Great golfers are often compared to artists, implying that the game requires more than just technical skill. The same is true for the craftsmen who have dedicated their careers to creating the perfect putter. Commonly referred to as boutique putter shops, companies like Kenny Giannini are quietly making some of the finest flatsticks available. For years my only exposure to high end putters was the plastic cases in Golf Galaxy that guarded the Scotty Camerons. Well folks, I am here to tell you that if you dig a little deeper, there is far cooler stuff to be found.

While the Kenny Giannini company is fairly new, Kenny has been around golf his whole life and has been in the putter business for over 35 years. Mr. Giannini got his first start at the Ben Hogan Company and then continued to perfect his craft at Cleveland and Mizuno. Notably, at Cleveland Golf, Kenny developed one of the first completely milled putters.

Now, Kenny is producing his own line of putters and by producing I do not mean just slapping his name on it. Kenny oversees and is intimately involved in all aspects of the process. There is not a single putter that goes out of the door that Mr. Giannini has not personally touched. Go ask a big “signature putter” designer that same question and you will likely get a whole lot of “uh, um, mmm”.

Starting with the looks, the Kenny Giannini G-50 putter has a fairly standard mallet vibe. You won’t find any over the top bling, but you will find a number of subtle touches that set it apart from the mass produced flatsticks. For example, notice the etching on the face – it not only looks bad-ass but also helps the ball come off of the face straight and true.

Flipping it over, you will see the groove that runs parallel to the face. This is called Slotted Soft Face Technology (SSFT). In laymen’s terms, this helps to balance the putter face and give you forgiveness on off-center putts.

On top of the putter you will find a single alignment aid, which is plenty for me as I am not a huge fan of bells and whistles blaring “hit it here!”. Speaking of toned down bling, in my opinion, high end putters have a certain obligation to add at least a few touches that let you know this putter is not one of a million. While the Kenny Giannini putter is fairly modest, I think the face and logo meet the required “boutique bling” quota.

Now for some nuts and bolts. The G-50 putter is 100% milled out of a single piece of carbon steel, not slapped together by some machine. Nope, this guy is just one of a small number that is produced with a level of craftsmanship not possible in huge golf companies. The G-50 is 370 grams which puts it slightly on the heavy side but something I prefer. Additionally, the G-50 differs from the G-5 as it is offset by 1/4 inch, causing the toe to be a little heavier than the heel, which benefits a modest arched putting stroke.

On the course there was zero break-in period as the putter feels very natural and is easy on the eye. Still, whenever I get a new putter, I like to take out my Putting Alley just to make sure I am finding the sweet spot and getting the ball rolling on a straight line.

A couple of things I noticed (or did not notice). There is minimal impact sound. I prefer not to hear a loud click or ting or, god forbid, twank when I putt. The Giannini putter surely makes a sound but it is so easy on the ear that it goes virtually unnoticed. The other thing (and most important) is that it rolls super easy and true. For me, a mallet is just a better putter. I have more confidence and I can control the head better than a blade. Whether I am lag putting from 40 feet of grinding out 5 foot par putts, I feel like I can make anything and everything. Part of that confidence comes from the fact that the head resists any torque if I mis-hit the ball a touch (which is nice).

Finally, there is the all important headcover. Look, you just dropped good coin, it better come with an equally crafted cover. Truth is, I feel zero obligation to keep stock headcovers on my clubs. Not one of my woods has the company headcover on it. However, the putter is a whole different story. I absolutly prefer to have the stock putter cover, provided that it is 100% awesome. Checking that box is not a problem with Kenny G (I wonder how many people call him that and how much he wants to smack them?). This leather putter cover not only keeps her safe and sound but also tells the world you have a big time putter.

You can check out the whole line of Kenny Giannini Putters on their website.

Heavy is the head the wears the crown, and for Footjoy, maintaining their market share is surely not easy. Like every golfer, I have owned my fair share of Footjoys in the past. To be honest, I walked away from the brand a few years ago as I saw other companies releasing innovative designs while FJ tended to be stuck in the saddled Dryjoy.

Recently, however, FootJoy has become bolder as evidenced by the M Project shoe that we reviewed this summer. Additionally, Footjoy has expanded their popular MyJoys line in which customers can create a near endless pallet of shoe concepts.

The process is simple. Start by choosing the basic model and then customize base colors, accents, laces and initials. The web interface makes it all super easy to switch out colors and even gives you ideas based on color preferences.

So, with time to kill and endless opportunity, I sat down to design my first pair of MyJoys. While FootJoy now offers customization on the casual shoe, I decided to go with the Icon seeing how I have been bashing tour shoes for being outdated by the more progressive spikeless/alternative shoes. I guess I figured it was only fair to give them a real shot and with the Icon I would be able to test the top of the line FJ classic golf shoe.

To be clear, a basic white or black with a mild accent color would perhaps have been wiser, but no one has ever accused me of being wise. Plus, I wanted to push the envelope a bit. Hence, I ended up with blue shoes with yellow trim. The way I see it, we all have brightly colored tennis shoes and think nothing about wearing them with virtually any pair of shorts or pants so why should golf shoes be any different?

After completing the order, which included initialing the heel (why anyone would pass on this option is a mystery to me), I was informed that my shoe would take about two weeks to complete. Not too bad considering it would be made specifically for me and to my specifications.

When the shoes did arrive, I must say it was pretty cool to see my creation in the flesh. A monster? Maybe, but it is my beast. The next question would be how would I like them compared to my spikeless shoes that I have come to love.

Round one: Typically I walk, but his day we took a cart. I was pleasantly surprised that the FJ Icons did not feel overly heavy. On the contrary, they were very comfortable and obviously provided a ton of support and traction. After 18 holes my feet felt great and I had to admit that I dug the tour look. One odd advantage is that there is no doubt what sport I am playing when wearing these babies, something that is not as true with soft-spiked “alt” shoes.

Round two: 18 walking on my home course, or as I say “my bread and butter” round. I probably walk 100 rounds per year so I am no stranger to hoofing it. After 9 holes, the feet felt great. My dogs were not too hot despite waterproof leather and I appreciated the support as some of my walking shoes are a little sloshy.

