2022 Father’s Day Golf Gift Guide by Shane Sharp

2022 Father’s Day Golf Gift Guide

With the onset of a new golf year comes the insatiable desire for new gear. We’ve all dealt with supply chain issues and long lead times for ordering clubs, balls, apparel and just about any sort of golf gear. Here’s our Way Too Early Father’s Day Golf Gift Guide for forwarding to loved ones, golf buddies, or (why not!) your inbox to get ahead of the game.

FlightScope Mevo

As the prevailing wisdom goes these days, you need a launch monitor if you want to practice with a purpose. Historically, the price points for these treasure troves of swing data kept 99.9% of golfers out of the market. The 0.1%? Those were the TOUR players who could afford $20K TrackMan monitors. FlightScope was one of the first companies to bring these devices down to earth, and its Mevo model is downright affordable by any golfer’s standards. Retailing for $500, Mevo measures eight different data parameters, including carry distance, spin rate, club speed, ball speed, vertical launch, smash factor, apex and flight time. Start-up and use is a cinch, simply download the app, power up and synch the Mevo, and boom, data galore.

For more information, visit www.flightscope.com

TRUE linkswear All Day Knit + Ripstop

Warmer weather equals more walking rounds, and no brand does walking golf like Tacoma, Wash.-based TRUE linkswear. TRUE’s iconic All Day Knit II (A.K.A TKII) has been remastered and released in four spring-like colors ranging from Asphalt to Vino ($145). The five original colors are still available for traditionalists lead by the ever-popular G.O.A.T. Grey. Spring can make buckets of rain in many parts of the U.S., and TRUE meets meteorology head-on with the All Day Ripstop ($150), a close cousin to the TKII. The company’s most sustainable shoe, the Ripstop is made from 100% recycled materials that is both wind and water-resistant.

For more information: www.truelinkswear.com Enhanced OnCore ELIXR

Like OnCore’s original three-piece ball, the enhanced ELIXR uses perimeter weighting for greater accuracy and reduced side spin off the driver. A unique polybutadiene core delivers an outstanding coefficient of restitution (CoR) for higher ball speed, resulting in more carry and roll. Additionally, a slightly firmer cover with a 350-dimple pattern (up from 318) and mid-compression ball specification delivers a pure feel off the club face and gives the ELIXR superior greenside control, durability and unmatched performance in its category. The new ELIXR retails for $29.99 per dozen with additional discounts available to loyalty members and for bulk purchases.

For more information: www.oncoregolf.com

Dream Trip to Pinehurst Resort

If you want to play the top-tier tracks at famed Pinehurst Resort, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 8, you’re going to need to stay at Pinehurst Resort. Due to demand from area golfers, resort guests and members, the resort eliminated outside play on its marque courses for the foreseeable future. One of the best ways to experience The Cradle of American Golf is to book a Sunday through Tuesday stay via the Donald Ross Package, which includes lodging in the Carolina Hotel, Holly Inn or Manor, three rounds of golf (choose from nine courses plus the nine-hole, par-3 Cradle), Southern breakfast each morning and a three-course dinner, nightly. Rates start at $1,509 singly occupancy and drop slightly May 26 through Sept. 5 for the summer. There’s a $195 premium to play vaunted No. 2, U.S Open Anchor Site, but it’s hard to put a price on this unforgettable experience.

For more information: www.pinehurst.com

Bushnell Rangefinder

Few brands outside of Titleist have been as dominant on the PGA TOUR as Bushnell. Its laser rangefinders have long been accepted as the benchmark for accuracy, ease of use and longevity, all backed by a category-leading warranty. And no Bushnell laser rangefinder drives this fact home quite like the Tour v5 Patriot. The Tour V5 Patriot is Bushnell at its category-leading best. Easy to unbox, simple to start up and sporting a sleek-yet-powerful design that is sure to get more than a few looks from your playing partners. Distance is displayed on the screen as soon as the button is released (in either yards or meters). It also features Bushnell’s PinSeeker technology that helps it lock onto the pin.

For more information: www.bushnellgolf.com

RADMOR Golf’s Spring Collection

RADMOR Golf recently dropped its men’s and women’s spring collections available for purchase by green-minded golfers. The company’s sustainably-sourced golf clothing forgoes virgin polyester in favor of natural cellulose fibers like Peruvian Pima cotton, elastane yarns and super-soft Tencel (lyocell and modal) to create the most ecominded golf apparel in the industry. The spring collection includes a variety of polos, “tee” shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, hoodies, pants, shorts, hats and other accessories. Founders Scott Morrison and Bob Conrad, who played on the University of Washington men’s golf team, launched RADMOR in 2020.

