The conditions under which a round of golf is played are varied and constantly changing.

The fact that a round takes approximately four hours to complete places golfers firmly at the mercy of the elements. This makes having the proper clothing and equipment with you on the course to deal with inclement weather a necessity.

The players of today are very fortunate to have modern science and technology to equip them, especially with innovations such as nanotechnology, which enables rain to bounce off jackets, shirts to feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and grips to resist moisture.

For example, the fabrics of shirts and slacks are designed for movement and comfort in all weather. The material of outerwear is whisper cloth, which is lightweight, quiet and designed to be worn in layers during a round of golf. This type of high-tech clothing allows players to not be impeded when playing a golf shot.

While today's golfer has clothing options and the necessary equipment to play in all types of weather conditions, this was not the case for Jim Barnes when he won the first PGA Championship in 1916, at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y.

The rainy weather made his wool coat both heavy and tight. Meanwhile, his dress trousers were cold and wet, often causing their full pleats to stick to Barnes' legs.

Of course, the umbrellas of this era were small and not designed to protect both golfer and caddy. This would be the case until more than a quarter-century later, when two-time PGA Champion Byron Nelson invented the Americanized-version of the oversized golf umbrella in 1942.

Modern day advancements have brought about the double-sized golf umbrella, which not only covers the player and caddy, but is designed to withstand wind gusts, while in many ways also serving as a billboard.

With little protection from the weather, the leather grips of Barnes' era were subject to peeling from moisture. Cotton dress glover were carried in players' bags as protection for when their grips became wet.

Conversely, the thin leather and synthetic gloves of today work with a special compound grip material to keep a steady grip during inclement weather.

Thanks to Mother Necessity!

You can learn more about the latest advances in golf merchandise from your local PGA Professional, especially during next month's PGA Free Fitting & Trade Up Month. For more information, be sure to visit www.playgolfamerica.com.

Here's to better golf!

Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.