After 18 holes, however, I did notice I was slightly more tired than normal. The fact is the FJ Icons are a bit heavier than the new super-light golf shoes. Frankly, the Icon was never marketed as a walking shoe so it is not a huge knock to say there are better options for those who prefer not to take a cart.

As I mentioned earlier, the FJ Icons are waterproof and come with a two year warranty. If there is one thing FootJoy knows how to do, it is make a shoe that lasts forever. I think I have three pairs of Footjoys in the garage that I cannot bring myself to throw away even though I wore them for ages and will likely never wear again.

In the end, I remain a huge fan of the spikeless golf shoe and believe they will ultimately dominate the market. With that said, I have a certain level of appreciation for the classic style and the MyJoy Icons represent a fine example of craftsmanship and lasting quality – they will be part of my “big match” rotation.

You can design your own Myjoys on the Footjoy website.

One of the few advantages of writing a golf blog is that it gives me a chance to see and review a wide range of golf apparel. Inevitably, I end up digging some brands more than others, and if push comes to shove, I can definitely name my favorite golf outfit. Call it the “Championship Script”.

With that in mind, I reached out to some of the more notable bloggers who also do a lots of apparel reviews to see if they would be interested in submitting their “Championship Script”.

The rules were simple: Choose an outfit that you would wear for your Club Championship or other important round. NOTE: all bloggers submitted their picks with no prior knowledge of what the others would choose, nor did they get any “coaching” from me.

The panel: For our inaugural post, we have the following list of distinguished bloggers (in alphabetical order)

Championship Scripts: 2013 Blogger Edition

Ben Carey | Fresh Golf Reviews 

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Ryan Heiman | Independent Golf Reviews |

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It is a Sunday Morning in late August and the Club Championship is today. It is an opportunity to show off my style. I’m not looking to blend in. I’ll let my game and apparel say, “I’m here and I’m going to win.” My favorite apparel will give me a confidence boost to win the championship. The picture of me holding the trophy is going to be on the clubhouse wall for a long time and I want to be wearing something that will look great for many years down the road. That is why I’m going to be wearing something traditional, yet stylish. From top to bottom my choices are: An iGr FlexFit hat. I’ve yet to find any hats more comfortable than these. My shirt will be a Vesti Ascendi Golf Dress shirt with matching tie. It’s a classic old school look with stretch comfort and cotton breathability. If the temperatures soar over 85, then I’d probably have to switch out for a QED Style white Eureka shirt. My pants would surprisingly be a pair of C9 pants from Target. I have a couple other brands that are awesome pants, but I don’t have them in the right color, besides these are amazing pants at a great price and available at any Target. My pants would be held up with a 59 Belt and custom stainless buckle. I consider my socks a key part of my wardrobe. I’d wear ProCompression Tour Golf socks. Since I’d be walking to play, the benefits of compression keep my calves and feet feeling great all 18 holes. I’d finish with a pair of white ECCO Hybrid wingtips. They are the perfect blend of style and comfort. The look is classic, tradition, stylish and wins my Club Championship.

Fernando Solorzano | S. Florida Golf Magazine

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Not too many people love South Florida during the summer months like I do. Sizzling temperatures and humidity just below the melting point makes most daring golfers stay indoors. Staying ahead of the game and making the right choice using cool / quick drying fabrics has become the standard. Today, I was invited to play a round of golf at the exclusive Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, home of 15+ past and present PGA touring professionals including Lee Westwood, Darren Clark, Louis Oosthuizen, Raymond Floyd, Charl Schwartzel and many others.

My outfit feels cool and confortable as I am wearing the best of the best in high performance fabrics. From top to bottom I am wearing an Imperial Microfiber Tour Golf Hat, Hand Made Limited Edition The National Tour Crested by Iliac Golf (high performance silk with moisture wicking technology material for the ultimate in luxury and performance). My khaki golf pants, also 100% microfiber polyester, are from the new Greg Norman Collection Epic Ultra Light Rain and Wind pant for the ever-late afternoon South Florida rain. My leather belt is the Slater Model by J. Lindeberg. My golf socks (not pictured) are FootJoy Men’s ProDry Sport Socks and last but not least I am wearing the super confortable Crocs Men’s AllCast Duck Golf Shoe.

Adam Staelin | Three Guys Golf

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Each fall I play in our club championship and while I may not finish in the top 10, I am at least gonna look good. Although I like a lot of the big brands, my picks are primarily from lesser known companies. As many regular readers know, I am not shy about wearing colorful and crazy clothing but when it comes to a big match I want to go with something a little more traditional but include a few details that say “yea, this is kinda money”.

First, I really like the idea of wearing the same brand shirt and shorts as great companies have designed them to fit together. Currently, my favorite golf apparel brand is QED Style. The Logan polo, while solid in color has nice over-stiching and pearl snap buttons rarely seen in other shirts. The Alpine shorts are super comfortable and absolutely functional. My belt collection may be in double digits but there is no doubt I will be wearing my 59 Belt (one of only two made with this particular finish). My socks are of course are Kentwool (the best socks on the planet). As for the shoes, I wear my True Linkswear about 70% of the time but for this big match I am breaking out my custom Footjoy Icons. Boom! Finally, I will be wearing a logo “Breakfast Ball” hat to give props to our contributing writer Mathew Wangrych who is the author of that fine blog.

 

Stephen Zinger | My Golf Spy

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It’s no secret to the readers over on our site that Iliac Golf is my top pick for golf apparel. There is just something about the brand, and the guy running it, Bert LeMar, that I like. Most of the selections from Iliac are made to order, meaning production for the piece starts after you have placed the order. Contrasting collars on the shirts, luxury fabrics, contemporary fit, and the best pants in golf are just some of the reasons why this company is on the top of my list. My pants are typically held stationary with a leather strap and buckle from 59 Belts.  There is something cool about having your buckle cut out of a block of stainless steel, just for you.  On the feet are almost always TRUE Linkswear shoes.  Since their inception as a brand in 2010, I have worn their shoes almost exclusively.  The TRUE Protos from this season have to be the most comfortable shoe in golf.  Pair the TRUE’s with Kentwool socks, and you have the most enjoyable walk in golf. Last but not least, one of my favorite hats of all time is the Vesti Acendi Plaid “VA” hat.

