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Big news. ZealousGolfer.com is back on the hunt for great golf products this summer. If you are a golf company looking to get the word out about your product, check out how to get a feature on this website.

One of the first reviews ever conducted on ZealousGolfer.com was of Tifosi Optics' Pave sunglasses. To this day, I still often sport to Paves when I am on the course (and for good reason). This year, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take a look at one of Tifosi's 2009 models: the Stelvio. 

Acushnet's Footjoy has always controlled the golf glove market, offering style and innovation to players of all types over the years. As a perennial Footjoy patron, I recently headed to Dick's Sporting Goods to pick up another glove to start the season. Anticipating wet weather in the near future, I decided to go with the WeatherSof to deal with a Pittsburgh spring. 

This summer, I would like to expand our guides to equipment and courses through performing many more reviews. If your company would like to have a product or course featured in a ZealousGolfer.com review, we certainly would be interested in taking a look. 

I am not afraid to admit that I, at times, am careless with my clubs. As a strong opponent of slow play, I frequently will take half my bag to the green (hardly an exaggeration) in order to avoid having to walk back to my bag or cart a dozen times to finish the hole. Naturally, such a strategy opens itself up to lost clubs, and can even defeat the purpose by forcing a golfer to spend 15 minutes retracing his steps looking for a sand wedge.

Thus, when Club Count Technologies was interested in a ZealousGolfer.com Review, I was pretty excited. Some background information about the company may be helpful.

Club Count is under the Cleveland Golf umbrella, but focuses on providing bags that not only provide a way to carry your sticks, but protect clubs from being lost. Naturally, their promise (found on the Club Count website_ that you will "Never Lose a Club Again" seems pretty intriguing.

Technology:

The golf bag, it seems, has a history of innovation that doesn't stack up against its peers in the golf equipment industry like the driver or irons. However, Club Count is looking to change that by taking an age-old problem and using modern technology to overcome it.

On the surface, the Club Count bag looks like any other. A sleek, black design with a nice staff bag look. It also sports a single strap with large pockets on both sides of bag. From a bird's eye view, one notices that the bag is divided into 14 slots for clubs, which actually uses a design to keep woods and irons somewhat separated. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

However, along the top of the bag, the left and right sides are flanked by small red oval-shaped lights reminiscent of Knight Rider (pictured left). These lights function as one of the safety devices that will alert a player if a club is missing, but look stylish nonetheless.

More importantly, the bag is capable of counting the number of clubs after finishing a hole through the use of electronic sensors which are found inside of the bag. Fortunately, the sensors are none of the golfer's concern, quietly protecting your sticks while you play.

Though there are 14 slots for clubs, you may be wondering if you are out of luck if you play with less than 14 during most of your rounds. Fortunately, the people at Club Count have a solution. At the start of your round, you simply open up a small half-circle shaped pocket on the front of the bag and pull out a black box with an on/off switch. After clicking "on", the box alerts the sensors and counts the number of clubs you are starting with and then demonstrates that it is finished through a flashing light on the box.

After that, you simply put the bag on the cart and head out to play. In the event that you have left a club behind, the Club Count will sense that a club is missing and send off a light, yet audible, beeping noise and then begin to flash. In regard to the noise, you don't have to worry about everyone with a mile of the green hearing you - at best, the members of your playing group will be able to make out the noise.

Just in case you missed the noise after jumping into your cart and driving off to the tee, the lights continue to flash until the club is replaced. Thus, you can save time by simply heading back to the green when you reach the tee box instead of driving back to the sand trap on number five when you leave an approach shot short in a bunker on 16.

Another notable fact about the bag's technology is that it counts club by sensing them, so does not require you to change your clubs in any way (i.e. placing stickers on them or something of that nature).

After you are finished with the round, you can simply reach back into the small pocket on the front and click the on/off button. No problem.

My Test:

Overall, I thought this bag fixed a simple problem with a simple solution. As I said before, this bag helps any golfer who is prone to leaving clubs behind by providing an easy way to identify a bag with too few clubs and then zip back to the hole to fix the problem.

