2013 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Time sure flies! Here we are already in May with “Father’s Day” just around the corner.
The following golf products are those that we reviewed, liked, and recommend for the pursuit of your next gift to a loved one or friend. The one exemplary  trait we noticed about these products was the quality of each item described below. I sincerely hope you concur with our choices.
Bobby Jones Apparel
The Bobby Jones brand has been a mainstay in the golf industry since the 1990’s. Bobby Jones has provided luxury men’s and women’s sportswear, including polo shirts, button downs, shorts, slacks and sweaters/knits to demanding consumers. The Bobby Jones brand can be found at the finest golf clubs, resorts and haberdasheries in the world.
Like its namesake, Bobby Jones products are the definition of class, using only premium quality materials to create classic, timeless designs that exude confidence on and off the course.
Headquartered in New York City, Bobby Jones, is a division of the W Diamond Group, which manufactures, markets and distributes elegantly styled men’s and women’s sportswear, accessories and performance golf equipment.
PGA TOUR players Steven Bowditch, Gary Koch and Kevin Stadler endorse the brand.
XH2O Dri Balance Even Feed Stripe Polo
The XH20 Performance Technology –  these imported,  three-button polo shirts, with a self collar, are made of 64% Pima and 36% Polyester,  and will keep you cooler and drier throughout the day due to its patented moisture management system. The performance technology transfers moisture away from the body by distributing it across the fabric and quickly evaporating.
Bobby Jones Player Embroidery is featured on the Under Placket
This technology also has an anti-static element and will not irritate the skin. The fabric has a UV rating of 15 to protect you from the sun’s damaging rays. The permanent performance application and soft cotton hand feel will last machine wash after machine wash.
$85

 
Solid Pique 1/4 Zip Vest
The Bobby Jones, 100% imported Pima cotton 1/4 zip Pullover Vest is a great addition to your wardrobe. It is both casual and dressy for on and off the course.
The vest has a double face pique construction with stretch rib knit collar sleeves and hem.
The Bobby Jones logo is on the back yoke and the zipper pull, and it is a head turner. It imbues elegance and taste.
The vest is available in 5 colors from Small to XX Large.
$115
www.bobbyjones.com

18 Greatest Golf Debuts A Visually Stunning Book for Discerning Golfers, Travelers and Gentlemen
Limited Edition Greatest Golf Holes of Ireland Appeals to Affluent Senses
Our best of the best! What a beautiful book! –  both in content and the high quality of the book itself. If you ever wanted to impress your golf buddies, upgrade your study or needed a conversational “coffee table” book, look no further. Adjectives such as sumptuous, superb, stunning and brilliant are just a few that describe this collectible.
Editoriale Bortolazzi Stei of Verona, Italy, is one of the world’s foremost printers and hand finisher of books. Their skills permeate throughout the book with the high definition and high density treatment of the photographs and illustrations.
The book features brilliant, unique work from photographer John Kernick, combined with the gorgeous art direction of Siobhan Royer-Hardy and exclusive interviews with the game’s luminaries to provide a more beautiful and accomplished collection than any other golf book on the market.
The 5,000 copy Irish edition is packed with interviews with golfing greats Clarke, Harrington, McDowell and McIlroy. Courses in the spotlight include Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Royal Potrush and Royal County Down. Having played all these courses brought back great memories, and to see the courses again without having to hit the next shot, made those memories even more significant.
$199.00     Mention my name  and receive a 10% discount along with free shipping and gift wrap. Available in select golf stores nationwide and online at www.18GreatestGolf.com with speedy shipping.
You can also call and order from Kristyn Moll at her office: 512-502-1732 or her cell: 512-777-8602
Fourteen Golf’s RM-12 Wedges

Fourteen golf has come a long way, from  zero Tour player’s usage  in the States to quite a stable of top players on all professional women’s and men’s tours worldwide.
I remember the first wedge we were sent for testing – bottom line – they felt like rebar.
2013 is a whole different story. It is the  rebirth of a wedge company whose wedges not only perform, but  their refinements make the clubs a pleasure to look at and a joy to play.
The RM acronym implies – “Revolution per Minute.”
The 2013 Golf Digest “Hot List” award winning RM-12 Wedge and its sole design differ greatly from the original RM-11 Wedge. Tour players like to create different shots using the same wedge, so the engineers rounded the toe and heel area on the H-Sole available on the 48-degree to 58-degree models, and actually removed the back portion of the sole. These modifications  and refinements allow golfers to open and close the face, promoting a variety of shots giving players the feel and “heft” they need to create excellent shots around the green, in bunkers, and on tricky approaches.
The RM-12 offers great distance, control and pride of ownership. These buttery wedges, that set up so beautifully at address, should be named “Dart Throwers”  for their accuracy.
For the 60-degree RM-12 Wedge, the design team implemented a T-Sole, also known as a Twin Sole. A distinct ridge in the middle portion of the sole allows the club to get through any type of lie easily, as the leading edge is able to slide under the club effortlessly. Additionally, when the club face is open, the back portion of the sole encourages the ball to pop up with the perfect amount of spin.

All golfers will appreciate the ideal spin and consistency the RM-12 Wedges produce. The enlarged USGA approved grooves perform even better than their predecessors.

The uniquely shaped trapezoidal grooves on the RM-12 Wedges have been enlarged by 15%, as compared to other FOURTEEN GOLF wedges. This increase in overall groove volume enhances spin retention, particularly on partial shots. In addition, these high quality grooves perform well in both dry and wet conditions.

