Disclaimer: I am a golf gadget junky and always work under the pretense that the more information I have the better. Hence, when we received the Golf Buddy Platinum to review, I was first in line. Off the bat, the Platinum from Golf Buddy is a full featured handheld GPS device that has a list of features a mile long, but I want to focus on eight crucial items.

No Annual Fee:

None, nada, zip, but the Platinum does come loaded with 40,000 courses and is ready to go right out the box. The courses are really easy to search and in the review mode you can scroll through the holes and see the layout. This means you can take a virtual tour of any course prior to actually playing it. This feature came in very handy when I traveled to Utah last month and wanted to check out the courses I would be playing.

Automatic Course and Hole Recognition:

For Golf Buddy veterans, this feature is a given but still relatively unique in the GPS world. Here is how it works: Turn on the GPS and forget about it. In just a few minutes, the course will be recognized and will move through the holes seamlessly. Every so often you may have to manually change the hole number if you play a course where the fairways are close together or in an odd configuration, but it happens rarely and not a big deal to toggle to the next hole.

Pin and Target Placement:

The Golf Buddy Platinum utilizes a touchscreen for both the overhead fairway and green view. In both cases you can use your finger to locate areas to change the yardage. For example, you can select an area to lay up to and get that distance. In the case of the green, you can move the pin to different location. Both functions work fairly well, but it can be a little tricky to get the marker to the exact point you want. Fortunately, there is also a “Target” selection that will tell you the yardage to the obvious locations, i.e. to the front of a stream, carry the stream, front of the bunker, etc.

Accuracy:

Obviously, accuracy matters and the Golf Buddy Platinum excels on this front. I verified a ton of yardages with my laser range finder and found the measurement to be nearly identical in every single case. I also compared the yardages given by the GPS system that was built into the cart (you know the ones that are in high-end clubs). Suffice it to say, the Golf Buddy Platinum will not steer you wrong with yardage.

Battery Life:

Over a three day period I played three different courses and a total of sixty three holes. I charged the Platinum up the night before my first round and it performed flawlessly for the next three days without returning to the charger once. That was a solid performance – Apple needs to look into what Golf Buddy is doing with their batteries and take a hint!

Ergonomics:

The Platinum fits comfortably in your hand and weighs in at 5.65oz. It has enough weight to it though that you can tell it’s well made. The case is shock and water resistant but I wouldn’t recommend bouncing it off the rocks and into the pond. Technology hasn’t advanced that far, yet.

The Score Tracking Mode and Statistic Analysis:

As I said earlier, I love information and have kept my golf stats for years. The idea of a GPS/stats unit is great but in reality it is a tough thing to pull off. My basic issues with the scoring module is that entering in your score and number of putts is way too hard and time consuming. One simple fix would be to make the default score be par and the default number of putts be 2. In the case of the Golf Buddy, the default is zero which means you have to enter numbers in for each hole. With that said, you can keep scores for the whole foursome plus stats for driving accuracy, putts and sand saves.

Readability:

Key to a GPS is the ability to quickly peak at the screen to get yardage to the middle of the green. The Golf Buddy is super easy to read as that information is always in the top right corner. A simple click of that box gives you yardage to front, middle and back of the green. Additionally the Golf Buddy GPS is easy to read in bright sunlight and while wearing polarized sunglasses.

There is a huge upside to Golf Buddy and their wide variety of products. The GPS was amazingly accurate from all area of the course and the automatic hole detection makes it one of the most user friendly GPS’s I have ever used. No more button pushing between holes or shots, you arrive at your ball, look down and you’re good to go. That’s how it should be.

The Golf Buddy Platinum retails for $399.99 on sale now for $345.99 you can view it and all the other products Golf Buddy has to offer on their website.

By far my favorite part of writing for Three Guys Golf is the opportunity to review products that I would otherwise never know about. This spring I came upon a small company called Appalachian Leather Works who sells handmade leather putter covers, yardage book covers and billfolds. The fact that they are located in the mountains of my home state of North Carolina is just frosting on the cake.

For years I have admired the yardage books that the guys on tour have, but finding one that was not boring or generic proved to be a difficult task. Fortunately, Appalachian Leather Works is neither boring or generic. Not only are they unique, but they come in a number of versions including gator, ostrich and snake. Each one is then hand-stitched with your choice of thread color. The result is a one of a kind yardage book that will be the envy of your foursome. Oh, and when I say hand-stitched, I mean stitched by a real person living in Boone NC.

So, you don’t have a yardage book? Neither do I, but don’t let that deter your decision because they also are perfect for a scorecard.  Why then do you need a scorecard holder? Because you can. Since I began carrying my scorecard a month ago, I have absolutely fallen in love with it. There is just a certain feeling of confidence when you can mark your score in a tour version cover. It is just legit!

Along with the yardage book, I now also carry an Appalachian Leather Works bill fold. Like the yardage books, these too come in a number of skins and thread options. I have long since given up my George Castanza wallet, so it was not a problem for me to fit everything I need into it. I keep six cards and $500 cash with no problem (ok maybe $18.00 but you get the idea). Keeping the fold closed and secure is easy with the rubber ring.

