Let's just get this out of the way from the start. When it comes to golf I'm a hack. The only problem is that I love to hack around with this @#$%&* game. My golf buddies and I don't get to play that often, but when we do we're always checking out the other guy's equipment (insert joke HERE).
In Texas you can play a good 9-10 months of the year, but there are days when there's too much rain (we had a day this fall with 10"!) and the summers can be brutal. That's why it's good to have an alternative when you're jonesing for the links and just can't swing it.
I had the good fortune recently to enhance my equipment AND improve my game through a couple of great companies - EA Sports and AB Golf Designs. Both companies are on the cutting edge of entertainment and have some unique products any golf-lover would enjoy.
EA SPORTS golf club
Charlotte turned me on to Wii Fit almost two years ago and it's a lot of fun to play. The only problem I have is that playing the golf game with just the remote for a "club" isn't that realistic. If I'm gonna hack, I need something to hack with! That's why I was happy to try the new EA SPORTS golf club for Wii and Nintendo DSi. No, it's not a "real" club, but it's a suitable alternative and I found it to provide enough realism to help improve my skills.
The Wii remote is placed in the shaft of the "club" so you take actual swings the way you would on the course.
I'd refrain from going all John Daly with the stick so you don't take out your expensive plasma, but the feel is realistic and a great simulation. I've been able to lower my overall Wii score by several strokes just due to the realism of the club.
It's a handy golf gadget that makes an already challenging game just that much more fun. No, I don't envision myself on the #1 tee at Pebble Beach when I play (I'm crazy, not delusional) but thanks to the EA SPORTS golf club, I do find it makes the game a lot more fun.
EA SPORTS golf club is sold as a part of a set that includes a Wii baseball bat and a Wii tennis racket. The entire package sells for about $20 and is available at Wal-Mart, Amazon.com and most electronics stores.
USA Boxing Glove Head Cover
When my golf buddies Tony and Mike play, they usually play for a golf shirt. These guys are pretty competitive and the trash-talk is definitely NSFW. Usually by the back nine, the drives are longer and the talk is louder. That's why I thought this new USA Boxing Glove head cover AB Golf Designs would be the perfect companion to my set. When the talk gets trashy I can go to my driver wrapped in a head cover that would make Apollo Creed proud.
The USA boxing glove head cover is made of a soft durable material that closely resembles genuine leather and has the US flag printed across the entire front with letters USA on the cuff.
It has a lining made with a polyester material that's very similar to sheepskin and provides excellent head protection. The durable elastic inside the cuff secures to a tight fit over the neck so the cover won't fall off in the fairway or the parking lot. It fits all clubs from the big 460cc driver down to the #3 fairway woods.
Cost is about $25 and you can find it in major golf equipment retailers, sporting goods stores or order it directly AB Golf Designs.