For more information: www.radmorgolf.com Nextbelt

Many of the world’s best inventions are born from the “better mousetrap” concept. Nextbelt is a case in point. The company’s high-end belts have no holes and no sizes. Out of the box, you simply cut the belt to fit your waist size. Nextbelt’s Golf Series features its proprietary “Go-In” ratchet system that smoothly locks in the belt around the waist and easily adjusts on the fly as needed. The overall quality and durability of all Nextbelt’s lines is staggering and a much-needed injection of craftsmanship in an often-overlooked category.

For more information: www.nextbelt.com

Arccos Next GEN Smart Sensors

Golfers looking to better understand their game and improve faster will benefit most from the next generation of Smart Sensors launched today by Arccos Golf. The latest Smart Sensors (Gen3+) feature new automatic shot tracking technology powered by A.I. machine learning that tightly integrates Arccos hardware and software to pinpoint a player’s shots more accurately. The advanced technology has been developed over the past three years by Arccos Data Scientists and Engineers, after analyzing more than 500 million shots hit using Arccos sensors in 194 countries worldwide.

For more information: www.arccosgolf.com.

Sun Mountain PX3 and PX4

Sun Mountain’s flagship PX3 and PX4 push carts have made a huge splash with members of #pushcartmafia. Offering improvements on the company’s past Pathfinder models, PX3 and PX4 feature advancements like a new handle and accessory tray, while retaining the main benefits of smaller folded size and easy opening. The PX3 and PX4 retail for $249 and $259, respectively. Additional enhancements on both models we loved: a continuous handle for pushing with one hand, an accessory console that holds balls, tees, scorecard and mobile phone, a mobile phone holder with a slot for a charging plug, dual umbrella holders, and a mesh basket and velour-lined pouch for additional storage.

For more information: www.sunmountain.com

Cleveland CBX Zipcore

The CBX Zipcore is a cavity-back wedge that offers many of the same benefits of a player-improvement iron. Its decidedly larger

by Shane Sharp

profile delivers a high-level of comfort as golfers set up for full, pitch and chip shots. The club’s ultra-wide sole helps the clubhead slide through the grass like a knife through butter and reduces both chunks and skulls, according to Cleveland. Cleveland’s Ultzip Groves are sharper, deeper and packed closer together than on traditional wedges to the point there are two additional groves. And based on testing from a variety of equipment testing services impart just as much spin as their blade brethren.

For more information: www.clevelandgolf.com

Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood

Cleveland Golf have challenged this limitation with the Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood, which unabashedly offers the best of both worlds in terms of looks and performance. Engineered for golfers who struggle to hit their fairway woods off tight lies or make clean contact with a ball snuggled down in the rough, the Launcher XL Halo HyWood is quickly becoming the workhorse of many golf bags. The 3+ Launcher XL Halo Hy-Wood features 18 degrees of loft, more than ample for settling comfortably into the role of a 5-wood. According to Cleveland, its head is noticeably bigger than your typical hybrid, and its size creates a higher moment of inertia for more stability at impact. There are three guide rails along the sole of the club to help keep the face square during impact and run smoothly over any surface.

For more information: www.clevelandgolf.com

Southern Tide Golf Collection

You can count on Greenville, S.C.-based Southern Tide releasing its spring and summer collection of golf polos and shorts if it’s springtime. Designed for golfers teeing it up in intense heat and humidity, its BRR-EEZE polos use natural cooling minerals, active moisture wicking and maximized airflow and brrr technology to keep golfers’ internal temperatures 3-4 degrees below normal temperatures. They pair perfectly with the new T3 BRR-DIE 8-inch performance shorts, available in six colors and sizes ranging from 28 to 42. Not every spring morning is warm, and Southern Tide makes its wildly popular quarter zips, long-sleeve shirts and full-zip jackets available year-round.

2Thumb Octotech Grip

2Thumb Grip, The Original Flat Top Grip since 2004, recently introduced its new OCTOTECH Grip. This 8-sided grip has been specifically designed to fit perfectly into the natural shape of a golfer’s hands while delivering the ultimate feel and feedback from every stroke you make. It’s the perfect combination with Dimax technology offering traction when needed down both sides of the grip and a smooth softtouch front. The non-tapered design, available in either 36 or 43MM width, helps promote even grip pressure across both hands and reduces potential wrist action. The OCTOTECH Grip accommodates all of today’s grip styles, from Conventional, Claw, Left Hand Low, Prayer, etc.

For more information: usa.twothumbgrip.com

Towel Tag

The Towel Tag utilizes “Pull-Thru Technology” to create an entirely new generation of functional bag tags. Designed to temporarily secure a golf towel without using grommets or hooks, each tag is manufactured using two separate compounds to create a functional bag tag with maximum durability. They’re ideal for temporary storage of golf towels, head covers, rain gear, and outdoor and layered clothing. Each Towel & Tag Combo includes a tour-sized microfiber golf towel, a customized Towel Tag featuring “Pull-Thru Technology” along with functional packaging.

For more information: www.toweltag.com.

