Columbia is known for their zip in interchange system jackets. This interchange jacket is worn while playing golf and so there were mobility restrictions through the back caused from the fleece liner being connected to the hard shell jacket at the center front zipper. The gold swing was compromised and so we engineered this jackets interchange system to be a "4 point" system. This enables the two jackets to move independently of each other because they are only connected at strategic points in the mid back, neck, and sleeve cuffs. Problem solved!
When golfing in inclement weather the back of your neck is exposed to the elements. My solution was to increase the collar height with strategic contouring around the ear so water and wind do not get inside the jacket.
The shoulders of this jacket have no seams in the areas where a caddy would have a shoulder strap. This prevents chaffing and at the same time enabled a wonderful pattern shape putting ease in all the right places for a golfers swing. The shoulder has maximum mobility and still retains its fit!
Pit zips are a great solution to temperature control. Often our body temperatures go from hot to cool during the duration of a single game. Instead of taking your jacket on and off (important if the rain does not subside) you can cool off by opening your pits when necessary and close them up once your temperature is regulated.
WATER PROOF and BREATHABLE? This is a battle over not enough venting/breathability causing water vapor to be trapped inside the jacket, or too much venting/breathability causing heat to escape when its needed. Fully taping seams and having a waterproof and breathable fabric often are not enough. This hard shell fabric has a micro porous coating that enables maximum waterproofing and maximum breathability. You will not get clammy or cold in this jacket! And just to be sure, this jacket also has water proof zippers, garages covering exposed zippers and zipper ends, adjustable cuffs and waistband to control air entering and escaping, and a center front placket that is fused to give it stability to remain behind the zipper but the top is blocked with a ultra soft micro chami fabric that wicks away moisture from your breath.
The interchange liner was designed to follow the lines of the hard shell and with out the seams overlaying one another. The fabric is a light weight poly fleece that has maximum thermal retention and wicking. It is light and warm. The "4 point" interchange system is visible in this photo.
This "4 point" interchange soft shell jacket presented many construction obstacles. The stretch and light weight character of the fabric made it difficult to tape. This fabric is ideal to have the reverse technical face touch the skin however the mesh needed in key areas (for ultra wicking, venting, and pocket bags) can not be taped. We added plackets to the mesh so that it could still be fully taped which gave this jackets interior a high tech appeal and solved the problem. I like when solutions to design challenges present more character rather than take it away. This jacket is a great example of this!
When golfing in inclement weather the back of your neck is exposed to the elements. My solution was to increase the collar height with strategic contouring around the ear so water and wind do not get inside the jacket.
The shoulders of this jacket have no seams in the areas where a caddy would have a shoulder strap. This prevents chaffing and at the same time enabled a wonderful pattern shape putting ease in all the right places for a golfers swing. The shoulder has maximum mobility and still retains its fit!
Heat transfer corporate logos were used instead of embroidery to reduce taping (cutting cost) and adding holes to the fabric. The challenge we had with this was finding the right temperature and time needed to apply the heat transfer with out seeing a residual mark from the tools used to apply the heat transfer.
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2007-2009 Columbia PGG, Performance Golf Gear
Columbia PGG, Performance Golf Gear is a outerwear and sportswear collection specifically for men and women who golf. All products had performance features such as fully taped waterproof/breathable, lightweight stretch fabrics, UPF, strategic venting, pit zips, engineered designs for caddy's carrying heavy bags, antimicrobial fabrics, waterproof zippers, wicking fabrics and linings, packable pants and jackets, internal pockets for T's and scorecards. Sportswear collections were appropriate to wear in dress code courses and on or off the green.