Every year, the independent apparel category gets stronger in the golf industry. More and more golfers are looking for alternative options to what the big brands have to offer, and there are now some worthy choices. I've paid a lot of attention to this space, and I always love to let all of you know about companies you may not have heard of. In this article, I want to introduce you to a Minnesota-based clothing brand called Swannies. I've been watching for a few years, and their growth is impressive. Swannies is about not taking golf too seriously and having a good time - a message I can certainly get behind.

Back in January, I spent some time with Swannies co-founder Adam Iversen at the PGA Show. I got a chance to look at their 2019 line and was impressed by the breadth of their designs. Additionally, I like the feel and comfort of the fabrics they were using.

I had assumed that a brand that was trying to tap into the younger market was primarily growing through direct-to-consumer sales through their website, but I thought wrong. Adam told me that Swannies was being sold in close to 500 golf shops across the United States and Canada. That's quite impressive for a newer company trying to compete in a crowded market.

Interestingly, Swannies first started off in 2015 as a soft-spike golf sandal. Since then, they've become a full-blown apparel line. They've got a nice selection of hats, tees, polos, outerwear, shorts, pants, and a few other accessories. You can also find Swannies on my list of the best golf shirts.

My Impressions

Most golf apparel companies are judged by the quality of their polos. For the past couple of months, I've been wearing their Mclaughlin Polo, which is a performance polyester blend featuring a subtle dot design.

The shirt is very comfortable, and perfect in warmer conditions. It's more of an athletic cut, which I prefer. So if you're in between sizes, you likely should go one larger. Overall, I love the shirt, and it's now in my rotation when I head to the course.

Taking a look through the rest of their polo designs, I like the mix. It's definitely not for those looking for traditional golf polos. There are options ranging from more conservative, solid-color designs to more modern prints like their Gilligan Polo.

Perhaps my favorite part of Swannies is their pricing structure. A lot of times, smaller golf companies will cost more, but I found them to be quite reasonable. Their polos cost $56, which I think is a good value considering the quality of their materials and design features. The rest of their line also won't entirely break the bank, which is likely appreciated by the younger demographic they are trying to target.

If you're into hats, they've got plenty of choices as well. I have their Husby Hat, which features their logo.

Also, I'm a big fan of their t-shirts, which is one of my primary wardrobe choices.

Check 'Em Out

I love that companies like Swannies are out there and finding success. When I walk into a traditional golf store, I'm usually not too enthralled with the selection available. So if you're like me, and want an alternative that won't cost you an arm and a leg, give them a look.

You can purchase the current Swannies line directly on their website here.