Archive for the "Accessories" Category

Callaway Xtreme Golf Sunglasses Review

Sunglasses are something of a divisive issue among golfers. Some golfers won’t hit the links without them – even if it doesn’t seem likely that the sun will be making an appearance anytime soon. On the other side of the coin, some golfers swear that they can’t play the same while wearing glasses and will never pull them down from the top of their hat. However, when spending 4+ hours outdoors, hopefully in the sun, it is a good idea to have glasses at your disposal even if you choose to not actually hit your shots with them on. The Callaway Xtreme Golf Sunglasses are designed for use on the course and bring a little bit of style to your outfit at the same time.

Semi-Rimless Design Perfect for Golf

One of the big problems that causes some golfers to swear off sunglasses forever is bulky frames that interfere with the golfers vision as they address the ball and make a swing. With sunglasses that have frames that wrap all the way around the callawaysunglasseslenses, the bottom portion of the frame can get into your line of sight slightly while looking down at the ball. This is why it is important to get sunglasses like the Callaway Xtreme that are specifically designed for use on the course. These glasses are only rimmed on the top half of the frame, so there should be no issues with the frame getting into the field of vision. For players who like to keep the glasses on throughout the day, this design will be much appreciated.

 Rubber Nose Pads Can Help

Some high-end, design sunglasses have nose pieces that are made from other materials than good old-fashioned rubber. While this is fine for casual glasses that are designed for appearance first, it doesn’t work as well on the golf course. Think about what you do when you are playing golf – there is a lot of bending over involved. Whether you are bent over a par putt, or reaching down to mark your ball on the green, you don’t want your glasses sliding off your face time and time again. With a rubber nose pad, you will have more gripping power on your side to help keep those glasses in place.

Durable Construction for On Course Performance

Another difference between casual sunglasses and golf sunglasses is the wear and tear that you will be putting on the glasses when you use them on the course. They will probably get taken on and off a lot, have to deal with some warm or cold temperatures, and might get dropped a time or two. While no sunglasses are going to live to tell about a trip underneath the golf cart tire, the Callaway Xtreme Golf Sunglasses are more durable than other, non-golf models.

Getting some golf-specific sunglasses to add to your bag is an investment that will likely be worth your time and money. You don’t even have to hit your shots with the glasses on to appreciat

Clicgear 3.5+ Push Carts

There was a time when golf push carts were two-wheeled, rented from the pro shop, and generally not all that convenient to use. Today, however, many golfers own their own carts, which now have three wheels, and are a great option for walking the course without having to lug around a heavy bag. While there are many different brands in the market competing for your push cart business, Clicgear has carved out a large segment of loyal followers thanks to intuitive design, compact folded size, and modern look.

Why use a push cart?

Walking the golf course is an experience that many players enjoy, but have to give up when they find it too difficult to carry a bag for 18 holes over 4.5 clicgear carthours or more. Especially for players who like to carry along plenty of extra golf balls, bottles of water, snacks, rain gear, and more, even the best carry bag can start to get heavy. That’s where a push cart can come in handy. Instead of having to rent a power cart and lose the enjoyment of walking the course, you can strap your bag onto a push cart such as the Clicgear 3.5+ and get the best of both worlds.

Airless Tires a Significant Improvement

One of the complaints about the early-model three-wheeled push carts were the air-filled tires that had a tendency to go flat at the most inopportune times. Even if they didn’t go flat, the air-filled tires needed to be refilled from time to time, which was a chore that many golfers quickly grew tired of. Most of the newer model carts, including the Clicgear 3.5+, offer solid airless tires which require very little in the way of maintenance. By simply wiping them down at the end of the round, you can keep them clean and will not have to worry about finding an air hose or getting halfway through your round only to find that you are running low in one or more of your tires.

Additional Storage Space

Beyond giving you a way to move your bag around the course without throwing it up onto your shoulders, a push cart also adds to your storage capabilities. The Clicgear 3.5+ has a mesh storage bag that is nice for things like a small rain jacket or head covers that aren’t in use. There is also a cup holder for easy access to your water bottle  throughout the day. Additionally, an umbrella holder bracket can accept the handle end of the umbrella and keep it in place above your head while you walk up the fairway in the rain. In a way, having a push cart as part of your golf accessories is kind of like having your own personal caddie on the course.

