9 Must-Have Golfing Accessories to Take Your Game to the Next Level

golfing accessories

Golf may be “the gentleman’s game,” but when it comes to getting a leg up on your competition, the game is anything but gentlemanly.

Whether it’s fine-tuning their short game or buying new gear, golfers are always trying to get a leg up on the competition. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the latter. With the competition in golf as stiff as it is, you need all the help you can get.

9 Golfing Accessories You Need In Your Bag

Some sports, like tennis or hockey, rely extremely hard on gear for performance. If you don’t have the top-of-the-line racket or skates, you won’t be able to compete with the pros.

This is especially true for golf, but it doesn’t stop at golf clubs. There’s plenty more you can add to your golf bag to improve your performance. Here are the 9 best add-ons in the market.

1. Shag Balls

If you’re trying to improve your golf game, the thing you need most is practice. If you’re stuck behind a slow group of golfers out on the course, shag balls are the perfect target practice.

No one wants to waste time out on the course, and practicing your swing on shag balls during those idle periods is time-well-spent.

2. The Blast Motion Swing and Stroke Analyzer

On top of practice, you also need data to improve your game. This nifty technology from Blast Motion can deliver just that.

How it works is simple: You attach this little device on to the grip of your golf club and tracks the quality of your swings. It tracks the speed of your swing, measures your timing, and uses a compass to create a 3D map of each of your strokes.

With this data, you’ll be able to hone in on imperfections in your game and adjust accordingly.

3. Garmin S6 Approach Watch

When playing a new course, it’s helpful to know the ins-and-outs of the green, like the yardage of each hole. This watch is loaded with in-depth information of over 39,000 golf courses worldwide.

It also has a digital scorecard and can display text messages and emails from your phone.

4. A Rangefinder

If you don’t want to go the watch route, you can use a rangefinder like the Leupold GX to get extremely accurate yardage readings. This rangefinder can also record the incline or decline of the course, as well as the temperature and the altitude.

Of course, you want to be able to intuit this sort of thing over time, but you can use this as a training tool. Before taking your readings, try guessing the yardage or incline/decline. You’ll find that you’ll get more accurate over time. It’s like developing a superpower!

5. The EZee Golf Power Club

Golfing, like any other physical activity, becomes more difficult to do with age. But age or injury doesn’t have to prevent you from hitting the golf courses these days.

If those intense swings when teeing off cause you too much pain you can get a little help from this piston-powered driver. With the hard part out of the way, you can still work on your short game.

6. Putter Grips

Speaking of your short game, it can benefit greatly with some updated putter grips, like these. Putters can be tricky and a lot of the stock grips on these clubs aren’t great for a lot of players.

Since putting is such a fine motor movement, you need all the help you can get. One slip-up could ruin your performance on the course. These Lamkin putter grips add a little weight to your club, giving your put some more heft. This added weight theoretically smooths out your swing if you’ve got a hitch in your putting motion.

7. Swingbyte 2 Training Aid

The Swingbyte 2 Training Aid is a lot like the Blast Motion stroke analyzer but can monitor even finer motor movements. It monitors all the same things in your swings like speed, tempo, and angle. But it can also check for things like if you’re rotating your clubface accurately on drives.

It also weighs less than an ounce, so having it clipped to your club shouldn’t affect your swing at all. The accompanying smartphone app is loaded with personalized lesson plans to improve your game as well.

8. Customized Golf Gloves

Golf requires that you have an iron-clad grip. You can’t tee off right if your hands are slipping and sliding around the grip on your club.

If you don’t already have gloves, you should get a pair tailored perfectly for your hand. These gloves by Gfore, for example, have fine-tuned size options to ensure a perfect, snug fit.

You’ll find that your golf game will improve a lot with a good pair of gloves.

9. Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

A good golf club is essential for good gold performance, but their quality is negated if you’re hitting rocks off the tee.

