Author: John Duval

12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 1 – Honma TR20 Driver

Normally the 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6, but for our purposes it will begin today – 12/10/2020 – Which is also the first day of Hanukkah.

Let’s get right to it on day 1 with the first gift suggestion – The awesome TR20 driver from Honma Golf. I’ve been testing and tweaking the setup on my Honma TR20 driver for several months, but I believe I have it just about right now, and the results have been worth it. I’ve see measurable increases in ball speed and distance since putting the Honma TR20 in my bag. We’re not talking huge gains here, but I have picked up 3-6 yards on most tee shots and in drier conditions I’ve seen 10-12 more yards due to reduced spin.

Honma is a respected Japanese brand that has been making premium golf clubs since the 1950s. They entered the US market a few years ago with some fanfare and a focus on custom fitting. Potential customers are looking at spending several thousand dollars for a custom fit full set of clubs, but the price can skyrocket into the tens of thousands with their ultra-premium Beres 5-star line of clubs. The TR20 line fits into what is Honma’s “better player” segment. The TR stands for Tour Release, and from the look alone these clubs are designed to appeal to better players and traditionalists.

The TR20 driver uses more carbon fiber than anything else on the market and comes in a 460cc and 420cc sized heads, with several proprietary VIZARD shafts available to fit almost everybody. I was fitted for the 460cc driver with a VIZARD FD-7 shaft. After initial testing it turned out to be too weak for me, so I went to True Spec Golf and got fitted for and upgraded with a new shaft from TPT Golf called the 15 Lo, which is a heavier (79g), low spin, low launch shaft meant for stronger swingers. I’m right on the cusp between the stiff and X flex so i went with the X.

The Honma TR20 has a classic shape and their expert marriage of carbon fiber and titanium has resulted in what I think is a truly stunning and beautiful golf club. he traditional profile and lack of alignment marks harkens back to the glory years of hand shaped persimmon wood drivers, and Honma certainly built plenty of those.

One of the the reasons that proper fitting is important with these clubs is because you don’t want to spend the kind of money you’ll be spending for a Honma and not get the most out of them. This driver retails for $699 ($749 with the VIZARD FD-7 shaft) and with the $499 custom TPT 15 Lo shaft I had installed by True Spec, this is the single most most expensive club I’ve ever owned. For those on your list that demand the best, most unique and exotic Japanese craftsmanship without sacrificing performance, I highly recommend visiting a Honma fitting center soon!

December 10, 2020
First Look: Wilson Launch Pad Irons
When I think about Wilson Golf, I think about tradition and history. Wilson clubs have been in the bags of major champions, hall of famers, tour players, elite amateurs and recreational players since 1914! One of my first iron sets were Wilson Staff blade irons, and that’s what I picture when I hear the name Wilson.

But forged blades aren’t all Wilson Golf is about these days. They have a wide selection of clubs for every golfer and taste. Perhaps Wilson’s most unique irons for 2020 are the Launch Pad irons. Designed for players with slower swings that want help getting the ball in the air, they combine modern technology and materials with elements of a clean, classic look that inspires confidence for the player that wields them.
Wilson describes the Launch Pad irons this way: “The Launch Pad collection is designed to inspire confidence in the mind of the high handicap golfer, whether new to the game or looking to improve. Incorporating ground-breaking technological advancements that are visually subtle, the Launch Pad family is designed to elevate shots, while providing greater distance and ensuring more consistent contact. These features deliver the best possible performance and shot-making for the super game-improvement player.”

My Take

I may be out of line with many of the traditionalists out there and even with Wilson’s marketing department, but I don’t think these irons are limited to use by high handicap golfers. The features that most “super game improvement” irons have are certainly present here also, with the fat sole, low center of gravity and light weight shafts. However, if properly fitted I think these irons would be great for older players with swings that are slowing down, or even a mid handicap golfer that wants a higher ball flight and more carry.

Don’t get me wrong, you aren’t going to have much success trying to shape shots both ways or vary the trajectory of your shots with these irons. They are designed to hit the ball high and straight. But not every player wants to shape shots, they just want to hit it straight, or straighter. As fun as it was hitting the PW 150 yards or the 7 iron 190 yards, these irons aren’t for me. Not because I didn’t like the high, straight ball flight, but because I actually prefer shaping shots and changing trajectories with my irons.

While nobody will be confusing the Launch Pad irons with those sweet Wilson Staff forged blades that I gravitate towards, the engineers at Wilson did an admirable job at designing these clubs with some elements of that classic design. While the sole is wide and top line is chunky, the face still has a clean look with no extra bells and whistles to distract the player. They are easy to align and you won’t want to bury them beneath neoprene iron covers. As far as game improvement irons go, you can’t get a much better looking club.

From the Wilson Golf press release: “The magic behind these irons lies within the Launch Pad Sole featured throughout the set. This advanced technology is designed to eliminate the “chunk” shot, while simultaneously improving launch. The short irons feature traditional game-improvement sole widths while longer irons feature wider, more forgiving soles, for more consistent ball-striking and greater distance. This progression in sole width allows players to put the long irons back in their bags.

Wilson Launch Pad irons feature a hollow construction with thin face for maximum ball speed and more distance.

In addition, the smooth bounce angle keeps the leading edge up and decreases turf interaction by floating above the ground. The Launch Pad Irons feature a hollow-body construction, supporting an extremely thin face for explosive ball speed and increased distance.”

Technical Details

The Launch Pad Irons will be offered in 4-PW sets (with GW and SW also available) with a KBS Tour 80 steel shaft or UST-Mamiya Recoil 460 graphite shaft, with both options featuring the traditional Wilson Staff 2 Crossline Mid grip. For more info, go to wilson.com

The steel shaft options will be sold at $699.99 while the graphite set will start at $799.99. This price point puts them solidly in the mid-range considering most forged cavity back sets sell for closer to $999 these days.

The Bottom Line

Wilson’s Launch Pad irons are marketed as super game improvement clubs that help players get the ball airborne while preventing the dreaded fat shots from the fairway, but I think if these are custom ordered with heavier shafts that they could be a nice option for mid handicap players that are looking for more distance, height and/or forgiveness. They look good, perform well and won’t break the bank. If you get a chance to demo these irons, you won’t regret it.
October 21, 2020
Pinehurst Resort Trip Log – Day 3
For our final day at Pinehurst Resort, we saved the best for last – A round on the iconic No. 2 course. The legendary 1909 Donald Ross design has hosted more big tournaments and national championships than I can even list here, including the 2014 Men’s and Women’s US Open and the 2019 US Amateur.

Before you go on – Catch up by checking out the trip logs from the first two days of our trip to Pinehurst Resort:

Pinehurst Resort Trip Log – Day 1
Pinehurst Resort Trip Log – Day 2
- No 2 Course – First Hole & Clubhouse
- Donald Ross’ Home
Our caddie for the day was a Pinehurst veteran named Marshall who has been there for close to 20 years and knows just about every inch of the course and every subtle undulation on the greens.

I think what makes the No 2. course at Pinehurst so revered is that it is playable and challenging for golfers of all abilities, provided you play from the correct set of tee markers. There is ample room off the tee for most, but many landing areas pinch in at 270-300 yards with bunkers and native areas coming into play and make hitting the fairway more challenging for the back-tee bombers. Big hitters will not be overpowering this golf course!

Finding fairways is only the first step to scoring on the No 2 course, however. Donald Ross and his famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) upside down bowl greens demand accurate approach shots. Wayward shots or mishits will catch the slopes and false edges and, in many cases be directed away from the hole and off the green into collection areas and bunkers.

Knowing where to hit your approaches is critical to good scoring in general, but especially on this course, and a good caddie is invaluable in that regard. It also helped to have a detailed green book to refer to, like the ones used by the pros on tour. In this case, I picked up one of the new green books from GolfLogix before my trip. As you can see below, the heat map for the green on the second hole is quite dramatic, with false edges on every side of the green and a plateau in the middle for hole locations. Effectively, the green is only the size of what you can see in white and green on the heat maps. The areas in yellow, orange and red are slopes that will not hold a golf ball. That convex shape is what makes the greens at Pinehurst No 2 such a challenge.

