“Distance” is the Holy Grail for golfers everywhere. Every golfer I’ve ever talked or given lessons to always asks how to hit the ball farther. Even without them asking, the constant barrage of $600 drivers all the major manufacturers, specialized balls promising extra yards, and distance-driven strength training is a testament to that never-ending chase to hit the ball as far as you can. But the quest for longer shots actually starts from the ground up — literally the only point of contact between us and the ground, our feet and the shoes we’re wearing — an often overlooked source to maximize distance.
Athalonz is a golf shoe brand many may not be familiar with. But those who hit the ball really, really far, including many on the World Long Drive Tour, are wearing these shoes. Why? Because those who can hit the ball 400 plus yards know ground contact is absolutely critical, and Athalonz are designed to maximize just that.
While the modern slip-on design stands out in all the right ways, with subtle color schemes and stylish leather band wrapped around the heel, you wouldn’t think the EnVes are a high-tech performance golf shoe. But the science behind these shoes is what drives the company (the EnVe model alone holds four US Patents). “Shoes are a force transfer system. Via physics principals, the forces can be manipulated to improve power,” the company says. Anthalonz golf shoes are designed with “the right angles in the right places” to promote the natural transfer of forces throughout your entire golf swing with goal of increasing your power, from the ground up.
I was a bit skeptical of the company’s power claims at first, but after the first few rounds in varied conditions, I could confirm the comfort and stability Athalonz offer. The shoes let me feel free to swing I hard as I could without worry of slipping out of my shoes. With a lingering ankle injury — and as a PGA teaching professional and all around avid golfer practicing and playing way more than my body oftentimes can withstand — finding comfortable, durable, and stabilizing shoes is critical to my game. The difference was so great the EnVes (whites and later blacks) quickly became my go-to playing shoes. But I was still curious to see if I could actually quantify an increase in distance — so we hit the TrackMans at Pikes Peak Indoor Golf Center to find out.
The setup: The Athalonz EnVe vs FootJoy Club Casuals, both spike-less. After a few practice swings and a quick round in the simulator to warmup, the test began. Using the TrackMan’s Test Center I hit 3 sets (6 balls each) with one warmup set, alternating shoes between each set. Keeping my swing consistent with my ankle pain threshold, I wanted to see if I was getting the boost in power I thought I felt.
Here are the results:
Set 1
FootJoy
FootJoy Club Casual set 1 totals. Avg. total distance 274.9 yards.
Athalonz
Athalonz EnVe set 1 totals. Avg. total distance 285.4 yards.
Set 2
FootJoy
FootJoy Club Casual set 2 totals. Avg. total distance 260.4 yards.
Athalonz
Athalonz EnVe set 2 totals. Avg. total distance 270.7 yards.
Set 3
FootJoy
FootJoy Club Casual set 3 totals. Avg. distance 273.7 yards.
Athalonz
Athalonz EnVe set 3 totals. Avg. distance 271.3 yards.
For those crunching the numbers, that’s an average 6+ yards in total distance gained in the Athalonz EnVe over the course of this test. Given the comfort and stability I mentioned before I would’ve told you the difference is was way more than 6 yards — and in the majority of sets it actually was — I just feel like I can swing harder.
It’s one thing to feel like a nice new pair of shoes is helping your game, but it’s a whole other thing to know they’re helping you play better. As a teaching pro and avid golfer myself, you should see what Athalonz shoes can do for you.
Editor’s note: ColoradoGolfBlog receives a small commission when you purchase items from the links you see on our pages, including this one. CGB has endorsed all advertisers, products and services and advertising does not influence editorial decisions or content.
Cold weather sucks — especially for golf. Colorado is no stranger to much-less-than-favorable temperatures, but oftentimes you just gotta say fuck it and get some swings in when you can. That usually means throwing on an uncomfortable amount of layers, adopting the legendary “Tommy Two-Gloves” look, and every other feeble attempt at staying warm, and still freezing your ass off. The fact remains that cold weather golf just sucks and always will. Thankfully, though, G-Tech Apparel is making the cold season a lot less sucky with its patented heated hoodie.
