Fairway Fashion

Golf: America's pastime. What, you thought it was baseball? No way. Football maybe? Still nope. It's golf. We realize this is a controversial statement. A challenge to our national pastime is a challenge to America, to freedom itself—we might as well be telling you apple pie is inferior to cherry (relax, it's not)—but hear us out: PGA of America's Golf 2.0 player-development initiative put the total number of golfers at 28.7 million in 2013. According to Statista, baseball had 17.56 million players in 2014. Football didn't even come close.

All those golfers need gear—polo shirts, caps, outerwear and more—and who's going to provide it for them? You are. Do it for your bottom line. Do it for the thrill of the big sale. Do it for freedom. Just don't do it without first checking out these six crucial golf apparel sales tips.

1. Give end-users what they want

If you need some ideas on what golf apparel is most popular right now, John Perez, marketing associate for Tri-Mountain, Irwindale, Calif., suggested looking to the pro shop. "Features in retail are usually sought after most," he said. That means performance features. Perez named moisture-wicking and venting as two of the most sought-after, as users want gear that provides an edge on the green. "When on the course, comfort and body temperature is huge. Getting a shirt that helps regulate these factors is important," he explained. "Also, pros are wearing slimmer fits—loose and hanging material could potentially hinder movements on the course."

As far as aesthetics go, Joel Freet, CEO of Cutter & Buck, Seattle, noted that bright colors are big, while gray has become the "new neutral of the moment." He also suggested apparel that is fashionable enough to wear anywhere—not just for 18 holes. "End-users are looking for versatility in their items, to be certain that not only is it a nice gift, but a great high-quality item that will be worn again and again," he said. "If it can be worn on and off the course, it's all the better."