INTERVIEW with Cole Young
PROFILE
Born in 1994. He grew up in Carlsbad, San Diego, California, and moved to Los Angeles to play golf at Loyola Marymount University. In 2017, he joined the golf brand , where he served as brand director and in other roles for approximately four years. In 2020, he struck out on his own and founded his own brand, . The brand offers items that blend retro golf styles from the ’90s to the early 2000s with a streetwear aesthetic.
Instagram:@metalwoodstudio
Breaking Away from Elitism: The Casualization of Golf in LA.
─When Mr. Cole first started playing golf, what kind of clothes did people wear when they played golf in LA?
Cole: I was born and raised in Carlsbad, San Diego, and came to L.A. to play on the college golf team. That was in 2012. Back then, golf had a very “stuffy” or elitist vibe, and you hardly ever saw the kind of casual style on the course that you see today.
─When did that start to change?
Cole: I think it was around 2017–18 when the trend toward a more casual look—like we see today—really started. These days, there are many courses where you can play in just a T-shirt and jeans, and I’ve also started seeing people adopt styles that incorporate full-fledged outdoor wear. Los Angeles was the first place to embrace these new golf styles and the people who had always felt out of place in traditional golf attire.
The store is located on La Brea Avenue, a hub of street fashion where brands such as , , and “Union” are lined up side by side.
In addition to apparel, the store also sells rare vintage clubs personally selected by Cole. Furthermore, the store features everything from a repair shop that offers club maintenance and customization to an artificial turf area where customers can practice their putting.
─What prompted that?
Cole: It wasn’t that any single event happened… but the years from 2017 to 2020, when I was at *Malbon Golf*, were a very important time for me. That’s because they were the first in the industry to start collaborating with ”non-golf brands.” I think that’s what prompted many other brands to enter this niche market. From there, the influence of skateboard and surf culture beginning to permeate golf also had a major impact.
—The other day, at a golf event celebrating the collaboration with , there were a lot of skaters and designers in attendance. I was surprised to see people like them playing golf.
Cole: We don’t care whether the people who come to our events are “beginner golfers” or “experienced, hardcore golfers”—and they don’t seem to want to pigeonhole themselves into either category either. They just want to be themselves. 〈Metalwood〉 is aimed precisely at those people who fall right in the “middle.” That’s why we make sure our products are carried not by ordinary golf specialty stores, but by fashion boutiques like “Kith” and “PACKER.” People discover 〈Metalwood〉 in places not typically associated with golf. That’s the “first step into the world of golf” we’re proposing.
On the release date of the capsule collection with , a reception party was held at the store. The event was such a hit that a line formed at the register immediately after the store opened.
Attendees were dressed in their own unique street styles. The fact that people who, at first glance, seem to have no connection to golf have naturally gathered here proves just how popular *Metalwood Studio* is on the local streets.
—It’s true that most of the stores in Japan that carry “Metalwood Studio” aren’t actually specialty golf shops, are they?
Cole: Playing golf in Tokyo can be expensive, so it can be a bit of a challenge. That’s exactly why we’ve partnered with stores in Japan like “WISM,” “C.E.L.STORE,” and “Bonjour Records.” These are places where young, fashion-conscious people shop, but most of them aren’t specifically looking for golf gear. I think that’s what serves as a gateway to golf.
—So, are you saying that you’d especially like people who aren’t interested in golf to check out *Metalwood Studio*?
Cole: That's right. We don't want people who already play golf to think, "I'm cool." With 〈Metal Wood〉, we want to find cool people and tell them, "You guys can play golf, too."
A longing for the '90s and the nostalgic world of Adidas.
─I hear that 〈Metal Wood〉 draws inspiration from golf styles of the ’90s and 2000s. What aspect of that era’s vibe appeals to you?
Cole: I grew up during that era and loved golf, but back then I couldn’t afford to buy all the gear I wanted brand-new. That’s why, even now, I have such strong feelings for that time—and a romantic longing for it. As an adult, I’ve been able to get my hands on vintage items, and before I knew it, my closet was filled with nothing but things from that era.
It’s not just those items—I also draw inspiration from other cultural areas like music, art, fashion, skateboarding, and surfing. Those elements naturally blend together and influence my designs.
—You also posted a photo on Instagram of yourself as a child playing while wearing clothing, didn't you?
Cole: Oh, right. The town where I grew up, Carlsbad, is a hub for golf equipment manufacturers. There were lots of kids at my school whose parents worked at TaylorMade or Adidas. One day, I became friends with the daughter of TaylorMade’s former head of metalwood development (Editor’s note: “Metalwoods” are golf clubs made of metal, as opposed to the traditional wooden ones. TaylorMade was a pioneer in this field) became friends with the daughter of the former head of metalwood development at TaylorMade. When I went to her garage, there were piles and piles of TaylorMade and Adidas products—I was so excited I thought I was going to lose my mind (laughs).
—Hearing that story, it seems like this collaboration with was a natural progression.
Cole: Since I was seriously involved in competitive golf in high school, I was part of the product testing team. Every two weeks, I’d receive new apparel, and I’d write and submit a report. Even back then, all my favorite players wore Adidas gear, so Adidas is definitely part of my identity and part of my DNA. That’s why it’s really cool to be able to collaborate like this with a brand I’ve had so many connections with for so long.
─Metalwood Studio has previously collaborated on arrangements of the “Gazelle” and “Predator,” but what was it like to create your first capsule collection with Adidas Golf, one that also included apparel?
Cole: Since I don’t think we’ll ever create our own original shoes as , it’s truly amazing to be able to design a pair of shoes I love from scratch with , and I’m grateful for this special opportunity. This time, we weren’t just changing the colors of an existing model—we were able to create an entirely new shoe. With the World Cup coming up soon in North America, we wanted to create a collection inspired by soccer that incorporates the low-profile trend. Everything—including the apparel—came together very naturally, and the colors of the clothes match the shoes perfectly, so I’m really excited.
Golf shoes that Cole helped design from the ground up. Inspired by 1970s soccer cleats, they feature decorative stitching on the leather upper.
"Teamgeist" is the design concept developed by for the 2006 World Cup. The newly released polo shirt features that iconic curved design.
─When you're developing products, do you usually think about design or functionality first?
Cole: Design definitely comes first. First and foremost, I design something that looks cool, and only then do I think, “Okay, let’s make this work for golf.” Both and are brands with roots in sports, but it’s not my job to make “golf wear for middle-aged guys.” That said, of course I value functionality as well. For example, the pants we created this time have a straight silhouette like the ones skaters wear, but they feature ventilation panels on the sides inspired by late-’90s soccer uniforms.
—The designs in this collaboration collection are perfect for wearing not only on the golf course but also around town. Finally, could you offer some advice for anyone reading this interview who’s thinking, “Maybe I’ll give golf a try”?
Cole: I don't want people to think of golf as just a sport where you put a ball in a hole. Riding around the course in a cart, goofing around with friends—that's the best part of playing golf. Golf is the best—better than anything else.