If you are looking to add some convenience to your golf game and enjoy walking the course, the Clicgear 3.5+ is a product that deserves your consideration. With a compact folded-up size and easy-to-use design, you will likely soon view your cart as an essential piece of gear.

SKLZ Launch Pad All Purpose Hitting Mat

Golf is a game of repeating the same skills over and over again. The best golfers in the world are able to not only hit great shots, but hit them time and time again, even under pressure. How to they develop that skill? Practice, plain and simple. Doing the repetition to hit the right shots at the right time is the only way to get to the top. While you might not be headed to the PGA Tour, you can always improve your game. And that starts by practicing more than you have before.

Convenience is the Key

As a non-professional golfer, you have real-world responsibilities that go beyond working on your golf game. When your busy schedule interferes with practice time, you have to find a way to make it more convenient and less time consuming. That is where the SKLZ Launch matPad All Purpose Hitting Mat comes in handy. When you can practice in your yard, in your garage, or other places away from the course, you will be much more likely to do so on a regular basis. The SKLZ Launch Pad can be put into use anywhere, has both fairway and rough height surfaces, a built-in tee hole, and is made of heavy duty material.

All-Around Practice

It isn’t just one area of your game that needs practice on a regular basis to improve. You need to work on your driver swing, iron swing, chipping, and more to get the scores you are hoping for. If you add the SKLZ Launch Pad to your practice routine, you will only need some plastic golf balls and a hitting net to be able to put in good work on a regular basis. Find a space around the house that is big enough for full swings and set up your mat and net for quick practice sessions whenever you have a few minutes.

Does Hitting in to a Net Really Help?

Yes! This is one of the most common misunderstandings among golfers. Many players think that if they aren’t hitting the ball out on the range, or the course, that they really won’t be able to get better. That is simply not true. Half of the battle when it comes to the golf swing is making clean contact with the ball at the bottom of the swing. Whether you are hitting a real shot on the course, or a plastic ball into a net in your garage, good contact is good contact. You will be able to feel how your swing is performing even without seeing the full ball flight. Once you head back to the course, your swing will feel more natural and you can expect better results almost immediately.

The SKLZ Launch Pad is small enough to be convenient, but large enough to serve all of your practicing needs. Whether you want to hit full shots off of fairway or rough lies, or hit chip shots into your net, the sky is the limit to your practice

Nike Mens Storm-FIT Rain Jackets Review

Along with a new umbrella, which we previewed in another post, a quality rain jacket is key to enjoyable golfing in the wet and cold winter months. Good rain gear can mean the difference between a round that leaves you damp and shivering and one that you enjoy from start to finish and are free to play your best golf all throughout the day. Rain gear is big business these days, with top golf companies putting serious effort into research and development to combine the best of water repelling and comfort into a single nike rain jacketgarment.

A Better Solution

The problem with most rain jackets from years gone by is that they were too restrictive when trying to make a golf swing. Sure, they kept the rain out, but at what cost? It isn’t much good to stay dry on the course if you are unable to swing in your usual fashion. At that point, you might as well just head in for the day because you won’t be playing golf like you normally are able to. The best rain gear on the market today is able to block all of the water being thrown at you while simultaneously giving you the freedom to make a good shoulder turn and full release.

One jacket that has been successful in this quest is the Nike Mens Storm-FIT Rain Jacket. Offered in three colors, including black, grey, and blue, the Storm-FIT makes it easy to stay dry for 18 holes or more even in the heaviest of rains. The key to the jacket is both the Storm-FIT material that Nike has created along with the seam sealed design. There is no exposed stitching on the jacket, which is the usual place that water would make its way through to the inside. The jacket is unlined, which means you can dress how you normally would on the inside without having to worry about being too bulky when you through the jacket on. If the rain stops, simply take the jacket off and you will be dry, comfortable, and ready to go on with the day.

