Everyone and their brother (and J.J. Spaun—that U.S. Open putt) has been curious about L.A.B.’s funky-looking putters. However, I was skeptical about the hype—I’ve always been a traditional blade guy (Ping Anser 2 has been in my bag forever) and had never used a mallet putter. But when L.A.B. sent me the DF3 to test, it went straight to my bag, and hasn’t come out since.
I’ve sunk more long putts with the DF3 than ever before. If I can dial in my pace—which is surprisingly easy thanks to its balanced weighting—the ball almost always has a chance of getting close. There’s no twisting of the club face, so putts stay on line. I also tested L.A.B.’s first heel-shafted model, the OZ.1 HS. I liked the feel off the face, but my putting has really clicked with the DF3, so I haven’t swapped it out yet. Every time I’m on the green, I feel a ton of confidence with it.
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Reebok’s return to golf this year—led by brand ambassador Bryson DeChambeau—has been impressive. I had been wearing the Nano Golf Shoes consistently and found them to be a really smart golf version of the legendary cross-trainer. But a little after that release I got this pair of Club C shoes to test out and have been gravitating to them for every round as they perform (nearly) as good as the Nanos and have that retro sneaker aesthetic that’s much more my vibe style-wise.
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Frameless glasses are great for lots of outdoor pursuits. Shinzo Tamura’s Nagai Carbon M was developed with professional golfers and is really comfortable. The carbon lens features a warm contrast, which helps with clarity and makes things pop on the course. The nose piece stays securely in place, and I’ve been wearing them for sunny runs as well.
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I almost strictly use the Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch over pulling out my rangefinder. It’s way easier to use; gives front, center, and back distances; provides a detailed hole layout; and does even way more than I use it for. It’s pricey, but it’s definitely the best golf watch there is.
Read More: Garmin Approach S70 Review
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While the Under Armour UA Tech Polo is undeniably one of the best spends for a golf shirt, I wore the UA Drive Chill quite a bit this season. Yes, it’s nearly double the price of the UA Tech (again, that’s why it’s great) but the material of the UA Drive Chill is a bit more technical with extra stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and a UPF 50+ treatment for extra sunburn protection.
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The first round I played in these this spring, my dad and I were sitting in his car ahead of the round hoping that the rain would stop downpouring. It didn’t. My cousin and our friend were game to play in their foul weather gear, but it was a bridge too far for my dad. I ran inside to make sure they’d still let us go out on the course, and stepped into a massive puddle in the parking lot. I immediately thought, “Damn, my feet are going to be soaking wet before we even get out there,” and then waited for the water. It never came. My feet stayed bone dry, and did so throughout that entire round (and subsequent rounds I’ve played in the rain).
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While I tend to wear shorts for summer golf, we’re now in fall and I’m (mostly) back to pants. I’ve found that the Bonobos Performance Link Pants (and the shorts, too) offer a good blend of stretch, lightweight material, and comfort. On colder days I’ll grab something heavier or lined, but these can get you through most rounds (and breath well if you’re a pants-only guy).
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Socks might be one of the more overlooked items in your golf fit. And these golf-specific ones from Bombas sport a perfect blend of cotton and polyester to keep your feet dry during summer rounds and warm during cooler rounds. I’ve found the midweight fabric to provide the right amount of support, even for long walks across the links. The quarter length is a happy medium to use all year.
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I’ve had this Ping Hoofer Stand Bag for four years now and it’s held up incredibly. And I’m not surprised by that, as I have multiple friends who have had their Ping Hoofers for two decades at this point and still put them to use. The straps are comfy, the pockets are plentiful, and the construction is some of the best you can get at this price. It’s a legendary bag for a reason.
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Golf hats can be goofy and a bit rote. So I always try to find something from a non-endemic brand or from a course I love playing at. The Peak Hat from Rhone has hit the mark for me this summer with its perforated venting in the back and lightweight material.
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Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up.
He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
