Tag: Christmas

  • 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 4 – Club Champion Fitting

    12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 4 – Club Champion Fitting

    Day four of our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide features a company that leads the industry in one of our biggest passions in golf, and that is our mission to share the importance of club fitting with every golfer, no matter what your handicap. Whether you normally shoot scores in the 100s or in the 70s, we’re all trying to improve, and having your clubs properly fit is critical to playing your best.

    Club Champion 45,000 choices

    When it comes to club fitting, one of the undisputed leaders in the USA is Club Champion. With more than 70 locations nationwide and a network of highly experienced and educated fitters with some of the most advanced fitting tools available, they can fit any golfer for any club. In fact, because Club Champion is brand agnostic, they have over 45,000 different head, shaft and grip combinations to choose from. Their selection of equipment truly is mind blowing.

    So what are you waiting for? Until January 31, 2021, all fittings are 50% off with a $500 equipment purchase. Let’s face it, $500 doesn’t go as far as it used to for golf equipment. These days, when is a golf purchase not $500 or more? This is a no brainer for anyone in the market for a new driver or irons, and the club you thought you wanted might not be the one you end up with! The fitting process at Club Champion will identify club & shaft combo that works best for you.

    Find your nearest Club Champion location here, or visit this website to purchase a gift card!

  • 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 2 – Walker Trolley

    12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide – Day 2 – Walker Trolley

    Day two of our 12 days of Christmas Gift Guide is featuring the Walker Trolleys golf pushcarts. These throwback designs combine modern engineering with traditional designs and a classic look and feel, the Walker Trolley Cape model is perfect for traditionalist that prefer to walk the course and do it in style.

    The Walker Trolley is made with premium materials – waxed canvas, leather, and anodized aluminum – And that means it is built to last.  

    Specifications:

    Weight: 19lbs

    Folded: 33”(h) x 19″(w at base, 12″ at top) x 24″ (d at base, 5″ at top) 

    Unfolded: 39″ height of handle (ideally suited for golfers 5’5″ and taller – shorter golfers may struggle with the height of the handle)

    Tires: Air filled rubber (option to purchase foam filled tires separately in early 2021)

    Storage Accessory: Standard waxed canvas comes with the trolley

    MSRP: $399

    **December 13th is the last day for orders to guarantee Christmas delivery**

    Go to https://walkertrolleys.com/ for more info and to place an order!

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

    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 TR20 Driver - Face

    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.

    Honma TR20 Driver - Profile

    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!

    Honma TR20 Driver - Top
  • 3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

    3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

    We’re in the home stretch for Christmas shopping, and most shipping deadlines are December 21, so in case you haven’t found those last few items for the golfers on your list out there, here are a few last minute gift ideas that should still arrive on time – But you’ll have to hurry!

    Golfballs.com – FREE Personalization!

    Golfballs.comPrices: Options for all budgets

     

    Golfballs.com allows customers to buy their favorite golf balls from all the top brands and customize them for FREE! Better still, customers can order as late as December 21 and still have their gifts arrive by Christmas.  Not just golf balls, choose from a selection of bags, apparel, tees, and more – each available with the industry’s largest selection of customization options, including: personal photos, custom logos, monogrammed initials, personalized text, embroidery, numbers, novelty images and the best tool for lining up putts, AlignXL™. Golfballs.com also offers a variety of pre-packaged gift boxes, including the Bottle Opener, Poker Chip Set and Classic Divot Tool.

     

    Rocket Tour Headcovers – MSRP: $39 – 43

    www.RocketTour.com

    Rocket Tour HeadcoversHand-crafted and finished personally by founder Helena Stanton in Boulder, CO., Rocket Tour headcovers are the perfect gift sets to get the golfer in your life ready for the next season. Sported by more than 300-plus NCAA golf programs, show off alma mater pride or just your favorite colors with the variety of signature striped, solid and argyle designs available for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and putters. Whichever flag you are flying, Rocket Tour has your bag covered.

