There are a few of us with putting tsuris (sometimes reluctantly called the Yips) who have not found total relief in left hand low, the claw, or, bite my tongue as I say it, the anchored putting method.

The good news is there is an additional element available, oversized putting grips,  that when combined with other methodology might just do the trick for you.  More importantly this has been embraced by name brand professionals so you don’t have to put up with the mocking looks from your Saturday partners when they see you with this.

Super Stroke has a full line of patented oversized putting grips that range from just larger than your average grip (Ultra Slim 1.0)  to downright obese (Fatso 5.0).  But they all share in common characteristics that should provide tension relief to your putting stroke.

At the advice of paid counsel I adopted the claw last year to try to correct an overactive right hand that was closing down the putter face at impact.  But I still have a  residual problem of gripping the putter too tightly with my left hand and the tension this creates translates into an inconsistent swing path and too many missed three-footers.

After running the Super Stroke Slim 3.0 through Muppet Labs testing I can honestly say that it is making a big difference in the tension reading of my putting stroke.

The key to this is the larger grip size (1.3 inch diameter) combined with the non-tapered cylindrical shape.  There is still a flat top to align your thumbs but no spine ridge down the back or any tapering the full length of the grip.  I found the lack of a ridge and the rounded shape in my hands makes it very difficult to clasp the grip firmly with my left hand.  This definitely reduces tension in my forearms and allows me to swing the putter more freely through the full length of the stroke.

At $25 it is the most expensive putting grip out there but I think they are on to something and a few less misses might just win the Saturday Nassau and pay for the thing the first weekend.

As you can see it comes in a variety of festive colors against the white background.  In spite of its size the lightweight foam material does not seem to add much weight to the club and the cross-traction scoring of the grip is a very familiar feel compared to traditional putting grips.

K.J. Choi was the first on tour to brandish one of these.  Jason Dufner has won a couple of times out there with the 3.0 and now Mickey the Lefty has started using it as well.

The challenge is demoing the different sizes to determine what diameter is best for you.  Since this is not available on the manufacturer delivered Scotty, Odyssey, or Ping putters, you may have trouble finding ones to sample in your pro shop or conventional golf store.  If you see someone else on the putting green with one of these ask them to let you take it for a spin and then note which model grip they had on their putter.

You can quash the giggles from your regular group by dashing their hopes with a made eight footer followed by an updated version of the Chi-Chi sword routine with a rubber truncheon.

(Click here to see the Super Stroke Slim 3.0 at the SuperStroke website)

April, 2013

This spring’s equipment juggling act has guys rethinking to some degree that bouquet of head covers crowding the top compartment of their bag.  The swoon for hybrids has people discarding every long iron because, rightfully so, these hybrids are easier to elevate than the butter knives, they work better out of the gnarly lies in the rough grass, and they land softer on the business end of the shot.  Who wouldn’t go all in for this concept.

Long irons try to reclaim your affection  (mizuno.com)

But as the snows recede you may note some better players toying with a new version of their old friends, utility long irons.  Titleist and TaylorMade call them driving irons, Callaway’s are utility irons, and to Mizuno they are hybrid irons.  They basically took the long irons-2 thru 4 in most cases-fattened the sole and widened the cavity back to improve the center of gravity and make them easier to launch and more forgiving.   These will not replace all of your hybrids but for certain players they will backfill niches created by full migration to hybrids.

Players may have found three conditions for which hybrids have left them without an implement.  The monster player, you know him, 27 years old, without a dimmer switch, 290+ off the tee, he finds driving it into the tight nook of the dogleg about 240 a tough task with a 3 hybrid.   The regular stiffs have that 210 yardish shot into a gale force wind where lowering the trajectory on the hybrid is not an option.  Lastly for all of us a wayward drive ends up in the pine straw with a limited access window about 10 feet off the ground 20 yards ahead of us and still a long way to go to reach the green.

The new Mizuno MP-H4 Hybrid Irons have a 2,3, and 4 iron (18, 21, and 24 degrees of loft respectively) which can provide a solution for these problems.  For people who actually have to pay for their equipment, Mizuno makes the finest players irons out there.  These H4s are Grain Flow Forged like all of their Mizuno cousins and have been craftily engineered by their white jackets to deliver the forgiveness required and maintain the normal top edge look of a long iron.

In my field testing I have found these to my liking, very easy to elevate,  generous forgiveness, dependable contact except out of the heavy rough, and very pliable trajectory control.  Mizuno offers them in a wide variety of shafts so you need to do some research to find the right combination to fit your swing aptitude.

My son, who fits into the first category above, hits his Zuno H4 2 iron about 240 to 250 off the tee with much greater towardness control than his old hybrid.  I used my H4 2 to replace my 19 degree hybrid and the low trajectory and roll out to accessible greens works very well into the wind.  From incarcerated circumstances they prove very crafty off of skinny lies with limited windows of escape and a 130 yard carry to clear the rough.

