Golf Gear Report: June 2024

Presented by PGA Tour Superstore

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Chances are, by now, you've had a chance to thoroughly vet the new clubs in your bag.

We're no different. We've taken the new Ben Hogan PTx irons we received earlier this spring to the range, the course and even a lesson at PGA Tour Superstore to gauge their performance. We're impressed so far. (More below).

We've also had the chance to test drive other golf equipment and gear you might be interested in this summer - new polos, flasks, rangefinders and more in this month's GolfPass Gear Report. We cover everything from golf headwear to underwear. Here's a look:

Remember when drivers had not yet reached the limit of 460cc? After decades of tiny heads, the late 1990s and early 2000s featured an interesting, escalating list of drivers in the 275cc to 350cc range, some of which retain cult followings to this day. Now, some companies are dabbling in "mini-driver" technology. Callaway is the latest entrant into that niche field with a 340cc, titanium version that looks like one of those drivers of yesteryear but, with 11.5- or 13.5-degree lofts, behaves like a super-hot fairway metal. If you're not a fan of your 3 wood but have a few holes on your home course where it's best to throttle back on the big stick, Callaway's mini-driver might be the club you didn't know you needed. $449.99 at PGATOURSuperstore.com.

One of the most interesting trends in putter tech in recent years has been the rise of mallet putters with hosels and necks traditionally reserved for blade-style putters, which have helped mallet-style heads become viable for more than just straight-back-straight-through strokes.

The latest addition to that new category comes from TaylorMade, blending the now-classic Spider putter head shape with an L-shaped neck that will support a stroke with a bit more arc to it. In fact, this is the exact putter model world #1 Scottie Scheffler has been using on his historic run of incredible golf in 2024. Golfers will benefit from the True Path Alignment system at address, and TaylorMade has fine-tuned the feel and sound with their grooved TPU insets and something called a HYBRAR echo dampener positioned behind the clubface. $349.99

Whistlepig has extended until June 30 its promotional Father's Day sweepstakes that could win your dad a fantastic present - $1,200 to spend on a great golf trip or golf gear, plus a dozen golf balls. Even if you don't win, the Whistlepig 12 Old World Rye is always available for the golfer with refined tastes. The brand is offering an ongoing Whistlepig 12 Golfer's Dozen for Dad package that includes a 750ml bottle of the good stuff aged in Madeira, Sauternes and Port barrels, plus a dozen high-end logo golf balls, for a discounted price of $175.99 (12 percent off). - Jason Scott Deegan

We've been keeping close tabs on the rollercoaster ride of the Ben Hogan equipment brand ever since the company closed up shop in 2022. It was sold and revived again with new classic-looking forged irons released earlier this year - the PTx line of irons. I've been testing the PTx Tour irons with KBS Tour 90 regular flex steel shafts and standard Hogan Z5 grips, plus a VKTR+ five hybrid with a UST Recoil hybrid shaft.

The first thing I noticed was how live the face is compared to my 12-year-old TaylorMade irons. The ball just jumped, immediately adding roughly 5-7 yards per club. I suddenly had regained the distance I've lost the past 5-7 years as I've turned 50+. A perfect example would be the 175-yard par-3 seventh hole that normally plays a few extra yards uphill at my home club in San Jose. I normally require a hybrid to reach, but I recently laced a Hogan six iron to the front of the green for a rare par. The sharp-looking clubs catch the eye of anyone who peeks into my bag. The "Hogan" name still carries plenty of weight no matter what generation of golfer you are.

These hand-built sets come in different styles depending upon your skill level and tastes - Tour, Pro, Icon, Edge Ex and combo options, ranging from $699-$949, which is a bargain compared to other custom-built clubs. Tungsten weights have been added to the four-piece 4 and 5 Tour irons to enhance forgiveness by moving weight lower in the club heads to help golfers increase the height of their shots. The mid-irons (7 and 8) use a three-piece construction and a titanium insert to help golfers maintain consistent trajectories for carrying greenside hazards and landing softly. The short irons (9 and pitching wedge) are built with one piece maximized for scoring. A standard loft of four degrees separates each club, although that can be customized plus or minus two degrees of loft for any golfer. The VKTR+ hybrid ($179) sports a larger head than most brands on the market. It's recommended golfers swing down on the ball with these clubs like an iron instead of sweeping the shot like a fairway wood. That might explain why I've struggled to consistently hit the 5 hybrid sent to me. For now, I plan to stick with the current Adams hybrid in my bag. It could work, however, for the right player. Overall, this is a great reintroduction back into the equipment game for Ben Hogan Golf. We look forward to what this new generation of caretakers comes up with next. - JSD

Lululemon is aiming to revolutionize golf fashion the same way it did yoga pants - with new fabric technology. Lululemon’s new proprietary ShowZero technology virtually eliminates the appearance of sweat, keeping golfers cool and dry on the course and beyond. Min Woo Lee, one of golf's up and coming stars, wears the polos as a brand ambassador. I can affirm that the ShowZero polo ($98) rates among of the most comfortable I've worn in my two decades of testing and reviewing golf polos. The fabric is stretchy, soft and feels entirely unique. I just wish it came in flashier styles than its current three-color lineup.

