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THE LATEST IN Golf gear

by Scott Staats

Austin Golf WearAustin Golf Wear

BESIDES DECIDING WHICH of the Northwest’s courses to play, perhaps the next toughest decision is what to wear. You want to be cool, both literally and figuratively, but any old shirt won’t do. Austin Golf Wear has come out with a new line of stylish golf shirts that will have heads turning.

The shirts combine the comfort of Pima cotton with Cocona Technology, which takes activated carbon derived from coconut shells and embeds it within the yarns and fibers. The result is a comfortable, durable shirt that dries 52 percent faster than most other shirts, provides a natural UVA and UVB protection, is odor-resistant and is made from all natural products that aren’t harmful to the wearer or the environment.

Odors are attracted to the activated carbon and trapped within it. Odor molecules are released and the carbon refreshed during washing and drying. Austin Golf Wear shirts retail for $64.99 but mention this review when ordering online or by phone and get the sale price of $44.95. The shirts come in four colors and are available at pro shops, golf specialty retailers, or online. (303-324 9446; austingolfwear.com)

Amphibian TowelAmphibian Towel

ANYONE LIVING IN or traveling in the Northwest knows how quickly a sunny day can turn to rain. Depending on conditions, you may want a dry towel or a wet towel while out on the course.

The Amphibian Towel by Frogger Golf is two 28- by 14-inch towels in one and has twice the surface area of a standard golf towel. The waterproof interior membrane keeps the wet and dry towels separate. The 100-percent bamboo terry inside absorbs three times more water than cotton, dries three times faster, and is naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial. The outside of the towel is plush woven cotton jacquard. Handy pull tabs keep your hands dry while opening the towel.

On a dry day, wet the interior bamboo terry towel to clean clubs and use the exterior cotton jacquard to dry them. On a rainy day, leave the interior bamboo terry towel dry and allow the exterior cotton jacquard towel to get wet. Now the exterior towel cleans the clubs and the interior towel dries them.

The Amphibian Towel attaches easily to your golf bag so it’s always in reach. The towel retails for $24.95 and is available in red, blue and black. (800-826-0275; froggergolf.com)

Clicgear Cart

Clicgear Cart

IF YOU'RE A traveling golfer then here’s the perfect piece of golf gear. The Clicgear Cart is a three-wheel golf pushcart that is stable and glides smoothly down the fairway, yet folds up incredibly small (13 by 15 by 24 inches). It weighs just 18 pounds. The cart has tubeless tires that are wider than those of other carts and have a flatter profile, so it leaves a lighter footprint on your golf course, especially in wet conditions. Other features include rugged aluminum frame, brake, cup holder, bag straps, and towel hooks.
The cart is available in 7 different colors and retails for about $200. It can be found in most fine golf gear stores or online. (888-742-2542; clicgearusa.com)
LET'S FACE IT—no one is in perfect shape. The GX1 putter from Yar Golf can be used for what the USGA calls “Adaptive Golf,” i.e., by those who have bad backs, arthritic knees, or who are otherwise physically disabled. If you have trouble bending over but love to play golf, this is the putter for you.
The GX1 allows you to pick up the ball on the green and from the hole, place the ball marker behind the ball, and pick up the ball marker, flag, and flag stick—all without bending over. It can also check for ball deformity.
The GX1 can also improve your game. It was recently rated one of the
top three putters in the world and is the only putter with a sweet spot of almost
2 inches. Because of its design and balance it’s even easy to putt with one hand.
The GX1 comes in lengths from 31 to 38 inches as well as a variety of grip sizes and colors. The putter retails for $299, but mention this review and order by the end of August and receive the putter for $229. (866-996-0047; yargolf.com)		 Yar GX1 Putter

Pro-Align Putting AidPro-Align Putting Aid

GETTING TO THE green is one thing, reaching the hole is another. Innovative Golf Products has come up with a 2-part putting system that will help improve your putting stroke almost instantly. The Pro-Align Putting Aid works on the entire putting process, from reading the break on the green to correctly putting the ball.

The first step shows you if and when your stroke is off line while the second step ensures proper setup to your aim line. Contained in a lightweight kit (4 ounces), both parts of the system can be quickly and easily assembled on the green or even indoors for practice.

The system guarantees a perfect setup, will improve both your back and forward stroke, and gives immediate feedback with putts hit offline. The putting aid retails for $34.95, plus shipping and handling. (innovativegolfproducts.com) 

Northwest Travel July/August 2009

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