Five Years of the Golf Hoodie: From Rebellion to Respectability

In October 2020, the golf world witnessed a small act of rebellion that ended up reshaping how players and fans alike think about golf fashion. Tyrrell Hatton, the fiery Englishman, lifted the BMW PGA Championship trophy at Wentworth, not in a classic polo or sweater vest, but in a hoodie.

At the time, it was a bold look. Traditionalists grumbled. Social media lit up. Some fans applauded the comfort and modern vibe, while others scoffed that hoodies had no place on a course as storied as Wentworth. But whether people loved it or hated it, no one could deny that Hatton had made a statement.

The Hoodie Backlash and Breakthrough

Golf has long carried a reputation for rigid dress codes: collared shirts, tucked-in tops, tailored pants, no exceptions. Hoodies were more associated with streetwear, gyms, or lounging at home than 18 holes on a championship course.

After Hatton’s win, debate surged. Clubs and players were suddenly forced to ask: Why not hoodies? If performance fabrics, joggers, and even high-top golf shoes had made the leap from scepticism to acceptance, why couldn’t a hoodie?

Soon, top brands were rolling out sleek, performance-based golf hoodies. Younger players embraced the style. Amateur golfers started pulling theirs on at the local muni without a second thought. The hoodie had broken the dress code barrier.

Eagle Apparel’s Early Bet on Hoodies

At Eagle Apparel Golf, we were quick to see the shift coming. Just weeks after Hatton’s win, we introduced our first hoodie styles in October 2020, and they immediately resonated with golfers looking for performance, comfort, and style.

That decision helped push our brand forward at a pivotal moment. Over the past five years, we’ve launched multiple hoodie designs that have become staples for golfers everywhere. Today, the hoodie isn’t just part of our line up, it’s our best-selling mid layer and a cornerstone of our Legacy Collection.

Five Years On: The Hoodie Is Here to Stay

Fast-forward to 2025, and it’s hard to imagine the golf landscape without hoodies. They’re a staple in pro shops and retail racks. You see them in PGA Tour practice rounds, at casual nine-hole evenings with friends, and even at elite private clubs that once clutched their pearls at the sight of one.

The shift goes beyond fashion - it reflects golf’s slow but steady evolution toward inclusivity and modernization. Hoodies made the game feel a little less stiff, a little more accessible, and a lot more in touch with broader sportswear culture.

Hatton’s Lasting Legacy

While Tyrrell Hatton has plenty of career highlights, his hoodie at Wentworth might be one of his most enduring contributions to the sport’s culture. He didn’t just win a title—he gave golfers permission to be comfortable, stylish, and modern on the course.

Five years later, that moment feels less like rebellion and more like inevitability. And as one of the first brands to bring golf hoodies to players back in 2020, Eagle Apparel Golf is proud to have been part of that shift.

👉 Explore our Legacy Collection and see why the hoodie has become golf’s most essential mid layer.