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It’s here! The 2013 GolfWRX Holiday Gift Guide

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There are two things all golfers say.

  1. “I should have gone lower.”
  2. “Golf would be easier [or more fun] if I had insert blank.”

For our 2013 GolfWRX Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve searched far and wide to find the golf gear that will help golfers shoot lower scores and have more fun. We’ve broken our gift guide into three categories – stocking stuffers ($60 or less), game changers ($220 or less) and big-ticket items ($329 and up).

Whether you’re buying for yourself or someone else this holiday season, these gifts will not disappoint. Below is the latest and greatest golf gear currently available; gifts that are sure to brighten up even the worst day at the course.

Stocking stuffers: $60 or less

 

Ferrari golf gloves ($50): Few golfers can afford to pull up to course in a Ferrari. But thanks to Cobra-Puma’s partnership with the Italian carmaker, golfers will now have the option to rev up their style with Ferrari golf apparel. The full lineup includes clothing, footwear and accessories. There’s even a driver, but don’t get too excited — it goes for about $2000. We recommend Ferrari golf gloves. They are handcrafted from premium cabretta leather and are available in your choice of white, black and a natural color (the one we like) for $50. Sure, that’s a lot to pay for a golf glove, but it smells like the inside of an Enzo. What golf glove has that? FIND THEM AT: trendygolfusa.com

Rocket Tour Headcovers (Around $30 each): Retro is in, and Rocket Tour makes some of the coolest retro knit headcovers. They come in pom pom, tassel and argyle designs and are also available for putters.  The Victory Stripe is new to the line and retails for $35. With 10 different color options, you’re bound to find the right one to match the bag. FIND THEM AT: rockettour.com

Sligo golf belts ($60): Golf belts used to come in three colors: black, brown and (for young, skinny golfers) white. But a new trend has emerged in golf fashion that has caught on with even the most conservative dressers — matching the belt to the shirt or pants. For some reason, wearing a red or blue belt with a similarly colored pair of pants or shirt doesn’t cause the same amount of eye rolling as a white belt. And there’s a bonus: they’re a lot easier to keep clean. We recommend Sligo’s golf belts, which are available in a variety of colors to match even the most colorful wardrobes. FIND THEM AT: fairwaystyles.com

Tin Cup Personalized Golf Ball Markers ($10 to $20): These aren’t the ball markers you’re thinking of. Tin Cup makes “markers” that fit over a golf ball and allow golfers to add their own personalized logo with a fine-tipped permanent marker. They offer a large variety, including college logos. FIND THEM AT: tin-cup.com

Game Changers ($220 or less)

Ashworth Cardiff Mesh Spikless Golf Shoes ($120): Ashworth’s Cardiff golf shoes are some of the most comfortable, durable and good looking spikeless golf shoes you can buy. They also have pretty good traction — just ask four-time PGA Tour winner Justin Rose. The Cardiff’s nine different colorways offer classic looks that are appropriate for the office or the course. Three of those models are constructed from a lightweight, mesh material that’s perfect for the next warm-weather golf vacation. The Cardiffs come with a two-year waterproof warranty, making them a foolproof holiday gift at $120. FIND THEM AT: ashworthgolf.com

Cleveland 588 RTX CB Satin Chrome Wedges ($120): Cleveland’s 588 RTX Wedges combine the classic design of the 588 wedge with laser-milled Tour Zip Grooves grooves that are 16 percent larger than previous models and feature a directionally milled face pattern that Cleveland calls “Rotex” for maximum spin around the greens. We recommend the slightly more playable CB model in a Satin finish, which is available in even lofts 48 through 60 for righties and lefties. FIND THEM AT: tgw.com

If you’re looking for a more unique wedge idea, check out Cleveland’s My Custom Wedge where you can create a totally custom design. If you choose the RTG model, Cleveland will even let you specifiy one of their four custom grinds for a $30 upcharge.