Most importantly, I felt that the Club Count system of both a visual and auditory alert was a smart choice, which basically guarantees you will notice that you are missing a club when you get to the tee and reach for your driver.

The only problem I had with the bag was its weight. I suppose with a bag that requires electronic equipment to get the job done, some added weight would be necessary. Moreover, most staff bags comprised of thick material do not fit in the category as light. However, this is only an issue if you are a frequent walker like myself since the bag is definitely not so cumbersome or bulky that it would make riding in a cart or pulling it along difficult.

The lights are also found on both sides, which means that you can see them no matter which side of the cart you sit on.

Additionally, I felt that, in terms of the basic golf bag amenities (i.e. pockets), the bag was still solid. The dual large pockets on the sides of the bag give a player enough space to fit all of the necessities like an umbrella and jacket. Moreover, the large pocket for golf balls was certainly more than sufficient to carry enough to finish the round with.

Conclusion:

On the ZealousGolfer.com Review "Five Star" Scale, the Club Count bag deserves a 4.5 stars out of 5. The highlights are pretty clear - the bag did an excellent job with providing an easy solution to the problem of lost clubs. Moreover, the product was simple enough that any player could put it into action, regardless of his or her ability to use technology. The only drawback I found was the weight of the bag, which certainly makes walking with it difficult. However, players who use a cart or pullcart will surely be able to use the bag with ease.

Readers who are interested can find the bag on the Club Count website, which also includes more photos and videos of the product in use. Also worth noting, it appears that golfers can have the bag shipped for free at this time.

Interested in having a product reviewed? Check out our information on ZealousGolfer.com product reviews.

While a focus on swing mechanics is nothing new to dedicated golfers, the average hacker has rarely given much attention to their putting stroke. Indeed, though putting woes affect virtually every golfer, whether evidenced in a player's struggles to sink three footers or terrible control from long distances, many golfers have failed to address their faults in this part of the game.

Thus, the Putting Arc, which the company claims is used frequently by over 700 professional golfers, may revolutionize your game.

Background:

The Putting Arc was the product of the vision of three men: V.J. Trolio, a teaching professional from Mississippi drove the idea of "the perfect putting stroke," Joey Hamilton, an engineer who was responsible for perfecting the math and physics behind the product, and Dave Hamilton, who handled manufacturing as an expert engineer-inventor himself.

Today, the Putting Arc is found on every professional tour. Fans who have attended professional events over the past several years have almost certainly encountered this product when watching players on the practice green.

Naturally, with so much support from golf's best players, ZealousGolfer.com was extremely excited to review this product.

Technology:

For the review, I played for several months with the MSIII Putting Arc, which, unlike the other models, is made out of black plastic. Nothing too exciting here. However, this Arc weighed in at only two pounds at 33 inches in length. While not a technological advancement, the company definitely got it right in making a product that most players could manage to put in their bag, cart, or locker after walking off the putting green.

More importantly, the arc of the Putting Arc is what makes the product so successful. While my lack of a degree in physics most likely prevents me from doing the sophistication of this product justice, I will do my best to explain based on the company's explanation. If you are still interested in how this works to perfect your swing, I strongly urge you to give the Putting Arc's website a look.

Basically, the putting stroke functions much like the full swing in that the easiest way to control distance and accuracy is by maintaining a certain "plane" over the course of the movement. Indeed, deviating from said "plane" leads the putter to come toward the ball offline. Consequently, golfers who continually practice this poor, off-plane motion will be forced to compensate by manipulating the putter head during the swing in an attempt to bring the putter face back to square in order to hit the putt on line. Unfortunately, when added motions like this are ingrained into a player's putting stroke, the probability of error increases substantially. Thus, players looking to strike the ball with more accuracy and better control of distance must change the putting stroke to remain on plane.

The Putting Arc teaches a player to strike the ball with the "perfect stroke" because its designers have deduced mathematically the radius of the swing plane based the axis of rotation, a golfer's spine angle, the height of the shoulders propelling the putter forward and backward, and many other factors. However, those these factors change from golfer to golfer, the Putting Arc still provides the perfect radius based on the combination of the geometric properties of these factors.

The next question is, "Does it work?" Or more simply, "Is this necessary?"