GolfLogix green maps – Pinehurst No2, second hole

On this day, the pin was located in the back right on the edge of white area, which means missing long or right was a huge no-no. As it turns out, I pulled my 9-iron approach way left into the mounds to the left of the green but (with a little luck) managed to chip in for birdie!

After our experience sitting on the patio at The Deuce watching other groups coming up 18 to finish their round on the No. 2 course, my concentration levels peaked as we reached the last hole. I didn’t want to be heckled for hitting a bad shot on the last hole! I hit a solid tee shot up the right that found its way into the native area, but I had a good lie on some firm sand and hit a nine iron that drifted left on the wind and ended up in a greenside bunker. Without much green to work with, I took my medicine and decided to play past the pin. A decent bunker shot left me with a 20 footer for par, which I missed. Fortunately, the masses on the patio didn’t roast me, as most of them probably suffered worse fates than shooting 76 from the tips on a course that has hosted six majors and a Ryder Cup. I hit the ball very well, but five 3-putt bogeys was my undoing on those treacherous greens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7kVFewwjVM

The village of Pinehurst is small and quaint, with almost everything within walking distance. The shuttle service is always ready to take you anywhere you need to go, or you can even take a bike to explore on your own. After a great day on the No. 2 course we took the shuttle back to the Carolina Hotel just up the road from the clubhouse to clean up and sit down for a steak dinner at the elegant Carolina Room downstairs and wrapped up the evening with a few drinks at the Ryder Cup Lounge.

Day 3 of our trip is in the books, and our final day will be spent off site playing the very unique and visually striking Tobacco Road Golf Club before hitting the road back south.
July 17, 2020
Pinehurst Resort Trip Log – Day 2
Our first full day at Pinehurst Resort for this trip was packed full, starting with a full, hearty breakfast an the Carolina Hotel in one of the great restaurants called the Carolina Room. The breakfast buffet includes all the usual items like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and they add some distinctly southern charm with fresh grits, griddle cakes and biscuits & gravy. The omelet bar is also fully stocked. You won’t leave the Carolina Room with an empty stomach, that’s for sure.

Catch up on our trip by reading the Trip Log from Day 1 here.

INSIDER TIP: Since we’re on the topic of food – I highly recommend adding the meal plan when you book your visit to Pinehurst get access to this great breakfast and a full dinner each day. Everything I ordered during my stay was fantastic, and with 6 restaurants to choose from, you really can’t go wrong.

To start the day we had a tee time lined up at The Cradle – A 9-hole short course that’s nestled in a valley behind the main clubhouse where the first holes of the #1 and #3 courses used to be. Designed by Gil Hanse who also recently redesigned the #4 course, The Cradle’s nine holes range from 56 yards up to 127 yards. Most players carry a few wedges and a putter to navigate this little gem. Even though we played it in the morning, the best time to go is after dinner.
Up at the top of the hill between the 3rd and 4th holes and along the walk between 8 and 9 sits a small teardrop trailer bar called The Acorn. It’s a very popular spot in the late afternoon when players come off one of the big courses and want to enjoy a few adult beverages while settling some bets on the short course. The atmosphere is similar to that of a low-key college block party, with music playing, drinks flowing and people navigating the fabulous par three course in various sized groups, attire and states of mind. It’s not uncommon for groups of 5 or 6 to play the course barefoot with a drink in hand. It’s all about unwinding at The Cradle.

We teed off on the No. 4 course just after lunch for a nice walk with our caddie and were fortunate to avoid any bad weather the rest of the afternoon. It had rained quite hard the previous evening, but the course drained very well. Being in the sandhills region of North Carolina has immense benefits for golf, and good irrigation and drainage is just one of them.
Unfortunately I had never played the No. 4 course prior to the renovation by Gil Hanse but from what I saw the accolades Mr. Hanse and Pinehurst Resort received for their work are well deserved. The layout of the No. 4 course caught me off guard, with dramatic elevation changes and water features I was not anticipating. The routing is quite brilliant at saving the player from having to walk up too many steep slopes, even though there are several holes that play very much down hill. The steepest slope is on the monstrous Par-4 5th hole that measures 489 yards from tha back tees. It takes a bomb off the tee to reach the top of the hill, but if you do you’re rewarded by a downslope that can add 20+ yards to your tee shot.

After a grueling test of golf from the back tees on the No. 4 course, I understand why this course (along with the No. 2) was selected as host venue for the 2019 US Amateur Championship.

Enjoying a drink at “The Deuce” behind the 18th green of Pinehurst No. 2

After 9 at The Cradle and 18 on the No. 4 course, our evening started with a few drinks at The Deuce, which is the restaurant & bar located in the clubhouse right behind the 18th green of the No. 2 course. The patio is a fantastic place to sit in an old rocking chair and watch the late groups coming up the 18th hole. Later in the evening as the alcohol starts to flow more liberally, the folks on the patio are a little less reserved and have a habit of cheering or clapping for good shots, and jeering and booing the poor ones. It’s a great atmosphere, and I look forward to my own walk up the 18th hole, hoping to get cheers from the crowd.

Our final stop for the day was dinner at the famed Pinehurst Brewing Company. It’s not only the best microbrew in the sandhills, but it’s also the best smokehouse. They serve up pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs and chicken smoked on site. I got the sampler to try everything, and it was fantastic. The great thing is, Pinehurst Brewing Company is also included in the meal plans as part of your package.

Day 2 was a full day, and wore us out. Time for a restful sleep to recharge, because tomorrow we take on the legendary No. 2 course!
July 7, 2020
Pinehurst Resort & JSX Partner for All-Inclusive Summer Golf Getaway
The Cradle of American Golf and Leading Hop-on Jet Service Offer Direct Flights to Pinehurst from Dallas and New York

Pinehurst Resort and JSX are offering the ultimate, all-inclusive summer golf getaway featuring non-stop, roundtrip service from Dallas Love Field and Westchester County (N.Y.) Airport to Moore County Airport, just 10 minutes from the resort and historic Village of Pinehurst.

The limited time, direct route service from these two golf hotbeds is bundled with Pinehurst’s “Summer Tee Golf Package,” one of the resort’s most popular stay-and-play options for golfers looking to experience as much world-class golf as possible over three or four days.

“We’re proud to partner with Pinehurst Resort to provide crowd-free, worry-free flights to America’s most historic golf destination,” says JSX CEO Alex Wilcox. “By offering a safe and efficient travel experience, we eliminate the uncertainty and hassle of commercial flying to give golfers peace of mind and the absolute fastest way from takeoff to tee time.”

All-Inclusive Packages Highlights:
- Roundtrip airfare on JSX’s 30-seat luxury jets with business class service and no middle seats
- Airport transfers from SOP to Pinehurst Resort and back
- Accommodations at the majestic Carolina Hotel, the “Queen of the South”
- Three or four rounds of golf on any of the resort’s nine 18-hole courses, including famed No. 2
- A full breakfast and hearty dinner each day
Dallas Package Snapshot (Three Nights):
- Three night-stay, three rounds of golf
- June 25-28, July 2-5 or July 9-12 (Thurs. – Sun.)
- Thurs. depart DAL 8 a.m., arrive SOP 11:30 a.m.
- Sun. depart SOP 6 p.m., arrive DAL 7:30 p.m.
- Price: $2,499 (double occupancy)
New York Package Snapshot (Three Nights):
- Three-night stay, three rounds of golf
- June 25-28, July 2-5 or July 9-12 (Thurs. – Sun.)
- Thurs. depart HPN 2:30 p.m., arrive SOP 4 p.m.
- Sun. depart SOP 2 p.m., arrive HPN 3:30 p.m.
- Three-Night Price: $2,499 (double occupancy)
New York Package Snapshot (Four Nights):
- Four-night stay, four rounds of golf
- June 28 – July 2 or July 5-9 (Sun. – Thurs.)
- Sun. depart HPN 4 p.m., arrive SOP 5:30 p.m.
- Thurs. depart SOP 12:30 p.m., arrive HPN 2 p.m.
- Price: $2,899 (double occupancy)
“JSX helps us to deliver an all-inclusive and efficient seasonal travel experience that’s incredibly easy to book and enjoy,” says Tom Pashley, President of Pinehurst Resort. “We look forward to welcoming golfers to the North Carolina Sandhills and the Home of American Golf.”