Thanks to all of the bloggers who made this post happen. Let us know what you think and hopefully we can make this a regular piece with other guest bloggers weighing in on the subject.

Hunter Mahan, until recently withdrawing from the Canadian Open to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, was most known for his signature flat-bill cap and large sunglasses. Oddly enough, very few PGA players wear sunglasses while most amateurs do. I suspect this is because Pros believe their vision is somehow not optimized with sunglasses. However, for the rest of us, we wisely choose proper eye protection even if is costs us .25 strokes a round (which I doubt anyhow).

Under Armour has slowly but methodically been making their way into the golfing world. Originally known for “Protecting this House”, they have since broadened their reach just a tad and now are also known for having an outstanding golf apparel line (including my personal favorite: Under Armour briefs). With the success of their apparel line, Under Amour is now poised for a move into additional accessories like sunglasses.

Right off, the UA Drives are very unique in their looks. Honestly, when I opened up the box and pulled them out I thought I had received a damaged pair. The lenses of the sunglasses are what I can only describe as a “floating” lens. They are unlike any sunglasses that I have ever seen, hence my fear that they had broken in transit. As it turns out, Under Armour’s “Airflow Technology” has the lenses attached to the frame just above the adjustable nose piece, such that nowhere else does the lens come in contact with the frames. The reasoning is brilliant – it allows for superior air flow and completely eliminates the dreaded fogging feature.

The frames of the UA Drives are built from a combination of titanium and Grilamid, which Under Armour calls “Ultra-light ArmourFusion™”, making them very light, very strong and super flexible. Basically, you hardly notice the glasses when wearing them. They’re surprisingly comfortable and remain in place, which is something that irritates me about my other pair of sunglasses.

Another reason for them being hardly noticeable is Under Armour’s Patented ArmourSight® technology, which delivers 20% more undistorted peripheral vision. In laymen’s terms the lenses wrap around a bit more than a standard pair of sunglasses, giving you that much more visible sight lines and also more protection. All models of Under Armour’s performance sunglass line block 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

The ArmorSight® lenses are also ten times stronger than ordinary polycarbonate lenses and with the addition of the Patented Multiflection™ lens coating. which eliminates obstructions by repelling water, resisting scratching, smudging  and staining. The sunglasses not only become unbelievably reliable but that have the fashion sense that you find in Under Armour’s apparel line as well.

Another unique feature that you’ll find in the UA Drives is the interchangeable logo clips that are located on the side of the glasses. Available in a variety of colors, like the green you see below, this adds just a little bit of flare to an already stunning set of shades.

I can’t say I would classify these as a golf-only pair of sunglasses. Because they are super comfortable, I find myself wearing them quite often and I’m looking forward to using them the next time I take my mountain bike out for ride. That being said, if you’re not comfortable taking your $500 pair of Dolce & Gabbana’s out on the course or maybe your 1980 pair of Ray-Ban’s just don’t do the job you need them to do, you might want to consider this sleek new line from Under Armour. They just might be the last pair of sunglasses you ever buy!

The UA Drive sunglasses retail for $149.99 and can be viewed along with all the other golf sunglasses on the Under Armour site.

Editors note: There are only two things I spend a lot of money on: shoes and sunglasses. I figure if I take care of my eyes and feet the rest will fall into place. Moreover, I rarely lose sunglasses so I do not shy away from dropping $240 on a pair. Frankly, I did not expect to wear the Under Armour glasses more than one time simply because my other pair is so awesome. Surprisingly, I have been wearing the Under Amour Power nearly as much as my Costa Del Mar (which cost almost twice as much). The lens is extremely clear, the frame is comfortable and the style is hip without making a 4o-something year old look like a dope. Bottom line, I dig the Under Amours and feel they are a great pair of sunglasses (and sell at a great price point).

For those of you younger than 40,  you might not know that back in the day, Callaway was the big-time game changer. They were the guys that gave us Big Bertha, the over-sized driver that shook the industry. If you had the pleasure of trying one of these after hitting a standard driver, you were really in for a treat in terms of forgiveness and distance. Their work with irons also created some of the most forgiving irons of the era, and the rest is history.

Last spring I reviewed the Asher Gloves which included their One Glove and Deathgrip. Both of these models are incredibly unique in that they are anything but a plain white glove. While I personally dig someof the bold styling of the original Asher Gloves, they clearly are not for everyone. However, with the release of the Premium Collection, Asher now offers a superior glove that, while still very unique, is more traditional in looks.

For this review, I actually held off testing until June because I wanted to see how it performed in the heat and humidly (our last review was during colder months). The Premium Collection gloves are made from precision cut AA Premium Cabretta-Leather, which basically means it is super soft. For me, the Asher Gloves fit perfectly and never seem to show signs of wear even after heavy use.

I literally wore this glove all of June and July (probably 30 rounds). Additionally, most of these rounds were during extreme heat and humidity. While other guys were rotating through muliple gloves, the Asher glove never gave me any problems with grip. Sure, it had some discoloration near the end of July, but frankly, I could still be wearing this glove as it still has not worn through and has remained soft (hint, keep your glove in the packaging during off-days to extend the life).

The Asher Premium Collection currently includes four models: The American, Grayscale, One, and Sandstone. With the exception of the One glove, all of these models are reasonably tame in styling so you won’t feel like you are making a crazy fashion statement. With that said, the Asher Glove is way cooler than 99% of other gloves on the market.

Asher Premium Collection runs $20 which is slightly higher than your basic glove but less than super premium gloves. In my opinion, a real sweet spot for pricing. Not too much that you feel like it is an extravagant purchase but so much better than the junk you find in most golf stores that it is worth the few extra dollars.

So if you have held off on the Asher because you could not see yourself wearing the more outrageous pattern, now is the time to check out the Premium Collection. Crazy soft, super durable and just enough style to let everyone know that “you’ve got game”.

You can see the whole line of Asher Gloves on their website.

With a name like Bombtech Grenade, you would expect my review to begin this review with claims of picking up 25 yards and crushing drives like Gary Woodland. While I do believe the Bombtech Driver may give you extra distance off the tee, I want to begin by telling you why this driver is different than any driver you will find in a store and why it might be the best driver you have ever bought.

