As younger generations of golfers impact the game with tremendous buying power, the image of the game is quite literally changing. Neon ensembles made famous by one Mr. Fowler, and eccentric prints and loud patters donned by the likes of John Daly and others have found their way onto public courses. But, golf being golf, a strong testament to tradition remains.
Arnold Palmer Apparel, as the name should suggest, is among the best performance golf clothing to come through the CGB headquarters. From the fit and the fabrics to the styles and performance, the official clothing line of the King himself impresses. The company’s shirts tout moisture wicking fabric keeping players comfortable in the steamiest of conditions while also protecting from harmful UV rays, and the flexible material moves with the body through the full range of motion. Palmer polos come in a variety of colors and traditional styles, each with a cleverly iconic name associated with the golf legend, and range from $50 to $60.
Pants and shorts are also available from Arnold Palmer Apparel, each offering similar performance material. Though bottoms usually aren’t the most exciting part of a golf ensemble, the company’s designs shine in the details. Rivets emblazoned with the iconic umbrella set these pieces apart, capped by impeccable cuts and creases that withstand the wear and tear of the course. Though the colors and designs are fewer, Arnold Palmer Apparel pants and shorts will compliment any golf wardrobe, ranging from $45 to $65.
Weather on the course can often times be as unpredictable as one’s game — something we know well here in Colorado — making midlayers and outerwear and essential addition to course attire. As important as they are, I’ve found these pieces are amongst the hardest to shop for, and more often than not, I’m left disappointed in one way or another. Palmer Apparel’s offerings in this category made me a believer once again, with pieces designed for a range of conditions. Performance is one thing, but it’s the fit that usually gets me — it’s all in the sleeves. To my delight, I found these pieces move easily throughout my swing and the sleeves don’t ever interfere with my grip at all. If you’re looking for a go-to in this category of golf clothing, look no further. (Check the website for prices and styles.)
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. (Hats, belts, and other accessories are available, too, but that’s not what I’m talking about.)
Arnold Palmer Apparel is closely tied to Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation, one of the foremost philanthropic organizations in the industry, providing financial support via retail purchases. Golf is pricey as it is, and so is the associated apparel. But knowing my dollars are helping not only helping grow the game, but also helping change people’s lives, makes clicking the checkout button a lot easier. Given the close ties the game has to nonprofit organizations — when’s the last time you played in a scramble not benefitting a charity of some kind? — companies fostering social endeavors through sales seems a natural fit, and very welcomed.
Fashion is as big a part of today’s game as the game itself, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. And companies big and small will continue to attract and equip golfers of any style, eccentric or traditional, on and off the course. Fact is, the golf attire industry has reached a point where consumers can now make more conscience buying decisions — beyond the aesthetics — without sacrificing individual style preferences. Arnold Palmer Apparel is a shining example of what the industry should strive for.
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.
“It’s the archer not the arrow,” is a saying that may come to mind while taking the walk of shame into BFE to look for a lost ball. Everyone needs practice, but even with constant practice do you ever really know if you’re upping your consistant swing speed, improving your launch angle or generating spin? Outside of expensive TrackMan or indoor range sessions, your “what am I doing wrong?” question may forever be left unanswered.
OnCore wants those answers, and plans to get them from the source — the golf ball.
With what’s probably the most innovative leap in golf equipment, the cutting edge golf ball company plans to change the game (again) with the “GENiUS” smart golf ball. The GENiUS indigogo page details the ball’s impressive offerings, here’s an excerpt:
After each stroke, the GENiUS Ball will transmit data to your mobile device showing your location on the course, ball velocity, spin rate and spin axis, carry distance and roll, and even the distance from the green. You’ll see the information using a variety of formats and have the ability to share it to your social media accounts as well.
Real time stats aren’t new to the course with numerous apps, wearables, cart features and even smart clubs, but sourcing from a high performance golf ball has, as of yet, remained unattainable.
Yeah, we were thinking it too: how can something built to suffer blunt force trauma house something as delicate as a computer chip?
Perhaps the writing was on the wall with OnCore’s Cliber golf balls, which made waves with a hollow metal core. The GENiUS will take advantage of OnCore’s technology to protect the chip through multiple rounds and able to withstand more than 15K+ G-Force, according to the company.
(To answer what’s probably your second question: The GENiUS’s GPS feature will come in handy when you do lose it, so don’t worry about that.)
Introduced late summer 2017, the project, as of this writing, has raised $36,000, with a listed $30,000 goal, and plans to launch in 2018.
Real time stats are great on the course, but until now the information has always been closer to secondhand data, adding the challenge of deciphering it after the fact. Golf balls could offer a wealth of information if they could talk — after laughing at you, of course — and it’s about damn time they start talking.
We average golfers will continue to send balls into the sticks — some things will never change — but with a little help from OnCore’s forthcoming technology we can get the data to make sure it happens a little less often.
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.