     

     

     

    TecTecTec ULT-X Golf Laser Rangefinder

    Rocket Tour HeadcoversMSRP: $249.99

    www.US.TecTecTec.com

    Amazon’s No.1 selling golf rangefinder brand, TecTecTec, has launched its most advanced model to-date, the ULT-X. Among the new features are Target Lock Technology (TLT), which vibrates when players are locked on to the target, and a visible slope toggle (displays elevation adjusted distanced) that can be easily disengaged for USGA-conforming play. ULT-X accurately measures distances up to 300 yards – precise within 0.3 yards. The premium, multi-layered optical lens combined with diopter adjustment and 6x magnification provide an ultra-clear and accurate view. All TecTecTec rangefinders are backed by a two-year warranty, 24/7 access to customer service and a full refund on products returned within 30 days of purchase.

  • 6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    Christmas is only 10 days away, and if you are anything like me, you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet! Time is running out, especially for internet shopping. With that in mind, here are a few ideas for the golfers on your gift list. Happy shopping!

    • New grips! Most golfers wait too long to change their grips, and their game suffers. Lamkin is one of the leaders in golf grips and have been doing it since 1925. Try the new Wrap-Tech or UTX grips. Lamkin’s pricing is awesome and they have many styles and materials to choose from. I’ve been using the iconic Lamkin Crossline Cord grips for years. You can’t go wrong with Lamkin grips.

    • Golf GPS – SkyGolf makes some of the best Golf GPS products on the market. In fact, the SkyCaddy TOUCH is probably the most full-featured and accurate GPS device on the market. Paired with your smart phone and the Sky Golf 360 app, you can get the latest updates to over 35,000 pre-loaded golf courses as well as tracking your scores and stats. I’ve used the SkyCaddy Touch for several months and it has been invaluable to me in tournament golf to get more data to help me plan my way around a course.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsbfVMe9cEM

    • Socks! Kentwool makes the best golf socks. Period. Just try a pair and you’ll see. If I have to walk a golf course with a forty pound golf bag on my back, I want a good pair of shoes and some Kentwool socks to keep my feet happy. The Tour Profile sock is their best all around golf sock and they’ll make any golf shoe feel better. Combine these socks with some shoes from True Linkswear or Ecco and you have an unbeatable combination.

    Kentwool Tour Profile Socks

    • World Amateur Golfers Tour membership – Does the golfer on your gift list want to be challenged? Make new friends? How about a chance to play for your country at a top golf resort, all expenses paid? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then perhaps a membership to the nearest local World Amateur Golfers Tour would be a great gift! Play against players of similar ability in handicapped events for points in the national order of merit and to have a chance to qualify for Team USA and represent your country at the World Championships. I just returned from the 2015 WAGC in Turkey and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

    2015 WAGC in Antalya, Turkey

    • New Driver – When in doubt, you can always fall back on the old standby and get your golfer a new driver. It’s the most oft-changed club in a golfer’s bag and there are always shiny new models to try. One of the best new drivers of 2015 is the Knuth Golf High Heat driver. It has the lowest center of gravity in golf and produces straighter drives that go further on mishits (probably) than your current driver. Its inventor Dean Knuth also invented the USGA’s Slope Rating system for golf courses. Basically what I’m trying to say is, he’s way smarter than you and me. Try his driver. It’s very shiny and I think you’ll like it!

    • Another Putter – Seriously, how many putters do us golfers have? The answer is always “One too little!” At least in my case it is. I’m always looking for the BBD – Bigger better deal. Believe it or not, I think I found it. It’s called Cure Putters, and they are quickly becoming very popular. They may not win any beauty contests, but when it comes to rolling a golf ball they excel. The high-MOI design makes even mis hits roll true and they are customizable to every golfer. I put the Cure RX3F putter in the bag and promptly won the WAGT National Championship. Then I used it to finish 3rd in my flight at the 2015 World Amateur Golfers Championship in Antalya, Turkey. It just works!

     

  • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

    2014 Holiday Gift Guide

    Every year the offices at intothegrain.com are bombarded with cool gadgets, gifts and products for review. While some of these products aren’t ready for prime time, others immediately get us excited and some even manage to surprise us. With the holidays fast approaching, I thought we could highlight a few of the best gift ideas we’ve seen come through the offices this summer. Happy shopping!

    boom swimmer bluetooth speakerBOOM Swimmer Bluetooth Speaker

    Boom is a perfect name for this small bluetooth speaker. It’s loud! We were very surprised by the level of volume and quality of sound coming from the little BOOM Swimmer bluetooth speaker. The flexible tail attachment is great to hang it from your golf bag or the cart and enjoy tunes while you play or practice. It even has a suction cup mount, and when attached to a glass surface it amplifies the bass. Did we mention the BOOM Swimmer is waterproof? Selling for $59, this is the last portable bluetooth speaker you’ll ever need.