My Thoughts:

Yes and yes. The Putting Arc is an effective means by which a golfer can retrain himself or herself to putt consistently on the correct plane. Mind you, it takes time. Just like any other swing change in the game of golf, a player will only find success with this product if they are dedicated to making the swing change.

On the bright side, this product makes it relatively easy to devote yourself to making the change. For one, the manufacturer made an excellent decision when placing small holes on the far ends of the Putting Arc, which make it very easy to peg down the product when putting on any green. However, when you cannot place tees in the ground to keep the Putting Arc in place, you still are pretty safe. The product has strips of griptape permanently attached to the bottom, which stick very well to carpet (just in case you would like to putt within your home or in the office).

While the product is only 33" in length, it is long enough to hit basically any length of putt.

Another stellar feature for the Putting Arc is the "Arc Glider" attachment. The attachments costs slightly less than $8.00 and can be found on the company's website. As they say, the Arc Glider turns the Putting Arc "into a putting machine." Indeed, with the attachment connected to your putter with Velcro or rubber bands (included with attachment), becoming a better putter requires virtually no effort on your part: your body feels what the correct movement feels like as the club stays on track with the attachment.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Putting Arc is a spectacular way to improve your putting. One of the biggest problems golfers face with their full swing is not knowing what a "correct swing" feels like. This issue simply isn't a problem on the putting green after you have used this product.

Quite simply, anyone can become a solid putter by using the Putting Arc frequently. Though, becoming a master of putting requires quite a few hours of practice (keep in mind the professionals still practice while using this aid), at least you now have the tools to become successful.

The Putting Arc may be purchased at many major golf retailers, but also may be purchased from the Putting Arc's website for $69.95. Because of its ease in use and the amazing results, ZealousGolfer.com gives the Putting Arc 5 out of 5 stars. Good work.

Interested in having a product reviewed? Check out our information on ZealousGolfer.com product reviews.

Traditionally, golf cleaning products have never been the most exciting technological developments in the golf world. However, multiple companies have, over the past several years, seen the need for on and off the course cleaning products and have succeeded in creating some stellar ways to maintain clean sticks.

One company that has taken on such a task is FiZ Golf, based out of North America. Today, ZealousGolfer.com will review FiZ's unique cleaning agent for irons and woods.

Background:

FiZ Golf was founded, according to company president Aaron Heap, during the 2006 golf season. Dirty clubs that robbed them of distance and accuracy as well as being aesthetically unappealing plagued a group of golfers, like most players. Hence, FiZ Golf was born.

Today, FiZ’s packaging includes a statement on the side explaining the “Dirty Truth.” A mission statement of sorts, the “Dirty Truth” explains, “You’ve spent thousands on your gear to have soil rob you of distance and accuracy. Foaming at the mouth is not the answer to cleaner gear or a polished game.”

The Product:

When you receive FiZ, you will get a green container that fits the bottle containing the cleaning solution. The bottle is approximately four or five inches tall, which would fit easily in any golf bag. Moreover, the bottle’s cap has a large hook that allows for the bottle to be hooked onto the golf bag for convenience.

The product functions pretty simply. Much like a canister of AXE deodorant or a similar product, the user must only press the cap on top to dispense the foam cleaning agent. One must only spray to any area on the club or ball with significant grass stains or loose dirt.

FiZ Golf claims on their website that the product will last, if used frequently, for 100 or more holes. Though, from my experience, a small spray may cover the entire face of the driver effectively rather easily.

In addition to the foam, the canister includes a small pad which is covered in firm bristles. These, as I found, are effective in rubbing away the dirt and grass stains after the foam has already been applied to the clubface or golf ball cover.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I believe that FiZ is an excellent golf product. As the company’s website explains, FiZ is a substantially better alternative to saliva and any other bodily fluid one may try to use in order to clean their golf product. From my own experience with FiZ, the cleaning agent was excellent in eliminating the dirt and grass stains that have been on my clubs for months. Plus, having the product readily available seemed to encourage me to clean my clubs for once.