Shaft availability are:  (1)DYNAMIC GOLD steel shaft (WEDGE/132g) and  (2) N.S.PRO 950GH HT steel shaft (WEDGE/98g)
$185.00 per wedge depending on shaft preference.  www.fourteengolf.com

Become a PGTAA Professional Golf Teacher
Isn’t your spouse always telling you how much they love golf, have the knack for teaching golf, especially kids, and would like to change their life’s direction?
Well, now they can by enrolling in the PGTAA’s Home Study Course or On Site school. The Professional Golf Teachers Association of America has been certifying  both men and women golf teachers since 1997.
Amongst its many graduate members are the likes of Gary Gilchrist, Mark Immelman and Michael Kletz, all who are very highly regarded, both for their teaching skills and clientele. PGTAA graduates can also be found at many well known golf courses, such as Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines and at many universities, such as Columbus State, GA, Waynesburg University, PA and Brevard College, NC to name a few  . I am personally involved with the PGTAA.
For more specific details visit www.pgtaa.com

$995.00 Home Study Course  $2495.00  On Site Course

Daphne’s Head Covers
 Every year I always feature the head covers from Daphne’s. Why? Simple- this 22  year old company offers both a unique and a quality product for all golfers.
I personally like and use their Wildlife and Dog series, especially the Black Panther driver head cover and the Black Labrador hybrid/utility series.
A visit to their web site is a fun trip in and of itself, as the plethora of designs is a feel good experience.
Prices range from $18.00 to $30.00   www.daphnesheadcovers.com

 
Bridgestone e Balls
After conducting 200,000 live consumer ball-fittings, Bridgestone Golf has cemented its place as the #1 ball-fitter in golf.  Of those 200,000 fittings, a total of 81,161 consumers have been fit into an e Series model (e5, e6, or e7).
All three e Series models have experienced an aerodynamic upgrade, utilizing Bridgestone’s new 326-seamless dual dimple pattern.  The new pattern features 6% larger dimples and 2.5% more surface area coverage to help reduce drag and increase lift for unparalleled distance performance. Below is more on each of the new e-Series balls:

e5
The e5 is an advanced 2-piece urethane construction, designed for golfers wanting higher ball flight, more distance and greater control. A large gradational core contributes to longer carry distances, while its tour caliber urethane cover delivers tremendous feel into and around the greens.

e6
The e6 is the softest multilayer golf ball on the market and in 2013, it is softer than its predecessor. Designed to help players eliminate slices and hooks, it reduces spin for straighter distance. A 3% softer surlyn cover and low compression core improve feel, while an anti-side spin inner layer helps keep the ball in the short grass.  Currently the top-selling e Series model worldwide, the new e6 ball is available in white, yellow and orange.
Our testing group was enamored with these e6 balls, especially the higher handicappers (16 testers) and after a follow up prior to writing this article, all are now playing the e6!

e7
The ultimate distance ball is the new, multilayer e7 model – designed purely for faster, longer shots. The larger Dual Dimple and reactive surlyn cover combine to reduce drag and increase lift, while a speed-enhancing core and spin-reducing inner layer deliver explosive velocity and greater distance.
To help you decide,  we offer the following advice; The e5, the two-piece urethane ball, is best suited for moderate swing speeds. The three-piece e7 is designed for distance and the softer e6, will work for the majority of golfers as evidenced by our testing group.
The new 2013 e5, e6, and e7 balls feature a street price of $26.99 per dozen (MSRP $38 per dozen).
www.bridgestonegolf.com  
Nexbelt

Talk about comfort, stability and style in belts – NexBelt’s new line of belts are all of these plus more!
Nexbelt, “The Belt Without Holes”, recently added to their arsenal of innovative ratchet design belts. The Go-In! Golf series belt provides golfers with maximum comfort and minimum adjustment hassle by allowing the wearer an adjustment pattern of ¼ inch as opposed to the outdated pin/buckle belts of 1 inch.
This ratchet technology, dubbed PreciseFit, allows wearers the comfort and style associated with quality. The newly acclaimed, patents pending, Go-In! Golf series, not only gives golfers the precision comfort of PreciseFit Technology, but also the convenience of a hidden ball marker utility located behind the face of the belt.
Lastly, the belt actually makes the pants fit better, as it fills and prevents the belt loops from turning over and rolling down as is the case with thin belts.
$54.99    www.nexbelt.com
Sun Mountain Weathershield Jacket
This full-zippered, three-layer, weatherproof  jacket with a soft-shell, four-way stretch is one of the better Outerwear garments we have tested.
The Teflon coated  jacket is both water resistant and stain resistant.
Our testing group loved both the fleece liner and zippered hand warmer pockets.
Also featured are locking zipper pulls which keep the zipper secured and out of the way.

The Weathershield jacket comes in grey, navy and black combinations and sizes M-XXL.
$119.00

www.sunmountain.com

The Right Mind for Golf by Dr. Barry Lotz

The author’s latest book, originally released in March 2012, is now in its third printing, will help get your mind, both for golf and daily living, back on track expeditiously.
This is the same book Dr. Lotz uses with his PGA Tour players and includes both the Golfer’s Mental Aptitude Test and a handy pull-out card that is found in many Tour player’s bags. It is short, succinct and will most definitely make you a better golfer. After all, golf is really 90% mental!
Here’s my Father’s Day Gift Guide – now start shopping!

 
$19.95    www.pgtaa.com
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (www.pgtaa.com). He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. He can be reached at  drlotz@cbsgolf.net