For more information or to book the Dallas Package, visit www.pinehurst.com/jsx-dallas-to-pinehurst/; for New York, visit www.pinehurst.com/jsx-new-york-to-pinehurst/.

About Pinehurst

Established in 1895 in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club is a 2,200-acre property featuring nine outstanding golf courses, a 9-hole par-3 course, 16 clay tennis courts, an award-winning spa, other recreation and social activities for families, and elegant accommodations across one hotel, two inns and condos.

Widely known as the Cradle of American Golf, Pinehurst hosted more single golf championships – including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and PGA TOUR Championship – than any other site in North America.

In 2024, it will again welcome the U.S. Open. The resort is slightly more than an hour from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 90 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and only a half-day drive from many east coast cities. To book tee times and golf packages: www.pinehurstresort.com, 855.235.8507.

About JSX

Founded in 2016, JSX is a hop-on jet service that’s faster on the ground, more comfortable in the air and competitively priced with flights starting from $89 each way. The company was recently honored by Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as the 2020 “Best Overall Regional” air carrier in North America and by Fast Company as one of the “Most Innovative Companies” of 2020.

JSX flights may be booked directly through www.jsx.com, the newly launched JSX mobile app, or through codeshare partner JetBlue on multiple online travel sites (note: “Escape” package is not available through JetBlue). TrueBlue members may earn points on JSX flights.

JSX currently serves six destinations daily from Burbank (BUR), Orange County (SNA), Oakland (OAK), East Bay/Napa/Concord (CCR), Las Vegas (LAS), and Phoenix (PHX) as well as seasonal and pop-up service to Pinehurst, Mammoth Lakes, Monterey and Coachella Valley.

JSX’s luxuriously appointed Embraer 135 and 145 jets may also be chartered for group trips, corporate events or other travel. For a custom quote, contact 800-iFLYJSX.
June 26, 2020
Pinehurst Resort Trip Log – Day 1
My buddy and I left Daytona Beach, Florida this morning for the 485 mile drive to the village of Pinehurst, North Carolina for a weekend in the cradle of American golf and the amazing courses it has to offer. The drive took just over 7 hours (not including a stop for lunch) and we made it in less than a full tank of gas.

We arrived just before dinner and checked in to the Carolina Hotel, then headed straight to the main clubhouse to roll some putts around the “Thistle Dhu” Putting Course, which is simply a huge extremely sloping putting green with 18 holes to challenge you and your buddies. The tee markers are also cup holders, which comes in handy because it’s the perfect place to consume a few adult beverages, trash talk and settle some outstanding bets after a round.

After 18 holes on the putting course and a quick tour of the clubhouse and pro shop, we enjoyed dinner at the Pinehurst Brewing Company, which is a must when coming to town. The food is fantastic, the beer selection is diverse and the atmosphere is laid back. Insider Tip: Get the smoked chicken wings!

Tomorrow we will warm up with a quick round on the “Cradle” short course, followed by 18 holes on the newly renovated No. 4 course. Stay tuned!
June 19, 2020
3 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
Father’s Day is only three weeks away and if you haven’t thought of anything for dad, here are a few ideas that are sure to bring a big smile to his face. We’re keeping it simple this year with one club, one service and one destination.

Full bag Fitting from True Spec Golf

https://youtu.be/t8KqXOACe1M

I’ve lost track of how many times I have emphasized the importance of fitting when buying new golf clubs, but it’s a lot! Golf clubs are expensive, so if you are going to spend upwards of $2000 for a new set, it’s going to be worth a few extra hundred buck to get those clubs dialed in with the right shaft and specs.

I’ve been to a couple of True Spec Golf’s locations for fittings and on every occasion they’ve knocked it out of the park and helped my golf game. A few years ago a fitting with True Spec Golf in Jupiter led to them building me a three-wood that goes almost 10 yards further than the last, without losing accuracy. Most recently at True Spec in Orlando I discovered a new iron shaft that will give me half a club more distance by optimizing launch and spin conditions for my swing. We’re talking 6-8 yards more distance. That’s a huge gain for irons by just changing shafts!

If you are buying new clubs or simply want to dial in your existing clubs, a fitting professional from True Spec Golf can and will help your game. They guarantee it! To schedule your fitting today, visit https://www.truespecgolf.com/

Summer Tee Golf Package at Pinehurst Resort
Nestled in the sandhills about 70 miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina is the village of Pinehurst, and the surrounding area has some of the best golf in North America. At the center of this Eastern golf mecca is the famed Pinehurst Resort. With nine golf courses (and a great short course) designed by some of the game’s most iconic designers, world-class accommodations and top-notch dining, Pinehurst has it all. Why not send dad and his buddies on a golf trip they’ll never forget?

Pinehurst Resort’s Summer Tee Golf Package includes resort accommodations for three nights, breakfast and dinner each day, three rounds of golf and – a fourth round for free. There’s a surcharge for the no. 2 course, but it’s probably worth it just to walk in the footsteps of the 2014 US Open Champions from the PGA and LPGA Tour.

I’m heading up to Pinehurst myself on Father’s Day weekend, so stay tuned for lots of social media coverage on our Instagram & Facebook pages. For more information about Pinehurst golf packages and to reserve your spot today, visit their website here: https://www.pinehurst.com/offers/

Timeless Golf Company – Carbon Steel Putters That Won’t Break The Bank
To say I’m a putter enthusiast would be a bit of an understatement, as I own no less than 30 flatsticks. I also love learning about new companies and their products, so I was pretty excited when I found out about Timeless Putters.

Timeless manufactures affordable carbon steel putters and offers two models – The Tradition and the Legacy, each shaped like classic putters from Karsten Solheim (Tradition) and Scotty Cameron (Legacy) that truly have stood the test of time and have become “timeless.”

Carbon steel is soft and heavy – A great combination for a precision milled putter. Head weights come in at about 350 grams, and plenty of customization options are available such as finish (Black, Satin or Blue PVD) length, lie, loft, shaft and stamping. I personally recommend spending the money to upgrade to the amazing BGT Stability Tour shaft.

I’ve had my Timeless legacy putter in blue PVD for 6 weeks and have been on a tear with it lately. The feel of a carbon steel putter is second to none, the putter sits perfectly square at address, rolls the ball great and the finish is unique and very attractive.

The greatest thing about Timeless putters is that they are affordable. Most companies that make customizable carbon steel putters will charge well over $500 for their putters, but Timeless sells their stock models for only $299. This is a disruptive and unbeatable price for this kind of putter. Take a look for yourself – You won’t be disappointed. https://www.timelessputters.com/
June 5, 2020
7 Golf Accessories You Can’t Live Without
2020 hasn’t been the best year for humans so far, with the COVID-19 pandemic throwing our daily lives into a tailspin. Fortunately, summer is almost here and golf is starting to get going again. Let’s face it – The golf course is arguably a safer place than a grocery store these days! In the US, over 97% of golf courses are open, so it’s time to get ready for summer and grab some of the hottest accessories available.

Bushnell Pro XE

For years Bushnell has made some of the very best laser rangefinders in golf, and the new Pro XE rangefinder is no exception. Packed with cool features and innovative technology, Bushnell’s flagship Pro XE model (pictured above) includes Slope with Elements which adds temperature and barometric pressure to the slope technology to provide accurate, compensated distances. The BITE magnetic cart mount is a welcome new feature as well. Available direct at bushnellgolf.com

Bushnell Wingman GPS Speaker

Like it or not, playing music on the golf course is here to stay. Streaming music services and bluetooth speakers are everywhere, so it’s only logical that the casual weekend golfer would want to play music on the course while they play. I’m not interested in talking about the why, but the how. To that end, the hottest new speaker for golf is the Bushnell Wingman. Not only does it sound great, but it has a powerful magnetic mount and a built-in GPS remote that speaks front, middle & back distances from over 36,000 courses worldwide using the Bushnell Golf App on your phone. Available direct from bushnellgolf.com.