Let’s roll back the clock to 2010 when company founder, Tyler Sullivan (“Sully”), was experimenting with different clubs trying to find one that fit his game. Frustrated with the quality of drivers and a mind for tinkering, he started building clubs from assorted pieces and parts. With some success under his belt he approached the University of Vermont with the idea of  developing a brand new driver designed from the ground up. So, along with a team of fresh faced senior Engeering geeks, the Bombtech Grenade was launched.

Common sense would say that there is no way anyone can touch a driver market that is dominated by billion dollar powerhouses like Taylormade and Callaway but that is where you would be wrong. The way I see it, there are two basic things that go into making a driver:  1) design and 2) manufacturing.

Sure the big boys have a team of smart people working on their product line, but there is no monopoly on brain power and sometimes design breakthroughs occur in the most unlikely of places. As evidence to my proposition, I would point to the boutique putter and wedge market where some of the finest selection is crafted by tiny companies.

The second part of the equation is actually making the driver. This is where the major brands have both and advantage and dis-advanatage. Clearly they have access to huge manufacturing and command enormous purchasing power. On the other hand, I believe that once a product goes into mass production there is a certain reduction in the basic attention to detail. This is where small companies like Bombtech have an upper hand as they can obsess over every tiny detail until it is perfect and maintain a level of quality control unheard of in mass manufacturing.

Before I ever saw the Bombtech Grenade, I spent and hour speaking with Sully to get some background and learn why he thinks it is the best driver on the market. Admittedly, about 25% of the conversation went over my head but what I clearly understood was how passionate he is about his craft.

For those of you looking to really get under the numbers and the technology behind the Bombtech, you can read a full synopsis of the design process which includes tables, charts and a whole lot of equations that make my head spin.

The first time I actually hit the Bombtech Grenade driver was exactly two minutes before I teed off. That particular day I was playing a new course so I cannot say for sure if I drove the ball farther than normal, but I certainly felt very comfortable. There was also a couple of times I honestly though I had mis-hit the ball but to my surprise each one flew much straighter than I expected. Since that time, I still feel the Bombtech is quite forgiving.

Now on to the all important “but is it longer?” question. For this test I did two things. First I played my regular course about 10 times where I know the yardage and where I land the ball. As a 10 handicapper, I know there are lots of factors going into how far I hit the ball on a given day but I can confidently say the Bombtech is at least as long as other drivers I play with and maybe about 7-10 yards longer.

Secondly, I took it into Golf Galaxy where I know a few of the guys. I hit it in the launch monitor and low and behold it went about 7 yards farther than all the other drivers I have hit in there (which is just about every driver on the market). However, I am not a long hitter so I let one of the Golf Galaxy staff guys hit it. I asked him how far he usually hits his driver to which he said “about 300 yards”. Firstly, I did not believe him but then he hauled off and hit the Bombtech 308 yards. He then hit about 5 more the same distance after which he turned to me and asked “where can I buy this?”

My other antidotal evidence of the distance came on the driving range when I passed the club to a buddy who also is a big hitter. One swing and he exclaimed…and I quote “Holy Fuck this thing is hot”. He then hit three more and asked if we could switch drivers. He has a brand new big name brand driver.

As regular readers know, I am not a gear-head so I am not going to give you all of the phsyics of the driver. However, there are a few basic features that are worth noting. First, it is not an adjustable driver. While some may see this as a disadvantage, I personally think adjustability is over-rated. I like to find a driver that I like and never mess with the settings. Additionally, the current Grenade only comes in 10.5 loft although I expect that to change as the product line grows.

A few other tech notes. First, the driver is made from a 2 piece cast mold and plasma welded face plate. The Bombtech comes with a Matrix shaft in a number of flexes and lengths. Turning the driver over, you will notice the dual cavity design which promotes club speed and bounce. Again, this stuff goes over my head but it looks bad-ass and fits my bill.

Aesthetically, the Bombtech has a nice black matte finish on the club and shiny black paint on the bottom. Beyond the color, the quality of the paint is above average which is another example of Sully’s attention to detail. While you may never think about paint, turn over your driver and take a peak. See how it looks like it is 20 years old? That is because many large manufactures use cheap paint. On the other hand, Bombtech only uses premium paint which will last much longer. Again, small companies sweat the details!

So here is my bottom line: The Bomtech Grenade Driver is chock full of technology and physics. It was not designed to be fancy or have a gimmick but simply to outperform other clubs on the market. The simple fact that it was concieved and built by a small team of incredibly invested people.

The Bombtech Grenade driver retails for $299 and can be purchased on the Bombtech website.

Who in their right mind would want to play golf in Death Valley during July? How about the kind of guy who thought this picture was in focus rather than realizing his brain was on the wrong side of “medium well done”.

Still, for the second year, I put rational thinking aside and participated in my fundraiser I call The Death Valley Challenge.

As a typical golf meathead barreling towards my 40s, I have never been all that adept at procuring high-fashion apparel to complement my golf game. In fact, I still don’t see what the big snafu is with wearing cargo shorts on the course, but Adam has recently convinced me to at least put them on furlough for a while. So if I really want to look good on the course, my best chances are to take my own brain out of the equation and put myself in the hands of professionals. Problem is, some experts would have me looking like a bit too much of a ninny for my taste (see: every outfit Adam has worn since March, 2012), and of course, like with anyone, some apparel lines just aren’t going to match up right with my build.

Sometimes you stumble across a line of clothing that just hits the sweet spot for you seemingly without fail, and when it comes the THIS golf guy, Travis Mathew fills that role. The company has only been around since 2008, but in the world of progressive golf apparel, we’re talking dog years. You’ve seen their stuff on Bubba Watson before he went Oakley, and a long list of other golfers that may not be as notable but are always looking sharp on the course.

Folks, this Johnuary polo is just a good damn golf shirt. Looks cool, fits right, and is well made.

The only logo is the subtle “Travis Mathew” on the back right shoulder, allowing me to keep things classy as I sneak my cooler onto the back of the cart.