However, the only major drawback I saw was the problem of disposing of the foam after spraying it. Though one can remove the foam quite easily with a towel, after using the product for 18 holes, the towel may become very damp and covered with foam. Another problem with disposing of the foam is the residue left on the bristles. Indeed, after scrubbing the club or ball, foam will inevitably become stuck deep inside the bristles of the pad. While this is not a great problem for those who hang the product on their bag, golfers who would prefer to place it inside their bag or in their pocket may find foam in unfortunate spots.

On the five star ZealousGolfer.com scale, we have given FiZ four out of five starts for its excellence in cleaning golf products, but with a slight drawback in removing the foam. For more information, make sure to check out FizGolf.com and look for the product in golf retail stores soon.

Interested in having a product reviewed? Check out our information on ZealousGolfer.com product reviews.

For anyone who plays golf frequently, it is pretty obvious that we are effected by a ridiculously numerous set of factors. Golf is and always has been fickle---everyone has seen a great round go bad or has lit up a nine after fumbling their way through the front.

Sure, one can hone their swing to excellence, but there are always other factors, like concentration, stamina, wind, etc. Fortunately, the Trion:Z Wristband may be the answer to numerous difficulties you face on the golf course. Butch Harmon, coach of Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott, claimed, "I feel better when I wear Trion:Z. When you feel better, you play better and make better decisions. I recommend Trion:Z to everyone." I could agree with Harmon more after a month of use.

The Product:

The Trion:Z is not a swing aid in the traditional sense, and probably will not correct your swing. From the outside, the Trion:Z is pretty simple: a wristband, not much bigger than a rubber Livestrong or a bracelet. However, on the inside of the two cloth loops, the Trion:Z is much more complex. From TrionZ.com, "The human body absorbs Positive Ions from electronic equipment, cell phones, electrical wiring, and machinery encountered in everyday modern life. Physical stress and exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Rays also elevates the positive ion levels within the body. Research shows that excessive Positive Ion levels are associated with fatigue, lack of concentration, muscle and joint aches, and feeling of nausea. Trion:Z’s minus-ion properties counteract the Positive Ions created by modern technology, daily stress, and physical activity."

Ultimately, the "Stayers" inside the band are supposed to help balance the positive ions which all golfers absorb during the course of regular life.

My Thoughts:

To be honest, I was skeptical when I first heard of the Trion:Z. My former swing coach had worn his religiously at all times and often claimed to have less aches and pains from wearing the band.

However, after over a month of use, I am convinced that the Trion:Z is a helpful product. May the effects I feel are entirely psychological, but nagging wrist pains that I have faced on the golf course have certainly receded. Additionally, the Trion:Z has even helped me to concentrate better during a round (which every golfer would benefit from).

Plus, the Trion:Z isn't bulky or bizarre looking. In fact, it is small enough to fit under any dress shirt or long sleeve shirt if you are concerned about having its effects even when dressing for business. Additionally, the Trion:Z even comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes so you can find one that is a right fit for you.

Big Finish:

In conclusion, I felt the Trion:Z was a great product. With thousands of golfers struggling to control the tremendous variables the game has to offer, the Trion:Z may help you to alleviate the problems that have been nagging you and your game for years. The Dual Loop magnetic bracelet is available directly through the company for $19.95 and should last a lifetime. ZealousGolfer.com gives Trion:Z 4 stars out of 5 for great results, but requiring long term usage. For more information, check out TrionZ.com.

TaylorMade R580XD Men's Driver

The Taylormade R580XD, the predecessor to the R7 Quad in the Taylormade driver line, has still stayed in my bag after several years. Not because I purchased it for the full $500.00 price, or because I am partial to old drivers, but because it still works.

The R580XD features a 440cc clubhead with a 65 gram M.A.S.2 Taylormade shaft. With a low center-of-gravity, the club maximizes forgiveness for off-center hits.

This driver followed the highly succesful R580, featuring a larger head with a greater sweet spot. Also, with weight added to the back of the club, the new model was much more forgiving.

Golf Galaxy is currently selling new Taylormade R580XDs for only $149.99. The R580XD can be bought in 9.5 degrees with a stiff shaft, and 10.5 degrees with a regular flex shaft.

