Field Notes

Imperial Headwear, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for six consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels in Jan-July of 2022” by Golf Datatech. debuted not only new headwear this week at the 2023 PGA Show, but also a new golf belt collection and fleece apparel program. Imperial enhanced their 2023 product catalog with several new styles and colors of headwear, along with additional fits in some of their best-selling caps. New products debuted for Imperial sales representatives this week at their annual sales meeting which took place at the 2023 PGA Show. Imperial’s custom logo belt collection follows their acquisition of the J.T. Spencer brand in 2022, which also includes a long term extension of the belt license with Peter Millar. Proudly made in the USA, all belts will be manufactured domestically in Richmond, Virginia, with shipping beginning in late April. The new Imperial belt launched with two high end options. The Imperial Web Belt is 1.25” wide and features course logos embroidered on premium cotton webbing. The belt is finished with full-grain, rich leather, and a solid brass buckle plated in satin gunmetal or in a matte black finish. For high-end tournament gifts, the Imperial ‘Cut-to-Size’ belt is 1.25” wide and features sublimation print patterns with course logos on premium poly webbing. This belt is also finished with full-grain, rich leather, with easy to read cut-to-size marks on the reverse side. Each belt ships with a solid zinc buckle plated in a satin gunmetal which is easily attached to the webbing after the cut is made. Building upon Imperial’s custom logo Direct to Garment Print T-Shirt program, they announced their new super-soft midweight fleece collection. Customers can now add a pullover crew neck (The Bonfire) and pullover hooded fleece (The Alpine) to their shops. These 3-end cotton/poly blend fleece garments feature double-needle topstitching on all seams, with 30 singles100% ringspun cotton face yarn and at least 10% recycled poly fibers on the inner nap. Both the crewneck and hoody begin shipping in early April of this year. A fresh new headwear style was also announced in the mid-season release. The Hinsen Meshback (L338M) is a performance ponytail cap featuring soft mesh side and back panels with an opening that features matching crisscrossing elastic to comfortably allow any ponytail to fit through. This new meshback style builds upon the popularity of The Hinsen (L338), which is now also available in a Junior Fit (Y338). Two best-selling cap styles are now available in an XL fit (XL210Z The Zero Lightweight Cotton Cap XL and 1986XL The Catch and Release XL). Through Imperial’s industry-leading Sustainability Project, all new headwear announced in the mid-season release are made with either high-grade GRS/Oeko-Tex® certified recycled polyester or cotton fabric. And finally, a new earth tone colorway called Buckthorn Brown has been added to several performance and cotton styles across the Imperial 2023 Headwear Collection, including the best-selling performance cap in the market, the X210P Original Adjustable Performance Cap. We’re relentless in our efforts to continue making the greatest headwear in golf. I’m beyond excited to now include belts and an expanded line of premium apparel in our unmatched product offering. David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales at Imperial

Get your pickleball hats ready, it’s time to hit the court! A fun game that keeps people young and old on their feet, pickleball is an exciting hybrid sport combining tennis, ping-pong, and badminton into one fast-paced, exciting experience. Pickleball is a sport that might sound new to some, and it has certainly grown in popularity in recent years. But did you know that pickleball was actually invented in 1965? People have been swinging their paddles and strategizing gameplay for decades. Thinking about hitting the court? You have to get prepared. That means getting your performance attire in order. Luckily, the market is full of exciting apparel and accessories, like pickleball sun hats, visors, sunglasses, t-shirts, and more. Pickleball Hats and T-shirts to Rock Your Next Round Pickleball is a sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors, and with that comes a variety of apparel and accessory options to rock your next game. From pickleball t-shirts to pickleball visors, hats, and more, there’s no shortage of ways to show off your love for the sport. Here at Imperial, we offer some of the best pickleball hats to take your style up a notch. Exciting Pickleball Hats and Visors Expecting a sunny day? That’s perfect weather for pickleball, but you have to make sure to protect your eyes and scalp. Imperial offers some of the best sun hats for pickleball, providing you with maximum protection. Or, you can go with the funky tour visor, perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes so you can rock that next serve. Our funny pickleball hats offer ample protection, and their moisture-wicking material ensures sweat doesn’t slow you down. Not only that, but you can choose from dozens of custom pickleball logos and designs to stand out from the crowd. Imperial also offers a number of ladies pickleball hats made specifically to hold your hair back thanks to their unique open-backed design for ponytails. This design, paired with a fun and quirky logo, is sure to help you not only win your next match but win over the competition with your cool style. Looking for more trendy pickleball hat styles? Our collaboration with SlackerTide is sure to wow. Eye-Catching Pickleball T-Shirts If you’ve already got your headwear in order, it’s time to get down to basics with a performance-enhancing top. Our attention-grabbing, funny pickleball t-shirts are sure to steal the show. These comfortable, breathable tops move when you do, so you don’t have to be distracted by uncomfortable material. Short sleeve designs also add to the lightweight nature of the top, increasing the ability to make that perfect serve. Custom Pickleball Hats Want to show off your own style? Create a custom pickleball hat with our helpful customization tool. Here at Imperial, we want you to express yourself, which is why we have the option to design your own hat for whatever sport or occasion. And when it comes to pickleball, we have quite a few image designs that’ll prove you truly are “a bill dill.” In just a few clicks, you can navigate across dozens of hat styles in a range of colors. From there, all you have to do is choose a size and customize it with one of our logos, or upload your own. You’ll have a hat that’s uniquely you in no time. Now that you’ve got your attire ready, let’s dive into the game. Time to Kickstart Your Pickleball Journey Pickleball is an exciting sport that’s quick to pick up for all. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and social, providing players the opportunity to learn, grow and build relationships. It’s no wonder the game has become so popular in the last few years. Whether you’re new to the game, perfecting your skills, or a seasoned pro – there’s always something to learn and fun to be had out on the court. And just like players can express themselves during the match, they can do so on and off the court with eye-catching, performance-boosting pickleball hats and accessories. So let’s start expressing ourselves and learn the rules of the court. What’s Pickleball? Pickleball is a fascinating sport played on a badminton-sized court with a modified net. It’s a mash-up of more common sports like ping-pong, tennis, and badminton played with paddles and plastic balls. The game, like others, can be played as singles or doubles, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The History of Pickleball Players have been perfecting their pickleball game since 1965, when the sport was invented on Bainbridge Island – a quick hop, skip and jump from Seattle, Washington. This paddle-wielding sport was invented by three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – to satisfy the boredom of their kids. And it worked. Over the next few years, the men behind the game perfected their equipment and terrain, establishing the first permanent pickleball court in 1967 in the backyard of a friend’s house. And by 1976, the first-ever pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington. A common question asked by many is how the sport got its name. And that’s a fun story to tell, as many believe it was named after a classic dill pickle. But in actuality, the sport was named after Joel Pritchard’s family dog named – you guessed it – Pickles. This family-created sport quickly grew in popularity, as we now see it today. By 1990, pickleball was being played in all 50 states and things continued to take off from there. In 2003, a new corporation for pickleball was established as USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). Seven years later, the international push was made with the establishment of the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP).Today, there are hundreds of thousands of pickleball players across the world, and these numbers keep on growing. But why has this sport boomed the way it has? Why is Pickleball so Popular? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why the sport of pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but there are definitely pros to this sport that make it more approachable and fun. For starters, it’s a relatively accessible sport to pick up. The rules are easy to follow, and the movements are low impact, making it a game that can be played by kids, senior citizens, and everyone in between. It’s also a fun way to get in a good workout. Depending on age and skill level, players can push themselves and improve their game while also getting in a good cardiovascular workout. And playing on a court with friends is much more fun than hitting the gym. This makes pickleball an amazing way to burn fat and socialize all at once. Not to mention, the name is just so catchy. Who wouldn’t want to be called a ‘pickler’ – the name commonly used to refer to those who play the game. Before you go out and grab your next pickleball bucket hat, however, it’s important to learn the rules of the game. How Do You Play Pickleball? One of the biggest appeals of pickleball is how easy it is to play. The rules are similar to other racquet sports, and there aren’t too many to overwhelm. But first, let’s talk about the court itself. A pickleball court might look familiar, and that’s because it’s the same size as a doubles badminton court, measuring 22x44 feet. The net is 36 inches high at the sides and 34 inches in the middle. The seven-foot non-volley zone in the middle is called the kitchen. Pickleball Rules The rules of pickleball can be broken down into 5 basics: The ball must always stay in bounds, which means the ball must remain within the lines that outline the court. You must serve at the back line of the court. When you serve, the ball can’t land in the no-volley zone in the middle, also known as the kitchen. There’s a ‘two-bounce’ rule, which means that the ball must bounce once on serve and once on return before it can be hit midair or after a bounce for the remainder of the session. The game ends when one person or team reaches 11; however, the winner must always be ahead by 2 points to win. Points can also be extended to 15 or 21. Pickleball Scoring Scoring in pickleball is a bit more complex than the rules, though once you’ve got them down, you’re in the clear. Doubles scoring is broken into 3 numbers (0-0-2). The first number represents the serving team’s score, the second represents the receiving team’s score, and the third represents which server is currently serving on the serving team – the server on the right side, when they get the serve back, is the server 1, for reference. An interesting aspect of pickleball scoring is – points can only be scored by the serving team. Singles scoring works the same, only instead of 3 score numbers, it’s 2 (0-0). Scoring is tricky for most pickleball beginners, but before you know it, you’ll be an expert. It just takes practice. So let’s all grab our racquets, our balls, and our favorite personalized hat and get playing. Shop The Imperial Pickleball Collection

If you’re looking for fun golf hats to give this holiday season, look no further than Imperial. Though we offer several golf hat collections, we’ve decided to highlight our bestselling 12, for the 12 Days of Christmas. With tons of new icons and hat styles in each of these collections, you’ll never run out of great options. From golf hats for men, women and kids to custom golf hats, everything you could want in and on a hat can be found on Imperial’s site. If cool golf hats are at the top of your list, then get ready to find the perfect gift for your special someone! Bring Cheer to All - The Holiday Collection You’ve never seen holiday hats like these. Find an Elf on the Shelf ripping a drive, a putting flamingo wearing a Santa hat and reindeer pulling a golf cart in our Holiday Hat Collection. Many of the newest icons come from SlackerTide, so you know these are awesome golf hats perfect for white elephant this year. From men’s golf visors to movie-themed mesh back hats to fun holiday T-shirts, this Imperial collection has everything you need to give your friend or family member a jolly good time. When the Weather Outside is Frightful - The Keep Warm Collection The Keep Warm Collection does just what it says it does – it keeps you warm in the chillier months with winter-themed rope hats, mesh back hats and more. Explore all the different reasons your friends need a golf hat from the Keep Warm Collection. Whether your friend or loved one takes advantage of the outdoors (skiing, anyone?), enjoys being a lumberjack or is simply a huge fan of Canada, Imperial has all sorts of warm designs waiting for you. Plus, we have tons of beanies you can customize with your favorite icons! Win Your Holiday Party - The 2022 Ugly Tour Visor® In addition to our holiday caps and tees, our famous "Ugly Sweater" Tour Visor® is back for a limited time only. You already have your Ugly Sweater, now grab the matching Tour Visor® to complete your look. We only made a small handful of these so don’t hesitate because they sell out quickly! Decorated with cool Santa hat-wearing skulls, these are no ordinary golf visors and are sure to make a splash wherever you go. Be sure to check out ugly men’s golf visors from past years in the Holidays Collection if you want everyone at your holiday party to ask where you shop. For the Biggest Golf Fans - 2023 U.S. Open Championship Gear There are so many events in the golf