Erin Samson Barney and the Golf Brand Built on Not Holding Back

Brand Spotlight · ERIN BAILEY

The first time I had the opportunity to chat with Erin Samson Barney was via Zoom, four or five months ago. And just like when you first meet another woman you barely know anything about, you do that thing. You know…the thing where you're sitting a little straighter, being a little more polished than usual because you're still feeling each other out.

But somewhere between venting about wanting tee holders in our golf skirts and forgetting our pitching wedge on the last hole, I totally dropped an F bomb. Fully by accident. I immediately apologized on instinct, because heaven forbid I disappoint my grandmother by not being lady-like.

But lo and behold, the walls immediately came down when Erin laughed and said, "No need to hold back. You're in good company."

Ever since then, we've been able to jump right into the real stuff. The honest stuff. No performing required. And once you get to know what she's building, you realize that "you're in good company" isn't just candid conversation. It's part of the entire thing she's stitching into women's golf apparel with her brand, ERIN BAILEY.

Wait, So Who's Bailey?

You'd think, because of the similar first name, that Erin's brand was named after her. But nope. She named it after her grandmother, Eileen Bailey. A lovingly fierce woman Erin proudly describes as a notorious shit-talker who never once broke 100 but adored the game, and especially a Stinger at the bar after every round.

Without an ounce of intimidation, outgoing Eileen started the women's golf league at her local public course. So Erin grew up watching those women, learning early on that golf could be a place where women showed up for themselves and for each other. Women's empowerment, if you will, before it was trendy.

So when the time came for Erin to build her women's golf apparel brand, she wasn't doing it with trends in mind. It was a way to honor all the women who taught her that belonging on a golf course has nothing to do with your scorecard or your handicap.

And THAT, my friend, is why I absolutely needed to write about this emerging brand.

This Ain't Just a Logo and a Dream

While I'd love to just share a story wrapped around a logo and a dream, Erin is creating something much bigger than that. This is premium women's golf apparel designed by actual athletes, built on three non-negotiables. Fit, function, and fabric. Erin will flat out tell you that fit comes first, because if it doesn't fit right, nothing after that matters. (Truth!)

I think it's safe to say we as women all know there's no magic formula in the fashion industry that flatters every single body. So instead of fighting an uphill battle, Erin's team gets obsessive about the construction and wear-testing of their pieces until the designs feel good on real women playing real rounds of golf.

You Don't Have to Pick a Lane

Erin truly believes that women shouldn't have to choose between looking like a golfer and looking like themselves out on the course. She knows that we as women and as golfers don't fit into a pre-existing mold. 

We have careers, families, friends, ambitions, and a whole life off the course. And let's be real, if you're reading this, I gather you also appreciate great golf (no matter your score that day), a good cocktail, a situationally appropriate cuss word, and most importantly, you don't take yourself too seriously. THAT'S the ERIN BAILEY brand. Polished enough to continue the traditions of the game, but real enough to feel like you.

The Skirt Heard 'Round the Course

What drew me to introduce myself to Erin was the TITLE Skirt. This is the hero piece most people discover first, and for a really good reason. This patent-pending skirt has a hidden tie channel that lets you adjust the length (petite women, rejoice!), so it works whether you're at a course with a strict dress code or grabbing 9 holes at your local muni after work. And because I think we can all agree there are just never enough pockets, it's got plenty, right where you want them.

(For the record, Erin mentioned that her own most-reached-for outfit is the TITLE Skirt with the Michelle Mock Neck, because it makes her feel like a badass. Noted. Adding to cart.)

The Goosebumps Chapter

When I asked Erin about some of her proudest moments, she didn't answer with a product in mind. She told me about a time she was visiting a premier golf club and overheard a man ask if they carried his daughter's size, and the golf pro pointed her out across the room and said, "Talk to Erin. She's right there." Goosebumps! For the first time, she truly felt her brand was starting to become bigger than herself.

She'll also tell you about the day she saw an LPGA player wearing her apparel for the first time. And even though those moments didn't necessarily change her business overnight, they reminded her exactly why she's building it.

Here's the Part That'll Get You

And that's what I want you to remember. Erin isn't building this just to build something. She's building a company grounded in creating a genuinely great product, so she can keep leaning into the thing she cares about most. Getting more women and girls into golf and keeping them there. And of course, helping more of us feel confident enough to show up, and be comfortable enough to stay.

When I asked Erin if there was anything else people should know, her answer was so very Erin, so very straightforward…everyone belongs on the golf course, as long as you keep it moving. Because nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to play a five-hour round.

Preach the good word, Erin…PREACH.

You're In Good Company

So let the ERIN BAILEY story remind you to show up as you are, know that you absolutely belong, and wear the skirt with pockets. Anytime you step onto the course, or even the driving range, know that with Erin and the rest of us, you're in good company. 🤍

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