child of Apple's son-in-law Joe Lusardi, an assistant professional at Locust Hill Country Club outside Rochester, in New York.

"When I started working for this company which made heated jackets, I was in the ski industry," Apple said. "I gave my son-in-law some heated vests made specifically for skiing, saying to him, 'this may work in golf - and if it can, what would I have to do?'"

Apple added that Lusardi and some friends suggested lowering the collar and using lightweight-material stretch panels under the arm pits. And the result seems to have worked admirably. The jacket has received the approval of he USGA, governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico.

"The jacket is totally breathable," Apple added, "and the membrane is similar to Gore-Tex. It's 100 percent waterproof (but lets in air) and has a waterproof zipper ."

It comes in men's and women's styles at a suggested retail price of $200 for the jacket and $160 for a vest.

For those in more Southerly countries like South Africa and Australia where strong summer winds like Cape Town's famed 'South Easter' can make life on a golf course thoroughly uncomfortable, golfers can look to internationally-known golf bag makers Sun Mountain.

Also looking to counter the cold and wet of the northern winter Sun Mountain has expanded its Headwind collection of wind shirts to include a short-sleeve version, but these items of apparel are also ideal for countering buffeting summer breezes.

The Sun Mountain Headwind is a pullover jacket made of a wind-proof micro fiber fabric.

For good measure, it is treated with a durable water repellent coating and features in the shoulder and back area a flexible insert made of Sun Mountain's Rainflex fabric that is both water resistant and breathable.

The Headwind won't replace a rain suit, but it will suffice in a drizzle or otherwise misty conditions and it will certainly take the bite off even the worst of the summer winds .

The Headwind short sleeve top has a suggested retail price of $69 and the long sleeve of $89.

A women's Headwind also is available at $79.

A more economical version in the range is the Headwind Solo ($59) that does not feature the Rainflex insert.