GolfSense ($130): GolfSense uses small, lightweight motion sensors to measure a golfer’s swing plane, clubhead speed, tempo, hand speed, swing length, hip rotation and wrist release. To use it, all a golfer has to do is slip the unit over the clasp of their glove, calibrate it and swing. GolfSense then transmits the swing data via Bluetooth to a free application available for download for all Android and iOS devices. At $130, GolfSense is cheaper than the price of some 1-hour lessons. It won’t replace a teaching professional, but it will deepen a golfer’s understanding of his or her swing. Special: Through November 30, save 20 percent by using the code GWRX25 at checkout. FIND IT AT: golfsense.com

Ecco Biom Hybrid Golf Shoe ($190): Ecco’s “Street Premiere” spikeless golf shoe started the sans-spikes golf shoe revolution when Fred Couples sported a pair sans-socks at the 2010 Masters. Fast-forward two years and Ecco’s spikeless golf shoes have been worn by countless players on Tour, including Matt Kuchar who wore Ecco’s latest version, the Biom Hybrid, during his win at The Players Championship in 2012. The Bioms are make of breathable Yak leather, making them comfortable with or without socks. FIND THEM AT: tgw.com

Adidas Golf Climaproof Storm Superfast Jacket ($220): Adidas’ Golf Climaproof Storm Superfast Jacket has waterproof protection that lasts up to the pressure and submersion of 20,000 mm. That means this breathable, waterproof jacket will keep a golfer dry in even the worst wet-weather conditions. It has fully sealed seams and two front pockets with waterproof zippers, yet it’s extremely flexible thanks to four-way stretch inserts. It’s comes with a three-year waterproof warranty and is available in white, black and aquatic. FIND IT AT: taylormadegolf.com

Big-Ticket Items ($329 and up):

Cobra ZL Encore Driver ($399): Although the Cobra ZL Encore Driver was released in 2012, it will stay in the company’s 2013 lineup thanks to its solid performance and popularity with tour players like Ian Poulter and Jonas Blixt. The driver was originally released in white and black, but it was also released in red this fall. It’s carbon-fiber construction makes it a low-spinning, high-launching canon. It also adjusts to three different face angles — square, open and closed — that will help golfers fine tune their ball flight. The ZL Encore is available in 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 lofts for right-handed golfers (9.5 and 10.5 only for lefties) and comes stock with a Fujikura Motore F1 or F3 shaft (Lite, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff Flexes). FIND IT IN RED. FIND IT IN WHITE. FIND IT IN BLACK. 

Club Glove Last Bag XL ($329): The Club Glove XL is the most popular travel bag in professional golf. It fits golf bags up to 10.5 inches and accommodates drivers as long as 47 inches. The Last Bag XL also has extra thick foam padding on the top of the bag, as well as internal security straps to keep golf clubs damage free. It’s water resistant, lightweight for its size (12 lbs.) and features high-quality handles and wheels that make toting it around less of a chore. It’s available in 17 different color options and comes with Club Glove’s lifetime warranty against manufacturers defects and workmanship during normal travel usage. If you’re buying a gift for a golfer who likes to travel, this is the one.  FIND IT AT: tgw.com

2013 Ping Anser Forged Irons ($1449 and up): Ping’s Anser Forged irons are the result of the company’s quest to make the ultimate iron. Not only are the Anser Forged irons stunning to look at, they’re packed with technology that makes them much more forgiving than their compact shape indicates. The long irons are designed to launch high and fly straight, while the short irons offer a penetrating trajectory that helps with distance control. They’re the priciest item on this list, but golfers will be looking long and hard before they find a more highly engineered set of forged cavity backs. FIND THEM AT: tgw.com

TaylorMade RocketBladez Irons ($799 — 4-AW w/steel shafts): TaylorMade RocketBladez are the iron adaptation of the company’s popular lineup of woods from last year, RocketBallz. Thanks to a “Speed Slot” in the sole, RocketBladez are more forgiving than previous TaylorMade irons, especially on thin shots. RocketBladez offer faster ball speeds and a higher trajectory than previous TaylorMade irons, which means more distance and a softer landing on the greens. They’re not forged, which gives them a louder sound at impact than some golf equipment purists prefer. But if a golfer wants to hit his or her irons higher, further and straighter these clubs will do that for them. FIND THEM AT: tgw.com

 Click here for more discussion in the forums. 

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Jessica

    Nov 18, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Hey guys! I emailed the people at Zepp.com, and they fixed the code so it should work now 🙂

    They replied: Thank you for bringing this matter to us. We have fixed the issue and the discount code should work now.

  2. Tom McCarthy

    Nov 28, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    What? No book reviews?

    Give some love to ‘The Complete Hogan’ by Jim McLean and Tom McCarthy!

  3. Carlos Rosario

    Nov 28, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Can’t use the code with GolfSense either.

  4. Robert Christenson

    Nov 28, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Anyone able to successfully use the discount code for the GolfSense item?

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

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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

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)

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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Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

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

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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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