Flightscope MEVO

Launch Monitors – Most of the world’s best players have them, why don’t you? Well, for starters they cost as much as a nice car. Until now that is. Flightscope has taken some of their industry leading Doppler radar technology and shrunk it down to a pocket-sized personal launch monitor that everyone can afford. The Flightscope MEVO costs only $499 and measures 8 performance data parameters like carry distance, club head speed, smash factor, apex height, flight time, ball speed, spin rate and launch angle. I use mine all the time. It’s invaluable for testing clubs and measuring my swing performance. https://www.flightscopemevo.com/

Golflogix Green Books

If you watch the pros play on TV, you’ll notice they are always looking at their yardage books, especially around the greens. For years they have had access to professional green books that detail all the slopes, humps and bumps on the greens of the course they are playing. Wouldn’t it be nice to have access to that kind of information for your home course? Now you can! One of the leading golf GPS apps – GolfLogix – is now taking their industry leading digital Putt Breaks technology and offering it in highly detailed, full color green books complete with heat maps. More than 14,000 courses have already been detailed, with more to come! To check for your home course, just go here: https://store.golflogix.com/

Tanto Ball Mark Repair Tools

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with ball mark repair tools. I love the switchblade style, but I can’t seem to keep them in good working order. For some reason they are always breaking. I use this style of divot repair tool because it won’t poke me in the leg or tear a hole in my shorts, but the spring loaded mechanism never lasts very long. But now there’s Tanto USA with their overengineered divot tools! Their stainless steel bladed, titanium powder coated tools are heavy and solid, like an expensive pocket knife. I’m looking forward to many years of repairing ball marks with this tool. To get yours, just visit: https://www.tantousa.com/

Tattoo Golf Apparel
Tattoo Golf has been one of my favorite golf apparel brands for years. You may not have heard of them until now, but you’ll be glad you did. Their youthful designs are colorful and fun, and the modern technical fabrics perform well even in the humidity of a hot Florida summer. While many of their designs feature a variation of their ubiquitous skull and “crossclubs” logo, you can also get golf shirts with cool Hawaiian style floral patterns. They make shirts, shorts, pants, hats and accessories for men and women and run frequent sales through their website where you can save up to 20% or more. Check them out today at https://www.tattoogolf.com/

Walker Trolleys

While some of us have used golf as a form of therapy through all this COVID-19 business, in an effort to practice social distancing many golf courses have adopted a single rider per cart policy or encouraged walking the course. The physiological benefits of walking on the golf course are well known and cannot be understated, so it’s no surprise that the golf push cart market has blown up recently! For those that demand quality craftsmanship in a classic design with some modern engineering and materials, Walker Trolley’s Cape Model premium golf push cart might be right what the doctor ordered. Made with anodized aluminum, waxed canvas and and leather, Walker Trolleys have built a sturdy, functional push cart that seems to be imported from a bygone era where walking was the only option. To get one of your own, pre-orders are being accepted now: https://walkertrolleys.com/products/walker-trolley
May 28, 2020
Honma Fitting Experience at Orlando’s Reunion Resort
Orlando is a great place for golf, with great weather year-round and plenty of great courses to choose from. The central florida region has everything from inexpensive public courses to high-end resorts and ultra-private country clubs. Many of the world’s best professional golfers also make central Florida home, which has had a ripple effect by attracting many aspiring young players to the area, along with several big-name teaching pros like David Leadbetter, Brad Brewer, Mike Bender, Brain Mogg, Sean Foley, Gary Gilchrist and others.

With such a wealth of great courses, good players and top notch instruction, it also makes sense that some of the best club fitters would be hanging around the Orlando area.

Fitting has become much more popular in recent years due to the advancement of launch monitor technology, adjustability of golf clubs and the relative lack of technological innovation because of the USGA limits for golf club performance. To get the most out of that fancy new driver, it’s very important to get fitted for the right shaft and club head for your swing.

Honma Golf: Japanese Artistry & Precision

Since 1959, the Honma name and logo have been synonymous with quality, performance and legendary craftsmanship. These days technology seems to be a top priority for many golf club manufacturers, but few companies are able to deliver innovative technology while still making a beautiful looking golf club like Honma can.

Honma is perhaps best known for their opulent BERES models with ranks from 2-star to 5-star, which denotes the level of “bling” built into the club and the experience level of the master takumi (Japanese for artisan) that build the clubs by hand in Sakata, Japan for each buyer. The 5-star Beres woods and irons have features like 24-karat gold accents, gold flake in the shaft’s paint and platinum ferrule rings. The Honma Beres 5-star driver retails for $4500 and complete sets with hand-stitched ostrich bag retail for as much as $70,000.
Club Fitting The Honma Way

It’s one thing to put your game in the hands of a guy that works at a big box retail store, but if you are going to invest time and money into a new set of clubs from a company like Honma, why not put your trust in someone that knows the equipment and the golf swing better than most?

This is why Honma Golf has invested in the US market by opening several new fitting centers located in world-class destinations to provide expert, one-on-one fittings for their clubs. One such fitting center is located at the fantastic Reunion Resort near Disney World and just outside Orlando.

Reunion Resort is the only golf facility in the world with courses designed by Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The Honma Fitting Experience takes place in a private, secluded indoor/outdoor setting at the back of the range using high-tech Foresight GC Quad launch monitors under the watchful eye of PGA Professional Dick Smith, Jr.

The fitting center has the entire range of Honma drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons and wedges along with a full matrix of proprietary and custom third-party shafts available. In other words, every possible head & shaft combination is available to you at the Honma Fitting Experience.

Honma has a rich history in golf, and they take full advantage of the opportunity to show off a bit at this beautiful facility with a showroom full of high-end limited release merchandise and a cool, nostalgic display of some memorable Honma clubs from yesteryear. No expense was spared in making your fitting for Honma clubs a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Check out the video below and see for yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU15RabEggI

Pricing & How to Book

The Honma fitting experience is on par with most other high-end fitters in the area. Driver fittings cost $150 and a full bag fitting is $350. Fees for fairway & hybrids, wedges or irons range from $100 to $200.

Interested in booking a fitting for yourself? It’s easy. Just visit this website and schedule your fitting online, or call (856) 237-4134
May 12, 2020
Parform CDB Gum
CBD – The Hottest Three Letters in Golf for 2020. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ve probably already heard of CBD. Everybody’s doing it, but not everybody is doing it right. What I mean by that is, the FDA is still studying this emerging market and so far hasn’t imposed many regulations pertaining to the manufacture and sale of CBD products, but they are still subject to the same laws and requirements as FDA-regulated products that contain any other substance.

Caution: Science Ahead!

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). Even though CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is actually derived from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant.

The market for CBD products has blown up in the United States since the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp is defined as cannabis and cannabis derivatives with very low concentrations (no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis) of THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol – The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis that produces the “high” feeling.

It’s important to note that without THC – The presence of which usually determines its legality depending on which country or US state you are in – CBD does not produce a “high” like marijuana does.

According to the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

What is Parform?

Like I mentioned before, everybody’s doing CBD, but not everybody is doing it right. One of the companies that is doing it right is called Parform. They are a group of health advocates and nutrition experts whose focus is golf-specific training and nutrition.

Among their popular nutrition products is one that I have been trying – Parform’s CBD gum. I’ve tried various CBD products in the form of tinctures, gummies, drink powders, lotions, creams and bars, but Parform’s CBD gum is maybe the simplest and most convenient way to get your CBD fix.

Benefits of CBD Gum
- Alternative to pills, capsules and liquids
- THC Free
- May help reduce inflammation
- May help reduce anxiety
- May help soothe general aches & pains
- Fast Absorption
- Consumer Friendly
- For the 40% of people who do not like swallowing any type of pill
The benefits of CBD chewing gum mirror the benefits of all other CBD products. When the phytocannabinoids from broad spectrum hemp reach the bloodstream, they interact with and support the endocannabinoid system.

CBD Isolate may help:
- Support joint and muscle function.
- Promote tranquility.
- Support a good night’s sleep.
- Promote healthy skin.
- Support post-workout recovery.
- Maintain a relaxed mood.
The acting of chewing increases some of the benefits of CBD. For instance, one study found that chewing gum increased overall alertness by 10%. For those (like me) who use CBD products for their mental clarity, chewing gum may actually be a more effective way of doing it!

