Swinging in the rain – ProQuip Tour-Lite on Test

    Earlier this year GOLF RETAILING offered readers the chance to test the new ProQuip Tour-Lite rain jacket, the lightest outerwear in the Scottish firm’s 34-year history. Tour-Lite has been engineered to be among the lightest packable rain jackets in golf and weighs only 277 grams.

    The Tour-Lite outer fabric is the first knitted waterproof outer layer ever developed by ProQuip. It stretches four ways, delivering freedom of movement and the jacket can be packed down to an area of 15 by 12cms – smaller than the average winter golf mitt.

    Russell Brooks, general manager of ProQuip Golf, commented, “ProQuip has a history of ground-breaking innovation in golf weatherwear and Tour-Lite is our latest breakthrough. Golfers now demand thinner, softer and lighter clothing with great styling and complete protection against the elements. We believe that Tour-Lite is the perfect all-year round outer layer for golf and will win over the many golfers who are still reluctant to pull on a waterproof jacket when it rains.”

    ProQuip Golf was founded in 1981 and is best known for fabrics that are lighter, softer and quieter to play in. Its innovation has earned it the accolade of being the most played weatherwear brand in Ryder Cup history, having supplied both European and American Ryder Cup Teams for over 31-years. For more information visit: www.proquipgolf.com

    Tour-Lite features

    Innovative features of the Tour-Lite include a rear pocket located above the golfer’s lower back for storing a glove, scorecard or accessories and an elasticated waistband and grip strip hem mean the jacket fits snugly at the waist and stays in place. It currently comes in two colour ways, black/true blue or true blue/black, and will be available in a vivid brilliant blue for 2016. It comes with ProQuip’s three year guarantee and has a RRP of £119.

    New from ProQuip for 2016

    Tour-Lite is the first of a series of new weatherwear innovations from ProQuip Golf and the company has told GOLF RETAILING that 2016 will see a major overhaul and upgrade of some of its most popular waterproof and windproof product lines, including Aquastorm Pro, TourFlex Elite and TourFlex Wind 360. Most interestingly, ProQuip is set to release its most advanced golf rain suit ever in Spring 2016. The px5 StormForce suit is cut from a new fabric, exclusive to ProQuip in the golf industry, with performance ratings that exceed any of its previous rain suits – including those made specifically for Europe’s Ryder Cup Team.

    In this exclusive reader trial for GOLF RETAILING, ProQuip’s Tour-Lite was put to the test by readers.

    Rich Williams, manager, Oak Meadow Golf Club

    ProQuip-Rich-Williams

    ProQuip has always been synonymous with high quality, high-end waterproofs, supplying Ryder Cup teams and national golf teams. The Tour-Lite is the lightest rain jacket that they have ever produced, it packs down to a tiny six by four inches, so it’s perfect for any time of year even as a travel jacket as it takes up no space and is waterproof.

    It feels so soft and light that I forgot I was wearing it! It has some great adjustability for the perfect fit and has a handy rear pocket for bits and bobs. I played on a lovely summer’s day in a downpour and was impressed by how dry it kept me and how quickly the water beaded off and I was able to put it away in my bag 20 minutes later completely dry.

    It has a three year waterproof guarantee and I found it to be crease resistant too, so it always looks good. With a price point of £119 you get an excellent jacket made by a company steeped in waterproof history. I would highly recommend it.

    James Cunliffe, PGA professional, Sedlescombe Golf Club

    James-CunliffeThis jacket is quite simply the best waterproof jacket I have ever tried! It’s fantastic and I do not know how they have done it, but this jacket just ticks pretty much all the boxes. It is incredibly light, massively flexible and completely waterproof. It just feels really easy to swing the club in. It folds to nothing and stores great in the winter carry bag.

    A couple of little worries is that during the winter you could not just wear it on its own you would need to layer up and I am not entirely sure how prone the fabric would be to tearing as it feels a little lightweight to be super strong. All in all though it is a 9/10 for me.

    Simon Stevenson, PGA Fellow Professional, PGA Director of Golf, Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club

    ProQuip-Simon-StevensonThe ProQuip Tour-Lite jacket is a great garment that looks as good as it plays. The four-way stretch and lightweight properties are excellent and when tested in poor weather the waterproof qualities were first rate. A great waterproof!

    ProQuip-Barry-Thomas

    Barry Thomas, PGA professional, St Mellons Golf Club, Cardiff

    The ProQuip Tour-Lite is the best golf jacket I have ever worn. It’s totally waterproof and very comfortable allowing free movement through the swing. Companies such as ProQuip are now making and promoting products like the Tour-Lite better than ever before. This has helped me enormously as a golf retailer, making it an easier sell!

    Chris Holt, PGA professional, Poulton le Fylde GC

    ProQuip-Steve-HoltI’ve worn the jacket whilst golfing, dog walking, mountain bike riding and whilst teaching lessons – it’s a perfect all-rounder. It’s extremely quiet whilst you are swinging a club, unlike some other waterproof fabrics. A major selling point will be the three year guarantee. Top marks from me!