Any quality golf ball will vastly improve your game, but we recommend the Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. It’s the ball most PGA pros use and for good reason. The ball is constructed with an ultra-soft outer layer perfect for soft puts around the hole. But it also retains enough aerodynamic qualities so that no power is lost when driving off the tee.

Titleist ensures that using this ball will result in longer distance drives and more consistent flight.

Ready to Hit The Green?

With these golfing accessories, you’ll be able to improve your game and dominate the courses in no time flat. It’s important, however, to remember the fundamentals. A pair of gloves alone isn’t going to help you improve your game.

It’s easy to get lost in buying new gear, but you need to remain dedicated to improving the basics of your game.

If you need any more advice on recommendations on training golf gear, check out the training section of our website. Happy golfing!

The 11 Best Golf Gifts for Golf Lovers

If you have a golfer in your life you need never be stuck for great gift ideas, no matter what the occasion. No more boring socks, ties or aftershave. The game of golf has advanced tremendously and so has the range of awesome gear, gadgets, and accessories that go with it. You can have your pick not just from novelty items, but also from some very nifty and useful technical gadgets. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of the best golf gifts for any golf lover (in no particular order).

The 11 Best Golf Gifts

1. Golf GPS Watch

A new golf GPS watch is the perfect gift for your golfing friend who also loves having the latest tech gadgets.  It combines the power of a golf GPS system, with the convenience and functionality of a watch.   Any golfer will love having, and showing off this handy gadget to their friends.

e.g. Garmin Approach S1 GPS Golf Watch 

garmin s1 golf gps watch best golf gifts 2014The Garmin Approach S1 is an older model, but still one of the best entry-level GPS watches.   It is preloaded with more than 14000 U.S. and Canada courses and more can be added. The watch is available in black or white, includes an odometer, alarm and sets the time and time zone automatically using the GPS functionality.

It’s packed full of features that will seriously impress and excite anyone unwrapping it. It provides yardages to the back, middle and front of the green, measures exact distances from anywhere on the course and tracks your distance using a pedometer when you are walking the course.

It’s completely waterproof, has large numerals so you can read it at a glance and comes with a rechargeable lithium ion battery. It’s ready to use right out of the box with no setup needed and no monthly subscriptions to use it.  If your friend doesn’t already have a golf GPS watch, then the Garmin S1 is a fantastic choice.

Buy the Garmin Approach S1 GPS Golf Watch here!

–> See our list of the Best Golf GPS Watches here!

2. Golf Rangefinder

Have a friend that’s a bit of a perfectionist? Always obsessing over the details?  Then a new golf rangefinder could be the best golf gift for him (or her).  It will them exact yardage to any target on the course, so they never have to complain about the yardage markers being off.

e.g. Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt Standard Edition Golf Laser Rangefinder

bushnell tour v3 rangefinder best golf gifts 2014The Bushnell Tour V3 is easily one of the best rangefinders on the market.  Used by the pros, this makes a very special gift for any golfer and tops the list of as one the best golf gifts.  All players with a rangefinder in their golf bag love them and never play without it. Those without one are eternally envious of those who do.

It can be operated single handed and all you need to do is point it, press the button, wait for the jolt to confirm the laser found the target and read the distance off the display.  Then it is all up to you to make the shot.

It features Pin Seeker Technology to find the exact distance to the flag without being interfered with by other objects in the background. It is completely legal for tournament play and for posting scores for handicap purposes.  It’s also ergonomically designed and has a sturdy and durable rubber casing that makes it very easy to grip. It comes in a handy carry case and a 3-volt battery and 2 year warranty is included.

Buy the Bushnell Tour V3 Golf Laser Rangefinder here!

–>  See our list of the other best golf rangefinders here!

3. Golf Swing Analyzer for Smartphones

Smartphones can do nearly anything these days.  If you know a golf lover who has a newer iPhone or Android device, then you should definitely consider getting them one of these cool swing analyzer devices.

e.g. Zepp Golf 3D Training System (iOS/Android)

zepp 3d golf swing analyzer best golf gifts 2014Every golfer wants to improve their swing and they are always looking for ways to do it simply and without spending thousands on lessons. The Zepp Golf 3D Training System allows you to practice your swing and get immediate feedback and analysis on a range of factors affecting your swing. It simply clips onto your glove, syncs with the app on your smartphone (iPhone and Android) and gives you instant feedback swing after swing.

