Tag: renegar

  • 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!

  • 8 Golf Products You Can’t Live Without

    8 Golf Products You Can’t Live Without

    Drink_CaddyThe golf industry is no different than any other industry in that there is no shortage of copy-cats, corner cutters and imitators out there. Every major golf equipment manufacturer has had their products cloned, and anyone with a good idea better cash in fast because you can bet someone out there will try to copy it at some point. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of new products introduced over the years with varying levels of success. Some are upgrades of existing products or ideas, and others are totally new concepts. Here are eight cool products that I have come across lately that deserve your attention!

    Drink Caddy

    The Drink Caddy (seen above) is part novelty item, part useful gadget. Many golfers like to have a drink or three when they play golf. This wouldn’t be much of an issue, other than the policy many courses have that don’t allow outside food or beverages on the course. They want to sell you their $3 Gatorades and $5 beers. Instead of stuffing beer cans in your bag, the Drink Caddy helps by disguising a drink dispenser as just another club in your bag. There is a pretty large 52oz (1.5 liters) reservoir that hides away in your bag, attached to the dispenser that pumps the liquid of your choice on demand. It works great and is easy to clean and use. You can’t use it with carbonated drinks, but other than that it is a great option for those hit-and-giggle scramble events to carry rum, vodka, wine or boring old water. You decide!

    NexbeltNexbelt – The Belt With No Holes

    My new favorite apparel accessory is Nexbelt belts. Just like the tagline says, they have no holes. Instead, Nexbelt has designed a belt that uses a kind of ratchet system to size the belt. This system helps in a couple of ways. First, it allows a more precise fit than the old fashioned holes, and can be easily adjusted without drawing attention to your crotch. The other bonus of this design is that it allows them to make one belt for everyone up to 50″. You buy the belt, size yourself and then cut the extra length off yourself. They have dozens of styles and colors for men and women, work, casual and golf. Give them a look and access the online shop here.

    magnecaddyMagneCaddy

    This is as simple as you can get for a golf accessory. Have a bad back? Hurts to bend down and pick up your clubs around the green? Just install the MagneCaddy on the end of your putter and pick up those wedges with ease. The device screws into the little hole on the butt end of your grips and uses a powerful magnet to pick up anything metallic. When I say powerful, I mean it. I picked up a sand wedge with it and shook it in the air, but the MagneCaddy held it strong. The only problem with a magnet this strong is that it will cling to anything made of metal, including your car, the golf cart, other clubs in the bag, etc.

    polara golf ballsPolara Self-Correcting Golf Balls

    “Dammit, that golf ball flies too straight!” Ever hear anyone say that on the golf course? Yeah, me neither. The average golfer still hits the ball all over the place, despite all the wonderful technology in those $400 drivers that promise we won’t. Polara Golf is the only company that can back up those claims. They make a golf ball that flies so straight it’s illegal. The Polara golf ball has dimples of different sizes and depth arranged in a specific way as to self-correct in flight. As a result, when properly aligned to the target these golf balls fly on a flatter, knuckleball-like trajectory and they go very, very straight. The shallow dimples around the center of the ball are what help them fly straight, but they also reduce lift, meaning they will fly lower and carry less than regular golf balls. However, the lower spin also means they will roll more after landing. Overall I noticed a small difference in distance over a normal golf ball. Use a high lofted driver to counteract the lower ball flight and spin and these balls are awesome. They even make their own (illegal) driver to use with them that helps even more. Obviously you can’t use them in any USGA sanctioned events, but for the casual golfer they can certainly help make the game more fun!

    Renegar Golf WedgesRenegar Wedges

    Bob Renegar has been around for a while, but you may never have heard of him. He first designed his unique wedges under a different name, but he’s now selling his scoring clubs under the Renegar Golf brand. The Renegar wedge has a sole grind that is unlike any other on the market. According to Renegar, it allows the golfer to produce virtually any kind of shot around the greens, from any lie. The grind allowed them to lower the leading edge of the club without losing bounce. This permits the club to perform well from a variety of lies and circumstances around the green. This versatility is key for a good short game. I’ve used a similar sole grind for years, even if it isn’t exactly like his. In early testing, Renegar wedges are a joy to chip with and can handle closely mown collars, deep bermuda rough and sand with ease. Look for a complete play test and review of these cool wedges soon!

    Bushnell Tour Z6 JoltBushnell Tour Z6 Jolt

    I have become attached to my rangefinder in much the same way that many people are to their smartphones. I’m so dependent on it that I can remember the exact date and course that I last played without one. Over the years they have greatly improved on the technology that was originally borrowed from range finders designed for hunting. Now, most models from all the major brands have some sort of flag-lock feature to be sure you are hitting the flag, not the trees behind the green when shooting a yardage. The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is one of the best. Not only does Bushnell’s Pinseeker technology work well, but the unit also vibrates when lock is established so you can be sure. The Z6 Jolt is also light and the display is very bright, so you can use it in all conditions. A review on this one is also coming soon!

    Swiftwick SocksSwiftwick Socks

    Socks are socks, right? Except when they aren’t. Swiftwick makes compression socks for all sports including golf. No matter what sport you play, you want your feet to be comfy. Swiftwick socks fit like new every time you put them on, and provide support and moisture wicking for your feet. Not only that, but they look cool, come in many different sizes, colors and styles and they are made in the USA. What more do you need? Try them out!

    Personal Golf TotePersonal Golf Tote

    From the “Why didn’t I think of that” department comes the simple but very handy Personal Golf Tote from Cynwark. We’ve all had to share a golf cart with a basket hog at one time or another. You know the type – they throw all their stuff in the basket behind the seats, leaving you no room to toss your empty beer cans and head covers. The nerve of some people. So you do what we all do, throw your stuff in the front storage compartments and end up leaving your sunglasses and keys behind. Well, now you don’t have to fight over the basket or forget stuff in the cart. Simply hang the Personal Golf Tote over the side of the cart from the seat handle and put your keys, wallet, snacks, golf balls, tees, your range finder, sunscreen and whatever else in it for safe keeping. At first I was afraid of the guys making fun of it, but they all thought it was a neat idea, and the ladies absolutely love it. Simple but thoughtful. It’s the perfect golf gadget!