I see both the H4 2 and 3 iron finding their way into my starting lineup at times this year.   Seeing that in their current state of mind the USGA is likely to frown on my petition to expand the acceptable club limit to 16, it looks like there will be some serious social networking of long irons and hybrids in the boot of the Mini Cooper this spring.

Watching the flat bellies on TV, you are seeing a number of the pros migrating back to these clubs for reasons one and two.  Club players with a bit of imagination are finding some favor in them as well.  Much like adding a gap wedge to the north end of the set, going to a hybrid long iron is a circumstantial switch to address voids created by our total abandonment of low lofted irons.  If you are tempted by this I highly recommend the Mizuno MP-H4 as a place to start your inquiries.

March, 2013

(For another person’s opinion on the Mizuno H4 Hybrids check out this Golfwrx review)

The folks at True Linkswear have added another offering to the high end of their walking shoe line with the introduction of the Proto this month.  It fits between the Tour and Stealth from the original line and shares many of their functional characteristics that makes them the most comfortable walking shoes out there.

The Proto comes in an array of spiffy color combinations

The look of the Proto is more youthful, based on the Sensi crossover shoe True introduced late summer of last year.  Unlike the sporty mesh top upper in the Sensi, this one is full leather and waterproof like it’s Tour and Stealth brothers.  It has the wider waffle outsole of the Sensi which provides great traction but still posses the zero drop, wide toe box, and proximity to the ground off all the Trues.

(Click to see the comparative feature chart for all the Trues)

The Proto has anti-microbial mesh liner which reduces build up of bacterial nasties and the elastic stability cuff below the laces to keep your foot snuggly in place.  The front of the Protos is a bit more square which makes lining your toes to the intended line of the shot much easier.

The styling is far from daring but it does have a funky health care professional look about it.  Like all the Trues they were engineered from the ground up for guys who stay on their feet for four hours on a walk through the cut and prepared.  Take these puppies for a walk, I am sure your feet will express their appreciation with a standing ovation.

(Click to read our original review of True Linkswear Walking shoes)

February, 2013

As the shroud of winter approaches in the northeast there are a few hardy and foolish souls who seek to extend the golf season by tolerating the wind and the cold and continuing to walk the golf course when the temperature only rises into the 40’s.

Gortex fiber filled outerwear, layers of clothing, woolie golf gloves, and knit hats are all part of the winter clothing repertoire.  But one more item-Cart Mitts-are increasingly becoming part of the winter dance.

Originally they were just bright colored oversized polar fleece mittens that made you look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.  But these things have gotten more functional in their construction and more stylish in their appearance and so take on a practicality to help you forbear the elements and still play the game well into December.

The Titleist version are very light weight with a nylon outer shell that has a wind breaking quality to it and a full acrylic polar fleece lining for warmth.  The inner chamber is very roomy and makes it easy to get your hands in and out even if you have on winter golf gloves.  There is even a secret slot that reveals an inner pocket in the palm of the mitts that will hold a hand warmer for additional warmth.

These things are pretty pricey at just over $40 a pair but they are worth it if you are serious about winter play and keeping your hands toasty  between shots.  I would suggest you can leverage the purchase price by using them for winter grilling-put one on your non-spachula hand while you are outside flipping the burgers and dogs on the patio gas grill.

They come in one stylish color combination-black with red trim, brandish the Titleist logo proudly, and are one-size-fits-all.  If you are in this small minority of crazies that continue to play golf as long as there is no snow cover you probably ought to consider getting a pair of these puppies.

November, 2012

TRUE Tour-the original

These guys have done some serious research and engineering trying to create the perfect walking golf shoe.  Integrating some distinct ergonomic characteristics into these shoes they have succeeded in producing a comfortable walking shoe that competes in the street golf shoe category that has caught fire among walking aficionados since Ecco introduced the Freddie’s.

If you have self-esteem concerns when it comes to dressing for golf, these are not for you.  They do look like something your podiatrist would prescribe for a bunion problem.  But if you are a regular walker you owe it to yourself to at least find a store that has these and try them on in person to see if they are to your liking.  At a suggested retail of $150 they are very reasonably priced and they come in a wide array of color combinations.

The features and benefits of their True Barefoot Platform include the following, all of which are real and accrue benefit to someone who walks all the time.

-Lightest golf shoe on tour.

-Wide toe box that allows your toes to function individually.  There will be no crowded pigglies with these I can assure you.

-Flexible sole and cushioned footbed.  There is no stiffness in the bottom of these shoes and, as a result,  you get no foot strain or pain by the end of the 18 holes.

-“Ergo-Traction” tread maximizes surface contact and grip. Wide front sole and a grippy spikeless bottom works great in all conditions-even on wet turf.