This will be one of the easiest reviews we’ve ever written given the quality, look and performance of the two CGB branded hoodies we received just in time for the Colorado cold season. Even without its signature feature the hoodie impresses: the polyester/spandex material in the hydro-thermal hoodie is water-resistant, sporting a semi-glossy finish and stylish modern lines. It’s a sturdier hoodie that’ll keep you toasty on its own as well, with a substantial hood that covers your head, hats and beanies comfortably, too, without messing up your line of site when addressing the ball. First impressions placed G-Tech easily in the running for a daily use sweatshirt — and we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet.
Second impression: Holy shit. This is a game changer.
My first round in the G-Tech heated hoodie came on a 45-degrees at tee off kinda day. I made it to the first green before needing to lower the temperature setting from high to medium to keep from sweating, and never once found myself shivering or needing to warm my hands with anything but the heating “Therma Grip.” It had topped 58-degrees by the end of the round and the low setting kept me comfortable through the home-stretch. I had figured the battery pack would’ve died well before our 4+ hour round was over, too, but it lasted closer to 6 hours by the time all was said and done.
G-Tech’s patented Therma Grip is what brings the heat to this heated hoodie with low, medium and high settings. The control button rests on top of the pocket and couldn’t be easier to use. Hold down the button and select your setting (green/yellow/red = low/medium/high, respectively) and you’ll feel the heat distribution begin almost immediately. The heated grip rests in the belly pouch of the sweatshirt — along with the battery pack — and feels like a small strip of padding designed and fastened to be held in your hands. It may sound a little awkward, and granted it was at first, but that the heating element/battery pack placement adds about the same amount of girth as a pocket full of gloves, hand warmers and whatever else is the only not-spectacular thing we can say about this product. Don’t worry about it impeding your swing in any way, though, it won’t — and with the heat resting on your belly your core stays toasty too.
Ending with a bit of advice: when you buy your G-Tech heated hoodie (starting at $149) you’ll want to buy two, especially if you have a girlfriend/wife/etc. — this may be the most steal-able hoodie out there. As of this writing the company’s website says all products are sold out, so keep an eye out for new arrivals when they drop.
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.
Just to get it out of the way early; this post is not a jab at My Golf Spy (while entertaining, that’s not our drama).
We’ve been a fan of the Ampcaddy golf speakers since the launch back in 2014. The smart design and ample sound seemed hard to beat without upping your budget to the JBL realm, and more than enough to suit the needs of a foursome. Ampcaddy quickly became a staple in our golf bags and a focal point for our signature golf outings, so when when we heard about production on the Ampcaddy Pro and Pro Max speakers we could hardly wait.
In the meantime, we found one of our favorite new products of the year in the UpSide magnetic rangefinder, an excellent, less-expensive option measuring true distance and slope, with a badass magnet for easy cart storage when not in use. After testing the UpSide rangefinder we learned the company would also be jumping into the speaker market with its own compact magnetic device. Given the quality of the rangefinder, we expected to be impressed again, and, admittedly, began to question the strength of our Ampcaddy loyalty.
The Amcaddy Pro.
When both speakers finally launched, though, it was hard to notice any significant differences, mainly because the Ampcaddy Pro ($79.97) and the Upside SuperX7 ($79) are the same exact thing, literally. The only difference between the two is the mounting system, the Ampcaddy with its signature clamp and UpSide with the magnet, and of course the branding. Other than that there is no difference — again, literally the same exact design — both are small and compact, delivering 15 watts of sound, water resistant, rechargeable and all around great speakers. What sets them apart is more minor functionality — Ampcaddy has it, UpSide does not.
The UpSide SuperX7.
Ampcaddy launched both the Pro and the Pro Max ($129.97) speakers at the same time, the Pro Max sporting the familiar Amcaddy pill-shape design with upgraded features. The Ampcaddy speakers can be paired to the same device for up to 80 watts of sound. The SuperX7 also has pairing capability, though only with one other speaker for up to 30 watts of sound. We ran through the Ampcaddy pairing gamut using two Pros, a Pro and a Pro Max, and even two Pro Maxes, just to see how loud we could actually get with the Ampcaddy. (The two Pro Max pairing for 80 watts proved the loudest, obviously, and earned us a noise complaint from a course resident before we even finished the first hole.)