world to look forward to in the new year, including the 2023 U.S. Open taking place at the Los Angeles Country Club next June. If you have a friend or family member who collects U.S. Open Championship Gear – or even better – you plan to attend and want to give a U.S. Open hat or t-shirt to someone special as a preview, Imperial has you covered. With options in Imperial’s most popular styles, from golf visors to rope caps and more, find the right fit and style sporting the 2023 U.S. Open icon. Stick to the Classics - The Imperial Script Collection Show some love to the Imperial brand with some of our most popular hat styles decorated in the classic Imperial script. Find men’s golf visors, bucket hats, a drink sweater, a t-shirt and more to show your appreciation for the golf hat brand that started it all. Fun and Whimsy - The Imperial Mascots Collection Our putting flamingo was such a hit, we decided we couldn’t go any longer without other Imperial mascots. We’re sure you’re going to love them all. The best part? They’re wearing golf bucket hats and Tour Visors®, too! Explore all our new mascots, from tigers and goats to a pickleball playing pickle, in our Imperial Mascots Collection. Only Thing Better than Christmas Cookies - The Edibles Collection Sweet treats and home cooked meals are some of the best parts of the holiday season, so what better present is there for a foodie than a hat from the Edibles Collection? From tacos and pancakes to the brand new ice cream cone icon, we guarantee you’ll find a delicious icon that captures the love of food. Take a Sip - The Refreshments Collection Whether on the golf course or hanging out at a barbeque, there’s one type of golf hat design that will almost always be applicable: beverages. Explore our Refreshments Collection and reminisce on beer pong triumphs, favorite craft beers and signature cocktails. Brand new icons include some fan favorite drinks, like Moscow Mules, the Carrot Martini, Blue Monster, Car Bomb, Gin & Tonic and a trusty flask. We think these drinks pair perfectly with our Aloha rope caps for a cool vacation hat, but there are plenty of styles available, like our classic performance cap and trucker hats – even women’s and men’s bucket hats. The Gift of Generosity - The Give Back Collections If you like to give gifts that also give back to a good cause, then you’ll want to check out our Give Back Collections. These support wonderful organizations making a difference in a number of important ways. These include Tee it Up For the Troops, the End Cancer Collection, the Pink Ribbon Collection, the National Kidney Foundation and many more. You’ll often see Joel Dahmen sporting his End Cancer bucket hat on the PGA Tour. Welcome to the Pickle Dome - The Pickleball Collection If you’re in the know, then you’re very aware that pickleball is having a moment. Anyone in your life who has recently taken up the sport will love the hats and t-shirts in the brand new Pickleball Collection Bright golf hats, funny phrases and little pickle cartoons make this collection one of the most fun collections and brand new for the 2022 holiday season. Finishing Touches - The Imperial Accessories Collection Imperial makes more than just cool hats – we also design pins, drink sweaters, hat caddies, bags and golf bags, headcovers and T-shirts in our Accessories Collection! Drink sweaters are perfect stocking stuffers for anyone who loves to enjoy a cold drink on the golf course. Our golf pins feature some of our bestselling designs, like the famous putting flamingo and the Emergency Nine patch. These are fun to add to your other golf hats, golf bags or even backpacks. If your friends are golf hat connoisseurs, we have a feeling they will be over the moon about the golf hat caddie – especially if they didn’t know it existed. Store and travel your hats safely and never experience squished hats and Tour Visors® again! For Those Who Have Everything - Design a Hat If none of these hats fit your friends’ or family’s personalities, never fear – you can design a hat. Check out our online custom hat maker and choose your style, color and favorite icon (or upload your own!). Imperial offers custom golf hats, custom bucket hats, custom embroidered hats and more. Rather than searching for some blank hats wholesale, rest assured you can find great blank hats and decorate them the way you like with no minimum order at Imperial. Customized golf hats make a special gift that anyone will appreciate. We may have chosen some bright combinations above, but the point is you can go nuts with whichever pairing you like, especially if you like wild golf hats. You can truly make your golf hat design your own. Whether you’re looking for something warm, like a beanie, or something for your dad or husband, like a men’s golf hat, there’s an option for everyone at Imperial. We wish you a fabulous holiday shopping season and a bright new year!