Unless you’re completely oblivious to your golf game, you should care about your golf ball, at least a little bit. Average golfers shouldn’t be as worried about “control” or “spin” as advertised by their favorite pros — you know as well as I do you don’t know exactly how to take advantage of that anyways. But even if you’re shooting in 100s, it’s easy to recognize the feel, response, flight, and other qualities of the ball when it hits the sweet spot.
Technology is the name of the game when it comes to golf balls, much like everything else, and we’ve come a long way from the round rocks or whatever the game’s forefathers used. Of course, your Pro V-1s and Callaway Chrome Softs speak for themselves. You’ve played them before, so we won’t waste your time. But if you’re looking to go beyond $8 balls and those Top Flites you found in the bush, here are the brands to keep in mind.
We average golfers lose (and find) balls on a pretty regular basis, so expect this list to continue to grow as the scorecards come in.
OnCore Elixr
OnCore states it bluntly on its website, “We’ve changed the game of golf.” Though it’s a common phrase, OnCore may be on to something there, given that they’re touting a hollow metal core golf ball. The Caliber, one of three OnCore offerings ($20.00 and up), is a 3-piece surlyn ball, the metal core designed to keep the ball on a straighter trajectory while in flight. If your swing speed is sub-100mph and you have a penchant for accuracy, you may have found a new favorite.
OnCore ups the ante again with the Elixr, with a polybutadiene rubber core, metal-infused ionomer mantle (read: metallic flecks inside) and a cast urethane cover. Really, who cares what’s inside as long as it’s durable, flies straight, and sticks to greens — check, check, and check. The Elixr cuts through headwinds with ease, seems to release on-command, and offers a soft touch on and around the greens.
Kirkland Signature
Also known as “the rarest specimen in golf,” to say Costco’s first foray into the golf game was a success is an under statement. The Kirkland Signature, a 4-piece urethane coated ball, made its brief debut in 2016 before promptly selling out, twice. Word is the ball will be back, according to the company’s CEO, but when that’ll happen is anyone’s guess. Keep an eye on the shelves for what can only be described as Costco’s cheaper version of the Pro V-1 — so much so that the two companies are in the midst of a patent lawsuit — at only $30 for two dozen. (If you’re hoarding a stock and fielding offers, name your price.)
Vice Golf
Landing on Golf Digest‘s 2015 Hot List, Vice Golf’s offerings come exactly as advertised. From the Drive and Tour lines to the Pro and the Pro+, Vice has the perfect fit for all types of swings and golfers — neon and flamingo pink finishes available, too ($10.95 and up before shipping). Our choice pick goes to the Pro+. The 4-piece urethane, dual cased ball boasts tremendous distance from the tee, soft feel on the club face, smooth, consistent ball flight, and “S2TG” (Stick to the green) technology for confidence around the dance floor. Snag a sample pack or try Vice’s ball recommender to find your next go-to.
Cut Golf Co.
Damn near brand new to the game, Cut Golf Co.’s goal is as much about the product as it is about the service — that being at-home delivery and bottom dollar prices. It’s simple, really, you pick the best ball for your game, choose your shipping frequency, and start spraying them from the tee. Cut Golf has four lines of balls to choose from ($14.95 and up): Red, White, and Blue; two-piece, three-piece and four-piece respectively. Weekend hackers will appreciate the distance and feel of Cut Red, while lower handicaps will benefit from the soft feel and ample response of the urethane Cut Blue line.
Volvik
Those dimples though. Volvik is pretty proud of its technological advancements but the short of it is this: it owns a lot of patents and is definitely not afraid to do things differently. Designed specifically to address wind resistance, drag, elasticity and control, it’s no wonder the company is on a tear lately. With nine models to choose from, in a variety of, um, energetic colors ($22.99 and up), you’re not likely to get your ball mixed up with someone else’s. Though we haven’t put wood to each line, we have tried our hand at the Vivid — now a default safe-play ball in a couple CGB bags with its matte finish and tremendous consistency with a slower swing speed.
What are you playing? We’re bound to lose all of these sometime soon, so shout out your favorite bands and give ’em a go.
OUUL cart bags have room to pack just about anything.
Outside of your ball, there are few thing you interact with on the course more than your golf bag. Stand bags, cart bags, staff bags (if you’re that guy), rigid, collapsable or oversized; they come in many forms and for many functions. It’s easy to settle on a bag you won’t think twice about after it’s strapped to the cart, but your golf bag deserves more respect.
OUUL golf bags stand out from the status quo, as will you when you drop one off in front of the clubhouse. Each of OUUL’s five lines of stand and cart bags is unlike any other on the market, literally speaking as OUUL designs its own materials and patterns. The company sent two of its offerings to the CGB to see how they handle our style of golf.