Parform CBD gum is available in 10mg and 20 mg doses. The 10 mg version is offered in spearmint, peppermint and grape flavors, while the 20 mg dose is only available in peppermint flavor. Retail price for a 10-pack of the 10 mg is $19.99 and a 10-pack of 20 mg retails for $29.99.
April 28, 2020
BGT – Stability Tour Putter Shaft

Upgrade your putting performance with the Stability Tour putter shaft from Breakthrough Golf Technology

It’s no secret that I have been a fan of industry titan Barney Adams and his newest venture Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) for a few years now. I first covered the company and their Stability Putter Shaft a few years ago, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Be sure to tune in to The Back of the Range Golf Podcast for a great interview with Barney Adams about his remarkable career in making us all better golfers

BGT’s latest product is the Stability Tour putter shaft. Like the original Stability Tour shaft, it is a graphite & carbon fiber putter shaft designed to improve putter specific motion and performance. Compared to a standard steel putter shaft who’s technology has remained unchanged for over 50 years, the Stability and Stability Tour shafts have increased flexural rigidity, which greatly reduces torsional rotation.

English Please…

What are flexural rigidity and torsional rotation? In laymen’s terms, the Stability shafts are 25% stiffer and reduce torque by 50% compared to those old-fashioned steel shafts, without sacrificing feel. With a putter shaft that doesn’t twist or bend as much through the stroke, you will be able to return the putter to impact more consistently, which means your misses will be closer, and in the long run you’ll make more putts.

The Stability Tour shaft differs from the original Stability in several ways. In addition to the softer feel, it has a thinner profile, weighs more and is balanced more like a steel shaft. All these factors make it easier to transition from a steel shaft without changing the overall weight and balance of your putter, and that’s why tour players requested these features.

What Took So Long?

Why hasn’t putter shaft technology changed in so long? Most people buy putters without thinking about the shaft. We just assume it’s a standard putter shaft, right? Nothing to it! The answer is simple – Until recently, we didn’t have the technology to analyze putting performance, so we couldn’t really tell if changing shafts in your putter would make a measurable difference.

With the help of new technology like high-speed cameras, robots, SAM Putt Lab, Quintic Ball Roll software and Trackman 4, the Stability Shaft was exhaustively tested with hundreds of putters, rolling thousands of putts.

I have used the SAM Putt Lab before with other putters. It is an amazing tracking device that uses ultrasound and measures 28 parameters of the putting stroke down to a tenth of a degree. One thing is for sure, the data you get from a session on SAM is critical in understanding how a shaft like the BGT Stability and Stability Tour can help your putting.

Breakthrough Golf Technology claims you are 82% more likely to return the face square at impact with the Stability & Stability Tour shaft. Maybe that’s why 99% of golfers who play with the Stability prefer it over steel.

Real World Results

As with the original Stability shaft that I tested, the Stability Tour shaft produced instant results for me in the Bettinardi BB8 putter I installed it in. The first and perhaps most obvious difference is the feel. Dampening the vibration from impact is something that these shafts do way better than steel, which has the effect of deadening the sound and making your putter feel softer at impact.

It may be hard to notice with the naked eye and seem funny to talk about launch angles with a putter, but the Stability Tour shaft actually launches the ball a bit lower than a steel shaft. What this translates to when putting is a ball that skids less and starts rolling end over end faster. I would love to get this putter on a Quintic or SAM Putt Lab to get some hard data, and if/when that happens I’l be sure to update this post with my findings.

Price & Availability

The Stability and Stability Tour putter shafts are available through custom club fitters like Club Champion or direct from Breakthough Golf Technology’s online store.

Prices range from $199 for the original Stability Shaft to $249 for the Stability Tour. That price included shipping and installation by the professional staff at BGT’s state-of-the-art facility in Texas.

April 24, 2020
First Look: Walker Trolleys
Walker Trolleys Cape Model Available to Pushcart Aficionados this Spring

These days, walking nine or 18 holes may be the safest way to enjoy a round of golf. It’s a good thing we can still burn some calories in the process. Walker Trolleys recently introduced its new Cape Model pushcart available for pre-order with delivery targeted for spring.

The engineering behind Walker Trolleys’ pushcarts is sophisticated, belying its outwardly streamlined, minimalist appearance. However, the mission is simple: make walking golf cool, again.

“The game is so pure when you’re walking, you take the time to really see the golf course from tee to green and appreciate the architecture and strategy behind it,” says Walker Trolleys founder and CEO Brad Payne. “And then there’s the health and wellness aspect. Walking with a push cart can burn up to 1,000 calories over 18 holes and lead to better scores versus carrying.”

Payne, formerly with Apple, debuted Walker Trolleys at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida, back in January. Through social media and word-of-mouth, he, his wife Julie and principal designer Bryce Gibson generated enough buzz to catch Golf Channel’s attention.

The Walker Trolley was featured on the channel’s popular “Morning Drive” as one of the PGA Show’s best products of opening day. Media and PGA Professionals in attendance were duly impressed with the push cart’s high-end look and feel.

This is not your typical push cart. They use premium materials – including aluminum, waxed canvas and handcrafted leather – to create a unique and elegant appearance that wouldn’t be out of place on the great links courses of Scotland during the time of Old and Young Tom Morris.

A convenient one-fold handle makes collapsing and unfolding the trolley easier than any other push cart on the market. The patent pending central hub enables the handle and legs to bend on two separate axes, allowing for a compact fold.

The storage unit, made of water-resistant waxed canvas, provides an endless number of ways for golfers to customize their trolley, and the company is working with a well-known soft goods company to realize these designs.

Payne says a non-folding line of Walker Trolleys made with the same materials will be offered directly to courses, clubs and resorts as a rental option. The push carts nest for easy and quick storage in units and premium soft good options can be customized with logos and other branding elements.

Walker Trolleys Cape model will be available this spring, and a limited number of push carts will be available for preorder for $399 at www.walkertrolleys.com.
March 30, 2020
First Look: Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 Woods & Hybrids
Tour Edge, a little golf company from Chicago, had a great year in 2019. Their EXS and CBX 219 lines sold like hotcakes, they signed several prominent players on the PGA Tour Champions, and they rode that momentum into 2020.

This year’s EXS 220 clubs are the end result of that momentum. Tour Edge President David Glod’s strength is R&D and he has poured all of his knowledge of golf and advanced materials into the new clubs.
- Diamond Face Tech: Produces a hotter face with more ball speeds, less spin and more forgiveness.
- Sound Diffusion Bar: Using finite element analysis software, they added strategically placed material to alter the acoustic properties of the club. In other words – It sounds better!
- Max MOI: A new elongated shape and adjustable 9g back weight increases MOI (moment of inertia) for greater forgiveness. The 5440g per cubic meter is a 20% increase from the prior generation.
- Titanium Face: Using 8-1-1 ultra-premium titanium in the face allows Tour Edge to better distribute weight, as it is lighter than normal titanium.
- Triple Carbon Tech: Carbon fiber placed on the crown, heel and toe of the sole provides extreme weight savings and allows for repositioning of weight to increase forgiveness
- Adjustable Hosel: Loft can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees, creating a range of loft options between 7.5 and 14 in three heads.
I’ve fitted my EXS 220 driver with one of KBS Shafts’ new TD line of driver shafts. The KBS TD Driver shaft is new for 2020. This mid-launch, low spin shaft is ideal for stronger players. In fact, the Category 5 flex (Tour-X) that I have is even a bit too stiff for my 114-118 swing speeds. Still, this driver is an absolute missile launcher.

With a street price of $349, the Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 driver is the best value of 2020. You simply can’t get a better performing driver for the price. This clubs outperforms many drivers costing $499 or more. It’s true what Tour Edge says: “Pound for pound, nothing else comes close.”

The EXS 220 three-wood and hybrid are in the hands of a club tester and based on his comments, I’m afraid I may not get them back!

Once I get some more data from the awesome little Flightscope Mevo launch monitor, I’ll post the data and compare with a few other drivers, fairways & hybrids I’ve tested for comparison. For now – Enjoy the photos and find a local demo day to try them out! You won’t regret it.
March 25, 2020
Golf Groups, Buddy Trips Find a Home at Pinehurst Resort’s Reimagined Manor Inn

There’s no shortage of world-class accommodations at Pinehurst Resort. The famed Carolina Hotel with its sweeping verandas, regal white exterior and signature copper roof, exudes the very essence and spirit of Pinehurst.