Since recently moving to a blade putter, I was in need of a new cover as I much prefer non-branded club covers. The Appalachain Leather Works putter cover I have is black leather with yellow ribbon, but you can customize nearly every aspect of the cover including the color of the leather, ribbon, stitching and faux fur. The fit is perfect and easily slides onto nearly any blade putter. The velcro clasp at the back is completely secure so there is no worries of it falling off.

So beyond the fact that I totally dig all of the Appalachian Leather Works products, the fact that they are handmade by a guy who literally lives in the mountains rather an a multi-national company makes the purchase just a little bit more special. Sure, there are some things big companies are really good at, like making drivers, but if you want a headcover or yardage book that is representative of the passion you have for the game, then you should demand handmade.

You can see all of the Appalachian Leather Works products on their website.  Additionally, we are offering a 10% discount on all purchases through the end of May. Just use code 3guys.

It’s kind of cool when frustration actually results in innovation rather than just anther mangled 7 iron. As the story goes, the inspiration for Blunt Golf Umbrellas came to New Zealander Greig Brebner after he nearly lost an eye walking down the busy streets of London, where during a windy rain storm umbrellas were folding quicker than Superman in a laundromat. After this close encounter with the emergency room, Greig went back home to the drawing board, the design bench, and the wind tunnel. After much tinkering, the Blunt Umbrella was complete and able to with stand 73 mph winds.

Adam had seen Blunt at the PGA Merchandise show but it was not until this spring that we actually got the chance to test the golf version of these amazing umbrellas, the G1 and larger G2. The technology that makes them work is very cool and is thoroughly explained on their website. Basically, the quick opening system pushes the tension out along the umbrella’s floating ribs out to its aerodynamic blunt tips in something they call RTS or radial tensioning system. The bracing on the underside of the umbrella is unique and much stronger than regular umbrellas but without any extra weight. The result is that it takes about one gust of wind holding a Blunt umbrella to realize what makes it so unique.

In practice, we did not get to test the umbrellas in 70 mph winds but we did use them in 25 mph gusts that were giving my conventional umbrella fits. Frankly, the only thing we were concerned with was Adam dislocating a shoulder while holding onto the umbrella. You see the umbrella wasn’t flapping or budging or showing any problem standing up to the wind so it takes a bit of strength to stay grounded.

The Blunt umbrella is made from a polyester skin that is very durable and completely waterproof. Additionally, there is hardly any effort to put these lightweight beauties up and down; you simply grab the very comfortable, ergonomic handle and push the rubber piece until it clicks. You then pull on the same piece and the umbrella comes down with no buttons to push or to get stuck (like they do on my current umbrella). The shaft at the center is made from a durable and lightweight fiberglass which is strong enough to be driven over. Yes, Adam left his umbrella in the garage and his wife drove over it. No worries, it is a good as new (no, joke, this is a true story).

Adam and I are both 6 ‘ 2″ and use push golf carts that have an umbrella holder. The Blunt umbrellas easily fit into the carts and did a nice job of covering us and the openings of our bags. Adam tried the large G2, and I tried the slightly smaller G1. While both umbrellas are tall and wide enough, we would love to see even a larger model with a taller handle. I would expect that the only problem would be figuring out how to secure the umbrella to the cart such that it all does not fly away. Seriously, these umbrellas will not fold up so a strong wind will grab the Blunt and just go.

These umbrellas run at $100 and $120, so they’re not cheap, but a huge part of their philosophy is that these last much longer and keep a bunch of cheap umbrellas out of the landfill which is where most of ours end up. I know I’ve tried to fix several of my golf umbrellas with super glue, or by trying to re-bend a messed up rib and I’ll go ahead and say that I’m really glad to have an umbrella that just stays open.

Blunt umbrellas come in a variety of accent colors, with the base being a simple black, and they also have a light cover that you can store them in, or carry with the light shoulder strap. Blunt umbrellas… they really do reinvent the wheel.

You can learn more on the Blunt USA website

It’s that time of year again. Another Masters is in the record books which means it is time to clean out the bag, polish the clubs and get ready for the new season. This year we have a fresh batch of goodies perfect for making your rounds more enjoyable and assuring that you will not come to play ill-prepared. Below is a list of must haves to put in your golf bag.

PlayKleen Golf Towel:

Lets start with a fresh golf towel. This years pick is PlayKleen golf towels. These towels are super absorbent and feature what is called FlexTEK technology. I have no idea what that means, but I do know that they work great. The one thing I really noticed about the PlayKleen towel is they feel much lighter than others. With that said, they will absorb a ton of water so you can wet one side without it dripping all over your bag. That way you can properly clean your clubs after taking a nasty divot. See the PlayKleen website.

Photoball Marker:

If you are still using a penny or the marker on your golf glove, it is time to step up your game. A ball marker is a great way to show a little personality and have some fun. We recently discovered Photo Ball Markers . . . the process is stupid simple. Just upload a photograph or logo and, boom!, you have your very own custom ball marker. We went for a logo, but feel free to add a picture of your sweetheart if you are of the romantic nature. Visit the Photo Ball Marker website.

