Three Guys Golf Top Products of 2012

In 2012 we reviewed over 100 items so narrowing it down to just 12 was painful at best. The task was extra hard because frankly, we only review products we like. Therefore, the below items are truly the best of the best. Our requirements were simple: these would be the very last items we would give up. While price was not an overriding issue we did consider it in terms of value. The list is in alphabetical order:

59 Belts:

I am a huge belt buckle fan and I like all the buckles I have but this was an easy choice for me. Even though it is  fairly big (okay honking big), I wear it all of the time. 59 Belts really made a mark in 2012 as players like Beau Hossler were spotted wearing them on Sundays. Besides the buckle, the strap itself is awesome as it just feels more substantial than others. Full Review Here.

Asher Glove:

This was a really tough choice between a few gloves we reviewed but ultimately it came down to value. The fact that Asher sells for way less than most premium gloves ended tipping the scale in their favor. Despite the very reasonable price, we found the Asher glove to hold up extremely well, even in summer heat. Specifically, the cool tech versions were our favorite. The other factor of course was the outlandish style. Full Review Here.

ClicGear 3.0:

Any golfer who can no longer carry his bag, but still prefers not to ride, understands the value of a good push cart. Since Wade and I walk about 80% of our rounds we know a good cart when we see/push one. The ClicGear 3.0 is a simply a work horse that has been engineered to take up a tiny footprint in your car. By the time this cart dies it will have paid for itself 100 fold. Full Review Here.

Kentwool Socks:

Ask anyone who has Kentwool socks in their drawer and they will tell you that they are the only sock that gets pulled out of the dirty hamper to be worn a second time. Seriously, I hate when all of my Kentwool socks are dirty and I don’t care if they match or not, it is Kentwool or bust. True story, my mother-in-law actually touched my feet to see if the 19th Hole Edition socks were as soft as they looked . . . seriously! Whether you choose the tour profile socks, dress socks, or funky 19th Hole Edition, Kentwool socks rule. Honestly at $20 a pair they are a steal! Full Review Here.

LoudMouth Golf:

Yea, I know it is not for everyone, but I have fallen in love with LoudMouth this year. For me, I just have more fun when I am wearing LoudMouth. Sure you get comments like “nice clown pants”, but you will never be short on conversation. Moreover, both of our women bloggers love the ladies side of the catalog and have even purchased additional patterns. My advice: Man up and get some LoudMouth! Full Review Here.

Mizuno Impermalite Rain Gear:

Fortunately, we do not play in the rain too often, but the addition of the Mizuno Impermalite rain gear has made foul weather golf bearable. Water-proof is an understatement with Mizuno. Every detail is top notch and it is built to last. Any serious golfer needs rain gear and the Mizuno will never leave you wanting – or wet. Full Review Here.

Nike Performance Carry Bag:

Think of everything you would ever want in a golf bag (minus the beer tap from Al Czervik’s stick hauler), put a swoosh on it and you’ll have yourself the Performance Carry from Nike. A 14 slot top, carry straps that are removable, and kick stands that tuck away while on a cart. Nike looked at every possible feature they could put into a bag and striped one right down the middle of the fairway with the Performance Carry. Full Review Here.

QED Style

When we were faced with choosing an apparel company from the 20 or so we have reviewed, it was nearly impossible since every one of them makes cool stuff that we dig. We chose QED for some of the same reasons we like LoudMouth. QED is also pushing the design envelope with styles built not only for the course but also for the evening. This hip new brand is also very affordable and has just released a full line including trousers, shorts, sweaters and dress shirts. Full Review Here.

Rukk Net

Every now and you run across a product that you wonder how you ever got along without it. The Rukk Net by Rukket can easily be described as so. Solid construction, the easiest set up and take down you’ll ever experience and with a handy ball return feature – you just can’t go wrong. In season or off-season the Rukk Net is an amazing at home training product that you’ll quickly ask yourself “How did I get by so long without one?”, and think about all of the time and money you will save at the range. Full Review Here.

The Swing Shirt

I am usually gun shy about recommending a training aid, but given the fact that Wade (who is by far the best player of the bloggers) is such a fan pushed us to add it to the list. The Swing Shirt is easy to use, inexpensive, and most importantly effective (and fairly easy to disguise when you wear it on the range). The basic idea is that it helps you stay connected during a full swing. We have also found that  it is great for grooving your chipping motion. Again, Wade chips very very well so I figure if he digs it, who am I to argue.  Full Review Here.

Scor Wedges:

The primary reason why we chose the Scor Wedges is because they are appropriate for a wide skill level. Personally I carry 5 of these and have really improved my short game with their addition. The other big selling point is that they can be ordered in 20 different lofts from 41 degrees to 61. Finally, the V-Sole make them playable in a variety of conditions whether tight lies or fluffy rough. Full Review Here.

Seemore Putters

2012 was a great year for Three Guys Golf. We want to thank all of the companies that allowed us to review their products and all of the readers who spent part of their day reading our blog. Please help us spread the word – Share this post!

Besides the buttery swing of a PGA player, you know what sets these guys apart from the weekend hacker? Style. While there are lots of unique looks on tour, the one constant that is always prevalent is a crisp pair of white trousers. I am not sure what it is about white, but you pretty much are guaranteed to look money in white slacks. Why then do we rarely see a pair at our local club? Perhaps we subconsciously know we are not worthy.

Despite the fact that styles have changed dramatically over the years, Tommy Hilfiger has remained fairly true to itself. Known primarily for ads featuring young preppies, Tommy Hilfiger is obviously also very golf appropriate. The new 2013 spring line I reviewed – while only a small portion of the catalog – is a good representation of the entire line and also provided me with my first foray into the world of white pants.