Pairing any combination of Ampcaddy’s new speakers equals stupid loud music. Really, there’s no need for more than one — even the small Pro is more than enough — but we’d be lying if we said the pairing feature isn’t a game-changer, and useful when you really want to turn up on the course. The real kicker is Ampcaddy’s clamp mounting system proving better than UpSide’s magnet as well. While the magnet on UpSide’s rangefinder is a definite selling point, the company uses the same thing on the speaker. Though small, the speaker does weigh more than the rangefinder, and just a little too heavy for the single magnet to hold it securely. If you have a fast cart or pocked cart paths, the SuperX7 will come flying off if jostled too much. Ampcaddy’s mounting system not only ensures the speaker isn’t going anywhere, the added multi-directional swivel feature makes it easy to “aim” your sound away from other golfers as the need arises (and it will).
All is not lost for UpSide, though, we’ll still be singing the praises of the company’s rangefinder and ingenuity. But when it comes to delivering the on-course soundtrack, Ampcaddy still reigns supreme.
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.
I am not one for gimmicks or novelty products — cheap, one-use-only items that usually just end up sitting in the junk drawer — but I am a shoe junkie. So when a couple of boxes of GolfKicks showed up at the CGB headquarters I found myself feeling skeptically excited to try them out.
The idea behind GolfKicks is simple: turn most any flat soled pair of shoes into golf shoes by adding spikes. Thoroughly enticed by the notion of turning any shoe I want into a fly pair of golf shoes, I spent months trying to decide what brand would be best suited for a trial run. I knew I wanted something cheap in the event I totally ruined them, but also something I’d want to wear regularly incase the GolfKicks performed as advertised. I also wanted something familiar in both fit and style, with nothing else like it already available as a golf shoe, and finally settled on a pair of classic Vans checkerboard slip-ons ($50 brand new).
GolfKicks in hand and thinking I’d done enough homework on my choice of test shoes — I’d also seen a pair of the same shoes while scrolling GolfKicks’ Instagram — I figured I’d be hitting the course in no time at all, but that wasn’t the case. I learned Vans’ sole pattern is “not ideal” for GolfKicks after visiting the installation tutorials on the company’s website. Flat, minimally textured shoes work best, but the company says there’s been enough interest in the Vans pairing for them to be “going with it,” and providing a Vans-specific installation video, too. So far, so good.
GolfKicks come with most everything you need for installation — the spikes, a small Phillips head screwdriver and a marker for pilot holes — but you will need a 5/32 drill bit to make pilot holes. For my Vans, though, the company suggests using a slightly larger bit for the pilot holes, as well as Shoe Goo or another strong glue to secure the spikes to properly, so it cost me another trip to the store and a few extra bucks before I was ready to go. Once you have everything you need, installing your GolfKicks is as easy as marking your spots, making pilot holes, and screwing them in. The company suggests starting with 8 spikes per adult shoe — 4 on the heel and 4 for the toe — though each set comes with plenty extra in case you want to add a few more, or need some for replacements.
Regardless of the shoe, your pilot holes are important to make sure you screw the GolfKicks in properly by hand. You want to make sure the bottom of the GolfKicks spikes are flush with the sole of the shoes, without stripping the thread by trying to tighten them too much. For my Vans, I added a dollop of Shoe Goo to each pilot hole before screwing the GolfKicks in, and had to let the adhesive set overnight. GolfKicks are meant to be permanent, meaning don’t try to take them out and reinstall them whenever you want. You’re putting literal holes in the bottom of your shoes, so even if you do remove them chances are your soles are already damaged — another reason why shoe choice is important.
24 hours later and I’m on the course with my new golf shoes — playing a short 9 at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. Walking on hard surfaces proves a little uncomfortable as you can definitely feel pressure points on the bottom of your feet coming from the spikes. It’s not a deal breaker, though, and may not be noticeable in other shoes with more favorable soles. On the turf, though, the pressure points disappear making the shoes feel a lot more like a regular pair of golf shoes.
Swinging hard from every kind of lie I could find, even deliberately trying to pop a spike or two out of the shoes, I found myself pleasantly surprised at the feel and performance of the GolfKicks. Not a single spike had loosed by the end of the round, and numerous double-takes, complements and questions I got about my “Vans golf shoes” made the afternoon all the more enjoyable.