Applachian Leather Works yardage / scorecard book

What is one thing that every pro on tour has but barely any other golfer has (besides a super model girlfriend)? That’s right, a badass yardage book. I have long been on a hunt for a cool yardage book but the only ones in the stores are super cheesy. Recently, I found these guys who make yardage books by hand with a variety of leathers and colored stitching. With tons of options, you can create your one of a kind yardage book that will be sure to garner lots of oohs and ahhs. No yardage book, no problem, just pop in a scorecard. Visit the Appalachian Leather website.

Real Steak Jerky:

Speaking of prepared, who amongst us has not got the case of the munchies while on the third hole? Fear not, put some Real Steak Jerky in your bag and never be left wanting. Honestly, this is the best jerky I have ever had. These guys sent us a bunch and it may have been the only time the three bloggers came to blows over who would get to keep the most. The stuff rules . . . P.S., they make Turkey Jerky too! See the Real Steak Jerky website

NUUN

Now that spring is in full swing, we all know you need to stay hydrated (especially during the heat of the summer). I am one of those folks who enjoys a little flavor with my water but most of the sports drinks have tons of sugar. NUUN makes these really cool tablets you can drop into a jug of water that have all kinds of electrolytes and such. Basically all the good stuff without the sugar. Plus, you can just throw a box of them in your bag so you are always prepared. See the NUUN Website

Tritan Series of Tumblers

Ahh, the tumbler. That little wonder cup that keep cold drinks cold! Forget about refilling that plastic bottle, these little guys are much better and as we all know “everything is better with a logo”. Whether you bring your “cup of joe to the course” or a “little nip”, the Tritan Series of Tumbler is perfect for your beverage of choice. Plus they will fit perfectly in the golf cart cup holder. You can see all of the option for Tritan Series of Tumblers on their website. NOTE: These are for retail sale only with 24 piece minimum. For order info contact Lfbiddinger@williamsindustries.com

Champ Spikes and Fly Tees

I always carry extra cleats in my bag just in case one pops out or I realize they have been whittled down to nubs. For me, Champs are far and away the best cleat around. They are made to fit just about any shoe and are quite durable. As for the tees, I used to go through boatloads of wooden tees believing that plastic tees were for old men. So either I was wrong or I am in fact an old man because I now swear by them. I now only use one or two per round. Be warned though, not all plastic tees are made the same. The two reasons I prefer the Champ Fly Tees are 1) they last and 2) it is easy to put your ball on them (something not all plastic tees have in common). Champ spikes and tees can be found on their website.

Bonus: Ecco white belt

No, it has nothing to do with your golf bag, but everyone should have a cool white belt. I don’t care how many people say you have to be under 30 to wear one, I think they makes nearly every outfit look just a little sharper. The new Ecco belt is understated but classy. Pick one up and be a player. Ecco belts can be seen on their website. 

That’s the 2013 list. Good luck and have a great season

Every once in a while a product comes along that begs the question, “Seriously, why doesn’t every golfer own these?” Over the past two years, we have had the chance to review some really fine golf gloves, but when it comes to dealing with rain, we have been absolutely blown away by the performance of the MacWet gloves by Glenmuir.

Adam was introduced to these gloves at the 2012 PGA trade show, where he learned that the design origins came from horse jockeys. If you can imagine being 90 lb on a 1200 lb animal going 40 mph through the rain, you can understand why they have been manufactured to have Spider Man-like grip.

So after the tales of superhero grip, I was anxious to see how they would work in my mortal hands. My first outing with the MacWet gloves came on a 45 degree, overcast day in North Carolina. Yeah, I know we don’t have anything to complain about; but 45 degrees, and muddy with wind and a chance of rain will keep a lot of Baptists and golfers at home. The pair I received was the Micromesh which has a mesh back to aid on circulation on warmer days but you can also get the Climatec gloves which are fleece-lined, water-resistant and windproof.

Since the gloves come in a pair, I started off playing several holes with them on both hands, and left them on for chipping and putting. Right off, I noticed that my feel and touch were not bothered by the gloves. Since it was not raining this day, grip was also not an issue, but I had other plans in mind to test that aspect of the gloves.

After several holes, I realized that it was time to ‘take the plunge’ and try out this ‘Aquatec’ fabric that does all the magic for all-weather grip and wicking. Forget waiting for rain, I just walked up and buried my hands in a pond that sits in front of an uphill par three. Dry no more, the gloves were totally soaked – game on!

Fortunately, I had hit the green with my tee ball, so I walked up and looked over the 20-foot putt and drained it with soaking wet hands… no slip on the putter, and still plenty of feel. I was slightly nervous when I walked over to the tee box with my driver since I was about to swing at full speed with soaking wet gloves. To my delight I proceeded to blast a drive down the middle with zero slippage or hint of losing control of the club.

