Over the eight months Styled to a Tee has been covering fashion and lifestyle in the golf business, we have had the fortune to be introduced to – or, in the case of equipment, test — many different products that purport to be the best in their chosen category.
We do not claim to beConsumer Reportsor even consider ourselves to be top-rated product testers, but when it comes to golf "style," in its broadest sense, we confess to lend considerable expertise and believe ourselves to have credible backgrounds.
With that as a backdrop and the holiday season fast approaching, we introduce Styled to a Tee’s Favorite Things for 2008. A compendium (representing 18 holes and the infamous 19th) of the gadgets, garments and other golfing gear that elevated themselves in our stylistic consciousness.
In short, with a tip of the cap to Oprah, who raised "Favorite Things" into a yearly frenzy of expectation, we release our first five favorite finds. We only wish that, like Oprah, we could give them away.
1. Blingo Ball Markers: Duramed Futures Tour player and winner ofThe Golf Channel’s Highway 18Charlotte Campbell was inspired to create something special last fall when her mother asked her to make a ball mark to match the outfit she planned to wear at a golf outing. Once her mom’s friends saw the ball mark, made with Swarovski crystals, the "special orders" started rolling in. Blingo ball marks are now seen on the brims on many hats and visors on the Futures Tour as well as the current golf reality showThe Big Break: Michigan. Campbell sells them for $15 each ($10 for Duramed Futures Tour members), and $10 each for orders of 20 or more. She says, "People seem to love the glitter of the crystals," and, besides being pleasing to the eye, their sparkle aids in functionality, making it easier to see your mark on the green. We’re sure we’re not the only ones who frequently lose sight of conventional, dull, flat markers. Blingo Ball marks can be ordered from her website atwww.CharlotteCampbellGolf.com
2. Seat Sticks: Fashionable Canes produces our favorite nostalgic piece, the Seat Stick. Seat Sticks, sometimes known as shooting sticks, are that English-inspired accoutrement designed to provide people with a quick respite while walking about in the countryside. Now they are used by golf gallery patrons who want a light, convenient way to grab a seat during a day watching the pros, but can also be used for rest during travels, easy support for soccer moms or dads at their kids’ games, parades, or waiting in long lines for tickets to your favorite event. $59-109 at www.fashionablecanes.com
3. Adidas rainwear: adidas unveiled its new Clima-Proof Storm 3-way convertible jacket in early summer and it instantly became a hit with us for its versatility and functionality. Apparently we are not alone. This outerwear can be seen on Golf Channel reporters while covering tournaments and on Sergio Garcia when inclement weather strikes during play. The jacket is called a 3-way convertible because it can be transformed from a long-sleeved jacket to a half-sleeved jacket to a vest. Another feature that impressed our "style-ometers" is a pair of three-striped, silicone shoulder grippers, which, for those of us who still carry, prevent a golf bag from slipping off in rainy conditions. The $275 price is fairly robust, but given the functionality (and pricing of competitive models) is within reason. If this piece had been produced by a boutique European design house, it might easily retail for two or three times that amount.shop.adidasgolf.com
4/5. Adidas Golf and Maui Jim Sunglasses: We decided on a tie in this department, and adidas scores again with its stylish and functional golf eyewear. The frames are specifically for the athlete and, for golf, the emphasis is on fit. Frames come in two sizes and have several patented innovations including a "Double-Snap" nose bridge, which allows you to adjust the width of the bridge, and is very useful for people who have thinner or wider noses. The nose pad also provides a pressure-free, non-slip fit.
Another advance is their Tri-fit temples, which incorporate screwless construction. The temples can adjust up and down to offset uneven ears and they also include a quick-release hinge to prevent strain or possible breaking where the temple hinges.
While adidas makes a great polarized lens, it is among the marketers that don’t recommend it for golf. Polarization is a vertical filter that is good at reducing glare. Adidas promotes what it calls Light Stabilizing Technology (LST), which harmonizes the extreme light level golfers confront. One tidbit that illustrates this is that there is twenty times as much light when you are looking at a target as opposed to looking down at a ball. And they do this all at a reasonable price: $155-$190 atshop.adidasgolf.com
Not to be outdone is Maui Jim’s golf eyewear. The company now offers over 50 styles with its Polarized Plus technology and is the fastest-growing polarized-sunglass manufacturer in the world. Besides its lenses, the greatest attribute of the Maui Jim glasses is that they are so light, I’ve often forgotten I had them on when they were anyplace besides the bridge of my nose. $179 atmauijim.com