Overruling my wife’s objections to venturing out in early November wearing a yellow polo, blue sweater and of course ghost white trousers, I set out to see what all of the hooplah was aboout. Labor day shmabor day, I wanted to experience just what it was like to look like a pro. So you know what it feels like? Money, it feels like money!

It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there is something about white pants that makes you look like a player. If only they came with an actual pro golf swing they could sell for a million bucks. So after 20 years of mocking Tommy Hilfiger I have realized the joke was on me. Tommy is more legit than just about anyone else. Ironically, while there is nothing striking about any of the pieces, you are hard-pressed to find a single flaw or out of place detail.

For example, the polo is a simple cotton shirt but the cut is athletic and the collar well shaped making it a perfect match for on or off the course. Plus it is a simple wash, dry and repeat (it alway looks good). The sweater is super soft and appropriate for just about anywhere or anytime (which is basically why I wear it all of the time).

So while the sweater will be getting lots of use this winter, unfortunately, I am going to have to hang up the pants for a few months. Come spring, however, these babies will be on heavy rotation and because they are very light and they are wearable throughout the warmer months as well.

If you have read any of my posts, you know I am a fan of some of the more outrageous styles since I think they bring a bit of fun to the game. Oddly, I have the same feeling about the Tommy Hilfiger. They simply stand out, but for a completely different reason – you just look better than just about every one else on the course.

Nike Lunar Bandon Review: There are two kinds of golfers, those who believe it is a game only to be played under sunny skies and mild temperatures and those for whom the game is not contained by the elements. If you are like me and will not let a little cold or rain get in the way of 18 holes then you know the importance to proper footwear.

The Nike Lunar Bandon golf shoes are like nothing I have ever seen before. Beyond the fact that they are high tops, they also have outer skin which completely seals off any chance of moisture getting inside the shoe. I have literally immersed the Lunar Brandon in 3 inches of water with nary an issue.

Sure , the Lunar Bandon might be overkill for the light drizzle, but beyond a heavy rain, the lunar Brandon are amazing for winter golf when it is just plain cold, muddy and generally nasty. Let’s face it, no one likes to wear their nice golf shoes out in the rain and mud. With the Lunar Bandon, you feel like a kid looking for puddles to jump in. Heck, you can hose these shoes off when you are done with your round.

The basic construction of the shoe is based around solid rubber and neoprene shell that makes them all but totally waterproof. The sole has the required hardcore cleats that are built to handle wet unstable ground. While they are not replaceable cleats, they are solid enough to last a long long time.

Obviously, these shoes are heavier than most but I suppose that is a neccessary trade-off. With that said, I have walked 18 holes a number of times in the Lunar Bandon and I would classify them as very comfortable albeit substantial. In short, not a shoe you want to wear every day, but one that you will be very happy to have in foul weather.

So as we head into the winter months, give your summer shoes a break from the muck and put these puppies to the test. You may jack a 95 but you will return with warm dry feet (so you will have that going for you).

You can visit the Nike website here.

Three Guys Golf Holiday Golf Shopping Guide

Over the past year we have reviewed nearly 100 products, so we thought we would give you a list of some of the best items that make great gifts. NOTE: this is not our “Best of 2012” list since we have limited this to gift friendly items. Therefore, you will not find drivers, putters or other things that are too personal to give as a gift. All of these items have either been reviewed or are in the process of being reviewed and all get our “thumbs up.” With that disclaimer, here is our list.

NOTE: We have added links to both the company website and to our product reviews. These links are noted as such.

[box] Golf Gifts Under $50[/box]

Golf Gloves:

In 2012, we played in 4 gloves and really liked them all. In no order we have the Taylormade Tour Preferred which is a super soft classic glove, the colorful G-Fore, the funky/hip Asher glove and the last forever Hirzl. Each one of these gloves is not only unique in style, but has proven to be very well made and long lasting.

• Our Review: Asher Glove, G-Fore
• Company Websites: Asher, Taylormade, Hirzl, G-Fore

Golf Must Haves:

Trion-Z: A mainstay on the wrist of many athletes, these magnetic bracelets are fashionable and might even help your game.

Club Glove Caddy Towel: Matt, Wade and I all carry this towel and each of us loves it. It is tough enough to clean your clubs but is also soft enough to use on high end sun glasses.

Champ Fly Tees:I have always hated (or thought I did), plastic tees, but the Champ Fly Tees are awesome. They don’t  break and you can find them easily.

• Our Review: Trion-Z
• Company Website: Trion-Z, Club Glove, Champ

Express Yourself:

Kentwool Socks: Just about the best socks on the market. They make a number of versions including the new 19th hole collection which will turn plenty of heads. Honestly, the Kentwool socks are the best sock I own. While they are more expensive than your regular sock, they are totally worth it. This is one pair of socks that will actually be a welcomed gift.

Wyoming Creative: Hand painted Tees and personalized ball markers. Yes, it is a bit of over-kill but that’s the point of gifts right? Really cool!

• Our Review: Kentwool Socks
• Company Website: Kentwool Socks, Wyoming Creative

[box] Golf Gifts By Category[/box]

Golf Headcovers:

I can easily recommend four headcover companies to choose from. Each one makes awesome stuff. Just 4 Golf is more on the economical side while Stitch, CRU and Jan Craig are on the higher end (but amazing quality).