The charming, intimate Holly Inn located in the heart of the Village is Pinehurst’s oldest hotel, having opened in 1895. It’s wildly popular with returning guests who relish a taste of vintage Pinehurst, as well as cocktail in the Tavern and four course dinner at the 1895 Grille.

And now, Pinehurst Resort’s Manor Inn has been reborn as a haven for golf groups and buddy trips. Fitting, considering the 43-room hotel on the corner of Magnolia and Community Roads was a favorite of a young Arnold Palmer when he visited the “Cradle of American Golf” during his salad days.

The King was always the life of the party during his days on the PGA Tour and would no doubt approve of the Manor Inn’s new look and esprit de corps positioning. One can almost envision him holding court in the Inn’s Library or embroiled in a poker game in the cozy Club Room.

First opened in 1923 and acquired in 1990 by the resort, golfers like Palmer and his father Deacon have gravitated toward Manor Inn’s relaxed vibe, cozy enclaves and off-the-beaten-path location a short walk from The Carolina Hotel and resort hub.

Now, that gravitational pull is even stronger, buoyed by a spacious, communal lobby, larger king and double queen rooms with hardwood floors and two finely appointed hospitality suites that accommodate groups up to 20 (available for the entire length of stay).

The centerpiece of lobby is the North & South Bar. Featuring a vast selection of fine whiskey and craft beers from Pinehurst Brewing Co. next door, the bar is adorned with vintage advertising and photos paying homage to the historic North & South Amateur Championship, played at Pinehurst since 1901.

The bar’s signature element is the dramatic ceiling, with an illustration of the original routing of Donald Ross’ first four courses at Pinehurst.

And it’s not just what’s inside the renovated Manor Inn that will astound guests. A new patio outside the North & South Bar features three firepits, seating for 20 and a soothing water feature (a full day of golf can be a strenuous endeavor).

Sipping a single malt Scotch or fresh IPA on the patio, the view is slightly downhill to Pinehurst Brewing Co., below. Opened in 2018, “PBC” quickly emerged as the Village of Pinehurst’s most popular gathering spot. Housed in the old steam plant building, it serves up award-winning brews, barbeque smoked onsite and handcrafted pizza.

The lone original component to the Manor following the renovation is its fabled exterior structure of the unique Kellastone, a special stucco-style building material that was new to the era and known for its permanence.

“Our intention was to improve upon and modernize the guest experience while still preserving the Manor’s unique charm,” said Bob Dedman, Jr., Pinehurst Resort’s chief executive offer. “I think we’ve accomplished that in fine fashion. Our mantra is simple: always Pinehurst, but always better.”

For Pinehurst Resort, “better” has included an astonishing run over the past decade, bookended by the restoration of its famed No. 2 course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2011, and renovation of No. 4 by Gil Hanse in 2018.

Pinehurst No 4 – 11th hole

Also, during this historic span, the resort opened the country’s most talked about short course, The Cradle, acquired nearby National Golf Club and rebranded it as No. 9 and expanded its 18-hole putting course (Thistle Dhu).

Golfers now have more dining options than ever before, with the aforementioned PBC (owned by the resort) and addition of The Deuce, a full-service bar and grill in the clubhouse overlooking the 18^th green of No. 2.

The resort’s Donald Ross Golf Package is an excellent option for experiencing the Manor Inn and a sampling of Pinehurst’s championship golf lineup. It includes a two-night stay, three rounds of golf, overflowing breakfast buffet and dinner, daily.

For more information or to check rates and availability, visit www.pinehurst.com.

March 10, 2020
First Look: Wilson Staff Utility Irons
Wilson Golf is riding high these days coming off a major championship win at the US Open by Wilson Staff player Gary Woodland. They have been making top-quality golf clubs for almost 100 years. Players using Wilson golf clubs have won 61 majors – Still way more than any other manufacturer.

The latest equipment craze in golf seems to be utility irons. Even with modern technology available to us, many people still find long irons difficult to hit. I think the firmer, lower spinning golf balls of the day have contributed to this. A number of years ago, club companies started selling hybrid clubs that promised more height, distance, and forgiveness than long irons. The problem is they were not as controllable as a long iron for better players.

The answer to the lack of workability and trajectory control of hybrids is now called the “utility iron.” These clubs have the profile and blade shape of long irons, with more forgiveness and playability than long irons. Simply put, they are easier to hit than long irons but more workable and controllable than hybrids.

Most major manufacturers have released utility irons to complement their hybrids and iron sets, giving players more choices than ever before. Wilson has also jumped into the game with their new Wilson Staff utility irons.

The Staff Model Utility Irons featured a hollow body for more distance, increased forgiveness, and improved launch angle. The utility irons are constructed with a high-strength C300 maraging steel face that delivers faster ball speeds across the clubface.
“The Staff Model Utility Irons will give golfers confidence on every shot and in every condition,” said Jon Pergande, Manager of Golf Club Innovation. “Originally created for our professional staff members, we are excited to bring the utility irons to golfers and believe the strong mix of distance and forgiveness will enable players to attack the course with more confidence.”

The Wilson Staff Model Utility Irons offer seven grams of weight positioned low inside the club head, increasing the forgiveness and ensuring a higher ball flight.

Wilson Staff Utility Irons come stock with KBS Tour Hybrid graphite shaft and are paired with Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet grip. They are offered in 18-degree, 21-degree and 24-degree loft options, and will be available for purchase on Wilson.com and retailers for $229.99 per iron beginning Wednesday, Dec 11, 2019.
November 6, 2019
Lamkin Grips – Something For Everyone

You know the old saying. It goes something like this – “If you play X times a week, you should regrip your clubs X times a year.” While there is some logic to that, it’s mostly marketing talk from grip companies. How often you change grips depends on how often you play, where you live, how you grip the club and what kind of grips you use.

Some PGA Tour pros regrip their clubs every week, which is a nice perk since they don’t have to pay for it. By comparison, I know some recreational players that never regrip their clubs, because they end up getting new ones before the original grips wear out! Whatever your regripping habits are, there are more choices for golfers now than there has ever been.

History

When it comes to longevity, Lamkin can’t be beaten. The company started making golf grips in 1925 when founder Elver Lamkin started making leather grips in his garage. Coming up on 95 years of making grips, Lamkin has a worldwide presence and is a leading provider of grips to club manufacturers, tour players and recreational golfers.

The company is now led by a third-generation Lamkin – Elver’s grandson Bob. Having met and spoken to Bob Lamkin on several occasions, I can tell you that he’s one of the most friendly and approachable people in the golf industry. He has acquired a lifetime of knowledge but remains a great listener. It’s no surprise to me that Lamkin continues to be successful and make great new products under Bob Lamkin’s leadership.

Speaking of New Products

Since introducing several new grips this summer, Lamkin really does has a grip for just about everyone and every need. Here are some of the new and updated offerings available to consumers now:

TS1 – The new TS1 grips are made with a new compound Lamkin calls “genesis” and features fingerprint technology micro-textures for better feel and responsiveness. The TS1 also has a reduced taper shape that many players prefer to reduce grip tension. Available in standard and midsize.

Sonar Tour – One of Lamkin’s high-performance playability grips, the new Sonar Tour features fingerprint technology and a traditional taper design.

Sonar & Sonar Wrap – The original Sonar grips have been improved with fingerprint technology and the new Genesis material. This grip provides comfort and shock absorption in a softer feeling grip with a super tacky surface. Available in three sizes.

Comfort Plus – For those wanting an ultra-smooth and soft feel, the Comfort Plus grip is made of a proprietary rubber compound that is exceedingly soft yet very durable. The reduced taper design allows for lighter grip pressure.

Crossline 360 – The crossline is one of the most popular grips in golf and has been improved with an enhanced universal pattern and upgraded compound for a better feel and flexibility of installation.

Players Cord – Full cord grip with a less aggressive and smoother cord material than the popular crossline full cord. A red alignment aid helps with hand positioning. Available in standard and standard plus reduced taper profiles. The Players Cord is my current grip of choice. They have the perfect blend of feedback, firm feel and all-weather performance I’m looking for in my grips.

