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June is an important month on the calendar for golfers.
Father's Day and the final round of the U.S. Open - that's June 16 this year - signal that it's time to get serious about playing as much golf as possible before fall intervenes with football, iffy weather and back-to-school responsibilities. The first official day of summer - June 20 - is approaching fast and, before we know it, will soon be in the rear-view mirror.
It's never a bad idea to add a new weapon to your bag, whether it's a club, yardage device or something to wear on the course. Our latest Golf Gear Report tackles all of the above:
Titleist Vokey SM9 Jet Black Wedge
The SM9 moves the forward center of gravity (CG) to promote a more controlled ball flight and solid contact. The new grooves are cut to the edge to maximize spin, featuring a localized heat treatment that doubles the durability of the impact area. Six different grinds ensure there's a wedge for every golfer. Granted, the SM10 is available but the prior generation is available at a nice discount from PGA Tour Superstore. $149.98.
LAB Golf: DF3 Custom Putter
The smaller and sleeker DF3 is the second generation of L.A.B. putters (which stands for Lie, Angle, Balance). The DF3 is touted as “fully automatic”, meaning it wants to guide itself on the correct path on the way back and through. Mishits off the toe or heel should perform just as well as pure strikes. $559.99.
Bushnell Wingman 2 speaker
The buzz over the launch of the original Wingman was so big that I got one as a birthday gift. I liked it but it didn't hold a charge very well, an issue that's been resolved with the latest version reputed to have 14 hours of battery life. The new Wingman 2 features an upgraded integrated BITE magnetic remote, a new battery light indicator, USB-C charging port and improved audio quality. Golfers just push a button on the remote so the speaker can spit out the yardage. It can also charge other devices (phone) or pair with other Wingman products for surround sound of your favorite tunes. $149.99 - Jason Scott Deegan
FORLOH SolAir UPF Polos
FORLOH is more known in the outdoor/hunting space, but its polos are perfectly adaptable for golf. FORLOH's SolAir Polo features UPF 50+ sun protection and flagship brrr® Pro cooling technology. This 3-button placket shirt is lightweight, allowing golfers to swing fast and free. $99 - JSD
Tipsy Elves women's golf apparel
The success launch of the Tipsy Elves line of men's golf apparel several years ago has led to the new women's line. The polos feature all the technical aspects required for a round, such as ultra-soft, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking fabric. Ladies can get as bold as they wish, choosing from squirrels and gators to a very nice sunset stripe pattern. $49.95
Chicken Cock Whiskey
Pro golfer and part-time golf announcer Kevin Kisner has partnered with Chicken Cock Whiskey for his second release: A nine-year-aged Double Oak Kentucky Straight Whiskey that was first placed in ex-bourbon barrels for seven years, then finished in new white oak barrels for an additional two years to add complexity and flavor. We can't guarantee a few sips will help you putt like Kisner - or be as funny and quick-witted as 'Kiz' - but you'll still savor the experience. $149.99 - JSD
Blue Tees Ringer
I'm a technology simpleton ... if it's not simple to set up, I won't be using it. Thankfully, the Ringer from Blue Tees is so easy to use that within 10 minutes of charging it long enough to get some life, I figured out how to turn it on and deliver yardages for my home course. Of course, the Ringer sports other advanced features that I can use if I want them - basic and advanced scorekeeping, shot tracking and round summaries - but this was a good start. It can detect front, center and back distances to the green, plus distances to hazards and a green view. That's pretty impressive for such a small handheld device. $199.99 - JSD
Costa Diego Sunglasses
When Tiger was spotted wearing Costa Diego Sunglasses last fall, the brand had suddenly "arrived" for good in the golf space. These sunglasses feature an innovative vented spring hinge system to maximize airflow and enhance fit, plus sweat management channels that wick away moisture. The coloring enhancing polarized 580 lenses provide 100-percent UV protection. $303 - JSD
Altera Alpaca THRIVE socks
I have become such a sock snob that I basically will not play golf in any non-wool socks. My favorite wool golf sock brand is Altera, whose alpaca-wool socks feel soft and comfy, breathe great, don't stink when sweaty and last for years. The brand recently released a new version of their socks called THRIVE, which are slightly thinner but still use alpaca wool - 34% to be exact. $22 per pair. - Tim Gavrich
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