For the past few years I have been playing the TaylorMade RSi2 irons. I really liked the clubs and felt that I was having some of my best seasons playing with them. Then in February 2018 I was convinced to get a real fitting.

Holy shit, that was the biggest game changing 45 minutes in my golf career. If you have never been to a real fitting (not a Golf Galaxy Golf fitting), then you need to drop everything and schedule one. Let me say this again, DO NOT buy clubs without getting fit.

After 6 years of reviewing golf apparel, there was still one item that I was missing. In part it was a conscience decision because I was not sure how useful it would be. The item in question: a short sleeve windbreaker. My confusion revolved around the fact that typically it is your arms that get cold so why would I have a jacket that was not long sleeve?

So for my 1st foray into the world of a short sleeve windbreaker, I figured there would be no better place to start than with the Galvin Green Lars Interface jacket.

Imagine if you gathered all of the world’s hardcore golfers for a weeklong conference with the sole purpose of designing a resort made just for them. When all of the ideas had been spitballed and voted on and fretted over, the result would be a plan for a world class golf course with amazing views and a resort that offered everything we want and none of the stuff we don’t. Guess what. Bandon Dunes held that conference (or they just had some really smart people in charge).

I love the idea of making superior products designed for mundane tasks. Take for example the razor. There are a million razors that work just fine, but when you put your hands on a weighty shiny chrome-handled razor you feel like a king. Even better you can have such elegance without a huge price tag, because in the end it is just a razor. With limited opportunities to treat yourself like royalty, I am a big fan of finding the little things in life to make such a statement.

Instagram: candy for the eyes. One search on #golf pretty much nails how predictable golf IG feeds have become. Product shot after sunrise after swing sequence after hot babe with a golf club, repeat.  Thankfully, there are a handful of very clever IG accounts that stand out from the crowd. One of my favorites is a woman who goes by the handle @smooderoo. A quick glance through her account and you realize this is not your average girl golfer IG account. No selfies, no philosophical quotes and no bullshit. Smooderoo has somehow blended golf shenanigans without overt sexuality or self promotion in a unique and refreshing manner.

Ugg, it’s the holiday season and you are forced to yet again find a present for the golfer(s) on your list. No, golfers do not want funny golf related gifts, or calendars or a sleeve of golf balls. They want something more creative and useful and you want to show them that you care. The problem is, non-golfers have zero idea what to buy for hard core golfers.

Luckily, I am a hard core golfer and I am here to suggest 7 gift ideas that are sure winners. Even better, each one comes from a small company that is steeped in quality and craftsmanship. To make things simple, I have ordered the list from least expensive to most expensive (and 5 of them are under $100!!)

I have been fighting the running shoe/golf shoe trend for a few years now but it may be time to give up. The reality is that for 90% of golfers, shoes don’t make a bit of difference when it comes to scoring so you might as well wear the most comfortable shoes possible. Sure, we can throw a few nubs on the bottom if it makes you feel better.

I think most golfers have now come around to the fact that laser range finders are the way to go. No charging, no annual fees and no dealing with a phone app are just a few of the reasons why I only use a laser range finder.

The downside is that laser range finders are expensive. Like $400 expensive. Still, if you are a hard core golfer and someone who does not lose things I still would argue that your best bet is to go out and get a Bushnell or similar high end device that is rock solid and super accurate.

Last week my golfing buddy pulled the trigger on some new woods. I guess four years of me making fun of his 1982 clubs finally made an impact. While not new–new, he landed on Taylormade Aero Burners which he got for a steal on eBay. Unfortunately, the clubs arrived with no head covers. Actually, that was a blessing in disguise because stock head covers suck. Still, feeling the weight of caring for his new babies, Rod made due until a proper substitute could be found. 

I have owned nearly every style of True Linkswear golf shoes except the original Proto. While the Proto carried the Bozo style toe box, the shoe garnered great reviews and many True Linkswear fans still contend it remains their best shoe with legendary comfort and quality. Could the True Linkswear Orginal be the heir apparent?

It’s been about three years since I went all in on laser range finders, and given the current state of technology I do not see any reason to turn back. Obviously, the main advantage of a laser range finder is accuracy. Even the worst of range finders are accurate to a few yards, and with the Bushnell Pro X2 you get up to 1/10 yard accuracy inside of 130 yards.

I have a shoe problem but I don’t expect any sympathy. The good thing about having a shoe problem is that, unlike clubs, golf shoes are super easy to swap in and out of rotation. So much so that I rarely wear a pair of shoes twice in a row. The “good news” for you the reader is that I have logged hundreds of miles in the shoes I review.

Asher Golf Glove: The best golf gloves you have never heard of:

One of the reasons I love golf is because it is an excuse to buy cool stuff related to the game. Ball markers, divot repair tools, apparel, shoes and clubs… all things that I love to buy because they are an opportunity to express your personal style. On the other hand, I basically get zero satisfaction from buying golf gloves. Instead, I end up trying to decide what white glove is the best deal. Worse, because they all look the same I can never remember which gloves I like and I hate making it a guessing game with each purchase.

Footjoy, the number one shoe in golf – period. Yep, it is going to be a hard road to knock off this perennial powerhouse. Part of Footjoy’s dominance comes from the fact they have so many styles. From the tried and true Dryjoy’s to the M Project, Footboy has the map covered. However, with so many models it’s like a box of chocolates with every review-I just don’t know what I am gonna get or like. Unlike other brands, Footjoy has a dizzying amount of variability, making it hard to give a blanket statement about the brand other than they run wide, are generally comfortable, and typically lack style.

There is no greater shame than being forced to hold your wife/girlfriend’s purse while she is away. Even the coolest of dudes have zero chance of not looking like a tool. Which brings me to another peeve: how come women seem to fill their purse no matter how big or small? My wife will contest that it allows her to always be prepared. Sure I am all in when it is time for us to stash a few beers in her purse when we go to the movies or when I need a tissue, but beyond that, what a physical burden.