Why your golf swing is more than perfect technique
Last week, I stood on the fairway and watched a flight partner tee off. His swing? Technically perfect. His score? A brutal slice into the rough. "That can't be true," he muttered in frustration. "My pro says the technique is perfect."
And that's exactly the point.
When perfection is not enough
Golf is the only sport I know where you can do everything right—and still fail spectacularly. You can have the perfect swing plane, the ideal tempo, the correct weight shift. But if your shoe slips slightly at impact because the surface isn't right? That's it.
After more than 30 years in the fashion industry, I've learned one thing: The best doesn't always look the best. And vice versa. It's all about the interplay. About the balance between form and function. Between what you see and what you feel.
Just like golf.
The invisible connection between design and performance
Imagine if Michelangelo had carved his David from plaster instead of marble. Same shape, same design—but fundamentally different in its effect. The material determines how the work of art feels, how it interacts with its surroundings, and how it endures over time.
It's the same with golf attire. A polo shirt can look as stylish as you like, but if it restricts your rotation, it'll cost you yardage on the course. If your pants are tight while putting, your concentration suffers. If your mid-layer doesn't breathe, you're done for on the back nine.
The art lies in making the invisible visible.
Why golfers are the best engineers
Here's the thing: Every ambitious golfer is essentially an engineer. You're constantly analyzing: wind, lie, distance, green speed. You calculate trajectories, optimize your swing, test equipment. You're looking for the perfect setup.
That’s exactly what we do at artes motus – only with clothes.
What should golf pants do? I've asked this question to probably a hundred golfers. The answers were worth their weight in gold:
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Four-way stretch , but please make sure the pants keep their shape ( Nobody wants baggy knees and hanging bags after 9 holes)
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Breathability without the material feeling like a garbage bag
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Pockets that really work – including the legendary tee pocket
- Silicone band in the waistband to prevent the shirt from slipping out during the second swing
Sounds simple? Try combining all of this into one product that also looks timelessly elegant.
The swing as a masterpiece
Back to my flight partner with the perfect swing and the frustrating slice. We talked about it after the round on the 19th hole. He was wearing a stiff jacket that day – "because it was still chilly in the morning." Problem: He hadn't taken it off. His shoulder rotation was limited. Minimal. But enough.
The best technology in the world is of no use if your equipment – and that includes your clothing – doesn’t play along.
Golf is an art. But art requires technique.
The point is: You can have the most beautiful swing in the world. Aesthetic, flowing, a joy to watch. But if the technical requirements aren't right—the stability, the freedom of movement, the temperature regulation—the art quickly turns into a cramp.
What golf teaches us about good design
The best product is the one you don't notice. The one that simply works. The one that thinks for you.
Golf has shown me how radically important this is.
When I'm on the course, I don't want to think about my clothes. I want to think about my next shot. About the wind. About the slope of the green. But not about whether my shirt is sticking to my skin or my pants are pinching.
Good design is invisible. Until it's missing.
The three-layer principle: More than just layering
At artes motus, we have developed a layering system based on the principle: adapt, not upgrade.
- Base Layer : Your second skin. Temperature regulation, moisture transport, full freedom of movement
- Mid Layer : Intelligent insulation. Warms without overheating. Breathes without cooling.
- Top Layer : The outer layer acts as a breathable shell. It protects you from the elements and keeps you warm.
The genius? You can combine the layers however you like. Just like a golfer chooses his clubs. Driver for distance. Wedge for precision. Putter for finesse.
Each layer has its function. Together they form a system.
Humility before the game
Golf teaches you humility, I've said that many times. But maybe it also teaches you something else: respect for details.
The perfect drive isn't just the result of the perfect swing. It's the interplay of hundreds of factors: technique, equipment, mindset, weather, course—and yes, even what you're wearing.
Nobody wins a tournament because of their clothes, but you can lose it because of the wrong ones.
The question that remains
So, what does your golf swing have to do with a work of art?
Both require the perfect interplay of vision and execution. Of aesthetics and technology. Of what you see – and what actually works.
A work of art isn't perfect because it's beautiful. It's perfect because form and function form a unity. Because every detail serves its purpose. Because nothing is accidental.
Just like your next swing.
See you on the fairway. And if you bother me with product questions, go ahead. That's exactly how our best ideas came about.
Here's to a good game!
Marc
PS: By the way, my flight partner? He's got a supple jacket now. And he's playing at a 12 handicap. Coincidence? I don't think so. 😜