Lululemon boasts some other really cool pieces in its golf lineup. Although I've never worn yoga pants, I imagine the ABC golf trouser ($148) feels similarly soft and stretchy with a water-resistant fabric. The right-side pocket features a separate drop-in pouch for tees or a ball marker. The Down for it All Hoodie ($228) is lined with PrimaLoft insulation to regulate body temperature. PrimaLoft was originally designed for the military as a synthetic, water-resistant alternative to goose down. A hidden phone sleeve pocket and a small zippered pocket in the back waistband add functionality. Golfers would only wear it on the coldest of days, but considering I've never seen a golf jacket with a hood on it, this is another one-of-a-kind option in the golf space. - JSD

I'm on record saying that golf socks (especially good-quality wool ones) are the most important piece of golf apparel. Underwear may be #2, especially on hot days. Without getting too indelicate, the breathability and lightweight structure of Tommy John underwear makes it as good a choice on the golf course as off, especially on warm days. Tommy John's underwear are not value-priced, but I have owned several pair for several years and find them to be a solid long-term investment in comfort. $108 [pack of 3] Air Hammock Pouch™ Mid-Length Boxer Brief 6". - Tim Gavrich

The rangefinder market has become a crowded space the past five years as competitors race to try to compete with Bushnell. One company that has found a way to make an incredibly high-end module at a slightly more affordable price is Cobalt Golf. The new Q4 Slope model ($295) costs less than $300 and still delivers that premium look and feel in providing accurate yardages. Our favorite feature is the crystal clear optics. The viewing is enhanced by the ability to toggle back and forth between red or black readings to better stand out in whatever light you're dealing with that day. The slope button can be disengaged for tournament play. Just like the premium Q-6 Rangefinders, the Q-4 also includes PinSense and Surge technologies. PinSense rejects misreadings by automatically filtering out obstructions. Surge provides another layer of confirmation, automatically triggering a vibration when you shoot the flag. - JSD

We don't encourage golfers to sneak beer onto the golf course - support your course and the cart drivers who serve you - but it's not wrong if you're carrying a flask of the good stuff for a special occasion. My group usually sips a whiskey shot every time someone makes a birdie. High Camp Flasks makes a Firelight Flask and Torch Flask that can serve multiple purposes for golfers thanks to their versatility. The larger Firelight Flask ($129) holds up to 750ml of spirits, hot water or coffee. The kitchen-grade stainless steel interior never influences the flavor of what's inside and cleans easily to make sure you can fill it with whatever you want without any lingering tastes from what was previously inside. Its best feature is each end becomes a separate tumbler cup. The much-smaller Torch Flask (6 ounces) boasts the same flexibility with a single detachable shot glass. The bottom of the Torch Flask ($99) screws off to reveal a larger opening for easy pouring or to add ice, a rare trick other flasks can't perform. - JSD

If you're playing golf in the summer in much of the U.S. chances are you're swatting away a few mosquitoes every hole. In my experience, most bug spray smells terrible. The offering from Murphy's Naturals is one of the first bug repellents I've used that seems to do its job and actually smells pleasant because its primary functioning ingredient is lemon eucalyptus oil. So it might attract a koala but it'll repel mosquitoes. $9.99 (4 oz bottle). - TG

Tired of traveling with a golf hat that gets smashed every time you pack it in a suitcase or golf travel bag? Ahead is adding a packable hat to its headwear collection. The aptly named Stash is an ideal choice for the traveling golfer. With lightweight fabric and a bendable visor, it is simple to "stash" anywhere ... a golf bag or backpack, wherever. It's especially useful for that invite to a fancy private course that doesn't allow hats in the clubhouse. Just jam the 'Stash' in your pocket after the round and join your foursome in the member's bar for that celebratory drink. The 'Stash' is scheduled for a fall debut.

If you're tired of wearing hats touting the same old golf course logos and equipment companies, Branded Bills offers different hat styles galore, including custom options. Its line of golf hats will serve any player well. They're comfortable and breathable ... just about the perfect combination for protection and relief from hot summers. Cost: $38-$48 - JSD