Cool as they are, GolfKicks will not replace your everyday golf shoes, especially if you’re playing a lot of golf or walking the course regularly. But it is one of those few novelty items that lives up to its promises, cheap and easy enough for anyone to try, and A LOT of fun. I couldn’t be happier with my Vans, and you better believe I’ll breaking them out again when the feeling’s right. If you’re looking to take your golf shoe game in to another level, add a pair of GolfKicks to your collection.
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.
TPC Colorado showcases everything Colorado Golf has to offer. (Photo by Jeff Kelly)
Less than a year since opening, the gorgeous TPC Colorado (2375 TPC Parkway, Berthoud) in northern Colorado is opening the door for the Centennial State to become a fixture for top-level competition once again. The state’s first from-scratch course development in 10 years is already making a name for itself as a premiere golf destination, and a worthy addition to the TPC network.
TPC Colorado covers nearly 8,000 yards of the picturesque landscape with stunning, sweeping views of Longs Peak, the front range and the gorgeous neighboring reservoirs. Though designed to be a long, challenging championship course for pros, Arthur Schaupeter Golf Course Architects have succeeded in creating a layout to be enjoyed by golfers of any level, with forward tees ranging from 4,000 to 7,600 yards in total. The course touts lush, undulating fairways winding their way along the shorelines to large green complexes guarded by strategically placed hazards. And with deep, stacked pot bunkers dotting the fescue-lined fairways, TPC Colorado definitely offers pros, members and guests a unique, mountain links-style challenge.
A sea of bunkers and natural hazard awaits to make the 773-yard par 5 even more difficult. (Photo by Jeff Kelly)
Nowhere is that challenge more evident than the longest par 5 — by far — on the course. Playing 773-yards from the tips, hole 13 is, well, intimidating to say the least. A wide-open landing area for your tee shot is really the only reprieve you’ll find until you reach the green. Safely off the tee, you’re pretty much guaranteed to “lay up” with your second, shorter players should favor the right side of the fairway to avoid a sea of bunkers and natural hazard inside the elbow of the doglegging fairway, but longer players can cut some of the corner back to the fairway for a shorter approach. Lying two, and a little more than halfway there, another targeted *long* approach is key to reach the green in regulation, avoiding another pot bunker greenside and thick downhill rough on the backside. Did I mentioned this is only the second hardest hole on the card? The title of hardest hole at TPC Colorado goes to the 624-yard par 5 at no.5. The long “S” shape fairway and a rash of deep, troublesome bunkers dictate your club selection and distance control from the get-go, leading to a slightly elevated triangle green.
Course conditions at TPC Colorado are everything you’d expect from a tour quality venue, meaning thick, troubling rough, perfect fairways and pure, fast greens. The deep, sod-stacked pot bunkers found on nearly every hole are as beautiful as they are difficult — and the perfect setting for a social media post — and the massive, crystal-clear waterscapes complete the feeling that this course is something special. The par 3 at no.8 comes straight from a golf fairytale, with manicured turf cutting through the trees on its way to the large green set in front of the reservoir. It’s only when you’re walking down that sliver of turf that you realize you’re all but surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the lake. The large tress lining the hole grow straight out of the incredibly still water, creating an unworldly setting you can’t help but admire on your way to the green.
The picturesque par 3 at no.8 is nothing short of extraordinary. (Photo by Jeff Kelly)
Gorgeous par 3s are something of a theme at TPC Colorado, evidenced again at hole 16. The elevated tee boxes behind the clubhouse tower over an island green, set against the reservoir once again to provide the perfect backdrop to a memorable golf shot. But beware, unlike its no.8 counterpart, 16 hosts a little bit of trouble with natural hazard and pot bunkers catching anything short, and more sand and tall fescue forbidding anything long, leaving nothing but a small bailout short left of the green.
The importance of shot placement becomes more than evident at the no.4 tee box, the longest, most challenging par 4 on the card. Reachable fairway bunkers call for a left side play off the tee, which brings another massive left greenside bunker into play on your approach. A stretch of depressed natural hazard cuts the fairway in two, though it shouldn’t be a factor if you can get off the tee. Playing too safe to the right side of the green on your second shot will find the front slope of the huge green complex and makes for a troubling up and down.