• Our Reviews: Just 4 Golf, Stitch, CRU, Jan Craig
• Company Websites: Just4 Golf, Stitch, CRU, Jan Craig

Golf Belts and Buckles:

I am a huge fan of belts and buckles. This year we have reviewed a bunch. For the more conservative golfer, the Adidas Trophy 2.0 belt is a nice option and runs about $60. For those who are looking to expand the style circle, options by The White Ball, 59 Belts, Druh and Leisure Society are highly recommended. All of these options run about $100-$125 and while  a bit more expensive than your big brands, they will not disappoint.

• Our Reviews: Druh, The White Ball, 59 Belts, Leisure Society
• Company Websites: Adidas, Leisure Society, Druh, The White Ball, 59 Belts, ,

Golf Shoes:

While it is often hard to pick out shoes for others, I am going to simply tell you which shoes each one of us is currently wearing (the assumption is that this is our favorite pair we have reviewed). I am absolutely loving the True Linkswear Sensei, Wade is partial to his Ashworth Cardiff and Matt is loyal to the Adidas PureMotion.

• Our Review:  Adidas Puremotion, Ashworth Cardiff, True Linkswear Sensei
• Company Websites:  Adidas Puremotion, Ashworth Cardiff, True Linkswear Sensei

[box] Golf Apparel[/box]

The list of golf apparel we have reviewed is pretty long, so I am going to give you three categories with suggestions for each. I have categorized these by the basic style influence. We have worn all of this gear and have given them the thumbs up.

Traditional Golf Apparel:

You cannot go wrong with any of these companies. They come in standard colors that anyone will like. The materials are high quality and the fit is great. Below are pictures and links.

• Our Reviews: Antiqua, Energy Athletic, Leisure Society, Page and Tuttle, ,
• Company Websites: Antiqua, Energy Athletic, Leisure Society,  Ashworth, Tommy Hilfiger, Page and Tuttle

As you can see we have reviewed a ton of apparel this year, but honestly it’s all great stuff. Check the reviews for more product shots of each brand.

• Our Reviews: Fila, Oxford, Sunice, Glenmuir,  Martin,
• Company Websites: Fila, Oxford, Sunice, Glenmuir, Martin

Progressive Golf Apparel:

If you are shopping for a younger golfer or someone who likes to stand out a bit, check out these companies who are pushing the style envelope.

• Our Reviews: Sligo, QED Style, Criquet, Kartel, G-Mac, Linksoul, Travis Mathew, Arniewear,
• Company Websites: Sligo, QED Style,  Criquet, Kartel, G-Mac, Linksoul, Travis Mathew, Arniewear,

Leading Edge Golf Apparel:

Wanna really go big? Below are some of the loudest golf apparel companies on the market. Not for the meek, but those who have the guts will be sure to make lots of friends.

• Our Reviews: LoudMouth Golf, Royal and Awesome, Tattoo Golf, Bunker Mentality, Sub 70,
• Company Websites: LoudMouth Golf, Royal and Awesome, Tattoo Golf, Bunker Mentality, Sub 70,

Golf Outerwear:

As the weather turns cold and rainy, it’s a perfect time to gear up. This year we looked at three jackets. The Mizuno ImpermaLite Flex Rainwear is simply amazing and will keep you bone dry. The Nike layering is a great way to take on the ever changing temperatures throughout the round. And the Bunker Mentality wind jacket is an super affordable way to add some zing to your style while staying warm.

• Our Reviews: Mizuno
• Company Websites: Bunker Mentality, Mizuno, Nike

Ladies Golf Attire:

Not to forget the ladies, we have done a number of product reviews that are women specific. All of these companies offer great style and functionality and have been approved by the “two Sues.” From top left down we have:  Iconic Sports, LoudMouth Golf, Queen of the Green, Page & Tuttle, Fairway Fox, Oxford, Tracey Lynn and Kartel.

• Our Reviews: Iconic Sports, LoudMouth, Queen of the Green, Page & Tuttle, Fairway Fox, Oxford, Tracey Lynn and Kartel.
• Company Websites: Iconic Sports, LoudMouth Golf, Queen of the Green, Page & Tuttle, Fairway Fox, Oxford, Tracey Lynn and Kartel

Women’s Golf Shoes:

Like the men’s side, I am just going to tell you the shoes that the ladies have settled into wearing on a regular basis. Here we have the lady Ecco Street which are super comfortable, light and good looking. Crocs, are new to the market this year but are a hit with Sue (plus you can add tassels) .

• Our Review:  Crocs, Ecco
• Company Websites: Crocs, Ecco

Golf Bags:

So you want to be someone’s hero this holiday? We have listed 4 bags we can recommend. The Molhimawk bag makes a great gift for junior or younger golfers as it comes in cool patterns and is not very expensive. For the hard core golfer, the Nike Performance Carry Bag is top notch. The Sun Mountain KG3 is perfect for those who like to ride and finally the ultra light Taylormade Purelite for the golfer who loves to carry their bag.

• Our Reviews: Molhimawk, Nike Performance Carry, Sun Mountain KG3, Taylormade Purelite
• Company Websites: Molhimawk, Nike, Sun Mountain, Taylormade

Golf Best of the Rest:

Clickgear Push Cart: This work horse cart will last nearly forever and will never disappoint. For the hard core walker, give him/her the Cadillac of push carts.

Rukk Net: Does your golfer yearn to hit ball after ball? The Rukk net will provide him/her with endless practice.

Golf Buddy GPS: Simple, small and effective.

Cleveland Junior Clubs: Great starter or intermediate golf set for kids. Super attention to detail with big boy swag.