The R580XD is perfect for golfers of all skill levels, but especially those looking for a new driver on a tight budget.

As a new feature, ZealousGolfer.com will share with the golfing world some of the best bargains on the market right now.

If you are interested in having your product reviewed on ZealousGolfer.com, you have come to the right place.

We have few restrictions on what we will review outside of it being moderately golf related.

If you would like your product to be featured in a review article:

First, contact JP at: ZealousGolfer [At] Gmail [Dot] Com.

Second, give us a brief description of the product, a link to your website, any relevant information you would like included in the article, and any professional pictures that you feel would help our readers understand why they should buy your product.

Third, after receiving an e-mail back from JP with his address, please send us a product sample for the review.

Outside of that, please direct all questions via e-mail.

Layerco's Poly Max Extremes made a gigantic leap in popularity last month when they were featured in Golf World. Subsequently, ZealousGolfer.com became interested in seeing whether or not a sticker can change the ball flight of all golf clubs. The modest packaging of the "Extremes" claims to achieve "Extreme Ball Distance" by utilizing a greater "Sling shot effect." Most golfers at this point in time are familiar with the study of MOI (Moment of Inertia), which has been a major technological change in drivers, irons, and putters in the golf industry. However, for golfers looking to further maximize distance on mishit, and possibly hit their good shots farther, the Extremes could be the solution.
My Thoughts:
After receiving the product, I was a bit sceptical. After peeling off the first sticker and placing it on my driver, I was ready to see if I could achieve more distance (illegally). I was immediately surprised by the distance gain I experienced while using the Extremes. On mishits, such as off the toe side or heel side of the driver, I could reach almost the same distance as my normal good shots without the sticker. The distance gain is pretty obvious, and the increased MOI also helps to hit the ball straighter by lessening sidespin. Following my driver session, I decided to give the Extremes a chance with my irons. While I realized this was not what the Extremes were designed for, could my entire set be made extremely long? Layerco, manufacturers of the Extremes, say, "Designed exclusively for all drivers & woods, you can use them on your Irons as well." The result of my irons was much more modest, but I did notice more solid ball flight on mishits as well. The actual distance gain on center hits seemed to be much more limited when compared with the results of my driver test. Additionally, the application of the Extreme to the irons is a bit more difficult, and should probably be cut down prior to being stuck on.

While the Poly Max Extremes are an effective way to increase your length, they are still illegal under golf's rules. Additionally, they are virtually undetectable for the first several shots, but after several hits, the imprint of the ball on the clubface is noticeable. For this reason, I would not recommend trying the cheat your friends or use it in tournament play. However, this is a fun way to hit extremely long shots on the range, or help out the short hitter during recreational rounds. A package of Poly Max Extremes consists of 18 stickers, which Layerco recommends using one per round of golf. Also, removal of the Extreme is better then expected, since there is no residue. Golfers may just peel the Extreme off, just as easily as they put it on. One pack of Poly Max Extremes costs $14.95 when ordered directly from Layerco. ZealousGolfer.com gives the Poly Max Extremes receive 3.5 out of 5 stars, because the product is effective in increasing distance, but is still illegal in tournament play, or for rounds where golfers plan to enter their scores for handicap reasons.

I finally got a chance to review a set of Alpha RX-2 irons this past week when the weather was little better. In case you are not familiar with Alpha, the company is a division of Kent Sports which makes extremely solid golf clubs. While you may not have heard of their sticks before, the company has captured numerous titles in the World Long Drive competitions and has been named as a top smaller golf company by several publications. I was fortunate enough to get to try another Alpha product having already tried out their Plasma woods.

My Test:
Out of the box, the irons look like a solid set of game-improving sticks. The design itself resembles some of Callaway's better models with a deep cavity for forgiveness and workability. The RX-2 improves upon some of the characteristic of Alpha's RX-1 iron, most importantly, more workability. This GI iron possesses forgiveness while still letting the better player shape and work the ball with a fair amount of ease. The only problem that I had with the iron was the top line being a little bit thicker than what I am used to. That said, the player who is not quite ready to take on "blade" irons would certainly want to look into purchasing the RX-2. The shaft in the set I played was True Temper, but was slightly heavier than my regular set of irons. I found the clubs very easy to hit with a solid, piercing trajectory. In terms of distance, the RX-2's were approximately as long as the Nike set I currently play.