Mastering TPC Colorado calls for navigating the numerous sod-stacked bunkers and undulating fairways. (Photo by Jeff Kelly)
Challenging as it is, players of *most* any level can find scores at TPC Colorado — or at the very least they’ll want to come back to get the scores they left out there. The short 370-yard par 4 at no.6 has sub-par written all over it, as long as you avoid the twin greenside pot bunkers and can navigate the sloped green. Look for more scoring opportunities at the par.3 no.8 and after the turn at no.10, no.14 and no.16 (see above), just to name a few.
TPC is a tour caliber course designed for anyone to play, from Monday to Sunday, and whether competing for a spot on the leaderboard or not. With an expansive, full service clubhouse — and future additions currently being built — a eatery and patio boasting unparalleled views of the norther Colorado landscape, and the overall quality that comes with the name, a day at TPC Colorado is really hard to beat.
TPC Colorado may be built for pros, but it has plenty to offer anyone lucky enough to play it. (Photo by Jeff Kelly)
Nearing its one-year anniversary, TPC Colorado is set to host its most important pro competition yet. The TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes brings the Korn Ferry Tour, formerly the Web.com and Nationwide tours, back to the state for the first time since 1997. 156 players will compete for the $600,000 purse and their future on the PGA Tour July 8 – 14, bringing all that Colorado golf has to offer back into the mainstream.
While the modern slip-on design stands out in all the right ways, with subtle color schemes and stylish leather band wrapped around the heel, you wouldn’t think the EnVes are a high-tech performance golf shoe. But the science behind these shoes is what drives the company (the EnVe model alone holds four US Patents). “Shoes are a force transfer system. Via physics principals, the forces can be manipulated to improve power,” the company says. Anthalonz golf shoes are designed with “the right angles in the right places” to promote the natural transfer of forces throughout your entire golf swing with goal of increasing your power, from the ground up.
Cold weather sucks — especially for golf. Colorado is no stranger to much-less-than-favorable temperatures, but oftentimes you just gotta say fuck it and get some swings in when you can. That usually means throwing on an uncomfortable amount of layers, adopting the legendary “Tommy Two-Gloves” look, and every other feeble attempt at staying warm, and still freezing your ass off. The fact remains that cold weather golf just sucks and always will. Thankfully, though, 
This will be one of the easiest reviews we’ve ever written given the quality, look and performance of the two CGB branded hoodies we received just in time for the Colorado cold season. Even without its signature feature the hoodie impresses: the polyester/spandex material in the hydro-thermal hoodie is water-resistant, sporting a semi-glossy finish and stylish modern lines. It’s a sturdier hoodie that’ll keep you toasty on its own as well, with a substantial hood that covers your head, hats and beanies comfortably, too, without messing up your line of site when addressing the ball. First impressions placed G-Tech easily in the running for a daily use sweatshirt — and we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet.
G-Tech’s patented Therma Grip is what brings the heat to this heated hoodie with low, medium and high settings. The control button rests on top of the pocket and couldn’t be easier to use. Hold down the button and select your setting (green/yellow/red = low/medium/high, respectively) and you’ll feel the heat distribution begin almost immediately. The heated grip rests in the belly pouch of the sweatshirt — along with the battery pack — and feels like a small strip of padding designed and fastened to be held in your hands. It may sound a little awkward, and granted it was at first, but that the heating element/battery pack placement adds about the same amount of girth as a pocket full of gloves, hand warmers and whatever else is the only not-spectacular thing we can say about this product. Don’t worry about it impeding your swing in any way, though, it won’t — and with the heat resting on your belly your core stays toasty too.
I am not one for gimmicks or novelty products — cheap, one-use-only items that usually just end up sitting in the junk drawer — but I am a shoe junkie. So when a couple of boxes of 
Regardless of the shoe, your pilot holes are important to make sure you screw the GolfKicks in properly by hand. You want to make sure the bottom of the GolfKicks spikes are flush with the sole of the shoes, without stripping the thread by trying to tighten them too much. For my Vans, I added a dollop of Shoe Goo to each pilot hole before screwing the GolfKicks in, and had to let the adhesive set overnight. GolfKicks are meant to be permanent, meaning don’t try to take them out and reinstall them whenever you want. You’re putting literal holes in the bottom of your shoes, so even if you do remove them chances are your soles are already damaged — another reason why shoe choice is important.