• Our Reviews: ClickGear, Rukk Net, Golf Buddy, Cleveland Junior Clubs
• Company Websites: ClickGear, Rukket, Golf Buddy, Cleveland

Well, that’s the list. Happy shopping and please share this post and like us on Facebook.

Leisure Society represents our first foray into what I would call “golf lifestyle”. While nearly all of the clothing made by Leisure Society is golf appropriate, it is equally or more so . . . simply awesome clothing. A quick peek at their website and it is clear that Leisure Society is targeting those who aspire to the finer things in life. While not everyone is comfortable buying pants for $200 or even $300, those of you who have a little extra spending money will not be disappointed.

Leisure Society has a full line of apparel including shirts, pants, belts and even eyewear (to be reviewed in a separate post). To illustrate the functionality of Leisure Society, the first time I actually wore one of the shirts was not on the golf course but at a charity fund raiser. I kid you not, a lady friend of mine unexpectedly touched the sleeve of my shirt and said “oh my, that is about the softest shirt I have ever felt”. Seriously, I am not making this up and I have no idea what prompted her as I have “no game”.

This is the essence of Leisure Society, apparel that is a cut above without screaming “expensive”. For example, the shirts are simple cotton with many solid colors or eye pleasing patterns. It is the deceptive quality and tailoring that is so impressive and while it may be lost on others, it is blatantly obvious by those who wear Leisure Society.

The two pairs of shorts and pants we reviewed were the Heirloom and Heritage. The Heritage may look like your run of the mill Khaki, but rest assured there is nothing regular about them. These 96% cotton pants and shorts are insanely soft and well cut. Nevermind the pocket in the middle back for you iPhone, I dig these because they are just plain great looking. As for care, they say to dry clean the Heritage pants and shorts, but I just throw them in the wash and they come out great.

The Heirloom pants and shorts are more dressy as they are 96% wool (although they do not really feel like wool). Clearly this style is not just for the course. While they are listed on Leisure Societies “sportswear”, the Heirloom pants will likely be your overall best looking pants you own.

On the accessory side, LS has a great line of belts. The buckles come in two basic styles, each of which is just understated enough not to be obnoxious, but unique enough to stand out. Again, these belts are versatile and can be worn anywhere.

If you have read any of my posts, you know I am a huge fan of belt buckles. While many of my favorites are fairly big, the Leisure Society buckles impress me with the attention to detail and the contrasting textures. In the case of the monogrammed “LS” buckle, it may be a bit gaudy but because it is not a commonly recognized signature it plays off as an exotic brand.

So here is my lowdown on LS. When Travis Johnson (former founder of Travis Mathew) set out to create a high end apparel company, he did so in such a way that the “leisure” is the central vibe. It is an odd juxtaposition for most of us who shop on the bargain rack to purchase high end clothes that at first glance do not look expensive. However, with a disconcerting eye you can clearly see the quality of the material and tailoring of the clothes. It is both of these attributes that are almost instantaneously thrust upon you when you first see and wear Leisure Society.

You can see the whole line of Leisure Society on their website.

This spring I had my first exposure to the True Linkswear when I reviewed the PHX model. Being my first foray into barefoot shoes, I was immediatly struck by how light they were and how connected to the ground I felt. The only real downside for me was that they were solid white and they tended to “flop” a little when I walked. With the release of the new True Linkswear Sensei, I believe they may have created a shoe for the masses.

Imagine if you removed all of the branding from a bunch of golf shoes. How many of them could you actually tell apart? On the other hand, I garuantee anyone who has ever heard of True Linkswear would be able to pick them out of any shoe lineup – they are just that unique looking. However, this also means that if you don’t like the style, you are out of luck. So while the Sensei still has a True look, it is significantly toned down such that I believe the appeal is much wider (perhaps because the toe box is much narrower).

I walked four consequetive days in these shoes (yes I have a job, kinda). Still that is nothing compared to company President, Rob Rigg who ran an entire marathon in the Sensei shoes. So while I have no intentions of ever dashing more than 50 yards, I do appreciate the dedication to the product and it really is a testament to how versatile the shoe is. Back to reality, walking 18 is a pleasure in the Sensei. Even compared to other street shoes, the Sensei is far lighter than nearly any shoe on the market. With this new model moving to mesh rather than leather, the weight seems to have been reduced even more, plus they breathe. I literally can feel the wind blow through them.

Turning the shoe over, you will notice that the Sensei has a beefed up sole. They have added a larger outer ring to the bottom which will protect the cleats better and add addtional traction. Not that traction has every really been an issue for the True line, but since the spikes are non-replaceable, this design improvement seems to be a good move.

The only real downside to this shoe is that because your feet are so close to the ground they are not a great choice for winter as you will feel the cold through the sole. On the flip side they are a great summer shoe since they breath so well. I also wish they were waterproof but again I see this as a summer shoe where dew is not much of a issue.

Finally in terms of sizing, the Sensei run a hair big. I wear a 12 in nearly every shoes and I while I am happy with a 12, I could go a 1/2 size smaller with no problem.

The True Linkswear Sensei still may not be for everyone but I expect a lot more people to give them a try and for good reason. They are just insanely comfortable and also very good looking. Moreover, the price point is $99 which puts them significantly below the Tour edition or many of the other high-end street shoes.

You can see the whole line of True Linkswear on their website.

Rukk Net Review: I love spending time at the practice range working on my game. For me it’s a real easy way to relax and unwind myself from rigors of everyday life. The only problem is that it takes me about 25 minutes to get to the nearest driving range. Being a little golf obsessed, I have utilized a golf mat in my garage to practice my swing, balance and tempo with, but I have never been able to hit a ball during those sessions. So you can guess who was first to raise their hand to review the Rukk Net from Rukket.