There’s no better feeling than arriving home to a giant package on your doorstep — and there’s nothing worse than picking it up and thinking it’s empty. That should be expected with OUUL’s super light stand bags from the Python collection (prices vary), weighing in at a whopping 2.7lbs and with a striking snakeskin patterned design, a comfortable, four-point back strap and multiple handles for convenience. Stocked with clubs and gear, the super light still doesn’t clang about or cause discomfort when you’re criss-crossing the fairway between shots, and the sturdy base and legs work flawlessly with the natural motion of setting a bag down.
It really is amazing how light this golf bag is, but it does come at a price. Outside of the cavernous club cavities, storage space is pretty limited with only three pockets. That said, each is big enough to carry whatever you may really need during your round — we manage a jacket, the included rain cover, balls and tees, ball markers and a divot tool, a range finder, sunscreen, bug spray and a tool, along with beer and snacks, of course. (There’s also a towel hook and an umbrella fastener.) Our biggest concern was with the curiously thin material — almost silk-like — but after surviving a notorious springtime in the Rockies, the bag shows no wearing. An insulated beverage holder is a great idea to upgrade a standard feature, but it’s a tight fit even for smaller containers.
Space is non-factor when considering OUUL’s 15-way cart bag from the Ribbed collection ($169.99), with eight pockets, a full length divider, and multiple handle options too. You can pack EVERYTHING you could ever need on the course and more, in pockets located exactly where you’d want them to be and designed for easy organization. The ribbed nylon pattern is a subtle conversation starter — unique, durable, and masking dirt and blemishes well. When it comes time to clean this bag, though, the ribs make it a little more tedious of an endeavor. Lastly, this bag sports a cart-formed design, not usually carried from tee to green. Full of clubs (and, again, just about anything else we could think to pack) this bag is a little less steady on its base, a minor issue for a purpose-built cart bag.
Worth noting, too, is OUUL’s matching lines of luggage, duffel and tote bags, backpacks and more offerings to round out your look, if you find a print you can’t live without.
Whether you’re going with a lighter golf bag for an easier walk or storage-forward to pack every club and training aid you own — a modern, subtle design or a show stopping statement piece — OUUL’s collections are worth a spot at the top of your wish list.
Editor’s note: CGB receives products direct from manufacturers for advertorial purposes. All reviews posted on this site are not associated with advertising agreements unless otherwise noted.
It’s not every day you get to track your shots with real time numbers from tee to green, but it can be. The new Cobra King F7, debuting its new Cobra Connect technology, is designed to do just that with GPS tracking, hole layouts, King of the Hole challenges and more delivered right to your smartphone.
Ever since Taylormade’s iconic “bubble shaft,” drivers have stayed at the forefront of new golf stuff conversations — Epic, “pull the pin,” vertical grooves, “the no.1 driver on tour,” you know what I’m talking about. It seems to be getting more and more difficult for club makers to stay ahead of the competition while maintaining results for the pros and selling to average hackers, but Cobra’s new Connect technology is an interesting approach.
Using the Arccos Driver app on your smartphone, the F7 (along with the F7+ and King LTD Black) tracks your progress on the course using a special sensor implanted in the grip. GPS data from thousands of courses enable you to view satellite images of holes and renderings of your shot trajectories, and provides some extra competition with King of the Hole challenges (more on that in a little bit).
Getting used to the set up with the app takes a bit — much like figuring out all the features of any kind of new technology — but after a couple holes you’ll get the hang of how it all works. Set up at the tee with your phone in your pocket, the Connect sensor in the grip sends a signal to the app once the driver is hit. Using a number of sensors in your phone including GPS and the microphone (surveillance-wary be warned) the app reads your body movement and the time between shots, “listening” to ball contact to track shot to shot.
Taking full advantage of the Connect technology can get a little annoying. I for one don’t look at my phone after each shot — which is necessary to ensure the app is working — nor do I like keeping my phone in my pocket while swinging a club (Cobra recommends your phone be kept in your front pocket to capture the most accurate data). And one hiccup — 9 of 10 times due to user error — can leave you high and dry data wise until you reach the next tee box. After a couple of rounds playing with the new tech, though, working the app into your pre (and post) shot routine gets a little easier and won’t really mess with the flow of your game.
The highlight of the mobile app has to be the King of the Hole challenges which puts your longest drives up against every other Cobra Connect player who’s played at a given course — and who doesn’t like a little more competition. Seeing what other players were able to accomplish with the same club at the same course is a great feature, almost as great as the feeling of one upping them.
Cobra’s technological trailblazing may be more than just a worthwhile gamble, this could be a bridge to another level of golf technology. Oh how far we’ve come. Players at every level are always excited about the newest drivers, but giving them an accessible way to be more engaged with their individual game, with real time data and feedback, is something we haven’t seen before.
As younger generations of golfers impact the game with tremendous buying power, the image of the game is quite literally changing. Neon ensembles made famous by one Mr. Fowler, and eccentric prints and loud patters donned by the likes of John Daly and others have found their way onto public courses. But, golf being golf, a strong testament to tradition remains.