Another feature of this rain jacket that you will appreciate is the mock neck that zips right up to your chin. Far too many rain jackets through the years have stopped down around the neck line, leaving an opening for you to get soaked when you bend over at the waist to hit a shot. Even when you are in your stance, the Nike jacket will remain close up against your neck, meaning you are staying dry at all times. The ends of the long sleeves have Velcro to tighten them against your wrists, and the hand pockets are covered with zippers to keep your scorecard and pencil dry and safe.

Enjoy Your Golf, Rain or Shine 

Truth be told, most of us would probably rather not have to own a rain jacket. However, the reality is that sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate with our golf schedule. When that is the case, having the Nike Mens Storm-FIT Rain Jacket in your bag will be a welcome sight. It is comfortable enough to let you keep playing your best – and looking sharp, too.

Most golfers take a least a little bit of pride in their appearance when they hit the course. It doesn’t have to be a GQ outfit, but looking sharp while walking down the fairway does appear on most golfers list of things to do. From the shoes up to that hat, dressing in a style that is comfortable and classy will make you feel good about yourself – and who knows, maybe you will even play a little better as well.

Looks Good, Feels Great

While there isn’t much creativity involved in picking out a golf shirt and some slacks, golf shoes are a different story. Finding shoes that are comfortable enough that you can play golf for hours in them without getting sore should be the main concern. However, you also want them to look good and coordinate with the rest of your attire. That goal can seem impossible when you first look at the shoes on the market. Of course, there are very classy (and very expensive) leather shoes that will look great – but your feet might be screaming by the turn. On the other hand, there are ‘tennis shoe-style’ golf shoes that you could probably play basketball in, but they don’t look good at all. Very few shoes accomplish bothFootJoy-FJ-Sport-Athletic-Golf-Shoes sides successfully.

One such shoe is the FootJoy Mens FJ Sport Athletic Golf Shoe. This pair of shoes are some of the most comfortable around, and yet they look very professional. Offered in both white with black trim, and black with white trim, you will be proud when you arrive at the course in these affordable shoes. Equipped with soft spikes and a molded plastic sole, you are sure to keep your grip on the turf even when the weather gets a little soggy.

Speaking of soggy weather, these FJ Sport shoes are totally waterproof thanks to a Proofguard membrane. They also have an athletic mesh liner that makes them more breathable than other, more expensive shoes. Full-grain leather uppers mean these shoes are built to last and will get you through round after round with no blisters and happy feet. Trying to play golf when your feet are angry is not a fun experience, so trust your toes to FootJoy and you will be comfortable no matter how long you are on the course.

Better Golf through New Shoes?

Beyond making you comfortable, these shoes can help your swing as well. External heel stabilizers are in place to make sure your swing doesn’t sway too much from side to side. The most important thing a golf shoe can do for you from a performance perspective is help to keep you on balance. The FJ Sports do just that, so don’t be surprised to find your game improving shortly after lacing these shoes up.

It is always smart to replace your current golf shoes before they get too worn, so you can avoid damage to your feet. Opting for the FootJoy FJ Sport Athletic Golf Shoes is a great way to go because of their moderate price tag, durability, and long-lasting comfort.

Gear Up for Winter with a Ping Umbrella

As summer fades into the rear-view mirror and the sunny weather goes with it, you probably aren’t ready for golf season to end. The good news is that, unless you live somewhere with heavy snowfall, golf can be a year round activity if you are geared up for it appropriately. Having the right clothing and accessories at your disposal makes playing golf in the rain and cold a much more enjoyable experience than you ever thought possible. In fact, you just might enjoy playing in the off season even more than the middle of summer because the courses are less crowded, the rates are lower, and conditions are perfect for shooting low scores.