Sink Fit Putter Grips

Sink Fit Pistol – Ergonomic-inspired putter grip with a unique contoured shape and fingerprint technology. The classic pistol grip is hugely popular and encourages proper hand positioning. (130g)

Sink Fit Pistol Polyurethane – The same classic pistol shape as the Sink Fit Pistol, but made with lightweight polyurethane instead of rubber. The Sink Fit Pistol Polyurethane weighs only 63 grams.

Sink Fit Skinny Pistol – This rubber grip features a more traditional contoured shape with fingerprint technology for max responsiveness and feedback. The thinnest & smallest grip in the Sink Fit line. (70g)

Sink Fit Straight – With a parallel shape and subtle contour, the Sink Fit Straight is great for players that want a more pendulum style stroke. (114g)

Sink Fit Straight Polyurethane – The same parallel shape as the Sink Fit Straight but made with lightweight polyurethane for greater swing weight and different feel. (60g)

Go Get Some!

If you can’t remember the last time you gripped your clubs, it’s probably time to grip your clubs! Lamkin’s selection is diverse and they probably have a grip for you, so give them a try. Available direct from their website, online retailers like Amazon, in golf shops and big-box retailers everywhere.

July 27, 2019
Bandon Dunes Resort – Travel Tips
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has been a bucket list golf destination since the day it opened, and I found out for myself last summer what makes it a special place. After spending a week in Bandon in July 2018, I can’t say enough good things about the golf, accommodations, hospitality and the overall experience. Bandon Dunes truly is THE links golf mecca in the United States.

My only complaint was that it was so remote and hard to get to, but that’s just part of the experience. The most dramatic landscapes for golf often are in very remote areas. Developer Mike Keiser was warned about that, but he thought if the golf courses and overall experience were good enough that people wouldn’t care how remote the place is, and he was right.

It has been one year since I walked the fairways of Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve with my good buddies John, Tony & Bill. I still think about that trip on a weekly basis and look forward to returning someday. Since many people have yet to discover Bandon Dunes, and because it is such a unique experience, here are some tips to help plan your trip and get the most out of your visit!

Bandon Dunes Travel Tips
- Read Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes, by Stephen Goodwin which describes the process by which developer Mike Keiser found the land and proceeded to transform it into the most dramatic seaside golf resort in America. It’s a great read that will only help build anticipation for your trip. Plus, once you are there it’s awesome to be able to finally see in person what you read about in the book!
- It pays to be prepared. Golf is walking only at Bandon Dunes, so if you are not in top physical shape you should prepare several months in advance by walking four or five miles a few times a week to get your feet and legs ready for the firm ground and rolling terrain.
- To expand on the last thought – Bring a comfortable pair of shoes, some good socks, and some blister ointment and pads! I walked over 45 miles in 5 days. Take care of your feet!
- The logistics of getting there can be a challenge. For our trip, we flew into Portland (PDX) and drove down in a rental car. It’s 256 miles and took about 4.5 hours. The more expensive but far more convenient option is to fly into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend which is serviced by United Airlines. From there it’s a much shorter 25-mile drive that takes about 35 minutes.
- If I could do it again, I would have planned to spend more than 5 days in Bandon. Our plan was to get in, play 36 holes a day for 5 days, and get out. In retrospect, I would have loved a few off days to rest my feet and explore the town of Bandon or just relax at the clubhouse and soak in the views.
- To the point above – Arrive early and spend your first afternoon playing the 13-Hole Par 3 Preserve Course, followed by some time after dinner on the massive Punch Bowl putting green. It’ll prepare you for the links experience and help you get used to the greens.
- Speaking of the Preserve, play the 13th hole with a putter only. It’s an unwritten tradition. The hole plays abut 100 yards, straight downhill. Check out our video of the hole here.
- Expanding on the “putter from 100 yards” concept – You need to embrace the ground game at Bandon. Don’t just reach for the 60-degree wedge around the greens. Many times using a putter or chipping with a 7-iron will be more successful. Use your imagination! Take these two shots for example…
- Get Mamma’s Meatloaf in McKee’s Tavern. It’s all about comfort food at Bandon, and if you are walking 36 a day you’ll need the carbs!
- Take advantage of the replay rates to play 36 holes a day for maximum value. Your second round of the day is half price!
- If you plan to play each course more than once, which is recommended, schedule your tee times to play each course both in the morning and in the afternoon. The conditions are often completely different! (wind)
July 15, 2019
5 Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas
In case you can’t find anything for dad and didn’t see our Father’s Day Gift Guide last week, here are 5 more ideas to make your golf fanatic father happy!
Maxfli Tour & Tour X Golf Balls – Everyone has heard of Maxfli golf balls, right? They’ve been around forever! Maxfli is hitting the market this year with a strong contender in the competitive “tour” ball category with the Maxfli Tour & Tour X golf balls. Their Patent Pending Center of Gravity Balanced Technology aligns the golf ball’s Moment of Inertia with the desired target for reduced side spin and optimal ball flight. They were among the best golf balls tested in one recent test. Available at Dick’s Sporting Goods – 2 Dozen for $50 for a limited time!
Reduce Everyday Drinkware – With cocktails shakers, lowball tumblers, coolers, growlers and more, Reduce Everyday has something for everyone. Keep your drinks cool this summer and reduce plastic waste with drinkware from Reduce Everyday!

Ecco S-Lite shoes – Traditional saddle golf shoes with spikes are so 90s. get your dad some updated footwear with Ecco’s S-Lite golf shoes. These are the lightest golf shoes ever made by Ecco and were inspired by sprinters flats. Get that low-to-the-ground feeling and get a pair of these cool looking, durable and supremely comfortable shoes from Ecco.

Chippo Golf – Summer is BBQ season, and that means backyard gatherings with friends and family. Toss out that old cornhole game and upgrade with Chippo’s fun backyard chipping game instead! Chippo combines cornhole with golf, and will probably improve your short game in the process! It’s no wonder this game was named “Best New Product” at the PGA Merchandise Show.
Wilson C300 Forged Gun Metal Irons – Following the success of their popular C300, D7 irons and Staff model blades, Wilson is upping the ante with the beautiful new C300 Forged irons with a striking gun metal finish. They are forged from soft 8620 carbon steel and retail for $999 in a 4-GW set.
June 12, 2019
Tee Times for 119th US Open Championship at Pebble Beach

The United States Golf Association announced the tee times for the first two rounds of the 2019 U.S. Open Championship, starting on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th, 2019 at the 7,075-yard, par-71 Pebble Beach Golf Links. The field of 156 players will play 36 holes of stroke play, after which the field will be reduced to the low 60 scores and ties.

If there is a tie after 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate playoff will immediately follow. This is a new playoff format that became effective in 2018. If this playoff results in a tie, the tied players will immediately continue to play off hole-by-hole until the winner is determined. The USGA stated this change was because of a desire for a Sunday finish.

All Times Pacific Daylight Time

Thursday (June 13, 2019), Hole #1 / Friday (June 14, 2019), Hole #10

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Sam Saunders, Atlantic Beach, Fla.; Carlos Ortiz, Mexico; Marcus Fraser, Australia

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – TBD; Erik Van Rooyen, South Africa; (a) Chun An Yu, Chinese Taipei

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Ryan Fox, New Zealand; Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark; TBD

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Dallas, Texas; (a) Matt Parziale, Brockton, Mass.; Nick Taylor, Canada

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Patton Kizzire, Sea Island, Ga.; (a) Jovan Rebula, South Africa; Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Haotong Li, People’s Republic of China; Bubba Watson, Bagdad, Fla.; J.B. Holmes, Lexington, Ky.

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Martin Kaymer, Germany; Ernie Els, South Africa

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Si Woo Kim, Republic of Korea; Rickie Fowler, Murrieta, Calif.; Jason Day, Australia

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Shane Lowry, Republic of Ireland; Tyrrell Hatton, England; Gary Woodland, Topeka, Kan.

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Cameron Smith, Australia; Matthew Wallace, England; Xander Schauffele, San Diego, Calif.

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – C.T. Pan, Chinese Taipei; Abraham Ancer, Mexico; (a) Brandon Wu, Scarsdale, N.Y.

