Joel Sjoholm, Oscar Jacobson, Fredrik Jacobson

Don’t most of us wish we could be naturally talented enough to play golf for a living? We think golf tour pros have it so easy, and sometimes they do. Yet, they still have a lot of boxes to check off the list titled “work at, take care of and make happen.” One of those boxes is labeled “find ways to stand out on tour and increase your brand awareness.” Some are better at mastering this challenge than others, but I have to give Fredrik Jacobson credit for getting it right, even if part of his standing out involves forgetting to check the “keep your shirt tucked in” box.

Jacobson, is recognized by the short-brim Callaway painter’s cap he wears, as well as, the Oscar Jacobson polos that he can never seem to keep tucked in during his golf rounds. That’s right, Jacobson, a native of Sweden, wears Jacobson, a Swedish design label. Jacobson began his partnership with Oscar Jacobson Golf in 2012. I must admit though, I have to question, if Oscar Jacobson’s loyalty to Swedish golfers is giving them the representation they are aiming for. A look at the collection’s website reveals Fredrik looking just as disheveled as he does on the course, in a sweater vest that appears a bit short and has the top and bottom buttons both undone. Maybe no one else notices these points, but isn’t great design all in the details?

Fredrik isn’t the only Swedish golfer that has drawn attention under Oscar Jacobson’s label. Actually, I’m pretty sure European Tour pro Joel Sjöholm gets plenty of attention wherever he is found. Some would describe Sjöholm’s dress as “Payne Stewart Style.” I would refrain from using style at all when discussing his look. It is way too kitchy, in my opinion, to wear knickers on the golf course in this decade. I have seen photos of Sjöholm in other attire, and assure you that he is capable of a more attractive showing, sans his adopted uniform. Sjöholm, similarly to Fredrik, found a unique way to create brand awareness for himself and in return, for Oscar Jacobson for the duration of that partnership. The Swedish Toro, as he is nicknamed, did pair some fun socks with those knickers, and he totally comes across as the kind of guy you would want to hang out with at the 19th hole. According to Sjöholm, his “clothing deal” with Oscar Jacobson has come to an end. I took it upon myself to email the press information department at Oscar Jacobson to suggest they remove their feature on Sjöholm as one of their tour pros. Which they promptly did remove, stating their “web people forgot to take him of the website.”
Oscar Jacobson may not always be represented as the classiest line of clothing by their tour pros, and they may not be on top of their website updates either, but do not write them off as a design house that doesn’t deserve your attention. Several of their sweaters and trousers are gorgeous. Again, please ignore the rather rough looking model wearing the pieces below. At this point, you should go ahead and remind yourself that Sweden is known for tall hot blondes, so they can surely make a fabulous sweater, right?!