On the surface, golf and skateboarding may seem worlds apart – one steeped in tradition with now-changing perceptions of rules and conformity, and the other with an anti-establishment attitude. adidas is celebrating where these popular sports intersect through a special capsule – Rolling Links – that brings skateboarding style into the golf world, available in limited quantities beginning October 4.
The Rolling Links capsule represents a collision of two sport cultures that in many ways share more things in common than people may think. The products are inspired by the strong communities, unapologetic styles and individual nature of each sport; all shared attributes that exist across both golf and skateboarding. This convergence of similarities ultimately helped drive the creation for the collaboration with the two groups within the adidas brand. Designed with materials made for the course, the unisex product offering was called Rolling Links as a fun play on words that references aspects of both sports. ‘Rolling’ represents the literal rolling of the skateboard (or golf ball), and ‘Links’ as another term for a golf course but also when skateboarders link tricks together as part of a run.
The product designs include crewneck windshirts, hoodies, v-neck vest, short and long-sleeve polos and a mock neck short-sleeve shirt. The selection is complemented by a short and chino pant with tonal three-stripe side hem detailing. The white, gray, black, green and blue hues that make up the range are a nod to both the sports as well as the iconic adidas Trefoil. Silhouettes offer a relaxed, sporty vibe.
“The golf fashion landscape today is getting influenced by numerous areas across sport, culture and fashion,” said Dylan Moore, creative director, adidas Golf. “Like golf, skateboarding is a sport where style is unassuming, individual and with a little bit of attitude. We saw an opportunity to bring some of that design direction from our skateboarding counterparts at the brand to create something truly unique for the course and continue to push golf fashion in a new way.”
“For numerous reasons, golf is definitely a sport that is growing in the Skate community when they aren’t skateboarding,” said Adam Brown, senior brand director, adidas skateboarding. “So this type of collaboration at adidas is just one that makes sense, especially since there are so many parallels between the two sports. We see the changes that are happening in golf from a style standpoint, and we’re excited to partner with the golf team on something unique for the course that has a skate influence.”
To bring the creative campaign to life, adidas chose iconic Palm Springs as the backdrop, mainly for its laid-back vibe and notoriety for being a location that’s always offered an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. adidas also featured members of the adidas skateboarding team – Nora Vasconcellos, Kader Sylla, Jack Fardell and Zach Saraceno – all professional skateboarders who love the sport of golf for its similarities to skateboarding and play whenever they aren’t out skating.
The capsule also boasts two exclusive footwear silhouettes: a special chalk-white edition of the Superstar Golf with green and blue details alongside a sleek, all-black MC Z-Traxion. Both bring style and function to a new level on the course. A range of colored crew socks and caps complete the look for those headed to the first tee.
Rolling Links is available October 4 on CONFIRMED, adidas.com, the adidas app, and at select retailers worldwide in limited quantities.
