When the Augusta National Golf Club announced that it was postponing the 2020 Masters because of the coronavirus pandemic, it not only disappointed the players and golf fans around the world, it put many golf manufacturers in an awkward position.
Several companies annually create limited-edition merchandise like golf bags, shoes and apparel that is themed around symbols of the season’s first major. Those products had already been created by the time it was announced that the Masters would not be played in April.
With the tournament now pushed back until the week of November 9, should they make the merchandise available to golf lovers anyway, or hold on to it and try selling it later?
Puma Golf has decided that starting Monday, which would have been the first day of Masters week, it is forging ahead. The company is making the Experience Collection available, including four new polos, hats, shoes and a special bag co-designed by Vessel.
The Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen and Tournament polo shirts ($75 each) are made from Puma’s proprietary Fusionyard Flex fabric that allows for freedom of movement and should help to keep golfers dry and comfortable. The number-named shirts each have a floral print that matches the plant name of that hole at Augusta National, with Eleven have white dogwood blooms, Twelve featuring golden bells flowers and Thirteen covered in azaleas. Those holes comprise Amen Corner, and the Tournament polo’s print features a blend of all three plants.
Puma is also including a limited-edition version of the Poweradapt Caged ($170) and Ignite shoes ($220) in the Tournament print.
Rickie Fowler had planned to wear those shirts and shoes around Augusta National this week, and carry his clubs in this limited-edition Vessel stand bag that was co-created with Cobra Golf ($599). Like the apparel and shoes, it has been given the Tournament print that features white dogwoods, golden bells and azaleas.
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