While Rukket’s claim that the Rukk Net is simple and fast to set up and take down, generous in size, durable, light-weight, versatile and affordable was appealing, what I really cared about was ability to strike a ball full swing in the garage and not have to work about some patch work to my walls!

All of their claims are spot on, the net it SUPER easy to set up (see video at the end of this post). Once you remove it from the carrying case it practically sets itself up. A little tap here and little pull there and in a matter of seconds, yes seconds, you have a very functional net that you can punish over and over again with driver swing after driver swing. You read that correctly. A full driver swing gets absorbed like that strangely colored “substance” you see in a Brawny paper towel commercial.

Most people I know would be happy with that outcome. Rukket didn’t stop there. They not only designed the Rukk Net to take the impact abuse from ball after ball but they added a ball return feature that kicks the ball back to you just like a dog fetched it and dropped it at your feet. That saves you more time than you would think. You don’t have to go digging through a clumpy mess of netting material to retrieve any of the balls you just hit. Nope, it just takes one ball and you can use it over and over.

I’ve been using the Rukk Net for over three weeks now (thanks to a weekend rumble with my garage clutter. Yes, I won!) and it looks as good as it did the first day I used it. The construction is outstanding and the design is flawless. The Rukk Net comes with a bag of stakes so you can secure to the net to the ground if needed, but in my opinion that would only be necessary if it’s really windy outside because the thing just doesn’t move. I have it set up in my garage, on concrete and I can hit 100 shots into the net and it will not have moved an inch from where I set it up.

Taking the Rukk Net down, although not as easy as setup, is also a quick process. It does take a little getting used to and once I got the hang of it I can now get it down and packed up rather quick. The Rukk Net folds up and stores away into a handy carry bag and when all zipped up the complete net assembly, with the bag, weighs in at an impressive 14lbs. Not too shabby.

I used to struggle to find time in my busy schedule to get a way for a few hours and get in some practice time. Since the Rukk Net arrived at my doorstep I’ve practice more in the last three weeks than in the last 4 months. I still plan on heading out to the range from time to time. There are certainly some benefits to an outdoor range, ball flight and distance for example. The convenience of having the Rukk Net just on the other side of my garage door though sure makes it easy to get in a quick 20-30 minutes session and not feel guilty about being away from my kids.

Golf is just one of the many sports you can use the Rukk Net for. Visit their website and you can see how it can also be used for sports like baseball and soccer.

While Miura may fly under the radar of the weekend hacker, any serious golfer knows the Miura name and the quality it stands for. Master craftsman Katsuhiro Miura has been perfecting his trade since 1957 and now boasts a product line that includes irons, wedges, putters and even a driver. Unlike the sticks you find in big box stores, the Miura products are individually forged to exact specifications. So after reading much of the hype behind the Miura wedge, I was very curious to see for myself how they would perform.

The wedge that I am reviewing is from the 1957 series and is called the ‘C-Grind wedge,’. As a topline observation about Miura I think this quote which is found on their website is very applicable. “The feel and precision of the Series 1957 C wedge can’t be explained in words, it must be experienced to be understood.”

The Science Behind Miura

Without being too technical, Miura wedges are forged which means they are literally pounded into shape. As you can imagine this is an incredibly precise and artistic process. The end result is a wedge that has a wonderfully balanced feel that large manufacturing cannot hope to realize.

The other unique manufacture process Miura uses is called spin welding. Spin welding produces a consistent hosel that is perfectly centered in each and every club.

Below is a table of the available options for the Miura C-Grind Wedge.

The wedge I tested was the 55 degree wedge with a stiff shaft. Out of the gate I was struck by the craftsmanship and beauty. Additionally, the club is amazingly well-balanced with incredible attention to detail. The grip is much like the Lamkin cross-lines that I’ve used for years, and the stiff shaft felt really solid to me. As I noted, this is a forged blade – a true blade for sure, and if you haven’t hit one, be warned this is not a beginners club and even for the advanced player there is a learning curve.

And that leads me to one of the main things I noticed: since a true blade is for moderate to higher skill levels, the best way to increase your skill level is to have good chipping technique, and sessions of good-old-fashioned  practice chipping around different greens. One thing that I noticed is that if I hit a poor shot with a forged club, there’s not the same forgiveness as with the cavity-back sand wedges that I have played before. For example, during a full swing, I don’t take a deep divot, and a couple of times when I caught it a little thin I ended up hitting it 160 yards dead on line. A bit scary when you are trying to hit to a small target 85 yards away!

But as I mentioned, work with this club pays off, and after a couple of weeks of working with it in different types of rough, off of tight lies, out of different types of sand, and playing with it in multiple rounds, it became easy to see why folks fall in love with these clubs. With the C-Grind, you really can use the rounded toe and heel to hit an incredible variety of shots that are only limited to your imagination and practice.  And as I got used to the bounce of the wedge, which was just a little different from what I was playing before, I could lay it flat and flop it, or toe it in and hit a little running draw across the green from a chunky lie, or anything in between. I short, I really like this club!

If you have not surmised, these are not the clubs you’ll find at the bargain rack. They are made by skilled professionals and the price reflects it, but given how important the scoring clubs are in your bag, they are worth a really hard look. And if you have the time and money to get fitted for one of their many different iron sets that are tailored for a wide variety of skill levels, you may just fall in love and never look back.  Ask K.J. Choi…

You can see the whole line of Miura wedges and irons on their website.