You also have the ability to see your swing in 3D animated model, so you can analyze it from every angle. Or you can compare your swing to professional players and coaches. With the data provided you can implement corrections and tips on your next swing and start making progress immediately. Apart from having a coach right there with you, there is no better way for a golfer to improve their swing on the spot. This best golf gift item is a must for any avid golfer out there.

Buy the Zepp Golf 3D Training System here!

–> See the rest of the best golf swing analyzers here!

4. Putting Mat / Indoor Putting Green

Putting mats are the best golf gifts for winter!  Any golf lover would appreciate a great putting mat to keep their short game in shape during the off-season.

e.g. SKLZ Accelerator Pro Ball Return Putting Mat

skzl pro return putting matt golf giftsImproving their putting accuracy is on every golfer’s mind. A putting mat like this  one from SKLZ allows them to practice at home, at the office and during the long winter months when they can’t get out on the course.

With this gift the golfer in your life can quickly nip out to the garage to practice or get in a few practice shots between meetings. It’s a great quality item and will provide years of service.

Buy the SKLZ Accelerator Pro Ball Return Putting Mat here!

–>  See the other best putting mats here!

5. Golf Swing Trainer

Golfers are always trying to improve their game.  A good golf swing trainer tool can help them get the upperhand against their friends and the course.

e.g SKLZ Gold Flex Strength and Tempo Trainer

sklz swing trainerCore muscles are important for a golfer and directly affects their swing, accuracy and the distance they get. The Gold Flex allows you to not only warm up before a round, but will also give you a great core workout and help you improve your swing. It is very handy and fast to use at home for a quick workout and swing practice.

Buy the SKLZ Gold Flex Tempo Trainer here!

–> See the other best golf swing trainers here!

6. Golf Travel Bag

Know a golfer who likes to travel? Then, we’re sure they would appreciate a great golf travel bag, so they can safely take their clubs with them.

e.g. CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 Golf Bag Travel Cover 

caddydaddy travel golf bagBusiness trips, family holidays or golfing weekends will be a breeze with the CaddyDaddy. We cannot imagine that any golfer would not be ecstatic receiving this as a gift. It is always a struggle to cart your clubs through the airport and multiple transfer can be irksome with a sub-par golf travel bag.

The CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 is one of the top options out there, and won’t break the bank.  This best golf gift 2014 should top the list for the travelling golfer in your life.

 Buy the CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 Travel Golf Cover here!

–>  See other top golf travel bag options here

 7.  Novelty / Funny Golf Gifts

Even golfers have a sense of humor!

e.g. MySack Golf Ball Storage Sack

mysack golf ball storage sack best golf gifts 2014

Any man with a sense of humor will appreciate this graphically shaped golf ball holder.  The “MySack” appropriately holds exactly two golf balls, has a velcro close top, and can easily be attached to your golf bag.

This gift will guarantee some laughs, and is also quite useful!

Buy the MySack Golf Ball Storage Sack here!

–> Check out other funny golf gifts here

 8. New Golf Glove

Serious golfers will go through a few golf gloves each season, and are always in need of a replacement or backup glove.    It makes a great gift, and is also easy on your wallet ($10-$30).  Just make sure you know their size!

e.g. Nike Men’s Dura Feel VII Golf Glove Regular Left Hand 

nike mens dura feel golf glove golf giftThis glove from Nike looks great, fits well, uses excellent quality material and is extra durable.  There is also Lycra spandex material placed on the fingers and back of hand for maximum flexibility and breathability.  The Dura Feel VII is not the most high-end glove on the market, but for only around $10, you can’t find a much better deal.  It is available in white, or black.

