It’s a big-time tee-off in the global golf world that only happens once every two years – and it comes this Friday.

On Sept. 29, on a course outside of Rome, the best golfers from the United States will take on the best golfers from Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup.

As you’d expect, a new collection of branded merchandise accompanies the marquee event – the 44^th Ryder Cup overall.

Since styles in the golf world often influence and translate into the promotional products market, ASI Media scoped U.S. Ryder Cup apparel and accessories for trends. Here are five that you’ll want to remember.

1. Right-Chest Pockets

Pullovers, windbreakers and vests are among the apparel pieces featuring right-chest zipper pockets. Popping up on items in the men’s and women’s lines, the pockets carry a practicality – good for storing little items you may need on the links, like SPF lip balm or a phone. But beyond that, they add a tight, stylishly higher-end urban look that works whether you’re on the greens or layering up on a cooler day as you head to a client meeting.

A right-chest pocket is a prominent feature of this women’s quarter-zip pullover and this men’s quarter-zip. Both pieces from the U.S. Ryder Cup collection are by Ralph Lauren.

Promo Applications: Corporate uniform programs, company stores, salespeople, and executives and managers across industries. Engineering, construction and surveying firms could be especially keen for these if they want managers looking sharp when in the field.

2. Rope Hats

Are we nearing the peak of the rope hat popularity resurgence? Perhaps, but we’re certainly not on the decline yet, if the U.S. team’s merch collection is any indication. We counted nearly 10 rope hat styles among the red, white and blue headwear offerings.

This Barstool Sports x Ryder Cup snapback features a rope running across the visor where it meets the crown – a popular and nostalgic look.

Rope hats, of course, feature a rope running along the back end of the visor where it meets the crown. These can be white, single-colored or multi-colored. It’s a nostalgic style, drawing on Americana from the 1970s and 1980s, that’s become modern and on-trend again.

Promo Applications: Obviously, great for golf events. Also ideal for any brand trying to tap into an “outdoors” aesthetic. Note, this doesn’t mean the client has to have anything to do with the outdoors. Many a software company’s techies and marketing pros wouldn’t mind donning an unstructured rope hat on their weekend hikes, thanks to its retro vibe and association with the outdoors.

3. Sleeveless Polos for Women

The online store for U.S. Ryder Cup team gear features at least six sleeveless polos for women as of this writing. Suffice to say, then, the style is trending. All sport collars. Some zip from chest to neck; others button. Patterns vary – from solid with some color blocking to all-over floral to striped.

The Under Armour 2023 Ryder Cup Women’s Playoff Heather Block Polo.

Promo Applications: Businesses in the fitness industry. Country clubs and public golf courses. Coaches and players of female teams representing high schools, prep schools and colleges/universities. Online apparel stores for youth sports organizations.

4. The 1927 Trophy Apparel Collection

The first Ryder Cup was held in Massachusetts in 1927 and was won handily by the United States. This year’s U.S. Ryder Cup merch includes a special sub-collection dedicated to that history-making victory. The 1927 Trophy Apparel Collection offers apparel like polo shirts, T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and pullovers. Pieces are decorated with a logo of the Ryder Cup and the year 1927.

The Footjoy Stretch Mini Check Polo is decorated on the left chest with the Ryder Cup/1927 logo. It’s part of the 1927 Trophy Apparel Collection.

Promo Applications: Propose-creating anniversary and/or milestone merch for your clients. It’s an excellent way to extend their effective and feel-good use of branded merchandise and grow sales beyond the routine promo products in which they may be investing. The company has a 25^th anniversary? Do a collection commemorating that, with items for employees and key clients. A business achieved a stretch-goal revenue target for the year? Celebrate the top-line win with choice swag.

5. Varieties of Colorblocking

Colorblocking is cool, as evidenced by the Ryder Cup collection. The line includes shirts, windbreakers and jackets that make use of colorblocking, a design technique that involves combining or “stacking” two or more fabric colors in blocks, typically on a single garment.

A bold colorblocking pattern defines the Ralph Lauren 2023 Ryder Cup Official Team Uniform Windbreaker.

Across the U.S. collection, it’s notable that there are a variety of colorblock styles used. Some examples, as seen on this Footjoy jacket, are fairly subtle. Others are bolder, not as audacious as the Mod patterns of the 1960s, but definitely busy and geometric. The official U.S. team uniform windbreaker is an example of the bolder variety, with slashes of red, white and blue and contrasting colored sleeves.

Promo Applications: Colorblock polos and jackets can make for a nice change-up in corporate apparel collections that are trying to imbue a brand with a new eye-catching energy. The busier, more angular/geometric styles may not be for everyone but could resonate with end-buyers in the sports world, from youth organizations up to pros, who are excited to show out a bit.

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