I’m a bit of a self-confessed geek/freak about rainwear. Proof to my geekdom is the fact that after I bought my first rain suit 22 years ago I stood in the shower just to make sure it was really water-proof. The way I figured, it was better to find out how well it worked before I was actually miles away from shelter.

Since then I have owned a few pieces of rain gear but as you know it’s not super cheap to get quality stuff. So, when Adam asked if I wanted to review the Mizuno ImpermaLite Flex raingear, I jumped at the chance for a what would hopefully be a major upgrade. The 3 pieces that we reviewed were the Mizuno ImpermaLite Flex SS RainTop and ImpermaLite Performance Shell & Pants.

Let’s start with why we own rain gear. In a perfect world, we would always play golf in 72 degree sunny weather, but alas for us golf nuts, we are not content to limit our days to play golf. Therefore, we need to have the proper gear. Playing golf is hard enough, but playing golf when the elements are against you is even tougher. Staying dry and comfortable is simply invaluable if you want to play well in bad conditions, period!

Starting with the short sleeve jacket, I found it to be a superior combination of style, function and fit. I wear XXL shirts and jackets, and having enough room to swing is usually an issue for me. Not only is the fit of this jacket perfect, but the stretchy material is amazing in terms of how it moves with your body during the swing. The shell is a stretchy, breathable polyester with PU laminate to make it waterproof, and the lining is a mixture of polyester and a bit of spandex.

There are generous pockets, and really cool zippers that have the little pockets for the zipper to run up into when you’re not zipping them. This way you don’t feel any metal on your body when you’re swinging. So while the short sleeve ImpermaLite Flex is waterproof, it is also just great for those days when the temperatures are too cool for just a shirt but you really don’t need a jacket.

Moving on to the ImpermaLite Flex rain shell and pants is where Mizuno got serious. This thing is hard core. Simple black and white with clean lines, it’s very sharp but traditional. However, when it is raining and windy what you really care about is will it get the job done – the short answer is yes, but let’s look at some of the details.

All of the zippers fit snuggly into pockets such that zero water can get inside the shell. Grommets and pull straps keep everything tight and can easily be adjusted to fit just right. Even so, the shell breathes well and does not feel overbearing. Sure, I would prefer to wear shorts and shirt, but if I am going to play in nasty conditions I do not want to have to be fussing with my jacket.

The pants are of equal quality with all seams being protected. You can even adjust the length of the pants using a snap feature on the leg. Armed with the shell and pants, you will be ready for anything mother nature can throw at you.

Both Adam and I were over the top impressed when we reviewed the Mizuno ImpermaLite Flex SS Rain Top and ImpermaLite Performance Shell. In fact it was not long after I got the short sleeve rain top that I texted Adam to say that this was the most impressed I’d ever been with a piece of rain gear. While it took a few weeks for Adam to get the chance to play in the rain, he ended up christening the gear on the final day of the Club Championship. Forced to play in less than ideal conditions, Adam relayed to me that the pants and performance shell were amazing and he ended up playing very well (6th lowest round of that day). Yes, he made me put that sentence in.

If you’re in the market at all, do yourself a favor, and at least give some consideration to Mizuno this year.  They have a variety of rain jackets, pull-overs and pants, and they are simply amazing.

You can see the whole line of Mizuno gear on their website.

True story: On my way home from my first round of golf wearing Royal and Awesome pants I decided to stop off at Subway to buy the family some lunch with my golf winnings (see how I slipped that fact in?). Anyhow, as I made my way down the line, the kid behind the counter says “cool shorts!”  to which I stepped back a bit (the counter was partially blocking his view) and pronounced “they are actually pants”. His response, “even better!”. Perhaps this point is exactly why the name of the company is Royal and Awesome because why just be Royal OR Awesome when you can be both.

Us Americans may think that Loudmouth Golf is the only one in the “wacky pattern” business but across the pond Royal and Awesome have been making hay in this market as well. So while Royal and Awesome may be new to many of us, they have a number of great patterns and a growing product line. More importantly, the quality is solid. My mantra is that you can only get away with crazy clothes if they are superior in quality. Otherwise you just look like a dope.

Clearly, Royal and Awesome is not for everyone, but if you are one of the braver folks who does not mind making a statement, rest assured 1) you will make new friends and 2) you will not be disappointed with the quality. As I alluded to earlier, quality is a trump card in my book. In other words, I have no fear wearing slightly outrageous attire as long as it is made and tailored well.

Both the shorts and trousers are 97% cotton, 3% spandex which means they are substantial. These feel like real clothes and not a cheap stunt. They also have a few quirks like the golf tee loops (although I never used them) and a divot repair/bottle opener (which I use all of the time). Seriously, it is a great divot repair tool.

Hailing from the UK, Royal and Awesome offers shorts, pants and caps for men as well as skorts and shorts for the ladies. In the case of the pants and shorts, they pockets are deep, the length is correct and the sizing true. Moreover, they are double buttoned with a solid zipper. Get it? They are made well.

So if you are looking to brighten up your wardrobe a bit, Royal and Awesome will certainly give it a kick in the old arse. Despite the fact that they are a UK company, they do have warehouses in the US so shipping to America will not cost you an arm and a leg. You can see the whole line of Royal and Awesome on their website.

Despite being a full blown golf nut, my first real exposure to Sligo was at the 2012 PGA Merchandise show. Sligo (Sly-go), is a Canadian based company known mostly for their bright techno-patterned apparel. While I admit that I typically shy away from patterned shirts, the Sligo line is top notch and virtually every pattern is stylish, hip and says “yup, I’m a player”.