    08_EN_Tee_LocalRules_ReadinessGolf Etiquette Quick Reference

    I believe golf pros are genuinely interested in helping new golfers learn the game, but I don’t think we do a good enough job teaching people the rules and etiquette of the game. We’re all at fault for this, and I see plenty of golfers that could use a refresher course from time to time. I usually carry a pocket size USGA rule book in my bag to end arguments about the rules, but what about etiquette? Enter the Golf Etiquette Quick Reference! This easy to read guide gives you all the info you need to conduct yourself properly on the golf course. I’m talking to you, “crossing into my fairway to hit your crooked tee shot without regard to my group” guy!

    Gary Player - A Game For LifeGary Player DVD – A Game for Life

    Gary Player is probably the greatest non-American golfer ever. He’s seen it all and been to every corner of the globe as an ambassador to this wonderful game. So when he speaks, people listen. Gary is almost 80 years old, but he’s in better shape now that I’ll ever be. Also considered one of the best bunker players of all time, now he’s sharing his lifetime of knowledge with his new DVD set called A Game for Life. Pop this 3 DVD set in, sit back and absorb the greatness.

    Greensleeve GolfGreen Sleeve

    I always thought it was pretty cool to play golf with a caddy, and even if the average caddy can’t help me much with club selection, at the very least they will keep your clubs and golf balls clean. But for the 99.9% of us that don’t have access to a caddy when we play, there is a cheaper, faster solution. Greensleeve! This little microfiber sleeve is easy to carry in your pocket and does a great job at cleaning clubs and balls. It comes in many different colors and logos, and for $10, it won’t break the bank. Greensleeves are perfect stocking stuffers. Get a couple!

    Voice Caddy VC300Voice Caddy

    We’re big fans of any invention that allows us to be lazy makes life easier for us. Isn’t that the reason for every good invention? Instead of subscribing to a GPS service or trying to read a dimly lit screen in the bright sunlight, or trying to shoot the flag with some laser, why not leave the work to the Voice Caddy VC300? Just turn it on, clip it to the brim of your hat and it automatically finds the course and hole you are playing from a database loaded with over 30,000 courses. From there a simple button push gives you the yardage to the front, middle or back of the green. Simple and effective. $149

    Ping G30 DriverPing G30 Driver

    We’re still compiling launch monitor data and play testing Ping’s newest driver, but the early results are in, and the Ping G30 is a big winner. One tester hit half a dozen tee shots with it on the course and decided right there that he had to have one. I’ve played 72 holes with it and while I haven’t kept detailed stats, my observations are that the G30 is straighter and much more forgiving than my current gamer. Distance is on par with most of the competition as well but I feel I’ve gained a few yards because I’m simply hitting the sweet spot more often. Our full review is yet to come, but I’m all-in with Ping with this one. Simply put – The Ping G30 driver is the best driver I’ve hit in over 10 years.

    Antigua Desert DryAntigua 2015 Collection

    Antigua doesn’t make clothing with flashy European designs and crazy colors. They make simple, classic, good fitting and well made shirts. Long a favorite of mine, they use high-tech fabrics to make some of the most functional and comfortable golf shirts on the market. Their latest collection expands on the popular Desert Dry line and is sure not to disappoint. My personal favorite is the 95% polyester and 5% spandex blend that feels like you are wearing Sheex performance bedding. It’s silky smooth and very comfortable.

    Aldila Rogue ShaftAldila Shafts

    Aldila makes some of the most popular shafts on the professional tours. Young phenom Jordan Speith has won twice in the last two weeks using an Aldila Tour Rogue shaft in his driver. I’ve recently upgraded a few of my own clubs with the fantastic Aldila Tour Green shaft, and they have become more consistent and playable than every before. A new custom fit shaft is all you need to revive an old driver that you love, and I bet the price of a shaft upgrade from Aldila is still cheaper than a new driver!