-Built close to the ground at 10 mm off the grass.  Lowest profile out there helps you get a real feel for the ground as you walk and swing the club.

-Waterproofed Leather (two-year warranty except on Phx model).  Here they surpass the Freddies where the weep holes make playing in the rain problematic.

-Roll/Post Toe provides stability throughout the entire swing.  In the Tour model the toe rolls upward-it does seem to enhance walking comfort and follow through stability.

-Temperature control lining.

-Full grain leather upper.

-Sock-Fit Liner to enhance fit .  This elastic gusset is just under the laces and what it does do is comfortably keep your heel snuggly in place.  I wore them with a hard orthotic and my heel never came out of the shoe and the orthotic worked just as it should.  This feature not included in the Phx model.

All-in-all this is a well thought out product that does what they claim-providing a comfortable walk and good performance throughout the round.  If I have any complaint it is a minor one, the funny elliptical shape of the toe gives you no line-up feedback at address.  For those who use the front of their shoes to confirm their line-up to the ball and target this can be a problem.

TRUE Phx-new for 2012

For 2012 they have added a new entry level Phx model for $99 with most of the same ergonomic characteristics and a lower waterproof factor.  It also has a wide array of youthful funky color combinations which should give it more street appeal among the younger set.  You can see the full selection of available colors in all models at their website.

TRUE Stealth-a bit more fashionable

Their “modern classic” version, the Stealth, is about $50 more and it blends some modern fashion with traditional styling.  This is a nice way of saying if looks matters to you here is an alternative.  I have not been able to find this model in a store-had to buy them on line to try them out.  They are certainly more palatable looking than the Tour version- they have a fashionable orthopedic look to them.  Engineering is identical so they accrue the same comfort benefits of their cheaper sibling.  The price difference is all for the look.

Bottom line is, if you have an aversion to carts like I do, find these in your local golf store and give them a look see.  Make sure to hit a few balls in the hitting bay with them on to see if you like both the look and the feel of them.

December, 2011

(Click to read a more recent review of the new True Proto Model)

You know someone who travels with his buddies on golf trips and collects course memorabilia? Maybe he has already has a drawer full of golf pencils, ball markers, scorecards, or logo balls from all the places he has played. Well if you do know this guy, then here is the ideal thing for him to strut his golf travels in an artful way.

Melangerie NYC has come up with the personalized golf travel map that can adorn an office or study wall next to all those family heirloom pictures of rafting, ski, or safari trips. This 36” x 24” digital matte print of the U.S. can document all the phenomenal courses he has played.

The map and background are customized to colors your choice. Name it what you like (say “Steve’s Golf Adventures”) and it can be mounted on foam core and be tastefully framed.

The map comes with your choice of color matched numbered push pins and an area on the bottom to write in up to 75 corresponding golf destinations. Plot the pins with his golf destinations, like one of those war maps showing the Normandy invasion, and he has an artful bit of bragging rights for all his friends to see.

Makes a great stocking stuffer, a commemorative birthday present, or just something you think you deserve to have for yourself. It is an affordable golf investment that will chart golf memories for years to come.

(Click here to see MelangerieNYC’s Personal Golf Travel Map)

November, 2011

A number of years ago The Golf Channel ran a reality show featuring innovations in golf related products. Most of what was featured was frivolous or impractical. But one of the products, the Club Glider, was truly innovative and offered an alternative to the wrestling match people experience in airports with their golf club travel bag . The Club Glider became a bona fide product as a result and is now marketed through Sun Mountain.

What distinguishes this travel bag from all others is that it has a spring loaded, cantilever leg system with caster wheels that support your clubs and make maneuvering around the airport an effortless experience. The retractable legs are stowed away while your clubs are in transit and can be deployed with one hand as you pull your bag off the baggage carousel.

How many times have you trudged a sagging travel bag through the airport like Sisyphus only to have it flip over like an uncooperative bag of mulch when you make the slightest change in direction? How aggravating is it to get on or off the escalator because your travel bag has no spine and seems to collapse in a lump at an inopportune moment?

The Club Glider removes the need to support your bag at any time and allows you to guide your clubs with one hand as you make your way up the line at the check in or car rental counter. The support angle created by the legs means no need to bend over and lift your bag every time you want to move a few feet. The caster wheels let you effortlessly maneuver with one hand through tight spaces without changing speeds.

The bag comes in three models and is priced at around $230 to $300. At prices like these they made sure this thing has reinforced construction and is fully padded to protect your stuff with plenty of extra storage for shoes, balls, and even your returning laundry. They say you can even put up to a 50 inch belly putter safely in the bag.

The Club Glider may sound pricey but I must say it is worth every cent of it. The first time you see the rest of the guys at the baggage carousel doing the alligator mambo with their canvas travel bag you will realize this was money well spent.

(Click here to see it at the Club Glider website)

October, 2011