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Christmas
Golf Shop
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The
Hi-Tec Regulator Shoe
With the
advent of synthetic spikes having transformed the shoe market
over the past few years, the scientists have
now stepped up the technology in modern golf shoes to include
a temperature control feature. Hi-Tec leads the way with their
Outlast system - plundered from NASA, no less, where it is
used in space suits for the comfort of astronauts.
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The
principle involves micro-capsules in the sole that absorb
excess heat from the foot and distribute it to the outer
sole during warm weather. When the temperature drops,
the heat is recycled back to the foot which thereby
enjoys a constant temperature.
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A
clever idea and one likely to be appreciated by golfers
as early as the traditional Boxing Day round.
Elsewhere,
the Regulator consists of a waterproof, full-grain leather.
Spikes in the form of ten plastic cleats (two different
shapes) and triangular plastic lugs, all combined in
the Green Friend X4 sole unit which provide excellent
stability and traction for even the most active swings.
Padraig
Harrington and Ian Woosnam add some tour credibility
into the bargain.
Sizes
6-12 Colours:
Black Price:
£79.99
Contact:
01702 541771 Website:
www.hi-tecsports.com
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Golf
sunglasses - Adidas eyewear
The explosion
in the market for Golf equipment beyond clubs and balls knows
no bounds with 2000 seeing the rise of the designer sunglasses
as the next ‘must-have’ golf accessory.
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the way is World No.2 David Duval, currently plotting
his next assault on the Tiger from behind a pair of £200
wrap-around Oakley sunglasses These are now available
to the general public in the same sci-fi shape - complete
with the ‘Duval’ signature in the corner of the lens (only
just out of the field of vision). With the rival Bolle
range also well into three figures, the financially astute
way to join the style-mongers is |
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| with
adidas, whose latest sports sunglasses are especially
designed for the golfer. |
Not content
with 100% UV resistance, the new eyewear range boasts Light
stabilising technology (LST), a tint that enhances colour
contrast on the green. The three different models feature
the TRI-FIT system that allows wearers to adjust the angle
between the lenses and the temples, in three positions; and
a ‘double-snap’ nose bridge which is also adjustable. All
you’ll need now is some winter sun.
The Algarve
perhaps?
Price:
£89
Contact:
020 8889 9997
The
Bruce Clark ‘Rainstopper’
With OK!
magazine having grabbed the exclusive rights to the ‘Posh
& Becks’ wedding last year, the disgruntled nationals
were confined to snapping the Spice Boy playing golf earlier
that day at Luttrellstown Castle Golf &
Country Club, in Ireland. Cue some instant publicity
for the ‘Rainstopper’ suit that Beckham had purchased from
the pro-shop that morning.
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Not
that the Dumfermline-based company was short of street
credibility, having provided the official ‘Rainstopper
Suits’ for both teams in the recent Seve Ballesteros
Trophy. An instant convert was Darren Clarke, while
the company has also made Colin Montgomerie’s and Nick
Faldo’s rainwear for the past 7 years.
Meanwhile,
the national teams of Scotland, Ireland and Wales have
worn Bruce Clark ‘Monarch’ suits for the past decade.
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The
machine washable ‘Rainstopper’ is made from
‘Peached Polyester Microfibre’ outer fabric which is
Teflon-treated for water repellency. The lining is ‘Climatex
100’, a highly breathable and waterproof structure exclusive
to Bruce Clark.
Colours:
Navy, Black and Bottle Green.
UK
RRP from: £110.00 Contact:
01383 821166.
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The
SeeMore putter
Originally
a simple training idea, the SeeMore suddenly became a cult
club among golfers when the late Payne Stewart putted his
way to a stunning victory in the 1998 US Open, at Pinehurst.
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Since
then, a steady stream of pros have ensured that the
club has become more than just an unlikely novelty among
the top putter names. The success hinges on the simple
feature of a red dot set into the mallet head and which
the player must attempt to ‘mask’ with the shaft itself
as he lines up his putt.
An
obscured dot duly means that you are lined-up square
to the target, and with the face displaying the optimum
amount of loft.
This
at least deals with one of the three elements of perfect
putting. The other two: reading the line correctly in
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first place; and executing a square stroke, will still
need a bit of practice. |
Not the
cheapest putter you can buy but certainly one with some Christmas
novelty to match the sound principle at work.
Price:
£130
Contact:
01952 251669
Callaway
E.R.C Driver
With Orlando
show coming up in January and a flood of new gear just around
the corner, golfers are often told that Christmas is a bad
time for buying traditional golf equipment. But this notorious
club, the most talked about driver of the century so far,
is certainly an exception the rule.
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Mention
of rules reminds us that it is this club, with its patented
Variable Face Thickness technology, that has been at
the centre of the storm for failing the USGA’s ‘spring-like
effect’ dictum, apparently generating extra distance
from the ‘trampoline’ effect from its thin titanium
shell.
However,
after much soul-searching, the R&A decided to drop
their plans for a similar limitation on such clubs on
the grounds that the number of extra yards up for grabs
were rather fewer than the 30 that Callaway endorsee,
Colin Montgomerie had been famously claiming.
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All this
means that the club is non-conforming in America and legal
here. But why buy this one for Christmas – especically with
the ‘Mark II’ (also banned in the United Sates) just around
the corner, The answer is that the original E.R.C represents
a landmark piece of equipment as Callaway - and soon other
clubs manufacturers - begin specifically devising a spate
non-conforming golfing weapons geared for the lucrative ‘recreational
market. That includes all golfers happy to enjoy every benefit
the scientists can squeeze into golf equipment irrespective
of the USGA rules. The sky’s the limit here and we’ve barely
scratched the surface.
And while
you wait a few decades for the original E.R.C. to become a
collectors item, you can always play golf with it.
Just like
President Clinton does.
Price:
£499
Contact:
0208 391 0111
And if
£500 is just a drop in the ocean this Christmas, then how
about the ultimate golfers gift this year? The ‘Green Bee’
is simply the last word in ‘on course’ transportation. Guaranteed
to upstage your fellow club members, this motorised golf buggy
has room for the driver only but provides the smoothest and
quietest ride on your local fairways.
The cart
even has an on-board computer that does everything except
hit the shot for you. It comes in a striking shade of Christmas-tree
green that just happens to match the signature colour of its
only UK retailer.
Harrods
of Knightsbridge.
The price?
£3,995.
Happy
Christmas.
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