The summer months are chock full of golf rounds, vacations, equipment purchases and new private club memberships throughout the country. Longer days, saved up vacation time and the endless pursuit of par lead to many, many golf rounds. In fact, according to the National Golf Foundation, ball and club sales are up 2% versus last year and up 51% since 2019. And the summer is a major source of sales over the past three years. For those looking to up their games while the sun shines long and hard, here’s a diverse mix of golf offerings.
Travel Bag Perfection
Summer is prime buddy trip time for many golfers who are simply not able to get away as easily during the spring and fall months. For those hopping planes to their dream destinations, the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian is the gold standard when it comes to travel covers. Remarkably, it was awarded Golf Digest’s “Editors Choice” for Travel Bags 2016-2022 and has scored numerous accolades in 2023. Dense foam padding through the top of the bag protects clubs while the leg mechanism supports the weight of the bag. The pivoting wheels are key, making the ClubGlider a cinch to maneuver around crowded airports.
Golf Balls Made Easy
OnCore Golf has been the leading direct-to-consumer golf ball brand for over a decade. Its patented, perimeter-weighted golf balls have completely upended the industry as they’ve outperformed many of the “big name” brands in independent testing. OnCore recently released the VERO X2, a four-piece, 95-compression ball that’s quickly making a name for itself on the Korn Ferry and PGA TOURs via brand ambassador Erik Compton. Last year, OnCore launched “Club OnCore,” a totally new concept in the “DTC” world that provides members with free shipping, customization, sitewide discounts and partner deals for an annual fee. And just for joining, they even receive free balls and merch.
Golf Shoe Saviors
Golf shoes and the summer golf season were incompatible with each other for decades. The summer is hot and humid. Golf shoes were heavy, thick and unbendable. Enter TRUE linkswear a few years back. The company, based in Tacoma, Wash., was founded by PGA TOUR standout Ryan Moore and his brother Jason. At the time, Jason was caddying for Ryan and the duo was walking many miles every week around the country and suffering from sore feet. This led to the launch of TRUE, which today crafts an amazing collection of walking-focused, spikeless golf shoes that are so comfortable, they’re worn on and off the course. The All Day Knit 3 is a top seller in the summer. It features a minimalist design and a breathable, one-piece upper that forms to golfers’ foot shapes.
Apparel Like You Care
It’s rare these days that any product, much less a golf product, can claim to be “first to market” in a specific industry. But that’s exactly what Radmor Golf has done. The Seattle-based brand helmed by Scott Morrison and Bob Conrad is the first in the golf industry to eliminate the use of “virgin” polyester at the garment level. Moreover, Radmor has also reduced the amount of recycled ocean polyester and recycled nylon to just 10%, almost unheard of in the apparel business. This summer, Morrison and Conrad are offering more than ever, especially in the polo category. The cool, sporty and styling Taylor Cap Stripe, Douglas Stadium Pique and Hudson Attack Mode offerings are made from extra-long staple cotton that’s biodegradable.
Join the Clubs
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| The Club at Olde Cypress |
Most private golf clubs in Sun Belt markets from coast to coast are currently full and only accepting new members on waitlists. It’s incredible how the market has changed over the past three years. For those looking to join a club this summer, a few creatively available options are out there. The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, Fla., recently sold out its full golf membership category. However, it still offers an Associate Golf Membership with the same full privileges during the off-season from May through October and a set number of golf rounds during the peak season. The “AGM” grants unlimited golf course use for six months for cart fee only and unrestricted use of the practice facilities year-round. Tee times are available two days in advance – more than ample given the limited number of members utilizing the club during that span. During the peak season (November through April), AGMs are allotted 12 tee times for a reduced green and cart fee. At Champion Hills in Hendersonville, N.C., the Tom Fazio club offers Full Equity memberships, as well as an innovative Equity 55 Golf for those 55 and under. Champion Hills is home to beautiful mountain homes and is located just an hour from Asheville and Greenville, S.C.
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| Champion Hills |
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