Tech:
According to Alpha, the RX-2's cavity back provides optimal trajectory and playability for advanced played. Moreover, the RX-2's feature a deep heel which provides more workability to complement the forgiveness. The heads are plated with nickel-chrome which provides some resistance to reflecting the sun. Overall, the RX-2's are right on par with most of the industry's popular technology for a game-improvement iron. However, the top line and face of the iron did reflect sunlight fairly easily which gave me some trouble. Overall, the technology in the RX-2's will be benefit most intermediate to advanced golfers.

Final Thoughts:
I found the Alpha RX-2's to be a fun club which will help most experienced golfers improve. The RX-2's will certainly give you your money's worth. When buying products from smaller golf companies, players may get great technology while not having to pay for the million dollar endorsement deals the bigger companies possess. My only problems with the RX-2 were: top line was fairly thick, but probably on par with other "GI" irons, tended to reflect sunlight, slightly heavier than what I am used to. ZealousGolfer.com gives the Alpha RX-2 irons 4 stars out of 5 for ease of use. More information about the product as well as its distributors can be found at http://www.alphagolfclubs.com.

I finally got a chance to test run Callaway's new FT-i driver after months of buildup. Unfortunately, I was more than disappointed with the "new shape of golf." From my own experience, the square head just feels funny at setup, at least more so than the other square driver on the market, the Nike Sumo Squared.

Overall, I found the FT-i to be an inferior club to the Sumo^2 and even some of Callaway's other new models this year. If you absolutely have to buy a new driver this season without a chance of demoing it, try the Callaway FT-5, Big Bertha 460, or Nike Sumo^2. The Sumo^2 tends to look and feel better than the FT-i, plus it is $100 cheaper.

Golf is unlike any other sport in the massive amount of clubs, videos, aids, and other equipment promising to significantly lower your scores. As a golf addict, I have used many of these in a futile attempt to improve my game. Most cover only very basic flaws, or only correct the "over-the-top" move. With this in mind, I set out to find a great product which can address virtually any fault. That search led me to the Path-Pro, a unique device which is truly so versatile, every problem can be fixed. The Path-Pro comes at the perfect time too. Most golfers will hit the links in the Spring with much difficulty and frustration due to the rust from the Winter. The Path-Pro is a great way to start the season off right, so you can spend time improving instead of relearning the elements of the golf swing after ingraining faults.

My Thoughts:

Having tried and failed with many other golf training aids, this one is definitely a winner. A few months ago, I purchased the Medicus Iron to try to eliminate my inside loop (resulting in a draw/hook). The Medicus failed to help me with this problem, so I was out $125. However, the Path-Pro is always brutally honest. Using the guide and video that comes with the unit, I set it up so that I would hit the bar if I dropped the club far inside. Crack! I hit the foam bar straight on for several runs. Luckily, your body learns to work the club away from the bar if you collide with it enough times. Eventually, I was able to swing through the ball clean. The Path-Pro can get rid of your slice from the outside-in move too. Aside from fixing my swing plane, the detailed manual had more subtle suggestions on how to improve your game. I worked on hitting flop shots and improved my balance by using the Path-Pro. With all my faults, I am glad the product is easy to move and rearrange. Two small screws allow the Path-Pro to be adjusted to perfection to fit the needs of each golfer.

Tech:

The Path-Pro is relatively simple for its user. All you do once you take it out of the box is stick the main part (with dial) onto the platform. From there, you slide the foam tube onto the bar and you are ready to hit some straight shots. To adjust the Path-Pro to fix a specific fault, a dial and small screw allow golfers to easily customize the product to meet their needs. The brochure with 9 basic positions and the DVD are two handy tools which suggest and visually show players how to set the Path-Pro to fix different faults.