Every time I find myself wandering aimlessly through Dick’s Sporting Goods I inevitably end up in the clothing department. Clearly it’s big business since millions of dollars are spent by golfers every year looking to obtain the “Tour” look, but frankly I am just as demanding of performance as I am style. And to be honest, it has always been hard for me to justify dropping close to $100 on just one shirt. Well it didn’t take long for my opinion to be completely changed after I played my most recent round of golf in one of the new Silver Collection polos from Sunice.

Sunice is a Canadian based apparel company that just happens to know what the heck their doing. Established back in 1976, Sunice started out as a winter gear clothing company mainly for winter sports and was the official supplier to the 1988 winter games in Calgary. Following up the success from the Olympics, Sunice decided to take their products in a completely opposite direction from the winter sports gear and take their technology to the golf course. The Sunice Golf Outerwear line was introduced in 1992.

For comparison purposes please understand that my “usual” golf attire falls tremendously short of the Rickie Fowlers and Ian Poulters of the world so I was certainly excited to review the Sunice Silver Collection.

When I first took the Sunice polo out of the packaging I could tell right away that this was no “bargain rack shirt”. The quality is of the shirt is just outstanding and the fit was perfect. Truth be told,  I’m no stranger to sipping down a cold one or two so needless to say the lower half of my torso could use some work. Fortunately, the sizing chart for the polo’s on the Sunice website is spot on.

Now if you have never been to Las Vegas in August, let me assure you that the weather is absolutely miserable. It’s hot, humid, sometimes windy and just plain not fun to be out in, but perfect conditions to see how the Sunice gear would hold up.

After nearly two hours of hitting ball after ball the shirt felt the same as it did when I rolled up. As a comparison, I have a couple moisture wicking shirts that do a pretty good job at keeping the sweat off your body but the Sunice trumped every one of them! I actually remember seeing a gentleman a few spots down from me that was only there for about 20 minutes and was drenched. I couldn’t help but to think what was going on in his head when he saw that I looked like I hadn’t hit a ball despite the two and half empty buckets my stall (yes I know I have a golf addiction problem).

With the range test complete I knew the shirt was for real but a full 18 was in order, if for no other reason than it was a great excuse to squeeze in an extra round that week.

Stuck on a course that was cart path only I got a little bit more of a workout than I planned but that only furthered my assessment. The cart path only rule not only lengthened the round but also allowed me to really get a feel for how well the shirt is designed. A few times out on the course I was caught without a towel and had to clean my club off with my hand after a practice swing. Not even thinking I wiped my mud on the back of the polo and went about my business. I didn’t even realize what I had done until I had gotten home and took the shirt off. I am not embarrassed to say that I was seriously bummed at the thought of ruining my new favorite shirt after just one outing. Fortunately, once again the Sunice knocked it out of the park. Not a hint of any ground-in muddy remnants of the course anywhere on the shirt. It looked like it had just been taken out of the package for the first time.

Without a doubt my first venture into the high end luxury golf apparel has my mind whirling. The Sunice is definitely a shirt that is going to hold up for a long, long time. The construction is top notch and the look, style and comfort rivals any top shelf polo I have ever worn.

Beyond the shirts, Sunice sent us a pair of shorts. Apparently, I am not exactly a 34″ so I was not able to personally review them. However, fellow blogger Adam (pictured in Sunice shirt and shorts below) has informed me that he was quite pleased with the shorts. In addition to being lightweight he did note that the pockets are more shallow than most and the legs are about a 1/2″ shorter in length than many other brands. Neither of these comments are intended to be negative, but definitely a point of differentiation.

With how well this one piece from Sunice did I cannot wait to get my hands on more of their gear, and with the winter months just around the corner I can certainly see some Sunice winter golf gear in my closet in the near future.

Visit the Sunice Website to find out more about their products, technology and get yourself some amazing gear while you’re there.

This summer I had the opportunity to go to my first PGA Expo. While it’s a blast to check out all of the big brands, it’s just as fun to see the up and coming companies. Along with the aisle of gadgets, there are a number of small companies who are putting a twist on established products. One such example is a new line of shoes called “A Game”.

Ed Coleman is the man behind the A Game shoes and has been working very hard to get noticed in this very crowded space. Be it working at home out here in the Las Vegas valley or flying half way around the world to meet with manufactures, he is completely dedicated to selling a shoe that’s not only a quality golf shoe but one that also offers features I have never seen.

It’s called “Brisole”. Ed, in a very crafty way, came up with this very unique concept. Basically, he has included a club cleaning feature on the outer toe-edge of each shoe in his line. These little “bristles” give the player a new and quick way to clean a club while out on the course. I asked Mr. Coleman what the lifespan of the bristles were and he insured me that they would last longer than the shoe and if not he’d replace the shoe. That’s confidence. Another feature in the design is two alignment aides to the top of each shoe above your toes. Because the alignment aides are a design feature they are legal and can be worn without fear of breaking any rules.

I’ve played a number of rounds in the Signature Black A Game shoe and also have worn them while practicing. While not earth shatteringly more comfortable or better made than other traditional golf shoes, I have found them to be extremely sturdy, balanced and well made. What makes the A Game shoes unique, besides the Brisole and alignment aides, is the branding and squared toes. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but the A Game just look different than the big name shoes (in a good way).

So whether it be a standard golf shoe or slip-on sandal, A Game is pushing the envelope in golf shoe style. For me, when I look at the A Game shoe I just get the sense that “I’ve never seen anything quite like this before.” The A Game designs are as unique as his patented technology. Available in men’s and women’s sizes the A Game shoe is a clear alternative option if you’re looking for more than just spikes on the bottom of your golf shoes.

