Golf isn’t just my job, it’s also my favorite hobby. When I’m not watching and writing about golf, there’s a good chance I’m at the simulator or on the course.
This may seem like a given considering my job description, but being a golfer in New York City is no easy task. Despite having to take buses, trains and for-hire cars to the course, I still make it a point to play 40-50 rounds a year. I’d like this number to be higher, but as a city golfer, that’s pretty dang good.
One of the advantages of being an avid golf player (in addition to an avid golf watcher) is that I understand our readers. When I see someone taking practice swings with their umbrella on the subway platform, I can’t help but crack a smile. Golf sickos are everywhere — and I love to see it.
As a fellow person stricken with the golf bug, I’m always keen to try the newest gear and gadgets that can make the game more enjoyable. This year, I’ve been fortunate to try out quite a few useful items, and my five favorite are listed below.
Grooveit Mini G Brush
Grooveit Mini G Brush
A smaller version of the brush you love with the same great magnetic securing system and stiff nylon bristles, just without water….and mini!
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The Grooveit Mini G Brush is my favorite golf item I’ve put in the bag in years. You see, this brush isn’t your average groove cleaner. It’s small enough so as not be a hassle hanging from your bag, but it’s large enough to get all the grass and grime out of your grooves on the course.
Perhaps the best feature of all, though, is the strong magnet that secures the brush to the carabiner. With this magnet holding it in place, you can snatch the brush from your bag and use it without fussing with a wire or chain. And thanks to the strength of the magnet, it easily snaps back into place when you’re putting it back; there’s no need to worry about losing it after use.
Sun Mountain Clubglider
Sun Mountain Clubglider Meridian Travel Cover
GOLF DIGEST EDITORS’ CHOICE – BEST TRAVEL COVER – 2016-2023
Awarded Golf Digest Editors’ Choice for Travel Bags for 2016-2023, the Meridian minimizes the hassle of traveling with your golf gear. Dense foam padding through the top of the bag protects your clubs; the leg mechanism supports the weight of your bag; and the pivoting wheels make the bag highly maneuverable. Pulling a loaded ClubGlider is nearly effortless.
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After over a decade of using my original travel case, this summer it was finally time to upgrade, and I opted for a Clubglider from Sun Mountain — and boy am I glad I did. With retractable support legs on the underside of the case, moving through airports is a breeze. No longer do I have to strain myself lugging a hefty bag behind me on the way to the baggae counter. With the Clubglider, my clubs cruise behind me with minimal effort. After a few months of the luxury the Clubglider provides, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to a traditional travel bag.
Heathlander Men’s Wind Sweater
Heathlander Men’s Wind Sweater
Inspired by sweaters found in Northern Scotland and Scandinavia, our unisex full zip 100% Merino wool long sleeve wind sweater is fully lined and a perfect solution for playing golf even when the temperature drops. It’ll also come in pretty handy for that cold day dog-walk or even a little Fall boating.
Since adding the Heathlander Wind Sweater to my wardrobe this fall, I’ve become obsessed. While it looks like your typical sweater at first glance, it’s actually fully lined with warm insulating material that keeps the cool fall winds from penetrating. From the second I put it on for the first time, I was hooked. This sweater is the perfect piece of gear for fall golf up north.
Reebok Club C Golf Shoes
Reebok Club C Golf Shoes
Tee off in classic Club C style. These men’s Reebok shoes transform court heritage into a course-ready design. The water-resistant leather upper is super-soft and premium, and a golf-specific spikeless outsole grips tight from the fairway to the green.
There’s not a lot to dislike when it comes to the Reebok Club C. As soon as they were released, I knew I had to get a pair. (I’ve since gotten two.) With a classic streetwear style and plenty of comfort, these shoes are perfect to wear anywhere from the fairways of a country club to the streets of Brooklyn. I can’t reccomend them highly enough.
Vokey SM10 Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM10 Jet Black Custom Wedge
For every shot, every lie, every course, there’s a grind fit for your swing. Finding the right grind to match your swing and playing conditions will give you the best turf interaction, contact and shot performance. Master Craftsman Bob Vokey has spent decades crafting, developing and improving his tour proven grinds to fit players of all levels.
Anyone can manufacture a wedge, but it takes a master to turn a piece of high-performance technology into an instrument of creative control. Bob’s six tour-proven grinds are designed to offer maximum creativity, versatility and consistency, all meticulously developed through years of working with the best players in the world.
PROGRESSIVE CENTER OF GRAVITY
SM9 features a progressive center of gravity (CG) throughout the lofts, which optimizes ball flight, accuracy and forgiveness. Using tapered top lines and varied hosel lengths, the Vokey R&D team has raised the height of the CG in the higher lofts, which promotes a lower, more controlled flight.
The CG is also forward of the face, resulting in increased MOI, exceptional feel and a club face that simply wants to square up at impact.
SPIN MILLED GROOVES
SM9’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered through a new cutting process to maximize spin and durability. The process starts by cutting the face perfectly flat with a high-speed saw. Then every groove is individually cut based on loft and finish; low lofts (46°-54°) are designed with narrower, deeper grooves, while higher lofts (56°-62°) have wider, shallower grooves.
Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area which doubles the durability of the groove without impacting feel, making it the most durable groove in golf. The process is only complete when every Vokey wedge is 100% inspected for utmost quality and performance.
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