Equipment
With Appeal
Hot new products
are designed to help
you stay cool, safe
and stylish in the sun
by SCOTT KRAMER
G
olf and sunshine go handin-hand. But catching too
many rays on the course
can create overheating,
fatigue and frustration. With that in
mind, here are some of the smarter,
tech savvy and more trendy products
you can arm yourself with this spring
and summer.
New Balance
Minimus Sport
and NBG2002
golf shoes
New Balance Minimus Sport
and NBG2002 golf shoes
Synonymous with ultra-cushioned running shoes, New Balance has delved
into golf, having recently introduced the Minimus Sport and NBG2002
(pictured right) golf shoes. The former is lightweight, spikeless and built on the
popular Minimus running last. The 7.3-ounce, athletic-looking Minimus Sport
includes REVLite technology for lightweight cushioning, a 4 millimeter drop
midsole that’s popular in training shoes, and a dual-density durable spikeless
outsole. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) stability cage enhances support,
while a wider forefoot allows toes to splay apart.
According to Carey Langley, the company’s product director, the 4
millimeter drop “provides a lower heel stack height, resulting in your feet being
lower to the ground. It also has a water resistant, breathable mesh upper.
Golfers will find it delivers the comfort, fit and performance features they enjoy
from New Balance footwear.”
Meanwhile, the NBG2002 is a cleated shoe weighing just 11.4 ounces
and featuring a premium microfiber, waterproof upper. It has a 10 millimeter
drop midsole. Both models include incredibly comfortable Ortholite moisturewicking insoles—your feet just kind of sink in to both models. (Minimus Sport:
$99.95; NBG2002: $150; newbalance.com)
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Game Golf
digital tracking system
Like a look at the future, Game Golf’s digital
tracking system is a high-tech way for you to keep
track of your shots while practicing or playing a
casual round of golf. Former U.S. Open champion
Graeme McDowell and fellow PGA Tour member
Lee Westwood endorse the product. The PGA of
America views the system as a next-generation
teaching application.
Here’s how it works: You clip a small GPS box
(supplied from the company) to your belt, and then
screw small plastic sensor plugs into the butt end of
the grip caps on your clubs. Before every shot, you
simply tap the sensor to the box and, following a
pulsing confirmation, the product charts which clubs
you’ve used and exactly where you’re hitting from in
relation to the target. When you tap the box for your
next shot, it calculates how far the previous shot
traveled as well as its direction. The unit is anything
but invasive or cumbersome. After your round,
simply connect the device to your computer and
what results is a comprehensive look at the statistics
from your round. The information helps reveal your
tendencies, as well as distance averages, fairways
and greens hit, and more. It’s all displayed in a
vibrant visual over a satellite image of the course you
just played. ($249; gamegolf.com)
Nike Golf
Air Sport stand bag
Nike Golf
Air Sport
stand bag
Designed to help you
walk the course while
carrying your clubs,
Nike Golf’s Air Sport
stand bag aims to take
the burden off your
shoulders at the same
time. Its eight-way,
eight and a half inch
oval top has three full-length dividers to keep
your clubs spread out and organized. Storage
is not a problem, either, as the bag is equipped
with six zippered pockets; a full-length apparel
storage area is one of them. The bag includes a
water-resistant, fleece-lined valuables pouch and
insulated cooler compartment.
In order to further ease the weight of a fully
loaded bag, this model comes with the company’s
EquaFlex Max Air curved revolving double straps,
as well as a ventilated air mesh back pad to
enhance carrying comfort. An integrated GPS loop,
pen sleeve and glove patch, along with a matching
rain hood, offer added convenience. Perhaps best
of all, the Air Sport stand bag will remain stable on
just about any surface, thanks to its custom leg
end caps that add gripping power and sturdiness.
($149; nikegolf.com)
PHOTOS BY THE MANUFACTURERS (7)
Gadgets, Gear and Apparel
Game Golf digital
tracking system
w w w. v s g a . o r g
5/1/14 12:45 PM