What’s in your bag: The best golf accessories of 2019

For those of us in more seasonal golf locations, the coming of the Masters each year marks the unofficial start of the golf season. Lord only knows what all’s accumulated in the depths of your golf bag since last season, so before you go trunk slamming to your first tee shot of 2019, it’d be wise to take inventory.

We’re skipping past the obvious golf necessities — count your clubs, clean your grooves and wash your balls — and focusing on what’s in your bag’s extra pockets: tools and accessories. There is no shortage of these products on the market, from gimmicky to practical and everything in between, but the items below are sure to earn a permanent spot in your on-course arsenal.

Birdicorn divot tool

Birdicorn bottle openerThe tagline “The best divot tool in golf,” is a little misleading when you’re talking about Birdicorn’s claim-to-fame. Don’t get us wrong, it is the best repair tool on the market, but that’s literally a fraction of what this product can do. Birdicorn‘s genius lightweight design packs 6 functions into one easy-to-use tool; a repair tool, putting alignment aid, grip rest, bottle opener, line stencil, and ball mark holder (fits any 1″ ball marker). The compact, ergonomical design fits comfortably in your pocket, meaning you’ll have absolutely no reason to leave pocked greens behind you on the course. Birdicorn tools are made from CNC anodized aluminum for longevity, and come in a wide range of colors and matching ball makers — or you can take it to the next level and choose a custom design. In short, Birdicorn is simply “the best tool in golf.”

Ampcaddy speaker

Amp Caddy speakerWhether controversial or not, CGB believes golf and music go hand-in-hand — there’s nothing like the sounds of Nature when the beat drops. Ampcaddy knows exactly what we’re talking about and has delivered us from the days of shitty cellphone speakers and clunky wired setups. As a matter of fact, the Ampcaddy is a speaker designed specifically for the golf course with directional audio features (keeping the music from disturbing other golfers), an adjustable attachment clamp, a rechargeable lithium battery, 33′ of Bluetooth connectivity and a weather/shockproof housing. Don’t worry about keeping your connected devices safe, secured and fully charged, either — Ampcaddy’s portable charger has two USB ports for multiple devices, and the phone holder keeps your device from going anywhere. Like keeping the tunes to yourself? Ampcaddy’s bluetooth ear buds and beanies keep you jamming on and off the course, anytime, anywhere. Hey DJ, play that song for me.

Electric Golf sunglasses

Electric GolfYour fashion choices on the course are your own business — though we hope you’re at least trying — but protecting yourself from the elements is important stuff. Electric Golf sunglasses represents the best of both worlds with affordable, stylish, and high performing eyewear specifically designed for all golfers. The company’s offerings are a perfect substitute to their often overpriced competitors without skimping on performance, including the Knoxville Pro which earned a Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for best eyewear in 2018. Accompanying Electric’s golf-centric designs is a variety of lens options to make sure you get the exact style and performance you’re looking for. As your Electric sunglasses become your go-to, you’ll want to keep an eye out for anything else the company may be up to — its award-winning design team is constantly cranking out some of the hottest golf accessories and apparel you’re going to find.

Pins & Aces headcovers

Pins&Aces head coversSticking with the theme of style and performance, don’t forget about your club heads. Pins & Aces has bust onto the headcover scene with quality, stand-out styles that are sure to draw attention to your bag. While we may be partial to the company’s Colorado Collection, the Keep America Great! collection, sporting a likening of 45 himself complete with a tuft of yellow hair, has become a hot-list item (and a sure conversation starter). Available in sets or driver through rescue, Pins & Aces headcovers are all hand-made from premium leather to ensure the highest quality and longevity. Bigly.

Haywood Golf Slope rangefinder

Haywood Slope RangefinderHaywood Golf is making a name for itself in the golf club game with stunning wedges — rumor has it a full set of irons is in the offing, too — but that’s not all the company is about. HG’s Slope rangefinder is perfect for golfers aiming, quite literally, to up their game. With 500 yards of range, 6x magnification, slope adjustment and even more features, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value for $175. It may seem menial, but knowing your distance from the pin or target area makes all the difference in making a confident swing on the ball. HG’s compact design is easy to hold, water resistant, and also comes with a hard carry case to keep the unit safe in your bag. With a plethora of rangefinders now touting dozens of features, something like the HG Slope is an excellent product to test the waters with at a lower price. You may not find a better value when when you’re shopping for rangefinders.

Uther golf towels

Uther golf towelsGolf can be a dirty game — in more ways than one. But if you let all the dirt and grime build up on your club heads unchecked, it’ll start affecting your ball striking. Golf towels, the ever-preferred cleaning method, have always been a must-have, and another way to flash a little personal flare on your bag. Uther plays that game better than most by producing the most durable and stylish golf towels we’ve been able to find. Keeping your clubs clean is the easy part, selecting a print from Uther’s ample offerings will prove much more difficult. It’s literally impossible to find a Uther towel you wouldn’t want on your bag — you can even customize your own to make sure of it.