It deserves mention that after donning this puppy for a few months during my most important rounds, my boy Tiger has all of a sudden started hauling out the contrasting collars and plackets.

Travis Mathew also ushered in a new era for me – the golf “outfit”.  Yep, they sent me the shirt, the belt, AND the shorts, and let’s be honest – simply ravishing. Don’t believe me? Okay, then why is someone sneaking up behind me on the tee box to take pictures of my arse, wiseguy? Really though, I had no idea that picture was being taken.

Up until now I’ve always had a strict one-fruity-item-at-a-time policy when it came to what I wear on the course . . . my golf game simply could not sustain anything more than 1 item making it look like I thought I was a good golfer. But under Travis Mathews’ watch, I realized that I could actually match a pair of true golf shorts to a true golf shirt (and even a color-y belt!), and still feel like a normal dude. A well-dressed normal dude actually, who now thinks that cart girl might be kynda diggin’ that little wedge shot he just carved into the 7th green.

Wait, I think she’s asleep and just has the cart facing our direction. Whatever, I’m pretty sure I look like James Bond so she snoozed and loozed.

The clothes have that top-caliber feel to them when you’re playing the round, which can help make one feel like an official golfer. Maybe that’s just me, but they handle the heat and humidity with no trouble and all the stitching/buttons/collars/belt loops are up to snuff.

You’re probably hip to this by now, but I am a huge Travis Mathew fan – I have two of their shirts and they are my true go-to shirts. Now I have a belt and shorts to round out the package, and they are the sharpest looking items I have. I never have to worry that they are tacky or cheesy or lame, I just trust that if Travis Mathew made them, they’re money. My only disappointment is this little label inside the shorts . . . seems a bit Team Britney to me and I’m hoping it was just a momentary lapse of judgement by my favorite tailors. I guess as long as I hold up my end of the bargain and don’t leave my fly down, no one will know the difference.

You can visit Travis Mathew on their website.

Earlier this year we reviewed the MacWet rain gloves and realized our only question was: “why does anyone NOT have a pair”. However, our testing was limited to rain and cold so now that we are in the middle of a humid summer we wanted to see how they did in terms of dealing with slippery sweaty hands.

We actually never planned on this review but one day when I was in the middle of a round in which the humidity was crazy high, I decided to break out the MacWet gloves to see if they would help with my grip. As you know, leather golf gloves can become very slick after just a few holes if you tend to sweat a lot.

Now, I am here to tell you– as much as I liked these gloves in the winter/early spring, I am stunned with how much I like MacWet for summer golf. First off, the more I sweat, the better they performed – the grip just get better with more sweat. Not only was the grip rock solid, but they were actually bone dry after 18 holes.

Here’s the kicker– they are machine washable, so I can either rinse them out in the sink, or toss them in the washer at the end of the round so they look brand new and ready to go. Both of the pictures are of my gloves that I have worn for about 20 rounds.

The bonus, of course, is that if it actually does rain you will not think twice about grabbing any club in your bag and giving it a full rip. NOTE: although they come in pairs I typically just wear one in the summer but two when it is raining. They also come in a couple of different variations so you can get a pair that has a mesh back which breaths well.

As for durability, I find that I am gripping the club the lightest I have ever gripped it during summer weather which means that my MacWet gloves are lasting longer than any other gloves I’ve used, period.  So, if you’re willing to take a look on Amazon, or Amazon UK, and get a product that the Scots (true masters of foul weather golf) are already all over, you will not be sorry!

More information about MacWet can be found on their website.

The Open is just days away, so we thought we would give you a preview of the actual Ashworth script that will be worn by 2013 US Open winner Justin Rose. So far this year, we have personally seen all three Major Championship Ashworth scripts (one of which you can win here). For the Open, Ashworth again shows why they are one of the premier golf apparel companies.

All four shirts are fairly traditional but with nice details that set them apart from your basic off the rack polo. Specifically, Ashworth has added four button plackets, breast pockets, and button down collars in various combinations that give the polos a certain level of distinction and class.

Addtionally, Ashworth has done a nice job with color. While 3 of the shirts are mostly solid in color, the Performance EZ-SOF Blocked Golf Shirt features wide stripes across the chest. My only complaint is that the pattern is only on the front of the shirt as I prefer when it wraps around.

The EZ-SOF Cut and Sew Golf Shirt uses a smaller striped pattern, but still manages to give the illusion of a wider chest, which for slimmer guys is a welcomed feature. Note that the pattern on this polo is also on the back of the shirt.

While the remaining two polos are solid in color, I dig the addition of a breast pocket. Even though they are basically functionally useless outside of stashing the $5 bill you took from your buddy, they act as a splash of style.

The only downside of course is that we will likely never see any of these polos on TV, as temperatures and weather are rarely “ideal” for the Open. Still, my hat’s off to Ashworth for another great script for a major championship.

You can visit Ashworth on the web here.

Chances are in any of your last couple of rounds of golf you’ve encountered someone using their mobile device to obtain some sort information to help them through the round. In this modern era of golf that we are in there seems to be a new “must have” phone app every week.

In order to be competitive in this market there are certain standards that have to be met. The software has to be user friendly, visually enticing, affordable and most of all it has to work.

Mobitee’s Mobile Golf Assistant is one of the newer apps on the market that fits the bill.

As far as an on course GPS tool the Mobitee app is outstanding. Courses take no time to download and in a manner of minutes you have a very nice aerial view of the hole you’re playing.

A white line that stretched from the tee to the green will give you the yardage of the hole and a simple touch and drag will allow you to obtain the distance to a specific spot. For an example in the picture below we have an ariel of the 1st hole from The Revere Concord course in Henderson. You can see that a 250 yard tee shot will leave you an approach shot of 107 yards. You can drag the circle all over the screen gauging distances to the bunkers, water hazards or if you play the hole backwards like I try to do you can determine the length needed off the tee to reach a more comfortable approach shot.

You can also update the clubs you use and change the distances you hit them, which is a handy feature because the app will then auto select a club for you based on your yardage to the center of the green.

There is also a club tracking feature within the Mobitee app. I tried it out a few times and it works pretty well. I spend so much time at the range I have a real good grasp on my distances so this is one of the features I won’t be utilizing, but it’s a great feature that is included in the app. Even better about this part of the app is later on you can review the shots you tracked based on the club. Here is an example of a 5iron I hit from the tee.