Final Thoughts:

The Path-Pro is likely the best training aid money can buy. The great thing is that it can be adjusted to fix any swing fault. That means plane, path, swaying, flopping, chipping, impact, setup, posture, etc. It really doesn't get much better than this. The adjustable nature of the product is also a big plus so that as your game changes, the practice changes. Having practiced a lot over the years with little success, I know as well as most that practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. The Path-Pro is a great way to make your practice constructive and finally fix your nagging swing faults. The Path-Pro doesn't lie, if you hit the bar, you're doing something wrong. As the company says, "150 players on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours, and 70 of Golf Digest's and Golf Magazine's Top 100 Instructors rely on the Path Pro for instant feedback and permanent results." This product can benefit players of all levels. Make sure to check it out at http://www.pathprogolf.com/. The product may be purchased for $99.99 USD. The Path-Pro receives a 5 out of 5 rating for its versatility and instant feedback.

While the golf industry constantly entertains talks of drivers, irons, wedges, putters, and other equipment, one necessity generally left out is the glove. Yes, you put a glove on for basically every round, so why has there been little scientific advancement in the glove category? For one, few great products have revolutionized the industry providing players with better feel or control. That might change soon. Bionic Golf has released a state-of-the-art glove to help all players who struggle with hand pain, callouses, and arthritis. As a range rat myself, I often have bad callouses from excessive hitting, so I was very excited to try out the Bionic glove. Who's Bionic? Well, Bionic products are made the same company who manufacture the iconic Louisville Slugger baseball bat. In the glove industry, Bionic is making a name all of their own.
My Thoughts:
As I said before, I was excited to try the glove out due to my frequent battles with callouses and other hand pains. Upon receiving the product, I was surprised to see that increased padding was not the only feature this glove brought. In addition to comfort, the Bionic glove has "motion zone" strategically placed throughout so that movement and feel are increased. The glove also uses cabretta leather and an interface zone so that the glove breathes extremely well. While I tested the product during a snowstorm (...golf crazy), I'm sure in the event I was sweating, it would drain and breathe very well. Aside from that, I felt very comfortable gripping the club. The padding doesn't interfere with taking the grip, so that was never an issue. I also felt as though I had better control over the club as the leather and design gripped extremely well. This product is a must for arthritic golfers and all of those who are fed up hurting their hands playing a game they enjoy so much.

Each year, Golf's most popular magazine publishes a list of the industry's top clubs as rated by dozens of scientists and testers. Golf Digest released this year's Hot List in the February issue as several companies stole the show with hot new products.

Here is what the editors of Golf Digest honored as the best new product of its type:
Drivers: Callaway Fusion FT-5 ($430)
*How Callaway can you get with a giant head and even bigger forgiveness. Huge head, sleek design, big drives. Oh yeah, OptiFit is revolutionizing the club fitting industry.
Fairway Woods: Callaway Big Bertha ($200)
*Huge head for a fairway wood, but apparentally lets it rip of the turf. OptiFit is also available for the fairway woods.
Hybrids: Adams Idea Pro ($200)
*Newcomer to the summit of huge golf companies. Prides itself on tour proven hybrids that don't make better players feel like they're cheating on their long irons.
Game-Improvement Irons: Callaway X-20 ($700)
*Callaway GI irons are always easy to hit with a little bit of workability for the better player.
Super Game-Improvement Irons: King Cobra S9 ($800)
*Extremely light weight for easy play and long shots.
Player's Irons: Taylormade r7 TP ($800)
*Tour proven success, but looks more like a GI iron than a blade
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled ($110)
* Can't disagree with numerous tour wins. Tiger used to put Vokey wedges in his bag too.
Mallet Putters: Odyssey White Hot XG 2-Ball SRT ($200)
*Saturn rings for stability and 2-ball design for alignment. Fear no three footer. Maybe.
Blade Putters: Ping G5i ($115)
*Nice price, nice look, what more can you ask for?
Tour-Performance Balls: Titleist Pro V1/V1x ($45)
*If you have the dough, this ball spins. If you're not an excellent player, V1's may actually hurt your game.
Value-Performance Balls: Callaway HX Hot ($25)
*A great ball in value and quality. Let this one fly longer and straighter.

Check out the full Hot List on Golf Digest's website and enjoy. If you're not looking for new clubs, feel free to peruse and look for it cheap in a year or two.

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