Anyone who has played golf in the rain knows the mental toll it can take on you. Trying to keep your clubs, grip and gloves dry can occupy a ton of your brain, leading you to lose focus. What I love about the MacWet gloves is that I never for one second had to worry about losing grip. I did not even need to dry off a grip or attempt to keep the gloves dry. I suspect they actually grip better when they are wet. Which leads me to back to my initial question: “why would you NOT have a pair of these in your bag?”

The gloves are machine-washable, and come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. You’ll need to measure the part of your hand just below where your fingers split from the rest of your hand, in cm. This will give you your size, and they’re available via MacWet.com, Amazon UK, and other online outlets for around $40 including shipping. Do yourself a favor, and put a pair of these in your bag. The day you need them, you’ll realize it was a no-brainer.

You can learn more about MacWet golf gloves on the Glenmuir website.

Score Band Review: When I first starting playing golf, my instructor advised me to not to keep score. The score, he said, was not important. Learn the game, learn to love it and keeping score will come later.

When I finally decided it was time to actually use the card given to me by the course for something other than taking down phone numbers, I also realized scoring is not as simple as it seems. Unlike my husband who seems to have a photographic memory of every shot he takes, my round becomes a blur after only a few holes, which makes retracking my score more or less a guessing game.

So when it was time to volunteer to review the Score Band, I was all in, which I’m sure this was a relief to the “Three Guys” who undoubtably cringed at the mere thought of showing up at their local course wearing an electronic scorer only a rookie would wear. Well, the joke is on them. Score Band is an electronic score keeper that you wear like a watch. As a matter of fact, it is a watch. The Score Band is very small, lightweight, water resistant and comes in a black or white with a variety of different colors for the buttons as an accent.

The Score Band has four functions – golf, tennis, allscore and watch. There is one small, silver button on the side that allows you to change the Score Band from one function to another. Then, there are simply two buttons on the face of the device allowing you to score within each function. For golf, you’ll still need to keep up with your written score card if you like to look back on your round to refer to your score on individual holes, but at the end of each round, the Score Band has tallied your holes for you. You’re only required to click for each stroke and click at the end of each hole to tally and start fresh for your next hole.

Let me assure you that this device is not just because you have too many strokes to remember. I found that when I started using a device to keep up with each stroke, I didn’t have as many strokes as I thought. I mean, when I finished a hole with what I thought was a five, I would try to recount my strokes like my husband, again and again, because there was no way I had done that well and actually bogied a hole, or did I? Well, with a counter like the Score Band, I found my score to be lower due to the fact when I actually did do well on a hole, I wouldn’t believe it. Surely I had forgotten to count a stroke somewhere so I would give myself a stroke because I thought I was being more honest. That’s right, when I started using a counter, I realized I hadn’t forgotten any strokes, I really was getting better!

Score Band for Tennis

I am also an avid tennis player, and I started wearing the Score Band for tennis. I play doubles in two different leagues in Atlanta. While the leagues are for “friendly competition,” I have found that when it comes to ladies’ tennis, friendly is sometimes the last thing in the competitive mind. The server always calls the score before each serve, but in a city, it is not always heard by everyone on the court, and there is a dispute about the score every now and again. If you have a long point and have switched sides of the court with your partner during the course of play, all four players sometimes lose track of the score. You usually come together and recall the points you have played and come to an agreement about the score. I am notorious for not keeping track of the score if I am not serving. Problem solved with my Score Band. After every point, I click my Score Band and it keeps my game score and the match score for me. I will say that while I found it very easy to keep the score when I was not serving, it was slightly more difficult to remember to do when I was serving. I am quite sure that with practice I could overcome this difficulty. At the end of the set, you will net to reset to begin your next set and switch to the allsport mode if you need to score a tie breaker.

Score Band for Ping Post and other Sports

My kids use the Score Bands for ping pong in the allscore mode. They can keep up with their score and that of their opponent. This can definitely cut down the arguing in any household. At my son’s basketball game, I can use my Score Band to keep track of how many free throws his team attempts and how many they actually make just to discuss with him after the game. You can use the allscore function for virtually anything you need to score. While I can recommend a Score Band for any golfer, it certainly has many uses other than golf. You can find out more and order for yourself at www.scoreband.net.

Most guys buy golf gloves like this: Hmm, XL, white, what’s on sale? Then we wonder why it goes in the trash 2 weeks later. I don’t blame you for passing over the $25 Hirzl glove if you have never worn one, but you are now on notice! They are worth the money. The short story is that the Hirzl glove is nearly indestructible. Plus it has extraordinary grip and breathability.

I know you are supposed to rotate gloves, but I typically wear one glove till it wears out (it’s the Darwinian in me I think). At least this way I know how long it lasts. Hint, I find that my gloves will last much longer if I put them back in the packaging rather than just velcroing them to my bag.

So back in late October, I put my first Hirzl glove into play figuring to get about 6 weeks out of it (2-3 rounds per week). Well, it is mid-January, and I have decided, it may never die.

As I mentioned, I have played a ton of rounds in the Hirzl glove and in lots of conditions including rain. Specifically, in early November I was caught in a 4 hole down pour and while everyone was switching out gloves trying to stay dry, the Hirzl gave me no trouble and I was able to grip the club as well as when it was not wet.