I have to admit, I wasn’t a big fan of the club tracking feature and it was mainly in part to a few other apps that I have used that just failed miserably in this department. But, as I’ve used the Mobitee more I’m really starting to get a feel for the how it works and how you can utilize to asses how well you maintaining your distances under different circumstances.

In an attempt to make this your one and only electronic device for the round Mobitee also offers a scoring feature and they did something unique, they made two versions of the scoring section within the app. If you just want to track your score and your putts there is an “easy” version that does just that. If you’re like me though and want to have some more statistical information about your round you’ll want to give the “expert” version a try. Unlike any other scoring app I’ve used this one took a little getting used to but once I got the hang of it putting in my scores was quite simple.

For $24.99 you’ll receive an aerial image of each hole (provided by google) you play, a GPS yardage indicator you can use to calculate distance to and from the green, a shot tracker where you can track the distances for each club and a score card that will configure your handicap.  All of that conveniently located within your smart phone. Not a bad deal. There not annual fees or updates that will cost you any additional funds and with Facebook integration sharing your scores is simple and fun.

Tired at looking at all those ads from the free GPS apps? Then give mobitee a try and I’m sure you’ll find that for $24.99 you’re getting a lot of tools at a reasonable price.

Mobitee Website is here.

Training aids over the past several years have become increasingly interesting to say the least. Thanks most in part to this little thing called technology. Being the gadget guru that I am, or more realistically – a technology junkie, I was thrilled when I found out that I was going to be the lucky one who got to review the two training aids from 3Bays; the GSA Pro and the GSA Putt.

As much as I would like to go to one of the few places in town that has a legit launch monitor, the truth is that those facilities are intended for club-fittings, not for the guy who is looking for some helpful information. I could literally spend hours inside a fitting stall, hitting ball after ball, reviewing my stats. But no one will let me!

With the GSA Pro from 3Bays you’ll no longer need to “pretend” that you’re interested in a new club at the golf store just to get some time on a launch monitor, they’ve taken technology and gadgetry to a new level. And in doing so, they’ve brought the fitting stall to you.

The GSA Pro is a small lightweight device (weighing only 9.8g) that easily fits into the end of your club and records the data from your swing.

Using an advanced 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope sensors the GSA Pro digitizes your swing motion, creating 10,000 data points, which may vary depending on clubhead speed. Within the tiny capsule the information gathered is then sent via Bluetooth to your smart phone or tablet (iOS or Android) and the results of the swings are displayed brilliantly on your device.

The amount of information that is recorded is outstanding, here’s a rundown.

Consistency, Club Head Speed, Tempo (up:down), Impact Force, Backswing Time, Ball Speed, Downswing Time, Carry Distance, Face Angle and Swing Path.

Along with all of the information above you also get an animated view of the path the club head traveled. Making that feature even more usable is the ability to switch from a face on view to a down the line view. The slider feature for the animation playback is very handy; you can slow the swing down, back it up or stop it at any point.

Pairing the phone to your device is a breeze and takes just a few minutes. Once the unit is paired and you’re ready to take a swing, that’s all you have to do, take a swing.  The GSA Pro takes Care of everything else and in less than 5 seconds the information is ready for review on your device.

What makes the GSA Pro an even more effective training aid is the “Best Swing” feature. You can select any one of the swings you have made and label it “Best Swing”. GSA Pro then compares all the other swings you have made to your best swings and gives you a consistency percentage. The comparison is shown in two contrasting color paths in the animation which makes the analysis very simple.

The GSA Pro also allows the tracking of different clubs. You can switch from your driver to an iron or a wedge and the GSA Pro will keep all the stats for each individual club you choose. That makes the review of a specific club or your progress with that club very simple. The information is stored by the date of the swings, and going to any specific swing on any certain day is easily done.

Like most training tools there is a reason why you use it, and what I have determined over the past couple of weeks while testing the GSA Pro is that it’s all about consistency and who doesn’t want a more consistent swing, right?

A new feature that 3Bays recently added with their latest update was the ability to record live video. Big deal, right . . . well actually it is! What makes their version so unique is how they have paired the video with the swing data. Just set up your device to record like you would any other video recording app, select the auto record button and begin your session. After you’re finished you can go back and look at anyone of the swings just like you normally would but now there is a play button as well. Tap the button and the player opens up where you can view the video of that swing. Not having to fast forward through multiple swings to get to a specific one is brilliant.

This upgrade was a suprise and I’m glad they have included it. With all the information the GSA Pro provides now having the ability to record video and see the data is remarkable.

I can’t say that I’d recommend this device for someone just picking up the game, there is a ton of information and it might be an overload for someone not familiar with the golf swing. But, for someone like myself who just reached a 15hdcp, I love how I can review each swing, see where those swings compare to my best swing I have saved and build on developing a more consistent stroke.

Obviously, the full swing is just one part of the golf game which is why the sister product, GSA Putt, is the logical extension to GSA Pro. Utilizing the same technology and interface, GSA Putt,  gives players all of the critical data to understand and improve their putting stroke. To me, this really sets 3 Bays apart from the competitors as it allows them to offer a comprehensive analysis package.

Just like the GSA Pro the GSA Putt fits tightly into the butt end of your putter and is virtually invisible, in fact everything about the GSA Putt is a carbon copy. The difference is the information it provides. Here’s what you’ll get

Consistency, Tempo, Face Angle, Attack Angle, Downswing, Backswing, Impact Speed and a very useful chart that displays the swing path distance on the back swing and the follow through – now that’s a ton of information for a putt.

The GSA Putt also has the same animation that you’ll find on the GSA Pro. With the GSA Putt the animation includes a face on view that shows your attack angle and a view from the top looking down at the putter. Both viewpoints show the current club path and if saved you can view your best swing at the same time.

I spent two night hitting putts on my home putting green using the GSA Putt. I recorded over 200 swings and after those two sessions my consistency percentage is at 92%. That’s miles better than where I started . . . after day one I was in the lower 70% range. Not a very good number. The next day I looked over all the putts from the previous session and determined that my tempo and my face angle at impact were my main problem areas.

