Swedish company Galvin Green has long-since set the standard for golf waterproofs and the Ames is the latest in a long line of excellent golf rain jackets designed to make playing in the rain as pleasurable an experience as possible. It benefits from a new PFC-free three-layer fabric, which the brand claims to be its stretchiest ever jacket, thanks to its Pertex Shield Stretch technology. More on that later.
I have worn this jacket for at least five rounds now and in that time have experienced all weathers, which has been the ideal testing ground for a jacket that makes some big claims and comes with a premium price tag of $399. First impressions come in the form of looks and feel and this jacket really does appeal visually with the pattern on the chest and the subtle branding on the sleeve and arm. It does, in fact, come in six eye-catching colors so you can pick a palette that suits your taste more easily than with most other golf waterproofs. The feel of the material is soft and I was really surprised by how lightweight the jacket is overall - you could certainly class it as a lightweight golf jacket. Slide your arms in the sleeves (which is easy, by the way, thanks to the ‘Slide and Glide’ interior) and you barely notice you’ve got anything on, which is impressive given the level of protection from the elements the Ames offers.
I’ve been caught in numerous downpours on the course while wearing this jacket and two things stood out. Firstly, it was almost like the fabric repelled water like when you try and join the same poles on a magnet. The droplets bead off almost instantly, leaving barely a trace behind - helping to maintain its lightweight properties. The second thing I quickly noticed was how playable this jacket is. It’s hard to say with any certainty if the Ames is indeed Galvin Green’s stretchiest jacket, but there is undoubtedly a high degree of flexibility in the fabric which ensures your arms can maintain the range of motion you’re accustomed to. When playing in waterproofs, we’re often forced to accommodate with shorter swings that reduce swing speed and puts our timing off track, but this wasn’t the case here.
I think the playability is enhanced by the other features this jacket possesses that create a tailored fit for the golfer, whether that’s the adjustable Velcro cuffs (which are also elasticated), the shaped sleeves, chest width tabs and the drawstring at the hem all combining to ensure excess fabric doesn’t get in the way. The zipped front pockets are also a welcome inclusion as a place to securely store small items like balls or tees or simply somewhere convenient to rest your hands and keep them dry while waiting to play your shot. I loved the hood on the Amos jacket, but I don't miss it on the Ames - although the Amos probably has more off-course versatility.
At the end of the day, no-one wants to buy a waterproof golf jacket - it makes the prospect of playing in bad weather real - but you need to be prepared to face whatever Mother Nature throws at you and in the Ames jacket, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance of playing through the wind and rain and coming out the other side with a decent score still on the card.