As you can see the palm is made of some type of rubbery material which gives it the tackiness but surprisingly the glove is not hot to wear. To be fair, I have not played in the heart of the summer but I have played a bunch of rounds in the 70’s and did not have any problems with it getting sweaty. Again, I put the Hirzl glove back in the case after each use so it always feels great the next round.

The way I look at it, for those penny pinchers (my hand is raised), if the Hirzl glove lasts 3 times longer than the $15 version,  you are actually money ahead. Not to mention, Hirzl claims 5 times the lifetime of most gloves but no need to split hairs, this guy is bullet proof.

So the next time you reach for the bargain bin, resist and treat yourself to a Hirzl golf glove. You can learn more about Hirzl on their website.

CRU Golf Headcovers: Have you ever gotten one of those gifts that is so beautifully wrapped, you hate to open it? It’s almost like the wrapping is part of the actual gift. And while we may be momentarily inspired to take this same care in our next wrapping exercise, most times we just settle for a gift bag. Unfortunately, many of us too often settle for the “gift bag” when it comes to the headcovers for our golf clubs. Isn’t it time we treat our clubs to a bit of high class gift wrapping?

Cru Golf is a golf headcover company whose product can cover and protect your clubs while looking like your clubs are exquisitely wrapped gifts for you each time you pull one out. These days there are plenty of choices out there for headcovers. Every school mascot and stuffed animal you can dream up can be found to cover your sticks.

However, if you are a bit more mature but tired of the standard headcovers that came with your clubs, there is a better option with Cru Golf. They are 100% leather covers and offer a variety of classic and vintage designs sure to please any golfer. Each cover is carefully crafted by hand by skilled craftsmen. All covers have been designed to ensure a proper fit on all sizes, including 460cc drivers. The interior has moisture wicking so you get the most performance from your clubs in both dry and wet conditions.

Cru Golf offers a variety of designs and colors in their Classic Cru and Reserve Cru collections. I received the Classic Cru in hot pink and white. Considering I am not really known for my “softer, girly side,” I like ordering products in traditional “girly” colors. I figure that if I really like a product despite the color, it has to be good. I must say that I was truly impressed as soon as I opened the box from Cru Golf. First, I got a whiff of that new car smell. You know the one I’m talking about, that fresh scent of new leather that just sends you into a dreamlike state.

Scientists say that our sense of smell is one of our strongest links to memories, and we all have that memory of the new car smell. Then I picked them up. They are striking covers indeed. These are not your typical mass produced, assembly line products. These covers are good, sturdy and of a quality that you rarely find these days.

They are what I imagine my 75 year old father is reminiscing about when he says, “they just don’t make things the way they used to.” If everything I purchased today were made with the quality of Cru Golf, I would have no returns and you would be hard pressed to find a customer that was not satisfied. The leather is a high quality thickness, and the stitching holding it all together is done by a steady hand, making this product a true cut above the rest.

If you have a father in law, brother in law, aunt, etc. that is a golfer, and you need something other than another golf shirt or sleeve of balls as a gift idea, Cru Golf is your answer. Whether you are getting them for yourself or someone else, you can’t go wrong. Cru Golf even offers a wide variety of custom colors and designs. You can add your personal touches right down to the piping color for a custom cover surely to please even the toughest of gift critics. For custom designs, you need to allow 3-4 weeks for your order.

All of the Cru Golf products are made in the USA and range from $37.99-$44.99 or $99 a set, and $63-$69 each for custom covers. For more information and to place your order today, go to www.crugolf.com.

Stitch Headcover Review: If you are golf gear nut, you know old school leather and wool headcovers are making a big comeback. One newcomer to the party is Stitch Golf. Founded in 2012, Stitch Golf is charging out of the gates in part because company founder Charlie Burgwyn has been around golf nearly his whole life. Coincidentally, I only live about 30 minutes from Stitch Golf so I took the opportunity to personally meet with Charlie to learn more about the company.

Before we get to Stitch the company, let’s go ahead and review the look of the headcovers. Stitch has two main lines, leather and wool. The leather headcovers come in a number of styles and colors but all are made with high quality leather giving them a wonderfully soft feel. If you look closely, you will notice that the headcovers have small imperfections and sometimes stray string as a result of the fact that each one is hand cut and sewn (in America by the way). To me this gives each headcover its own unique personality as no two are exactly the same.

As I mentioned, Stitch Golf headcovers come in a ton of styles each of which can be customized to fit your particular color and pattern preference. Since these are all handmade, custom orders take about three weeks. However, Stitch Golf also maintains a large selection of stock styles which you can purchase online, at many clubs, or even in some big box stores. From a price standpoint, the Stitch leather covers are a great value as you can get a 3 pack for about $100 – significantly less than most of the competitors. For example, many leather headcovers ask $85-$125 for just one driver cover.

