Golf Gear

Cleveland Cavalier

Here’s a hybrid that’s priced right (relatively speaking) and easy to play. The Halo from Cleveland Golf Company features a stainless-steel face and body that’s designed to hit the ball higher and 5 to 10 yards longer than the corresponding long iron that it replaces. The crown slopes down from front to back to push more weight to the back, and the sole has a rocker-and-camber design to improve turf interaction. (Suggested retail price: $150.)

Comfort and Performance

Nike Shox for golf just arrived in October, providing the comfort of a tennis shoe with the support and durability of a golf shoe. The low-profile, five-column cushioning system is designed to provide responsiveness, stability, and comfort. Nike’s WaterShield Plus technology allows you to play wet courses without a worry. (Suggested retail price: $130.)

Have a Ball

Golfers can become extremely loyal to the brand of ball they use. But few amateurs—even low-handicappers—notice the difference between the performance of balls that sell for $35 or more per dozen and value lines that cost $25 per dozen or less. The new Callaway HX Tour 56 may actually be worth the extra dough. It features the company’s trademark hexagonal-geometry surface that is designed to reduce drag; an ultra-thin yet durable cover is designed to deliver consistency and professional velocity. (Suggested retail price: $50 per dozen.)

No More Lost Balls

Weekend hackers, rejoice! The RadarGolf Ball Positioning System allows communication between the RadarGolf handheld device and a tiny microchip implanted in the core of a RadarGolf Ball. A pulsed beeping indicates when you are getting closer to your lost RadarGolf Ball (it picks up a signal from as far as 33 yards away), plus a screen gives you visual feedback on the ball’s position. The system includes the RadarGolf handheld device (with a protective case) and a dozen RadarGolf Balls. The California-based manufacturer states that RadarGolf Balls meet all U.S. Golf Association specifications and outperform many brands in distance and spin. The system is available only from The Sharper Image. (Suggested retail price: $349.)

A Bar Exam of a Different Sort.

The sort of guys who loved shop class in high school and have now developed a passion for golf can’t resist creating new golf teaching tools. More often than not, says Vacek, the simplest ones prove to be the most effective. The new Path Pro swing assistant, introduced just a few months ago by Path Pro Golf of Illinois, is nothing more than a foam-covered bar attached to a swivel arm on a stand. Path Pro can be set in nine basic positions, with dozens of variations, to help golfers develop proper arm and hand alignment during their swing. Each position emphasizes a different aspect of the swing, helping to reinforce correct techniques while eliminating bad habits such as lunging, poor posture, or over-swinging. (Suggested retail price: $99.99.)