Buy the Nike Dura Feel VII Golf Glove here!

–> See our list of the other best golf gloves here!

 9. Golf Books

Golf is a 99% mental game.  A great golf book will be an interesting read, and could help improve  your friend’s game as well!

e.g. BEN HOGAN’S FIVE LESSONS: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf 

ben hogans five lessons of golfWhether the golfer in your life is a seasoned player or a mere beginner, this timeless and completely illustrated guide will be used time and again. We guarantee it will never be too far out of reach and will get ample use over time.  Ben Hogan’s reveals his special techniques that will help any average golfer improve their scores.  Every golf lover should have this classic on their bookshelf!

Buy it now here!

 –> See more great golf books here!

10. Golf Practice Net

A golf net (coupled with a golf hitting mat)  is one of the best golf gifts for anyone stuck at home during the long winter months, or for someone who just doesn’t have time to go to the range consistently.  Golfers can never get enough practice!

e.g. The Net Return Pro Series Golf Net 

the net return pro series best golf practice netIf price is no issue, then the Net Return Pro Series Golf Net is easily the #1 golf net available todayt.  It is simple to assemble, can be used indoors or outdoors, and is made of the highest end material on the market.  The net 7′ 6″ high, 8′ wide and 3′ 6″ deep,  so make sure there is somewhere in the house to put it.  The only downside of this net, is that it costs $495.

Buy the Net Return Pro Series Golf Net here!

 –> For some cheaper options, see our list of the best golf nets here!

11. New Golf Driver

Probably the #1 thing on most golfers’ list is a brand new driver.

e.g. TaylorMade Men’s JetSpeed Golf Driver 

taylormade jetspeed golf driverIf you’ve heard some hints around the house that someone needs a new driver for his bag, you cannot go wrong with the TaylorMade JetSpeed. This club will generate faster swing speed and increase distance and confidence. Users report it’s a vast improvement over TaylorMade’s previous driver, the RBZ. No wonder GolfDigest gave it the gold in its 2014 hotlist roundup.  In this category it is definitely the best golf gift of 2014. You’ll be proudly credited when asked where he got that amazing new driver from. And his friends will be asking.

Buy the TaylorMade JetSpeed Golf Driver here! 

–> See more top drivers here

Whatever item peaks your interest on our best golf gifts list, the golfer in your life is sure to love it. Make your choice today!

Best Golf GPS App for iPhone / iOS

Have a shiny new iPhone?  Why not put it to use on the course?  If you don’t want to buy a separate device, or wear a golf GPS watch, then your good ol’ iPhone can get the job done.  So, what is the best golf GPS app for iPhone / iOS (iPad, etc.)?  Here are our top choices.

Best Golf GPS App for iPhone Reviews

1. Swing by Swing Golf GPS & Scorecard App

swing by swing app best golf gps app for iphonePrice: Free (premium upgrade available – $24.99/year)

Rating: 5/5

Review: The geniuses over at Swing by Swing have made an incredible (and FREE) golf GPS app for your iPhone and iPad.  It does everything a great golf GPS should do, such as finding distances to back/front/center of greens, and distances to every obstacle/hazard.  The Swing by Swing app also has a HUGE database of golf courses.  If by chance you find a course that is not available, you can actually add a course to the database, which is then made available to future golfers that use the app.

One of the best things about this app is the scorecard feature.  After your round is over, the app will automatically upload your score to the Swing by Swing website, along with pictures you took during the round, and a map that shows the path you took through a course (mine would be all zig-zags).  The website will then show you graphs and stats of all the games you have played, so you can (hopefully) track your improvement over time

There is also paid upgrade to “looper” mode ($15 annual fee) which unlocks unlimited access to wind speed, hole elevation, “plays like”, custom club distance tracking, and an extended scorecard (fairways hit, penalties, etc).  Overall, Swing by Swing is our favorite golf app, and is simply the best free golf GPS app for iPhone. You should definitely give it a shot!