During my conversation with Stitch founder Charlie Burgwyn, I learned that he not only worked in the golf industry for over 10 years but is also an accomplished golfer who played at the collegiate level. Beyond golf, Charlie and his team have deep experience in apparel and manufacturing industries, which is another reason why they have been able to grow so quickly. Just as important, the company seems very grounded in its values and commitment to quality and customer care. Judging from the pictures and testimonials people have sent into Charlie, it would seem that the product is being well received.

On the wool side, Stitch Golf offers a bunch of styles that are reminiscent of years gone by as well as some “alternative” versions (like the skulls). Stitch uses a 80% Merino Wool / 20% Acrylic mix which gives the covers a soft feel but is also a bit stretchy so that they can easily go on and off your club. The wool versions run about $100 for a set of four. While I dig the wool headcovers, I do think leather versions are the real flag-bearer for Stitch.

After spending 90 minutes at the Stitch Golf Headquarters I came away convinced that the company is for real. It is hard to believe how far they have come in such a short time which is a testament to Charlie and his team. There is a real sense of urgency and belief that the company can become the preeminent headcover manufacturer. Beyond headcovers, I would expect Stitch to move into other leather golf accessories such as shoe bags, score card holders and other related items. In the meantime, if you are looking for high quality, high style headcovers at a very reasonable price, I would encourage you to check out Stitch Golf.

You can see more high resolution images on our Facebook page and the whole Stitch Golf product line on their website.

Golf Buddy Voice Review: “Hey, what’s that sprinkler head say?” That’s how most of us grew up getting yardage. Now it seems like everyone has a laser, phone or some kind of GPS unit. Don’t get me wrong, I am as big a gadget geek as the next guy, but similar to my relationship with Facebook, I’m just not sure I am still that into it.

Sure, when I got my first golf GPS unit I was kinda jacked about being able to get yardage to every spot on the course, but I secretly suspected this information overload was actually having a negative effect on my swing. Plus, I have started to feel burdened by all the buttons and electronics I seem to be toting around the course. Therein lies the problem – I want to enjoy the zen of golf while still having easy access to reliable yardage. With the Golf Buddy Voice I finally feel like I have bridged that gap – in fact, it took me only one round to appreciate how well the Golf Buddy balances technology and aesthetics – Steve Jobs would have been proud.

In my opinion, Golf Buddy Voice has essentially said “less is more,” which goes directly against the philosophy of every other GPS unit that is packing more features and buttons into every release (not to mention the increase in size). The Golf Buddy Voice is only about 1.5″ x 1.5″ and can clip on your belt, hat, or just be put inside your pocket. Instructions? Here they are:

1) Turn it on

2) Wait a few minutes for it to find your course

3) Press the button to hear a nice lady tell you the yardage

4) Shank the ball into the woods

Well actually, #4 is optional, but with over 35,000 courses pre-loaded and no annual fee, the Golf Buddy Voice is essentially your personal caddy. The first time I played with the Golf Buddy, I felt completly freed of gadgets and was able to get back to hitting shots (I shot a 79 that day, which is about 2 strokes lower than my average for what that’s worth). And to be honest, I am probably delusional to think I can dial in much more than the center of the green (don’t fear, Golf Buddy Voice has yardage to back and middle as well).

The only goofy thing I encountered is that the unit once thought I was on a different hole because the course layout was tight. However, you can simply hit the select button and the + button to toggle to the correct hole. Again, this only happened to me once, but until I went back to look at the instructions I was at a loss as to what to do because it is kind of like an iPad with only one button (it actually has about 5 but you really only use one of them).

So this is what you get in the box: Golf Buddy Voice unit, USB or wall charger, rubber protector. Despite the simplicity, the Golf Buddy Voice still packs a punch. Namely:

• Audio distance information (it tells you the distance)
• 40,000 course capacity (from all over the world)
• No annual or download fees
• Distances to Front / Center / Back of the green
• Automatic course & hole recognition
• Shot distance measurement
• Multi-lingual
• Dynamic green view
• Volume control
• Supports multiple greens

What this means for me is that I simply clip the Golf Buddy Voice on my belt, turn it on, and forget about it. When I get to my ball, I just hit the button and I get the distance to the center. You can also look at the screen, but I prefer to have her tell me the yardage. I can toggle through using the button to get distance to the front and back, and I can also mark my ball after a shot to get carry distance. In terms of the battery, you can easily play a 6 hour round with no problem.

Again, the key difference from a larger GPS unit is that I don’t have to tote it around or look like an IT geek with it clipped to my belt. When I compare it to a phone app, the big advantage is that it frees me from the device I hate when I am on the golf course (my cell phone). Yes, I know that sometimes getting yardage to carry a hazard is important, but that’s what I have friends for, right? Seriously, sure there is some information you give up with the Golf Buddy Voice but in terms of ease of use and freedom from bulky devices, I have never seen anything like the Golf Buddy Voice. I absolutely love the Golf Buddy Voice!

You can learn more about the device on their website.

