A golfer walks between holes early in the morning on a public course in Washington D.C. (Photo by Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Recreational golf participation and play continue to soar, further cementing it as one of the nation’s largest participation sports. There are more than 21 million male golfers in the U.S., two-thirds of whom are over the age of 35, according to the National Golf Foundation.
There’s no telling how many of those 14 million men might be dads, but it’s a safe bet that millions will be getting Father’s Day gifts this year. And golf just might be a common theme.
There are plenty of new products coming into the market, whether they’re geared toward playing better, practicing with greater efficiency, tracking one’s game, or simply enjoying golf more. There’s always a sleeve of golf balls or a polo shirt as a safe go-to, but here’s a handful of higher-end examples that are particularly notable for their technology, innovation, or unique approach – any or all of which are sure to help some golfers as recreational golf hits its peak season.
L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i Putter
The newest putter from L.A.B. Golf still boasts the company’s signature zero torque technology but features a mallet-like head.
L.A.B. Golf
If there’s one club change that can make the most meaningful difference for amateurs, it’s typically the putter. And the Zero Torque movement (largely inspired by L.A.B. Golf) has been an eye-opener. Just look at the recent 79-putter study by MyGolfSpy in which Zero Torque putters, from a variety of brands, outperformed all the other conventional mallet and blade putters. Now, L.A.B. has released its newest model – the VZN.1i – that features a more familiar mallet shape in addition to the company’s pioneering Lie Angle Balance (LAB) technology, aka “no torque.” Over the years, L.A.B. putters have developed a reputation of being unusual looking and this version, as Senior Vice President of Product Cameron Day notes, is “easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with.” The stock model starts at $499.
Arccos Smart Rangefinder
The new Smart Laser rangefinder from Arccos provides advanced “plays like” distances in real time by incorporating weather in addition to slope and other information.
Arccos
Golf rangefinders are almost ubiquitous among weekend warriors now and the newest offering from Arccos might be the smartest and most connected yet. The AI-powered Smart Laser, which complements the company’s core shot-tracking technologies, gives advanced “plays like” distances in real time by automatically factoring in not only the slope on a given hole, but altitude, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and wind gusts. Basically, all the external factors that a golfer might be trying to consider are simplified in a single, instant output – all made possible by live weather syncing that pairs with Arccos’ GPS positioning and extensively detailed course mapping. The software within the unit, priced at about $300, will continue to update automatically.
The Underground
The Underground is a member-only golf society with ultra-premium golf balls as the core product.
The Underground
There’s an undeniable FOMO that exists in the golf world, whether it’s pricey new equipment, remote resort destination properties, or exclusive and mysterious private clubs. A unique new secret society blends a couple of those aspects, as The Underground (if your membership application is approved) delivers a year’s supply of premium and precision-tested balls that no one else in your club will likely have. This decidedly niche offering co-founded by Mark Wahlberg is targeted at CEOs as well as celebrities, athletes and entertainers. The golf balls from The Underground boast stricter performance protocols than the major manufacturers and are the core product (12 dozen in total) of a $2,800 annual membership that also includes branded apparel, accessories and other gear.
Shot Scope LM1 Launch Monitor
The LM1 from Shot Scope opens an entirely new price point in the launch monitor category.
Shot Scope
The launch monitor category got an entirely new price point with this year’s rollout of the $200 LM1 from Shot Scope, the Scottish company that until now has been best known for its shot tracking technology and distance measuring devices. The LM1 is a game changer for those golfers who crave data and feedback on their swing without breaking the bank. It’s portable (fitting into the pocket of a golf bag), easy to use (on the range, course or in a hitting bay), and intuitive. It’s also incredibly accurate, detailing both carry and total distances, ball and clubhead speed, and smash factor. Basically, the numbers that reveal how far you’re hitting the ball and how solidly you’re striking it.
One-Putt Pro
When you consider putting accounts for about one-third of all strokes in a round, golfers probably don’t practice putting enough. The problem is when they do, it might just be ingraining bad habits. OnePuttPro is a new smart putting aid that attaches to a putter shaft, pairs with a phone, and provides real-time feedback on a variety of putting metrics: face angle at impact, tempo, loft angle, etc. Basically, it’s like a high-end (and very lightweight) launch monitor for the putter, allowing golfers to see what exactly is happening during their stroke and enabling them to make targeted adjustments immediately. With a retail price of $397, the OnePuttPro is designed for the putting green, the course or even the living room, providing clear (and critical) practice feedback.