Download Swing by Swing Golf GPS app on iTunes

Official website: http://www.swingbyswing.com/

2. Golfshot Golf GPS App

golfshot best golf gps app for iphonePrice: $29.99

Rating: 5/5

Review:  The Golfshot Golf GPS is a member of the Apple App Store Hall of Fame, and for good reason.   It looks absolutely fantastic, is extremely simple to use, and comes preloaded with over 40,000 golf courses worldwide.  All you need to do is show up at the golf course, turn the app on, and start your round.  You will get accurate distances to greens, bunkers, hazards, as well as yardage to layups at 200, 150, 125, and 100 yards.  You can also track the distance of every shot, and assign specific clubs for layup distances.

As you approach your ball, the app will tell you which club you should use.  Similar to the Swing by Swing app, Golfshot features amazing automatic stat tracking.  The stats are incredibly detailed, including fairways hit, fairwasy missed left/right, GIR, scoring averages on par 3’s/4’s/5’s, and much more.  Golfshot will automatically put your stats into graphs, so you can track your improvement, and compare to your friends.

The one downside of the Golfshot app is that it will cost you $30.  It seems like a lot to pay for an “app”, but when compared to actual golf GPS devices that cost hundreds of dollars, this is actually ridiculously reasonable.  It could be the best $30 you ever spend!

Download Golfshot Golf GPS App on iTunes

Official website: http://golfshot.com/

3.  GolfLogix #1 Free Golf GPS + Scorecard

golf logix golf gps app for iphonePrice: Free (premium upgrades available – $29.99)

Rating: 4.5

Review: GolfLogix is another great, and FREE golf GPS app for iPhone / iOS.  It comes with over 30,000 available golf courses worldwide, and a general yardage book for each course.  The free version also includes professional stat and score tracking (fairways hit, GIR, putts, etc.).  Your stats are automatically synced online to the GolfLogix website, so that you can track progress, and compete with other golfers worldwide.

The paid “Champion” upgrade ($19.99), unlocks the true power of the app.  It will let you find distances to front/back/center of the green, distances to hazards, layups, and more.  You will also get hole flyovers, custom club distance tracking, and discounts at GolfSmith store.  You can see a comparison of all the “Champion” and free features at the GolfLogix website.

The major negative of the GolfLogix app, is that the free version displays advertisements while you play.  There are also a lot of useful features that are locked, which forces you to buy the upgrade.  The interface is a bit clunkier than the top two apps, which is why we had to give the GolfLogix GPS a slightly lower rating.  It is still a great app, and worth a try if you’re not happy with the others.

Download GolfLogix Free Golf GPS and Scorecard on iTunes

Official Website: http://www.golflogix.com/

4. Golf Pad Free Golf GPS, Scorecard and Club Tracker

golf pad best golf gps app for iphonePrice: Free (premium upgrade available – $14.99)

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Golf Pad is a lesser known, but extremely well made golf GPS app for iPhone.  It comes with over 30,000 courses worldwide, and gives you the ability to map out your own course if it is not already available. The free version  comes with many features that are considered “premium” in other apps such as distances to front/middle/back of the green, and advanced scoring (putts, penalties, sand, fairways hit, GIR, etc.).  It also has an advanced shot tracker, which lets you record distances of each club you hit.

Like the other apps, Golf Pad also lets you save your stats/history so you can track your progress.  One of the best parts of the Golf Pad app is that it uses far less battery than some of the other golf GPS apps.  The free version does have advertisements on it, so if you want an ad free experience, you will need to upgrade to the Premium version ($14.99).

Besides having no ads, the Premium version includes automatic online backup of stats/history,  even more advanced statistics tracking (average scoring on par 3s, par 4s, etc., average distances for each club), and scoring for up to 8 players.  You will also get data on hole elevations, and automatic layup targets.

Download Golf Pad Golf GPS on iTunes

Offical website: http://www.golfpadgps.com/

If you have any thoughts on the best golf GPS app for iPhone, let us know in the comments!