    Renegar RX14 WedgesRenegar Wedges

    Gene Sarazen invented the sand wedge in the 1930s, yet most modern wedges still use the same basic design. The problem with the design is simple. The larger flange of a sand wedge works great from the bunkers, but off the turf – not so much. With a standard wedge design the front edge of the wedge cannot slide under the ball because of that chunky flange (or bounce), leading to fat and thin shots. Renegar solved that problem with a unique, patented technology. The Renegar RX14 wedges feature the cut out sole design that simultaneously lowers the leading edge while retaining the bounce for bunker shots. The best of both worlds! I’ve been playing wedges with a similar (but not quite as effective) sole design for a long time, and it really works!

  • 5 Cyber Monday Golf Deals

    Cyber Monday Golf DealsCyber Monday Golf Deals

    The Christmas shopping season seems to start earlier every year, doesn’t it? Here in the US, Black Friday kicks off the holiday mess on the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday follows on the Monday after Thanksgiving for online retailers looking to get in on the action. While the golf season may be over for much of the country, there are still lots of reasons to be on the lookout for some cyber Monday golf deals. If you are a true golf nut like myself, you don’t need a good reason to be looking for new gear!

    We took a look back at all the product launches this season and seasons past and think these five are some of the better cyber monday golf deals out there.

    1. Hopkins Golf Wedges – Greg Hopkins knows a little something about making wedges. He was the President & CEO of Cleveland Golf for 16 years. Now he’s formed his own company to make wedges a bit more personal. Just about everything about Hopkins Golf wedges is customizable, and their manufacture in small batches ensures they’ll be high quality and very playable. Click here to get started building your own custom wedges, and use the promo code ITG20 to get a free custom grind!

    2. Eyeline Golf Training Aids – Eyeline Golf makes a dizzying array of training aids, and their signature putting mirrors are a great way to sharpen your putting by getting your eyes directly over the ball and give you good feedback on your stroke. I’ve used one for a while and I’m a great putter getting better. But don’t take my word for it, just ask any of the dozens of touring pros that use their aids every day. Combine their Speed Trap swing trainer with the ProAdvanced net (see below) for a complete swing improvement station in your house.

    3. Sheex Performance Sheets – Sheex makes the best sheets money can buy. That’s my opinion of course, but I’ve been sleeping on them for several years now and I’ll never go back to cotton sheets. What do these have to do with golf? Nothing, other than helping you get a good night’s sleep so you can play your best. Sheex are made of the same material as the light, moisture wicking athletic apparel everyone wears these days, but thicker and softer. I’ve sent Sheex to several friends as gifts and they are all converts. Try them now and save 10%. Just click on the link above or go here: I promise, you’ll love them.

    4. ProAdvanced Practice Nets – If you are stuck in a part of the world that is covered in snow during the winter, you still have a few options to practice your golf swing. Get a net! ProAdvanced Sports makes nets that set up in seconds, are easy to use and even return the ball to you. They make a full size net called ProReturn for full swings or a smaller version called ProApproach for short game practice. Get one, throw it up in the basement or living room and keep your swing sharp and ready for spring!

    5. Kikkor Golf Shoes & Apparel – There are lots of choices out there for golf shoes, but only Kikkor makes shoes that literally make you cooler. Just kidding, but One thing is for sure, Kikkor Golf makes some cool shoes. Crossing the line between golf and the skate/surf culture, these shoes will help you stand out against the crowd. Use our exclusive link and you’ll get an additional 10% off your entire order, and don’t forget to drop them a line and tell them intothegrain sent you. Company founder and Big Break star James Lepp will be happy.

  • 8 Christmas Gift Ideas For Last Minute Shoppers

    Christmas is almost here, and if you are like me, you still haven’t done your shopping yet. Shipping cutoffs are approaching fast and the stores are packed with last minute shoppers. If there is a golfer on your gift list, here are a few suggestions that you may be interested in…

