Lighter Than a Sleeve of Balls: I Tested The 94g Galvin Green Luis Windbreaker

Playing in unfavorable weather conditions shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice the ability to swing as freely as you do on a warm sunny day. And yet, bulky layers tend to restrict movement while keeping the elements at bay. But now, there’s no longer a trade off… thanks to the Galvin Green Luis.

This short-sleeved half zip might well be the lightest wind top ever made. Why? Well firstly it’s constructed of the same ultra-thin material used on last year’s Larry and secondly, it’s short sleeved. These appealing features combine to create one of the best gold mid layers tipping the scales at just 94 grams, which is the same as just two golf balls.

So there’s no danger of excess bulk weighing you down and the short-sleeved design means there’s no bunching or pinching at the elbows or wrists, unlocking completely free swings with maximum power. An added bonus? It packs down into next to nothing for easy storage.

Is there a trade off in protection? A little. But you'd be surprised at how well the Luis keeps the breeze at bay. Testing it on the course over multiple rounds, I was really impressed with the level of protection on offer from such a minimalist garment.

The material is so thin, you can see the design of your polo shirt underneath which means you’ll need to be somewhat selective with your outfit choice. But what it does do is offer a surprising level of water resistance. In fact, if you poor water on the sleeve, it beads off completely leaving barely a trace of moisture behind. In a heavy downpour, you’re going to need a proper full length waterproof jacket, but the Luis does a very decent job in light showers.

It fits well too. This is partially down to the stretch qualities built into the fabric, but also the customisation options. At the hem there’s an elasticated drawstring to stop the bottom of the garment interfering with your swing.

Our on-course experience with the Luis has been a positive one. It works just as well in the winter over a base layer and polo shirt as it does over just a polo shirt on a spring morning. You’ll get a lot of rounds for this versatile garment, which makes the £129/$169 price tag mightily appealing. Plus - it comes in three color options of royal blue, black and navy, so you can choose the design that matches your wardrobe.