G Fore Golf Gloves: Is it just me or do all gloves look exactly the same? Seriously, I must have bought over 200 golf gloves in my life, but if pressed by Alex Trebec, I fear I could not tell you which version I normally buy. My eyes literally glaze over when I stand in front of the golf glove section. In my defense, there are about a million types of golf gloves that all look the same and have names that only add to my confusion. Let’s see, there is dry fit, tour select, stay soft, weather soft and the whatever else the new brand manager could dream up.

Ok, your bag has been stored in the garage for 4 months now but the flowers are starting to bloom, the Masters is just around the corner, and you are ready to play some golf. Don’t be the guy who gets to the course and realizes he doesn’t have balls, tees, a glove, or any other of the essentials. C’mon man, get it together! If you want to be a respectable golfer, friend, and member of society, for the love of all things holy, please get your bag in order before the season starts.

First, let’s pull out the sweater, winter gloves, 20 pencils, and assorted change. Now to reload it with the golf bag essentials.

Golf Towel: If your golf towel looks anything like Matt’s you need to immediately throw it in a hazardous waste dump because that’s exactly what it looks like someone cleaned up. Look, I know you got it at your company golf outing, but heck, let’s upgrade this year. I recently found out about Club Glove towels, you know the guys who make nearly indestructible travel luggage. Well, they also make a darn sweet towel. It can take up to 300% of its weight in water and it is so freaking huge so you can wet half and keep half dry. While it is tough enough to clean off dirt, it  is also made from microfibers which are soft enough to clean sunglasses. I have been toting one of these guys around for a month and I will never go back to a regular version.

Spikes: If you are hoping to get another season from your golf shoes, at least spend a few bucks and put new spikes on them- trust me, it will make a huge difference. For me, I have always been a fan of Champ cleats. They come in a couple of varieties including metal tipped (sorry you have a PGA card to even buy these). Still, the regular ones are rock solid and a great way to extend the life of your golf shoes. Below are the 6 point version but I am preferential to the 3 pronged. HINT: keep the extras in your bag, not your garage.

Tees: Matt recently admitted to me that he just bought tees for the first time in his life – how is that possible?. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t live like P-Diddy, but I prefer to buy a jumbo bag each month and be done with it. I figure my time is better spent searching for a swing rather than unbroken tees. I usually use the wood tees, but I have enjoyed the new Champ FLY tees which, for you tree huggers out there, are made from biodegradable plastic. So for those of you looking to extend your tee budget check these guys out.

Sunscreen: For us pasty white guys, its 2012 and we all need to be aware that 4 hours in the sun is not a good thing for unprotected skin. Oh, and last year’s bottle is now about as effective as brush tees, so go ahead and plop down $10 for a new supply.

Is it worked in?

Bug spray: Better safe than sorry – and you can be a hero when the mosquitoes get nasty. Probably will pay for itself with the beers your buddies buy for you as a token of their appreciation.

Band-Aids: Blisters can kill a round, and guerrilla bottle-opening techniques can draw blood. Put a box in your bag.

Mark your ball in style

Sharpie: If you have not come up with a cool marking system, Tin Cup makes a pretty cleverl gadget to customize your ball.

Allergy Medicine/muscle pain: Getting hit with a case of the sneezes or sudden muscle tightness can put a real damper on a round.

Gloves: Guess what? You are going to go through a number of these over the spring and summer. Just get like 4 and keep an extra in your bag cause they are twice the price in the pro shop. We love Asher Golf Gloves!

Koozie: If you are the type of golfer who likes to have a few during a round, then this is a must. Keeping your beer cold for more that 10 minutes is nearly impossible in the heat of the summer, but with a little help from a $.99 koozie you can nurse your libation for far longer.

Make your statement

Rust Remover:  Ah, the final touch to any bag. This item is not sold anywhere and can only be found on the driving range or the course.

Well, that’s it, you have all of the golf bag essentials and are ready to go!

Asher Golf Glove Review: You know how when some products are released you can’t help but think “how in the world did it take 50 years to figure this out?”. For example, the upside down ketchup bottle – seriously, how many rocket scientists did it take to solve that palm slapping nightmare?

Jan Craig Headcover Review:

Is it me or is “classic” the new black? Now some classic things I am all for, (e.g. the Arniewear line), but much of the classic stuff . . . well, not so much (and don’t get Matt started on the Classic Driver).

While Jan Craig headcovers could be called classic, I am not sure if that is the right term since they have been making them the same way for over 40 years. That’s right, over 40 years of doing one thing – making handmade wool headcovers. And when I say handmade, I mean hand-knit by a real live human using real wool yarn and knitting sticks.

When Jan Craig says handmade . . . they mean it!

Perhaps not a household name, Jan Craig headcovers have been in the bags of men like Nicklaus, Norman and most recently Tom Watson during his famous 2009 British Open. With timeless looks and signature pom-pom, Jan Craig is sure to remain stylish for years to come.

One of the cool things about getting to go to the PGA show is that you get to actually speak with the owners of companies and learn a bit of their behind the scenes story. During my 2012 PGA Show visit I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Barry Craig who, against the grain of most sales-pitch guidelines, showed me an old Jan Craig headcover that was partially falling apart.