    • HIRZL Gloves – There are several things Switzerland is famous for making well. A few products that come to mind are chocolate, watches, Swiss army knives and golf gloves. Wait, what? Hirzl gloves are the real deal. They are a premium golf glove that provides superior grip in all conditions and durability that surpasses all other gloves on the market. Made with a mix of Kangaroo and Cabretta leather, they are worth every penny. Street price: $25 – Visit their website for more information. 
    • IJP Designs Apparel – Most everyone that follows the professional tours knows Ian Poulter. Americans know him mostly as the guy that wears flashy pants and keeps kicking their asses at the Ryder Cup. His apparel company has made great inroads in the US market, and IJP offers a complete line of shirts, pants (or trousers if you prefer the Queen’s English), shorts, belts and more. The line features classic designs along side the more darling paterns, and there should be something for just about everyone. Visit ijpdesign.com for more.
    • Slammin’ Sam Beer – A new venture, Slammin’ Sam Beer Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license with the estate of Sam Snead. Slammin’ Sam is a craft-brewed American lager with a refreshing taste and balanced finish that is inspired by the legendary all-time PGA Tour wins leader. Developed using a proprietary recipe developed by Ray Klimovitz, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Life Service Award from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Slammin’ Sam will be offered at renowned resorts, golf courses, restaurants, bars and everywhere beer is sold.
    • TaylorMade Ghost Spider S Putter – TaylorMade’s newest putter was released just in time for the holiday season. The next generation of the Ghost Spider makes it easier for players to square the face at impact to start the ball on its intended line and delivers tremendous twist-resistance on the backswing and off-center hits. Its Tour-designed crown flows smoothly into the outer frame for less distraction, while the black and white frame and single white center-line promotes focus, accurate aim and stroke awareness. TaylorMade’s PureRoll Surlyn insert promotes incredibly soft-yet-solid feel and smooth roll off the face. Available 11/1. MSRP $179 – taylormadegolf.com.
    • adidas Golf Adipure Motion Shoes – One of golf’s great classic shoes, the adipure motion is 5 ounces less and 23% lighter than the previous adipure model. A state-of-the-art outsole construction frees the foot and body to move in a way it was inherently meant to – from the ground up to the shoulders. The adipure motion features a 7-spike, ultra-light exoskeleton outsole with puremotion technology designed to provide dynamic movement and ultimate flexibility. Available 12/1. MSRP $220; adidasgolf.com
    • 2012 Miura Wedges – Miura has been making some of the most beautiful and playable forged irons and wedges in the game for years. The New Wedge Series from Miura, the world’s preeminent maker of quality forged golf clubs, preserves the eternal elements of the “old” Series and adds refinements that make the clubs a pleasure to look at and a joy to play. Now in odd-numbered lofts from 51 degrees through 59, the New Series features redesigned bounce angles that work well with the way thinking players like to play golf.
    • Switch Belts – Made of thermoplastic resin, Switch Belts won’t stretch, fade, warp or wear out. You cut them to fit, can clean them in the dish washer and walk through metal detectors as they contain no metal. What I’m trying to say is, Switch Belts are not just good for golf, but for any outfit. In fact, there are 196 possible belt and buckle color combinations to match every outfit in your closet. Belts go for about $30. www.switchbelt.com
    • SwingTip – In a market flooded with useless swing aids and devices that make you look idiotic on the practice tee, it’s refreshing to see a device that is neither. The SwingTip is a device that attaches below the grip on your club and transmits information about your golf swing to your iPhone, iPad or Android device for analysis. It will give you a graphical display of your swing path along with information like club head speed, club face angle, swing path, impact zone and tempo. You can also review your swing and/or practice session info later online. MSRP $129 – www.swingtip.com

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  • Enter The Cleveland Golf CG15 Wedge Giveaway!

    Cleveland CG15 Oil Quenched WedgesChristmas is coming up so fast, and we never get enough time to soak it all in. Before you know it, the family has gone home and the useless gifts you got from Aunt Bessie and Uncle Fred are already collecting dust in the back of your closet. Well, thanks to the folks over at Cleveland Golf/Srixon, we are going to try and make the holidays last a bit longer and get you what most golfers really want – FREE GOLF CLUBS!

    Since Christmas is already so close, we decided to run the contest until Dec 31, 2009 and make this a New Year’s Present! One lucky golfer will be the proud recipient of two brand spankin’ new Cleveland CG15 wedges in the gorgeous new Oil Quenched finish! That’s a $240 Value! We have a 54/14 and 60/12 wedge to send to the winner. You can always exchange the wedges for different lofts at a local retailer if the loft/bounce combo isn’t exactly what you need. For more information about theses awesome new wedges, check out our full review.

    To enter the contest, simply fill out the form below and tell us what your Golf New Year’s Resolution is. The funniest and/or most creative and/or most inspirational entry will be chosen by the staff of ITG and we’ll announce the winner on January 2, 2010!

    Entry deadline is December 31, 2009 at 11:59PM – And please, only one entry per household. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. Good luck to all and have a great Christmas!

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