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Chan Kim, Gilbert, Ariz.; Justin Walters, South Africa; TBD

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Nick Hardy, Northbrook, Ill.; (a) Noah Norton, Chico, Calif.; Andreas Halvorsen, Norway

Thursday (June 13, 2019), Hole #10 / Friday (June 14, 2019), Hole #1

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – (a) Luis Gagne, Orlando, Fla.; Sepp Straka, Valdosta, Ga.; Julian Etulain, Argentina

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – Dean Burmester, South Africa; TBD; Kyounghoon Lee, Republic of Korea

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Clement Sordet, France; Tom Hoge, Fargo, N.D.; Adri Arnaus, Spain

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Brian Davis, Windermere, Fla.; (a) Kevin O’Connell, Jacksonville, Fla.; Billy Hurley III, Annapolis, Md.

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Brendon Todd, Watkinsville, Ga.; Luke Donald, England; Mike Weir, Canada

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Kyle Stanley, Gig Harbor, Wash.; Billy Horschel, Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Danny Willett, England

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Jon Rahm, Spain; Marc Leishman, Australia; Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Louisville, Ky.; Kevin Kisner, Aiken, S.C.; Bryson DeChambeau, Clovis, Calif.

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Dustin Johnson, Jupiter, Fla.; Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Tommy Fleetwood, England

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela; Patrick Reed, Houston, Texas; Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Rob Oppenheim, Andover, Mass.; Rhys Enoch, Wales; Richard Lee, Bellevue, Wash.

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Andy Pope, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Ryan Sullivan, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Matthew Naumec, Wilbraham, Mass.

Thursday (June 13), Hole #1 / Friday (June 14), Hole #10

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Rory Sabbatini, Slovakia; Sam Horsfield, England; Roberto Castro, Atlanta, Ga.

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – (a) Cameron Young, Scarborough, N.Y.; Marcus Kinhult, Sweden; Brian Stuard, Jackson, Mich.

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Luke Guthrie, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; Joseph Bramlett, San Jose, Calif.; Charlie Danielson, Osceola, Wis.

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – (a) Austin Eckroat, Edmond, Okla.; Alexander Noren, Sweden; Charles Howell III, Orlando, Fla.

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Thomas Pieters, Belgium; Chesson Hadley, Raleigh, N.C.; (a) Stewart Hagestad, Newport Beach, Calif.

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Paul Casey, England; Patrick Cantlay, North Palm Beach, Fla.; Lucas Glover, Jupiter, Fla.

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand; Keith Mitchell, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Shugo Imahira, Japan

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Francesco Molinari, Italy; (a) Viktor Hovland, Norway; Brooks Koepka, West Palm Beach, Fla.

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Tony Finau, Lehi, Utah; Jimmy Walker, Boerne, Texas; Ian Poulter, England

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Dallas, Texas; Justin Rose, England; Tiger Woods, Hobe Sound, Fla.

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Daniel Berger, Jupiter, Fla.; Matthew Jones, Australia; Kodai Ichihara, Japan

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Matthieu Pavon, France; (a) Chandler Eaton, Alpharetta, Ga.; Callum Tarren, England

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Eric Dietrich, Cheshire, Conn.; Guillermo Pereira, Chile; Brett Drewitt, Australia

Thursday (June 13), Hole #10 / Friday (June 14), Hole #1

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Nathan Lashley, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Renato Paratore, Italy; Lee Slattery, England

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – TBD; Collin Morikawa, La Canada Flintridge, Calif.; Aaron Wise, Las Vegas, Nev.

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Merrick Bremner, South Africa; Chip McDaniel, Manchester, Ky.; Cody Gribble, Dallas, Texas

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – (a) Michael Thorbjornsen, Wellesley, Mass.; Chez Reavie, Scottsdale, Ariz.; David Toms, Shreveport, La.

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Rafa Cabrera Bello, Spain; Kevin Na, Las Vegas, Nev.; Keegan Bradley, Woodstock, Vt.

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Jim Furyk, Jacksonville, Fla.; Henrik Stenson, Sweden; Brandt Snedeker, Nashville, Tenn.

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Luke List, Augusta, Ga.; Lucas Bjerregaard, Denmark; Branden Grace, South Africa

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Charlotte, N.C.; Adam Scott, Australia; Matt Kuchar, Sea Island, Ga.

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Byeong Hun An, Republic of Korea; (a) Devon Bling, Ridgecrest, Calif.; Matthew Fitzpatrick, England

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Justin Harding, South Africa; Aaron Baddeley, Australia; TBD

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Ollie Schniederjans, Alpharetta, Ga.; Mikumu Horikawa, Japan; Anirban Lahiri, India

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – (a) Daniel Hillier, New Zealand; Alex Prugh, Spokane, Wash.; Zac Blair, Orem, Utah

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Hayden Shieh, Fremont, Calif.; (a) Spencer Tibbits, Vancouver, Wash.; Connor Arendell, Cape Coral, Fla.

June 11, 2019
Father’s Day 2019 Gift Guide

Father’s day 2019 is less than 2 weeks away, and in case you feel inspired to shower dear ‘ol dad in golf gifts, we have some great ideas for you! Happy shopping!

Bombas Socks – Yes, get your dad some socks! Socks are very underrated, and a way better gift than ties. Bombas’ Performance Golf Ankle Socks look great, perform great and Bombas donates a pair for every pair sold!

Callaway Apparel Big & Tall – You know Callaway best for drivers that hit bombs, top selling irons and colorful golf balls, but their classy and timeless apparel collection can’t be overlooked. Their big & tall choices are diverse, and for larger men like me, that’s a big bonus because it’s tough to find good looking golf clothes in larger sizes.

Stamina Pro Patches – Let’s face it, dad isn’t getting any younger. Give dad a little help getting those joints moving so he can play his best. These “active recovery” patches contain no drugs or synthetic chemicals, come in three different sizes and last 24 hours. The patches reduce inflammation, promote recovery, and optimize performance according to the company. Used on tour by Justin Rose, Tony Finau and others.

Enveed Golf CBD Blends – CBD/Cannabidiol products are all the rage these days, but not without controversy. Enveed Golf’s CBD blend is non-psychoactive and does NOT contain THC, so it will NOT get you high. Instead their full spectrum hemp extract is said to organically help alleviate pain, improve focus and help you relax in those anxious golf moments. CBD products are being used with increasing frequency on tour by players like Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson. I’ve been using their tinctures for a few days and it seems to be helping!

Bushnell Pro XE Rangefinder – Our 2019 PGA Show best rangefinder is a range topping technological marvel for golfers. In slope mode, the Pro XE uses temperature and barometric pressure to more accurately adjust distances. It is the only 7x magnification rangefinder on the market and can hit a reflective flag at up to 500 yards. Plus it has magnets built in so it’ll stick to the roof posts on that golf cart to be at arm’s reach anytime you need it.

SkyCaddie SX500 – Not the rangefinder type? Get the best golf GPS device on the market – The SkyCaddie SX500. It has a huge, bright and responsive touch screen display, impressive battery life and a huge database of courses with detail info on hazards, bunkers and even green contours on select courses. The only place you’ll get more information about a course than the SX500 is in tour player’s yardage books.

Indi Golf Stingray Wedges – Indi Golf makes high-spinning wedges for all kinds of players. Their Stingray TT wedges offer 2 grind options, 2 finish options and they look & perform great. Things get really interesting when you pick up the USGA non-conforming Stingray wedge with huge box grooves. The spin you can produce around the greens is hilarious, and addicting!

Revo Eyewear – It’s time to ditch the old aviators. Instead, get dad a cool pair of sunglasses from Revo! They make modern, technologically advanced polarized sunglasses that are great for golfers, boaters and everyday wear. Check out their many styles and lens options here.

Exotic EXS Driver – Everybody wants a new driver, right? Why pay the premium for a big name brand when you can get the same or better performance from a driver that costs $100 less? Tour Edge Golf’s Exotics EXS is packed with technology and advanced materials, and sells for $399. Most of the competition sell their new drivers for $449, $499 and even $549. The Exotics EXS driver is simply the best bang for the buck in golf right now.

June 4, 2019