The U.S. and International teams are preparing to face off in the 2022 Presidents Cup from September 20-25th at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, NC. In the days leading up to the Presidents Cup in 2022, the Junior Presidents Cup takes place September 19-20th at Myers Park Country Club, also in Charlotte. Started in 1994, the Presidents Cup has been played for over 25 years, bringing the best golfers from the U.S. and abroad to compete for top prize. This year marks another opportunity for the best American golfers and International golfers to compete against each other and bring victory to both their team and home country/countries. The Junior Presidents Cup brings the same spirit to younger players, 19 years and younger. It began in 2017, where the U.S. team was victorious. This two-day competition features twelve players from the U.S. and twelve others from across the globe, excluding Europe, to form the competing U.S. and International teams. This tournament was created to give these talented young players the opportunity to compete in a match-play event on a global stage. Again the U.S. team is the defending champion after their win in 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. This year, the events for the tournament are six Four-Ball and Foursome matches. The team captains are Notah Begay III for the United States and Tim Clark of South Africa for the International Team. Imperial is proud to be a major partner of the 2022 Junior Presidents Cup and the Official Headwear of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). All Junior Presidents Cup players will be wearing Imperial golf hats as part of their team uniforms. Likewise, Imperial will have an important presence at the Presidents Cup in 2022 with exclusive merchandise for sale on the ground at the tournament. Choosing the right golf hat for the Presidents Cup and Junior Presidents Cup is no small feat, but with a wide range of options from Imperial this year, you really can’t go wrong. And with some styles available in youth hats, you and the young golf fans in your life can proudly wear a Presidents Cup hat worthy of the trophy itself. Presidents Cup Hat Styles Imperial will have a major presence at the 2022 Presidents Cup with golf hats made exclusively for the event. Presidents Cup hats by Imperial aren’t available to buy online - the only place in the world to get your hands on them is at Quail Hollow. Classic Golf Hat Styles If you tend to gravitate towards a more traditional golf hat, then the Original Performance cap or the Zero Lightweight Cotton is for you. There are also very few golf hat styles as classic as a golf rope hat, which you can find in solid rope styles and the ever popular Habanero golf rope hat, which adds some color to the rope. Want traditional with a twist? Go for a performance golf hat with a subtle print like the Oglethorpe, which has a cool camo print. Or if you’re looking for a golf hat that will keep you cool in the North Carolina climate, try a mesh back hat, like the Catch and Release, that gives you a classic look with ventilation where it counts. Cool Golf Hat Styles Sometimes it’s better to stand out from the crowd, and there are plenty of golf hat options if that’s more your speed. A trucker hat, like the North Country Trucker or even the Kathmandu for a mesh back hat version, are great picks for a casual style. Another great pick is the Aloha Rope, which combines the whimsey of a floral print, tradition of a rope hat and the cool of a trucker hat. Junior Golf Hats 2022 Presidents Cup hats are also available in a range of youth hats. From the classic Original Junior Performance cap to the Lil Mikey for a golf rope hat in a youth hat style. Likewise, the Original Small Fit brings a casual, cool look to smaller heads. A Presidents Cup hat will no doubt be a perfect way to commemorate this event and give your young golf fan a great souvenir. Junior Presidents Cup Hat Styles As a major partner of the Junior Presidents Cup and the Official Headwear of the AJGA since 2019, Imperial has some special golf hat designs to commemorate this junior golf event that will be available onsite at the tournament. Adult Golf Hat Styles Show your support for the young golfers competing in the Junior Presidents Cup with a Structured Performance Cap with the competition’s logo. This comfy, adjustable hat comes in white, black and red with the icon for the Junior Presidents Cup proudly on display. Another option is the XL Version of the Original Performance cap for anyone who needs a little extra room in their golf hat. Junior Golf Hats Commemorate the Junior Presidents Cup by getting one of Imperial’s youth hats for the young golf fan in your life. The Original Performance Cap offered in the junior size will give them a chance to showcase their pride for the event and give them some special memorabilia. AJGA Collection If you aren’t able to attend the Junior Presidents Cup in person to get one of Imperial’s signature designs but you still want to show support for the AJGA, there are a variety of fantastic styles in the AJGA Collection. Choose from retro trucker hat styles to golf rope hats, and even bucket hats and Tour Visors®, all in celebration of the AJGA. If you’re heading down to Charlotte for the 2022 Presidents Cup or the Junior Presidents Cup, make sure you stop by to see all of the fantastic Imperial golf hat styles commemorating the event. Show your support and look your best while doing it.