by Craig Lemley | Mar 12, 2017 | Products, Reviews
Wet grips, forgotten wedges, towel-less when you need it most — just a few of the many lesser-pleasures of golf. Most of us average golfers don’t enjoy caddy service regularly, but the Putter Buddy ($19.95, towel included) makes for a good stand-in.
There’s not a lot to say about the design of the Putter Buddy, which is a good thing in this case, given that space tends to be limited in most golf bags. The subtle features it does highlight are all about form and function. The protective sleeve on the curved handle prevents wear and damage on club grips, while the o-ring at the tip of the handle provides convenient towel storage and access.
I shouldn’t have to tell you how it works either, but here it goes: Stick pointed end of the Putter Buddy into the ground, rest clubs safely inside curved handle, secure enough to hold a number of clubs. Easy peasy.
Putter Buddy also advertises itself as a training aid, something that took me a moment to figure out. Placing your wrist inside the the curved handle and gripping the Putter Buddy with your wedge or putter, take to the practice green and work on keeping your wrists from breaking for a more fluid stroke.
You may not have a caddy to help you with your reads, but it’s nice to have a buddy with you on the green.
by Craig Lemley | Mar 6, 2017 | 19th Hole
Debby Wong / Shutterstock
In less than a month now we’ll once again be celebrating “a tradition unlike any other.” The 2017 Masters will certainly be unlike any other — our first without the beloved, late Arnold Palmer.
There is absolutely nothing I can say about the King, Palmer, that you can’t find better stated by someone who actually knew him. As a life-long amateur golfer who grew up holding Palmer’s name higher than any other, I know the mark he left on the game — having taken it for granted from time to time — and am forever grateful for the relationship and warmth he shared with his fans. But my favorite memories of Palmer are those shared by the pros themselves, mainly the advice he’d give them in passing about how to carry themselves on the tour. It’s that advice that’s helped shaped the new culture and characters of professional golf, open to all shapes, sizes, colors and classes of upcoming fans.
Though we will forever be indebted, we fans can still make the most of this Masters week as a tribute — Arnie’s Army keeping traditions creating new ones in Palmers honor. CGB won’t be the only ones tipping our caps to the skies above Augusta next month. Whether you were a life-long fan or just know you have respects to pay, here are some good ways to do it:
What would Arnold do?
Depending on who you ask, 1-part iced tea and 1-part lemonade — on the rocks. But because we live in a two-sided world, some people believe it’s actually 3-parts iced tea and 1-part lemonade, citing video evidence (an ESPN commercial).
If you’re above Lipton and Country Time, try this in-depth recipe via Serious Eats, or take it to another level and add some bourbon. No matter which way you take it, Arnold Palmers are the drink of choice all Masters week.
Know the legend
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If you need to brush up on your history on the man himself, there have already been dozens of tributes since his passing, the most recent being “Arnold Palmer,” via NBC. The PGA Tour, Golf Channel, and Golf Digest all share touching remembrances as well.
Dress the part
Lord knows you’re never going to get to slip on a green jacket, but that doesn’t excuse you from looking like a shlub. Green and yellow are the colors of the week — we’ll be sporting Masters prints from Weekend Warrior and Swing Juice all week long.
Eat right
- Cheeses
- Pimentos
- Mayo
- Dijon
- White bread
Now we’re cooking. Courtesy of GOLF, Augusta’s famed Pimento Cheese sammies are just a few easy steps away in your kitchen. Put your summer body goals on hold — this is turkey on Thanksgiving status.
Swing the sticks
The sun rises over the practice green at Four Mile ranch. So close you can touch it.
We have four days of tournament coverage ahead of us, even more if you count everything before and after play begins. You don’t need to be there for all of it. Palmer made golf an everyday man’s game, it was all for naught if your ass doesn’t hit the course whenever you can. Masters week if the perfect time to gather your foursome, I think it’s safe to count Arnie as a fifth.
by Craig Lemley | Dec 7, 2016 | Products
A savage awaits inside every golfer. Behind the tucked-in collard shirts, matching prints, and practiced etiquette lies a vice-driven animal ready to raise hell at the local muni course. There’s a time and a place to leave a little dignity on the course — you probably want to keep it together during a Sunday round with your in-laws — but when that time comes, go hard or go home.
Depending on the size of your crew, the need for libations may exceed your beverage cart budget. We’re not necessarily condoning breaking the “no outside beverages” course rule, but, hypothetically, if you’re looking to liven up your round on your own, there are some prodcuts out there to help.
Golf Shots
Intoxicated or not, a good golf shot is all we can ever ask for — it’s what makes the three-putts worth it. Whether your game is on or not, Golf Shots ($14.95) provides the best way to celebrate — or commiserate. Each ball holds 1.5-oz of liquid, with a flat bottom for easy refills. No more sneaking bottle shots when the marshal’s not looking.
Pitch-N-Puff
Mary Jane is a captain of the CGB crew, a favorite in our groupings. Hitting greens all day is great for your score, and for your state-of-mind. But if you’re still stashing glass and baggies in your bag or rationing joints the whole day, Puffingtons’ Pitch-N-Puff ($15) is a must. Disguised as a ball (the storage container) and a tee (the one-hit pipe) — stereotypical, yes, but useful given the stigma — this product will definitely take your game to a higher level.
The Covert Cooler
It’s important to stay hydrated on the course, but beers per hole can get a little expensive. Offset some of your tab with the cart girl and outfit your crew with The Covert Cooler ($19.95 and up). Large enough to hold nine cans with ice packs, it’s still slim enough to fit in the large shoe pocket in your bag. A couple of Covert Coolers should keep your thirst at bay until the turn.
JBL speakers
CGB believes golf and hip-hop go hand in hand. Though music on the golf course is still considered a contentious issue, we’ll never stop jamming from tee to green. Our go-to choices come courtesy of JBL’s line of portable speakers ($39.95 and up). Bluetooth connectivity keeps any wires out of the mix, and the cylindrical designs can fit perfectly in your cart’s cupholders. Sync multiple speakers together so everyone knows what hole the party’s at.
Loudmouth Golf
If it’s good enough for Bill F*cking Murray and John Daly, it’s good enough for us. Nothing says “I’m here to party” like any of Loudmouth’s subtle prints.
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.