Asher Golf gloves

Asher golf gloves“Look good, feel good, play better” usually rings true, but like everything else, the difference is in the details. Asher Golf specializes in the details of premium golf gloves. Asher gloves come in a wide variety of colors and styles, including NBA logos and collabs with other brands. Made from high quality leathers and durable velcro and palm inserts, these gloves are also made to last — more than you can say about the wrinkled mass of dried leather at the bottom of your bag. With styles and color sure to match any ensemble, durable materials, and a price point much lower than other premium gloves, there’s no reason not to give Asher a swing.

ColoradoGolfBlog, in some cases, receives a small commission when you purchase items from these links. CGB has endorsed all advertisers, products and services and advertising does not influence editorial decisions or content.

A last minute gift guide for the golfer in your life

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have been long been the majors, so to speak, of the holiday shopping season. But not everyone makes that weekend cut.

If bowling over grandmothers (or vice versa) isn’t your idea of nice afternoon out, and if those cyber deals pass you by, you’re often left with the anxiety of tackling your holiday shopping list before the big day(s) without seeming like you just grabbed the last items on the shelf. But if you’re looking to go beyond a tacky novelty gift for the golfer on your list — and we know there’s at least or you wouldn’t be reading this — fret no more.

Our inaugural Gift Guide highlights a collection of CGB-trusted companies covering just about everything on your golfer’s wishlist, and often for less than your high-priced, major brand offerings. It’s difficult (at least for us) to pick just one item from these product lines, so you’ll still need to do a little browsing for the best fit. But from shoes, clothing and accessories to tech, putters and more, any of the following brands will help the golfer on your list look and act like they know what they’re doing.

Skramble Clothes

You can’t go wrong with the gift of a membership to one of the Internet’s most famous golf groups. OK, it’s not really a membership as much as a badge of honor, and it’s more of a “Skuad” than it is just another golf group. However you see it, anything emblazoned with the Skramble Clothes logo is sure to be noticed by others in the know with a head nod or a fist bump. With t-shirts, polos, outwear, hats and more, Skramble has everything your recipient will need to strut the course in style, and finally meet those “Skuad Goals.”

Atlas Premier

High performance golf attire is beginning to move away from the mainstream, and companies like Atlas Premier are leading that charge. With hats, tops, bottoms, outerwear and more, Atlas is creating functional lines for golfers on and off the course. The breathable material and sturdy build make Atlas products a go-to in all weather conditions — cooling in the summer months and a comfortable layer in colder temps — and the seams and cuts don’t impede flexibility. You’ll be pressed to find a design that doesn’t fit the golfer on your list, and after a few rounds they’ll have a new favorite performance clothing line.

2 UNDR

Golf and … underwear? Stick with us, this isn’t the underwear your parents stuffed in your stockings. 2UNDR drawers, for men, feature what the company calls the “Joey Pouch,” which keeps the other stick and balls from unwanted skin contact — meaning less chaffing and a more comfortable feel. 2UNDR offers a variety of lines and styles to make sure your golfer looks and feels great on the course, at work or at home. If you’re one for a little man eye-candy yourself, you won’t be disappointed by the Joey Pouch, either (*wink).

36 Golf

It’s easy to see why 36 Golf made this year’s list, they’re just like us — unabashed lovers of the sport looking to make the game a little more fun for everyone. 36’s simple, minimal designs run throughout the company’s offerings, including hats, shirts, fleeces and accessories, and suit just about any kind of golfer regardless of style. No matter how bad your recipient’s swing is, 36 golf will make sure they look good doing it. And there’s no shame in that.

Weekend Warrior

Weekend Warrior is a staple in the novelty golf clothing and performance polo game, and should have a place in every golfer’s wardrobe. Make your first stop to at the premium tees page, rife with some of the best prints in the game — and grab a CGB logo t-shirt while you’re there. WW’s performance polos deliver subtle yet unique designs in a range of colors and styles, and hoodies and long sleeves will round out any outfit. With a Weekend Warrior label, everyone will know where to find your recipient between Friday and Monday.

True Links

There’s a reason True Links is the sole shoe company to make our list this year — and it’s because we wanted to use that pun. Joking aside, the company makes some of the best and most comfortable golf shoes we’ve slipped our feet into. True Links’ outlet lets you shop from a number of lines suited for golfers of any style, from classic and contemporary to more colorful and eye-catching designs. Browse the Outsider and Original lines for even more form and function on the course. True Links is one of the few companies with shoes your golfer can and may actually want to wear off the course, too. And when they realize just how much these shoes can impact their game — a solid swing starts with a stable stance — they won’t want to take them off.