That information led to an excellent session on day two and by the end of the night I was hitting putts consistently in the 95% range.

A few days later I played a round and my putting that day was by far the best aspect of my game. Thirty putts for the round and everything was on target. I knew that the time I put in developing a consistent swing had paid off and I have the GSA Putt to thank.

Being able to see that my face angle was the most inconsistent facet of my stroke was an eye opener and really got me focused on fixing the problem.

Consistency is the word of the day when it comes to 3Bays and their GSA Pro and GSA Putt. A good swing is great thing but a consistent great swing is a game changer.

The GSA Pro and GSA Putt retail for $199 each and can be purchased from their site. The apps are a free download and can be found in the Apple App Store and the Android Market.

I bet you never saw this coming – golf attire for children. And no we’re not talking about a goofy seasonal thing. . . Fore!! by Axel and Hudson is a golf clothing line designed specifically for kids (including infants) by Paul Nguyen, a self-described golf addict who started his career designing children’s clothing for some of the larger companies. As the story goes, Paul had two kids of his own and was suddenly inspired to create his own line, apparently frustrated by his kids’ lack of fashion badassery when it comes to golf. As far as overall vibe goes, the website urges us to “think country club meets California cool”. The company also strives to be an eco-friendly brand, crafting most pieces from ultra-soft and sustainable bamboo/spandex. So they’ve got that going for them . . . which is nice.

With a young son just turning 3, I couldn’t resist landing some duds for the little one (or maybe it was my wife that pulled the trigger). I’ve never been one to think that my meatball son was in dire need of official golf clothes, but he does like to knock the ball around our backyard, so why not look good doing it?  (Again, maybe my wife said that.)

Fore!! was cool enough to let us pick out a shirt and pair of shorts for the knucklehead, and it doesn’t take long on the website to notice that they make some good looking clothes. We went with a classic green-stripe polo shirt and some money blue plaid shorts, thinking they had enough country club in them to have our kid looking better than par, but not so much that he would be in danger of getting beaten up at the swingset.

So to the backyard we go . . .

Fore!! passed the first test, as my son was actually willing to try the suckers on, which is not always a given. I’m sure all parents are familiar with this random selection process that 2-3 year olds like to employ, and while it is primarily a source of frustration, I must admit to a few subtle fist pumps when he turned down the seersucker overalls the mother-in-law presented to him on Easter. But I digress – Fore!! got the nod, and the kid was looking good.

Several details confirm that Fore!! is not messing around. The polo shirt has cuffs and placket that contrast the pattern of the shirt, giving a cool modern look to an overall timeless shirt. Buttons have a bamboo look and feel (probably made out of actual bamboo), contributing to the high-end vibe in a subtle way. The shorts are in the same boat: well-crafted with cool cuffs on the bottom, clean white stitching throughout, and even some sturdy little pockets – perfect for my kid to hide a cookie in so he can ask for another.

Also, the shorts have an expandable waistline to accommodate the inevitable growth of toddlers, which is a somewhat common feature in high-end clothing that is valuable enough to deserve props no matter what. And finally, it’s worth noting that all the Fore!! designs just look better than what you would find in a bargain spot, the same way a Banana Republic shirt just looks better than it’s copycat at Kohl’s. I’ve never quite understood it, because a better plaid with better colors shouldn’t cost any more to actually make, but for some reason only the pros can get it done.

One aspect of this adventure that I did not see coming: my wife and I described this outfit as “golf clothes”, and my kid ate it up. So now if we want him to look good for a Sunday brunch or whatever high-fallutin’ affair we get involved in, it’s no trouble to persuade the munchkin to don his best outfit. The only downside is when we pull back into the garage and he realizes he’s been bamboozled, at which time it’s on to the backyard yet again to smash the pill around.

I absolutely nutted that.

So here’s the scoop – if you don’t see paying $40.00 or more for a toddler’s shirt in your near future, then you’ll have to let Fore!! play through. Our household is full of hand-me-downs, so I am not an expert in this arena, but I have to believe that there are plenty of folks out there who are shelling out big bucks for their kids to look good, and as long as they’re not stealing my parking spots, more power to them. And shoot, maybe I’m out of touch and $40.00 for your kid to have some legit threads is no big deal. The bottom line is, Fore!! by Axel and Hudson is a solid bang-for-buck transaction: the clothes are well made and stand out as handsome and cool.

You can check out Fore!! by Axel and Hudson on their website.

NOTICE: If you use a ball marker that snaps onto your glove or a plastic divot repair tool that says “Joe’s Body Shop”, it is time to upgrade your golf accessories. Not to fear, Three Guys Golf has scoured the Internet and found five unique divot repair tools and two hand made ball markers that are guaranteed to shave 5 strokes off of your game, stop that receding hair line and make you the envy of your foursome. Well, maybe just the last part, but you get the idea.

THE GENTLEMAN’S VICE MULIT-TOOL

If you’re looking to WOW someone with a divot tool that will not only take care of those divots but also has the cigar aficionado at heart, you’re going to love the Gentleman’s Vice. With its retractable divot repairer one thing you’ll never worry about is getting a surprise jab in the leg from this tool. Light weight for its size and very ergonomic, the Gentleman’s Vice takes care of divots with ease. And with the restricted depth the GV provides, you won’t be “that guy” that does more harm than good to the greens.

On the pocket clip the Gentleman’s Vice has a cleverly placed spot for a personalized ball marker that is magnetic and quickly accessible.

You’ll notice on the top of the Gentleman’s Vice there is a “half-moon” cutout that serves two purposes. The first is a quick and easy club holder when you playing in wet conditions and the other is a holder for your cigar to keep it off the grass as well.

I love a good cigar on the course and I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been handed one and I’m without a cutter. I’m not old school, I prefer my cigars cut. With the Gentleman’s Vice the added feature of a spring loaded guillotine cutter make enjoying a cigar that much easier. The blades are super sharp and lock in nicely when not in use.

The five features; divot tool, cigar cutter, cigar holder, club holder and ball marker make this an great choice for a yourself if you like partaking in the occasional smoke, or even better, a Birthday gift for the special someone that plays and enjoys a good cigar.