What I did not know was that the headcover was actually over 20 years old but the owner (who remained nameless) had a particular affinity to the headcover and was hoping to have it repaired. While Barry would not give up the name of the headcover’s owner (my mind was racing), he did assure me that Jan Craig stands behind their product until virtually the end of time. Not exactly a “30 days with sales receipt” return policy.

In terms of styles, the Jan Craig website makes it simple to design your own wool headcovers by choosing from a ton of color combinations and pom-pom styles. Seeing that I can barely match my shirts and shorts, I went with the classic Ryder Cup version. While I have owned knit headcovers before, none of them compare to the Jan Craig headcovers, or even come close for that matter. Specifically, when you pick them up, you feel like you are holding a sweater.

I mean the thing must weigh 5 pounds. It is so freaking thick, you could cut it down and wear it if you ever had a castaway situation. Not to mention the pom-pom which is about as big as a child’s head.  I am not sure how much yarn goes into the pom-pom, but I can tell you they are absolutely super-sizing it! And finally, if you can direct me to a better word than “pom-pom”, it wouldn’t be soon enough.

At around $50 per headcover, Jan Craig is clearly not the cheapest option. However, from a durability standpoint, I don’t see them ever wearing out or fading which actually makes them a bargain in the long run. So when you tire of your stock headcover that came with the club, check out Jan Craig headcovers – because while club technology changes every year, style does not.

You can learn more about Jan Craig headcovers on their website and see more pictures on our Facebook Gallery

Trion Z Review: For the past two weeks I have been giving the Trion Z Active bracelet a test run. The bracelet applies the principles of negative ionic-magnetic technology to golfers, athletes, and even couch potatoes if they are so inclined, with the idea being that performance and overall health will benefit as a result.  At the very least, if Rory McIlroy can wear Trion Z and be #1 in the world, what can it hurt?

I know what you’re thinking . . . another one of those doo-hickeys that promises to magically cure what ails you. Well sirs and madams, I am not here to defend/promote nor trash/thrash, I just wanted to try this sucker out and see what gives. But before we do anything, let’s check out how Trion Z explains the concept behind its products (taken from their website, selectively):

• Magnetic fields exist in all areas of life. The earth is, in essence, one large magnet surrounded by a large magnetic field. The earth’s magnetic field protects us from radiation and is essential to healthy cell regeneration.
• Modern technology and lifestyles shield us from the earth’s natural magnetic fields. Negative Ions are generally abundant in nature through plants, waterfalls, rain storms and forests. These ions, unfortunately, are depleted in urban areas and as a result of modern technology.
• The human body absorbs positive ions from electronic equipment, cell phones, electrical wiring, and machinery encountered in everyday modern life. Physical stress and exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Rays also elevates the positive ion levels within the body.

Okay, got it? Basically the modern human is deprived of negative ions, and the Trion:Z bracelets and necklaces use magnets to replenish these negative ions. Fair enough, makes sense to me.

The extent of my magnet knowledge, until now.

Trion Z was kind enough to send the Three Guys some samples, and I have been wearing mine for about two weeks now. Again, I figure if Rory McIlroy rocks one, then so should I, seeing that we have so much in common in life. I first threw the bracelet on one Sunday morning after a somewhat beasty Saturday night (Rory couldn’t make it), hoping the negative ions would speed up my recovery process. Perhaps I was in a particularly vulnerable state, but amidst the jokes to my wife about my newfound invincibility and awesomeness, I really did decide that I felt better. For that first day I became convinced that the negative ions were giving me a boost. Of course I was aware that a placebo effect could very well have kicked in, but kind of like buying new clubs – if you THINK there’s a difference, then heck, roll with it.

One thing I DO believe is that the body is somehow being assaulted on a daily basis by the ridiculous amount of electro-radio-cellphonio stuff surrounding us all day, so I’m all ears if someone wants to try to counteract that mess. And as the table below clearly illustrates, the negative ionic-magnetic concept falls well within the acceptable zone of the scientifically-ignored Belief Spectrum.

Enough of the hardcore science – the bracelet looks good, and is comfortable to wear. You’re supposed to have one specific side of the magnet touching your skin – so far, any time the bracelet twists or rolls on my wrist, it somehow lands right side up, so no worries there. I’m not really a bracelet guy by definition, but the Trion:Z hasn’t bothered me a bit and I think I’ve even gotten a little bonus credit from people thinking I am starting a new philanthropic effort with my orange wristband. So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice . . .

I should point out that the Trion Z website makes no bold claims about the positive effects of this negative ion technology on the human body. In fact, the company makes no statements at all. They simply explain the concept that you read above and leave it for us to fill in the blanks. My hunch is that this stems primarily from a legal standpoint, which is to say, there is likely no proven evidence that these bracelets do any good. And so ultimately, it comes down to what you want to believe. Or, you might just load up on every possible advantage and hope one works . . . in this case, the Trion:Z flies through the wheelhouse at an affordable $20.00 or so, so you could do worse.

You can learn more about Trion Z on the Trion Z website and see all of the Trion Z images in our Facebook gallery.