Electric Golf

Sunglasses are a must on the course, and not just to add a finishing touch on an outfit. Average golfers spend A LOT of time looking for their ball — because golf is hard — and squinting in the sunlight or battling glare from cheap lenses doesn’t make it any easier. Electric sunglasses‘ new golf offerings deliver two-fold, with the OEM+ lenses blocking UV and HEV blue light for crisp, crystal clear vision, and designs suited for any occasion. Electric’s designs rest comfortably over the ears even with a hat — an issue we’ve had with other companies — while staying snug and stable during even the most violent swings.

Asher Golf

Golf gloves don’t get their fair share of attention, which is why we should be thankful for companies like Asher Golf who pay respect where it’s due. Elevate your recipient’s glove game with one of Asher’s colorful or flashy designs — always an added statement to any outfit. It’s not just about the looks, though, Asher gloves are built to withstand swing after swing after swing after swing, with a lesser chance of cracking, tears or holes, unlike some of those mainstream brands. “Make golf gloves great again.” — Asher golf (probably).

Birdicorn

The divot tool to end all divot tools. That’s because Birdicorn‘s is a ball mark holder, putter holder, stencil, bottle opener, alignment aid and divot tool all in one. Get one in every color of the rainbow and trust the sturdy design to withstand everyday wear and tear. As if that isn’t enough, the company also offers matching ball markers, golf towels with scrub patches, hats, and fun t-shirt designs to compliment that green-side swagger.

Hissalot

It’s always nice to have some comedic relief ready for when the bogeys are racking up and tempers start flaring. Enter Sir Hissalot, a toy snake and Instagram’s favorite golf prank. There’s no secret to how it works: you set Hissalot down in the path of your target, scare the pants off them and everyone around points and laughs hysterically. The trick is getting it all on camera. Nothing on the golf course will ever be as funny as a perfectly played Hissalot prank, and few things are more memorable.

Cut Golf

Without a doubt your golfer can always use golf balls, and, thankfully, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for something they’re bound to lose at some point anymore. Cut Golf is a direct-to-consumer ball company, cutting as many costs as possible in the production process to make its 2- 3- and 4-piece balls affordable for everyone. The company cuts costs, not corners, meaning these golf balls are on par with mainstream brands, touting comparable distance, spin, response and green-side control players expect.

OnCore

OnCore Golf, meanwhile, is on a mission to change the game with its cutting edge golf balls. It all started with the company’s Caliber ball, sporting a hollow metal core that combats wayward ball flight and improves roll off the face of the putter. Among OnCore’s other offerings is the Elixr, included in Golf Digest‘s 2017 Hot List, a three-piece ball sure to help take your golfer’s game to next level. The company isn’t showing signs of slowing down as it’s circulating that plans for the world’s smartest golf ball are already in the making.

Swing Society

Shirts, tools, balls, accessories — the hardest part of finding the right golf gift can be picking just one. If that’s the case for you, take the guesswork out of it with a Swing Society subscription. Swing Society finds the best of golf apparel and products each month to deliver a tailored gift box right to your favorite golfer’s front door. You never know what you’ll find in your Swing Society box, so really this is 12 gifts in 1, and sure to make your golfer the envy of their foursome.

Bradley Putters

For a guaranteed “wow” from your recipient, look no further Bradley Putters, a go-to for show stopping custom wood putters. The company hand-crafts each putter with gorgeous burl wood resulting in stunning, artful designs. Each piece is one-of-a-kind — build-your-own options are available too — and sure to give its owner plenty reason to show it off on the practice green. Don’t discount the performance on account of the wood — Bradley putters feel as good as they look, and are built to withstand the wear-and-tear of everyday use (with a lifetime guarantee, too). If you need a second opinion, ask golf.com, which included Bradley Putters in its “Best Products from 2017 PGA Merchandise Show.”

Raybon putters

For a custom putter design using more traditional materials, Raybon Putters does not disappoint. Shop from Raybon’s Signature Collection, or build your own from four showroom base designs. From start to finish the custom design process is a blast, personalizing each piece of the putter, from insert to grip and everything in between. Raybon putters’ performance on the course is also nothing short of spectacular, the milled designs delivering control and consistency on every stroke. (Now if you could only give the gift of birdie putts…)

Outside of the hottest new driver, a new set of clubs or a destination golf vacation, it’s hard to beat from the brands on this list when shopping for the golfers in your life.

ColoradoGolfBlog, in some cases, receives a small commission when you purchase items from these links. CGB has endorsed all advertisers, products and services and advertising does not influence editorial decisions or content.