Equipment

The Latest Golf Equipment Just in Time for the Holidays

By ED TRAVIS With fall here the holidays aren’t far behind, and golf gifts are always appropriate whether your golfer has professional level skills or is like most of us best described as “recreational players.” The staff at California Golf + Travel knows there are literally hundreds of equipment gift possibilities and have sifted through them to find those we like and even want to be the recipient of, if someone is reading this who has a reason to purchase one of us a gift.

A note of caution, however. As we have been saying for years it’s a good idea when buying golf clubs to have them fitted professionally which can easily be accomplished either with a gift certificate or by taking advantage of a retailer’s exchange policy.

The proper clubs and bags make our game more fun and after all isn’t that why we play?

Bettinardi 2023 HLX 5.0 Wedges

Forged from carbon steel for a soft feel the HLX 5.0 wedges have the center of gravity higher in the head for a lower trajectory. Achieved by more closely spaced milling lines on the back, more weight could be left in the flange further helping with control of each shot. Grooves have been cut with Bettinardi’s proprietary Helix Cut machining to produce more spin on the ball. Either chrome or graphite PVD finishes $220 each.

Blue Tees Player Pack

Need a gift that has it all? Here’s the Player Pack from Blue Tees that includes a 3 MAX laser rangefinder with slope calculation, flag lock, and even a magnetic strip to fix it to a cart. There’s also a Magnetic Wireless Speaker to take your tunes to the course with 12-hour battery life and a cell phone charging port. The Pack also has a MagHub to attach the rangefinder to your bag plus a divot tool, all for the price of $399.

Cleveland Golf Launcher XL Halo Irons

Easy-to-hit is a perfect description for this hybrid-irons with lots of resistance to twisting supplied by the large hollow head. The lower lofts have a sole rail which transitions in the higher lofts to a 3-tier sole for consistent contact. The face is a variable thickness design to help compensate when impact isn’t exactly in the center and grooves are more closely spaced in the short irons. A set of 5-iron through D-wedge is $799.99.

Cobra Golf T- Rail Hybrid Irons

The hollow construction of these hybrid irons helps get the ball airborne from most any lie while producing distance to gratify any player. The T-Rail sole has Cobra’s dual Baffler Rail design and the aptly named “H.O.T. Face” is engineered using an artificial-intelligence computer program to produce the most efficient speed and spin and a larger more forgiving sweet spot. Set of seven clubs $799.

Vessel Player III Stand Bag

The Vessel Player III is quality made from synthetic leather and offers the choice of either three full-length dividers in the 8-inch top weighing 6lbs or 14 full-length dividers weighing 6.3lbs. A double strap is standard as is the high stability stand system featuring legs made of carbon fiber. The nine pockets include one internally that may be locked and two water bottle sleeves. Eight color selections each priced at $435.

XXIO 12 Driver

Those wanting a super lightweight driver should take a look at the XXIO 12. With a 41-gram shaft and 31-gram counterbalanced grip it weighs in at just 282 grams, significantly less than most other drivers. The head has an aerodynamic shape to give stability during the downswing and distance is improved with a special frame having alternate areas of flexibility. Retail price is $699.99.

Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 523 Series

Forgiveness is the watch word for the new Hot Launch 523 Series from Tour Edge with the game-improvement C523 and super gameimprovement E523 versions. Both include a driver, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons which in the case of the E523 model are the wellknown ironwoods. Either driver is $269.99, fairway woods $169.99, hybrids $149.99, C523 irons $79.99 each and E523 ironwoods $99.00 each

Nothing Beats a Gift of Golf Apparel

By ED TRAVIS For the holidays a gift of apparel for your favorite golfer is a sure winner. It’s your chance to dress up him or her on the course reflecting your taste in comfort and style with an eye to performance.

The staff at California Golf has some definite opinions about what to wear while on the links and here are a few of the products we like offering a fashion forward look with lots of color choices.

Linksoul Melin Hat

Linksoul and performance headwear experts at Melin created a workhorse cap with superior technology and construction that is durable and water resistant. It even floats. Featuring a clean look and minimalistic shape, the Linksoul x Melin A-Game Hydro hat has a hidden pocket, antimicrobial sweatband and 3D molded rubber Linksoul patches. Heather Charcoal, Black Camo, Heather Ocean, Olive. Priced at $38.

Duca Del Cosma Bologna Winter Golf Shoe

Here’s just the shoe, really a boot, should a cold day otherwise be suitable for getting on the course. The high fashion Italian designed Bologna, made in Europe, makes a statement on the course and after the round. Waterproof and constructed of microfiber and Nappa leather the insole is removable with a memory foam insert sole of recycled cork. There’s a Quick Lacing System and traction nubs on the sole. $259

Kaenon Avalon Polarized Sunglasses

These quality sunglasses for men or women offer nine frame colors and we like the ones in Champagne with a brown tint lens. The frame is flexible and lightweight—just 29-grams including lens--with either a matte or glass finish. Wearers like the well-made hinges that are strong and resist corrosion plus the hypoallergenic recessed nose pads of no-slip rubber. Designed in California and comes with hard case. $125

Radmor Perkins Sweatshirt

Everyone wears sweatshirts and if you’re looking for an ideal gift the Perkins from Radmor is just the thing. Made from a medium weight high-quality loop terry fabric of organic cotton, there’s a slight amount of stretch built in using 6% Elastane for comfort. Plus, the underarm bias cut panel means there’s never any restriction of your swing. A stylish look featuring the classic crew neck always in style. $115

Puma Golf Ignite Articulate Golf Shoes

These high-quality shoes are designed to move with a golfer’s swing no matter how vigorous and feature Puma’s Articulation Geometry on the outsole, midsole and upper. The waterproof construction includes Ignite Foam on the interior for advanced comfort the entire round. Traction is provided by the eight cleated sole with Hex Traction Lugs in between. Available in a choice of six color combinations each priced at $180.

FootJoy Terrazzo Print Lisle Golf Polo

This unique looking print shirt is lisle fabric with built-in 4-way stretch to allow a full range of motion while swinging. Great for a round of golf or after hours with a traditional self-collar it’s sure to have a place in any wardrobe. The 88% polyester and 12% Spandex material has ProDry fabrication that wicks moisture away from the body and there’s an anti-microbial finish as well. Priced at $77.99

Adidas Men’s Go-To Commuter Pants

A must on the course are pants that fit and don’t hamper your swing. These great pants from Adidas combine good looks with comfort. The fabric is partly made from recycled materials composed of 95% recycled nylon and 5% Elastane twill. The waist is half elastic with belt loops and the tapered legs have partial elastic cuffs. There are both front and back pockets plus there’s a zip pocket for your phone. $89.99

Puma Golf Cloudspun Colorblock Crewneck

Pullovers are just the thing to wear when the weather is a little cool or under a jacket if the temperature turns colder. This crewneck style pullover is made of fabric with an ultrasoft feel that’s a pleasure to wear and has 4-way stretch of course plus knitted cuffs. The solid color block pattern mixes and matches with most any color slacks. Choose from nine color combinations. $84.99