Personalized engraving is available. The Gentleman’s Vice come in two different metal variants and a multitude of colors and sell from $19.95 to $29.95

Visit Gentleman’ Service  for more details

LIFE IS ROSEY BALL MARKER

To some a ball marker can be the magical element to a successful round. Don’t think so, I beg to differ. I carried the quarter I used as a ball marker with me for months after I broke 90 for the first time. Others find a stick or a penny or one of those cheap neon see-through plastic things as a suitable marker (don’t be that guy). Look, if you can spend $3.00 on a golf ball, why not give it the respect of marking it with something classy.

Life Is Rosey is the handwork of Sarah Jane Nelson and she has a great little product with her sterling silver ball marker.

All of Sarah’s work is handcrafted using sterling silver, copper, bronze and gold. Sarah custom hand stamps each piece with names, phrases and meaningful words that inspire. Her dedication to her craft shines through in not only the sterling silver ball marker but in the craft and care that goes into each piece from packaging to a hand written personal letter that came included with our marker.

The marker is very lightweight and looks fantastic when it’s sitting on the green awaiting your ball. The custom stamped Three Guys Golf text came out great and looks again like a piece of art more than a ball marker thanks to the hammered effect you can select.

You’ll also receive a polishing cloth along with a leather carrying case for the marker. Those two added touches show just how much care and heart goes into each piece that Sarah makes.

Whether you’re looking to add that perfect piece to make a magical round or you’re looking for the perfect gift, be it for a birthday or a wedding party, the Life Is Rosey ball marker will be an excellent choice.

The Life is Rosey ball makers sell for $48.00 plus S&H. You can view all the different variations and other products that Sarah offers on her site at Life Is Rosey

WOOD U LIKE ENGRAVED BALL MARKER & DIVOT TOOL

Who said a ball marker has to be round? Not Wood U Like that’s for sure. At first glance you would never realize that this is more than just a divot tool. The sharp lines and aggressive look had me excited to put this in my hands for the first time. Yes, I said excited about a divot tool. It wasn’t until I was feeling all those harsh lines that I realized that the plate the logo was engraved on was actually a ball marker too.

This is certainly not your Grandfather’s divot tool; it fits tightly in your hand so well that you might be more inclined to take out your playing partner in an assassin type move than repair a silly divot. OK, I went too far, but if you don’t somehow feel like a Ninja when you hold this bad boy in your hand your inner child has died.

The ball marker is a fantastic feature on this divot tool. It’s available in wood or metal and you can even get your logo or a name, hint hint, of that special someone in your life engraved for no extra charge (up to 7 characters).

With a unique look, feel, and some creative packaging to go with it, the Wood U Like ball marker and divot tool would make a great gift or stylish choice for someone looking to make a statement about their game when it doesn’t involve hitting a golf ball.

The version we received sells for $24.99

You can see this divot tool and many other wonderful items that Tim Earling offers at Wood U Like. 

EXOTIC WOOD DIVOT TOOL

One of the things that makes golf so unique is its relationship with nature. No two courses are the same and are in a constant state of change as they are inherently married to the ground, grass, trees, wind and water. This notion is at the heart of Bob DeFont’s Exotic Wood Divot Tools. Hand made with no two exactly the same, these simple yet stunning repair tools are perfect for not the job at hand with a warm subtlety.

We received a hand crafted divot tool made from Bubinga which is often referred to as “African Rosewood” The wood showcases gorgeous grain patterns and a myriad of reddish brown tones with purple veining.

Lightweight and very sturdy you’ll be making a statement when you pull this divot tool out of your pocket. With laser engraving of a company or club logo and also the choice to add custom engraved initials to the divot tool makes adding a personal touch to the divot tool very simple.

Starting at $24.00 and going up based on customization this divot tool is a wonderful gift idea for the player that likes to show off more than just their golf game.

You can see this along with all the other styles and wood choices at Mr. DeFonts website: Exotic Wood Divot Tools

J LYNN CREATIONS BALL MARKER

Crafted from Sterling Silver, then hammered and given a brushed finish, these ball markers from J Lynn Creations make not only a perfect gift for the golfer in your life but the perfect gift for yourself if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd a make a statement as you mark your ball.

For $24.00 you receive two (one to keep one to share) sterling silver ball markers that will be hand stamped with whatever you choose. You can see from our Three Guys marker the quality of the stamping is top notch and the hammered effect is a classy touch that gives it that rugged manly look.

Visit J Lynncreations to see all the products she offers. This specific item can be purchased here.

METAL PRESSIONS DIVOT TOOL

Despite the standard shape, the Metal Pressions Divot tool is far from standard. As they say, “the secret is in the sauce”. Utilizing various metals, Elisha Argentinis crafts her wares with everything from copper to solid gold.

Ranging from the $3,500 14K solid Golf divot tool to the $99.99 Sterling Silver and the $29.99 Copper version Metal Pressions makes a divot repair tool for every budget.

Fully customizable to fit a large variety of text and in several different fonts these divot tools make not only a statement with the metals they are made of but also the effectiveness of how well they perform at their intended purpose, fixing divots.

You can visit Metal Pressions to see all the personalized jewelry that is offered and more. This item can be purchased here.

SAWDUST MARKET TITANIUM DIVOT TOOL

That’s right, Titanium. At 40% lighter than steel you’ll hardly know that this divot tool is resting in your pocket as you make your way around the course.

What makes this divot tool stand out from other is the unique characteristics it obtains from getting blasted by a welding torch. That process makes each tool so unique in that no two are alike.

The colors are magnificent and it looks more like an art piece than a tool you would use to repair a green. Don’t think that the look hampers its function though, as far as divot tools go this Titanium masterpiece is just as function at repairing divots as the top tools on the market.

At $7.00 plus shipping and handling you can afford to give these to friends and clients and still have enough left over to keep one for yourself.  A personal favorite of mine, I will have this in my bag for many years to come and because it is made of titanium I know it will be just as strong years into the future.

You can see all the products that the Sawdust Market has to offer on their website: Sawdust Market

That’s the list. You now have no excuse to not carry a cool looking, hand crafted divot repair and ball marker!