Private Golf Club Membership

More than a Father’s Day gift, joining a private golf club would be a masterful Father’s Day decision. With the explosion of golf participation in the U.S. during and post-pandemic, public tee times are getting harder and harder to secure. Especially during prime weekend times. Country clubs around the country have modernized their membership categories, making them more affordable and practical for first-timers.

For example, The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, Fla., offers an associate golf membership affords unlimited use of the golf course from May through October for cart fee only and unrestricted use of the practice facilities. The club’s reciprocal program is one of the most robust in the region and allows associate golf members access to play 40 other private clubs in the area from May through October.

Champion Hills in Hendersonville, N.C. recently rolled out its Equity 55 membership for those 55 and under. With Equity 55, the club’s initiation fee is divided into four equal payments over four years, dues and replacement reserve fund contributions are reduced by 50% and the club’s annual food and beverage minimum is prorated for new members.

Offering complete access to the club’s amenities and activities, Equity 55 members enjoy Champion Hills’ mountain-style Tom Fazio-designed golf course, clubhouse with pub and fine dining, wellness center, tennis and bocce courts, pool and hydro spa and more. Search wherever you’re dreaming of relocating, or even where you live now – if you play and practice more than four or five times, monthly, joining a private golf club could make good sense.

LOHLA SPORT’s ‘Golfleisure’ Apparel Big Hit Among Lady Golfers

Somewhere out there, it’s scientifically proven that you play your best when you look your best. It has to do with confidence and that’s what drives Lisa O’Hurley.

The Founder and CEO of LOHLA SPORT – the 16-month-young company that designs and manufactures premium ladies’ golf-lifestyle apparel – should know. A former executive with Golf Channel and golf apparel brand Golfino, O’Hurley sports a four handicap and owes a meaningful part of her success to the clothes she wears.

So much so that with LOHLA SPORT, she’s ushering a new generation of “golfleisure” styles. As you may imagine, it’s an offshoot on the immensely popular “athleisure” attire made popular by Lululemon.

Key components to “golfleisure:” cool, classy, chic and comfortable designs and fits which optimize body movements and, therefore, swings and putts. After rounds, LOHLA SPORT is designed to help women confidently transition from the course to the office to socializing with friends and family.

Rooted in colorful, on-trend European designs with feminine Los Angeles flair, capsules coordinate tops, bottoms, skorts, outwear and headwear. Cuts are flattering yet not overtly sexy and are made of finequality fabrics sourced worldwide.

It’s no wonder, LOLA SPORT is carried in more than 300 fine golf shops across America and boasts a strong e-commerce business.

Guided by a “Made for Play” mantra, the Spring-Summer 2022 capsules: • Rodeo Drive – Generates the feeling you get shopping on the infamous street – elegant and chic. Colors are black, white and Tiffany blue. The print design is inspired by that of an Hermes scarf. • Ocean Avenue – Light and breezy, predominant colors are peony pink, Pacific blue and breezy white with a touch of silver. The Radiant Vest is a highlight piece while small checked skorts in peony and pacific create a clean and classic feel. • Hollywood Boulevard – Red, white, navy and blueberry with lots of stars, the perfect assortment for July 4th. The Monroe pant delivers an old Hollywood glam look with modern details. • Sunset Boulevard – Features the array of colors seen during an afternoon stroll past celebrity homes. Highlighted by lush bougainvillea, navy and grass green, this capsule’s dark floral print elicits a subtle British touch. •Melrose Place – Eclectic and funky like the cult ’90s TV show of the same name with a mix of paparazzi orange, limelight, navy and white. The Illusion Pant and skort show a very small geometric print that’s as elegant as it is trendy.

In addition to “The Streets of Los Angeles” collection (sizes XXS to XXL), depicting the cool vibes of different L.A. neighborhoods, popular, unique-to-LOHLA SPORT staples: • The Golf Fitness Pull-On Pant – Worn stand-alone (akin to a workout tight) or under skorts in the fall for added warmth and décor, it is purposely thicker, becoming the perfect golf-yoga pant. Its back pockets make it country club appropriate. • The “Very Pant” – The four-pocket, full, four-way stretch pant is offered in several colors. It was inspired by the J. Peterman character in the TV hit “Seinfeld,” indicating specificity of the surreal or sublime. The famous line “The Very Pant I’ve been searching for all my life” is part of sitcom lore.

Praise goes to designers O’Hurley and London-based Paul Rees who made his name with Burberry and Aquascutum.

Early this year, LOHLA SPORT made headlines when it established a partnership with Annika Sorenstam who will help inspire of a bespoke signature collection with part proceeds benefitting the ANNIKA Foundation.

A post-script: If you think the O’Hurley name sounds familiar, perhaps it’s because Lisa’s husband is John O’Hurley who played J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” starred in “Chicago” on Broadway, hosted TV’s “Family Feud” and owns hundreds of acting credits to his name.

More information: www.lohlasport. com, hello@lohlasport.com.