By Scott Kramer
There are several staples every golfer needs to milk the most from a golf game. And these items don’t necessarily need to break a budget, either.
As technology advances, there’s no reason to have the contents of your golf bag stuck in the past. So I’ve compiled a list of quality products that offer great bang for your buck, in their respective categories.
A fresh set of golf balls: Bridgestone ExtraSoft
Playing with fresh golf balls is imperative. And in this case, you might as well play with the latest models. Manufacturers are making a big push this year with golf balls that feel soft at impact, yet offer explosive distance from the driver, fairway woods, and long irons.
Around the green, they give you plenty of suck-back spin action, too — just like you see the pros achieve. But if you don’t want to lay out $50 for a dozen premium balls, you still have plenty to pick from. I really like this new model for 2016. Bridgestone claims it offers a combination of soft feel and long distance, all in one ball. It’s a low-compression model, meaning it will feel nice and soft at impact. And because it’s a two-piece design, it travels far off the tee box. Its soft surlyn cover, however, gives you that gentle touch while you’re negotiating chip shots with your wedges.
I’ve used this ball for about a half-dozen rounds so far and find it to be quite lively from tee to green. I’m a fan of Bridgestone balls, regardless, and this model works seamlessly into the rest of the brand’s lineup, with respect to performance, feel, and durability.
A golf glove:1FJ Glove
Few golfers can get away without wearing a glove. But a glove, to me, is essential for several reasons: It won’t let the club slip in your sweaty hands; it prevents calluses and blisters; it prohibits the oils of your hands from prematurely wearing down your grips; it prevents premature sun-caused aging of your hand; and maybe most importantly to your golf game, it lets you relax your hand tension a bit — because you have the confidence of having traction on the club — and that allows you to take a more relaxed swing.
I really like this FootJoy model, which, by the way, is touted as the world’s top-selling golf glove; it’s really soft and comfortable. Plus, it has a “FiberSof” microfiber along the fingers that enhance fit and gripping capability. Also — to keep your hand from sweating too much — it has a breathable, elastic mesh along the fingers and knuckles that allows airflow through the glove, cooling down your hand.
The glove is durable. The bulk of it is made from leather — especially in key stress areas — so it’s built to last a while. Obviously its lifespan partly depends on how much golf you play and how tightly you grip the club, but you’ll see its quality stand out here.
A golf bag: 1Z
Bags are funny in that you want one that comfortably holds all of your stuff, yet you don’t want it to be too bulky to handle — or to fit in your car trunk, for that matter. You also ideally want to be able to strap it to a cart or a trolley, or to simply carry it comfortably.
Sun Mountain, which makes some of the best bags on the market, offers its all-new 2-Five stand bag. The number in its name refers to its weight — or lack thereof. It weighs just 2.5 pounds, yet it’s a full-featured bag. Its lightweight, carbon-fiber legs are durable, but not flimsy, and they spring out nicely. Stand the bag up and be confident it won’t fall over when a breeze picks up.
The body is made of the same 70-denier nylon you’ll find in rugged tents, the hip pad of high-density foam and the top and base of high-strength-to-weight plastics. It’s a quality item.
The proprietary X-strap is padded and comfortable. There are four spacious pockets to pack your gear in. And the top has a nine-inch flared opening with a four-way divider, so all 14 of your clubs slide in easily and fit nicely, without clanging against one another.
Scott Kramer is veteran, Southern California-based writer primarily versed in golf and personal technology. Studying Computer Sciences in college, and then working as a programmer/software engineer for about a decade, triggered my passion for today’s high-end, high-tech gadgets. I can’t help myself whenever I see any kind of cool new personal technology. I feel compelled to further check it out and see what it’s all about. And even if I have no use for it personally, I’m always thinking who it might best suit. There are exciting new innovations emerging daily that are shaping the future and simplifying life. And I hope to be your eyes to that world, through the words of this column.