You can visit the A Game website to see all of the styles.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away golfers used to wear cotton polo shirts. Now of course, 98% of golf shirts you find in your local big box store are some type of polyester performance shirt. Awesome if you have abs of steel and are 25 years old. Not so much if you are pushing 50 and like to eat three square meals a day.

After selling the successful golf company, Fairway & Greene, Rick Martin is back in the saddle with a new venture, this time with his own namesake – “Martin”. Sold exclusively at private clubs, Martin is aimed at the golfer who is more traditional in style and sees value in an $85 golf shirt that can be worn on or off the course for the better part of ten years.

Yes, ten years. While I cannot personally confirm that Martin shirts hold up this long, Rick assures me that because of the quality of the cotton and the manufacturing process, the Martin shirts will look like new for years and years. In my case, I have washed the purple shirt many times. After each wash (mixed in with every color by the way) the collar is well shaped and the sheen has been retained. In other words, it still looks money.

So let me get back to the issue of fashion for a moment. We have all watched old PGA footage from the 70’s and 80’s where most of the guys are wearing a cotton polo and for the most part look like dopes which begs the question, why would anyone want to go back to that era? Admittedly, I like a hipper shirt than many of the styles Martin designs but that is not to say that Martin shirts are only for the older more conservative golfer.

If I were to try and categorize Martin, I would say that there are times you want to look look good and times you want to look “country club good”. In other words, Martin is perfect for when the boss invites you to play a round at the swanky country club and have cocktails afterwards (or if you are the boss who belongs to the swanky country club). On the other hand this is not the time when you reach for the techno print and red shorts.

During my conversation with Rick Martin, I asked him what he thought of the current state of style on the PGA Tour. Being diplomatic, Rick pointed to guys like Louis Oosthuizen, Darren Clarke and Vijay Singh as some of the best dressed players on tour. Others he said “look like they are wearing a costume”…ouch.

Beyond the look of a cotton polo, Rick also educated me on why cotton is better. First, he explained that only natural fibers are made to properly drape. Said another way, unlike clingy polyester, a well tailored cotton shirt compliments a “mature body” rather than highlighting a few extra pounds. Additionally, cotton is meant to move with you and allow for the motion of a golf swing.

In terms of sizing, Martin definitely runs big. I was pretty much swimming in a medium (my normal size). The small on the other hand fit great. While the arms are a bit longer than many euro shirts, they are still above the elbow. They are, however, plenty long so you will have no problem tucking it in.

You can learn more about Martin on their website.

QED Style: As regular readers know, I am on a bit of a cotton kick. After years of only wearing performance material, I am rediscovering why we wear jeans and not leisure suits….cotton is just more comfortable. Sure I know in the heat of the summer cotton can be tough but there are lots of months cotton is perfect for wearing on the course. Even though Q.E.D. has only been around since 2011, they clearly are in agreement as 1/2 of their collection is cotton.

While I know there are lots of really good apparel companies, I love when I find a small firm with great products in part because I know no one else will have a shirt that looks like mine. Unlike the big boys, Q.E.D. makes only three basic styles of polos. the Eureka and Francis and Heber. The Eurkea and Francis are essentially the same except the Eureka is 100% polyester and the Francis is 100% cotton. The Heber is also cotton but does not have breast pockets. Got it?

From a style standpoint, Q.E.D. has a couple of features which I really dig on any shirt, namely breast pockets, contrasting stitching and buttons that stand out.  Together, all of these features give the Q.E.D. shirt a very hip feel and while I may be delusional, I think the look is not too youthful that a middle-aged guy like me can’t pull it off. This is where I trust my wife who is never afraid to tell me I look like a jack-ass. Fortunately, she gave Q.E.D. the thumbs up.

Ironically, despite the fact that Q.E.D. shirts are more hip than most, they only come in just a few solid colors. Maybe I am the minority but I find I have very few solid colored shirts as I have always gravitated toward stripes or patterns. Great strategy if you only want to wear solid shorts or pants, but a total disaster when you suddenly get a pair of plaid shorts. That’s the beauty of a white shirt – it goes with virtually everything. Unfortunately I have had horrible luck with white shirts because they tend to be too thin. No one, not even my wife needs to see me in a sheer white shirt! The solution of course is cotton.

Thankfully, the Francis polo is thick enough to avoid any unnecessary translucent nightmares. And while it is “just a white shirt”, the silver buttons and wide collar give it a cool factor that is void in most generic white golf shirts. Speaking of collars, I have washed this shirt a number of times and the collar has remained well shaped. P.S.- the care instructions say dry clean, but I completely ignored that advice with no consequences.

Despite the fact that Q.E.D. is a self reported “Golf Apparel” company, at least half of the styles are equally suited for off of the course. For me, I try my darndest to never wear a golf shirt unless I am playing golf. I am literally pained to go into a bar or eating establishment looking like I just finished a round of golf. True that the Eureka style is more suited to the links, but the Francis and Heber are appropriate for any casual event. In fact, I probably wear this shirt off the course as much as I do on.

Q.E.D is sold in a number of west coast golf courses and on their website. Unlike many of the shirts we review at Three Guys Golf that retail for north of $85, the Q.E.D. shirts are only $40 or $50 making them a great bargin. Final note on sizing: typically I wear a medium, but Q.E.D. runs a size small such that I was comfortable in a large. In other words, order a size larger.

You can see the whole line on their website, and be sure to check out the video as well.

UPDATE: see our review of the new 2013 QED Style Apparel.