Equipment

2015 GolfWRX Holiday Gift Guide

Published

8 years ago

Nov 27, 2015

The GolfWRX Holiday Gift Guide was created to ensure that our readers give (and receive) the very best golf gifts on the planet.

Whether that special person you’re buying for is into apparel, equipment, technology or cool accessories, our Holiday Gift Guide has you covered. These gift ideas will suit any budget, and each item was hand picked by our staff.

Forward it on to drop a not-so-subtle hint of what you really want this holiday season.

Stocking Stuffers (Around $50)

PGA Tour Pro Sport (3.4 oz): $58

The Tour’s first ever signature fragrance. A cologne is always on the stocking stuffer menu, and what better choice for a PGA Tour fan than a PGA Tour cologne, right? And what does the eau de Tour smell like? Pro Sport opens with an energizing burst of juicy citrus, followed by fresh mint and a blend of masculine woods. Buy it from TruFragrance.

Sunfish leather headcover: $44.99

Leather headcovers have made a comeback in recent years. And there’s no better example of the classic club covering on the market than Sunfish’s. Available in seven colors, we like the stylish green and white because, well, the Masters. Buy it from Sunfish.

Personalized Titleist golf balls

The No. 1 ball-maker in golf is still running its traditional holiday promotion: free personalization.

The option to add names, nicknames, initials and special messages, as well as social media usernames and hashtags to a dozen balls adds a personal touch to the gift, rather than looking like you stopped off at a big box store and snagged a box of balls off the shelf. Learn more from Titleist.

Superstroke Slim 3.0: $24.99

The fastest-growing grip on the PGA Tour, the 1.30’’-diameter Superstroke Slim 3.0 is a gift that can improve your gift recipient’s putting by minimizing hand action and tension in the putting stroke. Also, consider the Flatso 1.0 —the model used by some guy named Jordan Spieth.

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Don’t break the bank ($75 to $300)

Arccos Golf: $299.99

As our John Lahtinen wrote in his excellent review of Arccos, the company “created a GPS golf shot tracking system that automatically tracks your round and gives real-time feedback as you make your way around the course.” The Arccos package includes virtually weightless sensors for the butts of all your clubs and putter, as well as access to a stat-tracking web interface. If you’re looking to give a truly game-changing (and eye-opening) gift to a golfer in your life, look no further.

[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.arccosgolf.com/products/the-1-performance-tracker-in-golf” oemtext=”Learn more from Arccos” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZDGLCY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OZDGLCY&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=2URD36JGVPR2PXVW”]

ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2: $195

Wear them on the course or off, these spikeless kicks combine comfort, performance and durability with several fashionable styles. The BIOM Hybrid 2’s are good for any age-bracket, providing the “cool” factor for younger golfers and ultra-comfort and performance for the older crowd. Our review.

[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://us.shop.ecco.com/golf-men-biom/ecco-mens-biom-hybrid-2-151514.html?dwvar_151514_color=59031#cgid=golf-men” oemtext=”Learn more from Ecco” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJ33GYQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JJ33GYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=QSVKNAN7Q6GTUTPT”]

FootJoy DNA: $220

And if you’re looking for a spiked shoe for a golfer on your list, the FootJoy DNA is the route to go. The DNA (DryJoys Next Advancement) features cutting-edge athletic design, comfort, and traction. As Tim Gavrich said in his review of the original DNA golf shoes, “These are serious shoes with a modern sensibility, both in their heft and waterproof nature and the obviously high amount of technology.” Learn more from FootJoy.

The Players Championship Ticket Packages

From now until Jan. 3, The Players Championship is offering some special holiday ticket offers so that your golf fan in the family can look forward to the PGA Tour’s signature event in 2016 (May 10-15):

$95 – (2) Stadium Passes for use on Thursday or Sunday
$115 – (2) Stadium Passes for use on Friday or Saturday
$330 – (2) Stadium Passes for use any day
Stadium Pass allows access to tournament grounds and nearly 20 on-site public venues

All packages include unlimited youth tickets (18 and younger) as well as a limited-edition Players 2016 calendar – all sent with free shipping. The packages save shoppers anywhere between 21-26 percent over the items if they were purchased individually. Now, that’s a good deal. Packages ordered by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 21 are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas Eve.

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Prizm sunglasses: $170

If you’re looking for a great pair of shades for the golfer on your list: We offer you the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Prizm. Prizm lens technology is specifically designed for sport and the outdoor environment while offering enhanced lens coverage and specialized lens curvature. These aren’t ZZ Top’s cheap sunglasses, and they’re optimally suited for the golf course.

[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.oakley.com/en/mens-golf/flak-2-0-xl-prizm-golf/product/W0OO9295XLPZG/?skuCode=OO9188-05&categoryCode=mens-golf” oemtext=”Learn more from Oakley” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UT4ED9Q/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00UT4ED9Q&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=KOIM6YRHI343V5CH”]

Spoil Them Rotten ($300+)

Golfbreaks Scotland trip: $5,985

Money no object? As far as golf vacations go, this one takes the cake: Golfbreaks St. Andrews, Carnoustie & Gleneagles trip.

The suggested 7-night vacation package includes:

7 nights B&B at Old Course Hotel St Andrews.
5 rounds of golf at St Andrews Old Course (GUARANTEED tee time), St Andrews New Course, Kingsbarns Course, Carnoustie Championship Course, Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course.
Lunch at St Andrews Clubhouse when playing Old and New Courses.
Lunch at Kingsbarns.
3-course dinner in hotel on one of the nights.
Souvenir group photo taken on first tee of the Old Course.
Chauffeur driven ground transportation for entire vacation.
All local taxes.

Learn more from Golfbreaks.

Bushnell Tour X Jolt: $499

Easy to use. Perfect for gear heads and tourney players. Bushnell’s new Exchange Technology, which allows users to switch the rangefinder from a slope-and-distance device to a tournament-legal, distance-only device. The Tour X offers precise, easily obtained distances and elevation information. Our review.

[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://bushnellgolf.com/Laser-Rangefinders/Tour-X” oemtext=”Learn more from Bushnell” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SW2G0U2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00SW2G0U2&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=I6AXSZZVGWVXYKW5″]

TaylorMade M1 driver: $499

As we pointed out in our M1 driver review, the M1 460 and M1 430 are:

“TaylorMade’s best work. The M1 460 and M1 430 are two of the longest drivers available, merging meaningful adjustability with a new level of forgiveness that allows them to work for nearly any golfer.”

In short, if you’re going to buy a driver for someone on your list, you’ve got to go with something adjustable and with plenty of curb appeal and buzz. This is the play.

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

Published

8 hours ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.

Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

Published

8 hours ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.

The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?

Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.

When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.

To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.

Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.

“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.

“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”

Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.

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Equipment

Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird

Published

11 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Andrew Tursky

With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.

On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.

Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?

Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’

So that’s why I went back.

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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?

It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.

Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.

It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.

Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.

Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.

So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?

Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.

Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?

Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.

There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.

It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.

Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.

And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?

Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’

If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’

My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’

I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”

And you’re going with it this week?

Hundred percent.

Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.

Thanks, man.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

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