Stay Dry at All Costs

One of the most key pieces of equipment for an all-weather golfer is a quality umbrella. If you try to play golf in the rain without appropriate cover, you will quickly become wet, cold, and disinterested. A good umbrella can shield you from the elements and keep you dry even on the ugliest of days. Quality golf umbrellas are large so as to keep you protected even from sideways rain, and will not turn inside out after a gust of wind. If you can sport one that represents your favorite golf brand and looks good at the same time, all the better. ping umbrella

This umbrella is sure to please Ping lovers, although it will make a nice addition to any golfer’s bag. The Ping Double Canopy Tour Umbrella has everything you should be looking for in an umbrella. To start with, it is positively huge. Measuring 68″ across, you will be able to fit an entire foursome under neath the canopy – although you should probably tell your playing partners to go buy their own cover. It collapses down to a manageable size when the weather improves, and will easily fit inside your golf bag when all wrapped up.

While the size is a great advantage, the ‘double canopy’ portion of this umbrella is what really sets it apart from the crowd. The double canopy design allows wind to pass through the umbrella while keeping water out. The end result is an umbrella that you don’t have to worry about turning inside-out while you are walking up the fairway in a rain storm. Built to last, this umbrella is reliable in the worst of conditions – if there is too much wind for this umbrella to handle on the course, you probably should just call it a day and head to the 19th hole.

All-Season Accessory

Not only relegated to winter duty, the Ping Double Canopy Tour Umbrella also provides excellent shade from the sun during those blistering July afternoons. With a push button opening mechanism and high-density fiberglass ribs, you will be able to rely on this addition to your bag for many years to come. Simply purchase this umbrella, place it in your bag, and forget about it. When the time comes to put it into action, it will be right there waiting for you.

 

Top Flite Golf Bag Review

Top Flite Golf Bag Review

When one first thinks of Top Flite Golf Company, the first word that comes to mind is price.  They generally have the most inexpensive golf products of any major golf company on the market today; whether or not that is a good thing depends on one’s point of view.  Some of their products are known to be well worth their value, while others not so much.  How does Top Flite stack up when it comes to golf bags?  I decided to answer this question by reviewing the Top Flite golf bag for this article.

General Information

The Top Flite golf bag (also known as the Callaway TF golf bag; they were bought by Callaway a few years ago) is a stand bag with a seven way divider system (containing two full length dividers) and an Izzo dual strap carrying system attached to it.  As far as pockets the golf bag comes with six zippered pockets, a mesh pocket, and a fluid storage pocket as well.  Among other features are an umbrella holder, rain hood, and a molded lift handle.  It generally sells for just over a hundred dollars, but there are sales going on in many stores that sell golf products for as low as forty-five dollars.  At that kind of price is the golf bag really worth it or should it be avoided?  Before giving an overall consensus I will go into the positives and negatives regarding the golf bag.

Positives

As far as positives, it is a really good walking bag.  At approximately eight pounds before adding any clubs the Top Flite golf bag is just light enough to comfortably carry any set of clubs for 18 holes.  So if you are one of those golfers that like to walk instead of ride this is a great bag for you.  The stand on the golf bag seems well made and has not caused any problems after playing a few rounds with it.  Another positive aspect of the golf bag is in regards to the pockets.  I for one do not like having a lot of pockets to have to deal with on a golf bag, so to have six well-positioned pockets is great, and I am sure those of you who feel the same way would enjoy using this golf bag.

 

Negatives

When it came to negatives, there were two that I found.  The first one is related to the zippers for the pockets; they seem to be poorly constructed and low quality.  I would be surprised if after a year they are still working properly.  The second problem came with the divider system itself.  It is great to have seven dividers and all, but only two of them are full length.  Any golf clubs that are not located in the full length dividers always seem to get tangled up with one another and can be a hassle to deal with at times.

Overall Consensus

As with many golf products made from Top Flite Golf Company, you get what you pay for.  Don’t get me wrong, the Top Flite golf bag certainly has some benefits that would make it a viable option for a certain type of recreational golfer, but for those looking for a quality golf bag that will last them a long time they may need to look elsewhere.  Usually when one purchases golf products at rock bottom prices they should expect the quality to be at least somewhat suspecting, and this is no different with the Top Flite golf bag.  Hopefully their acquisition by Callaway can improve the brand’s reputation and quality when it comes to their golf bags, but we will see.

Take a look at some new and used Top Flite Golf Bags.