Well, she and Rachel have done it again. Just when I thought I had lost her to layouts, articles, and a mountain of products to include, it’s over and as always it looks amazing. This season’s issue of The Compass Girls Magazine includes products for the entire family from a great pair of skivvy’s for me to something for our four-legged friend who has taken over our lives.

There’s not much for me to say beyond, I hope that you enjoy this issue as much as I have (and frankly, I’m relieved to see that it’s finally out).

You had your clubs professionally fit. You bought 3 dozen golf balls (because you know you’ll be losing a LOT of them the way you’ve been playing). You’ve got a great golf glove to keep a good grip on those clubs. But, what about those old golf shoes that you’ve been wearing?  It’s time to UPGRADE those shoes for both comfort and grip. Spikes or spikeless, your feet will thank you, your swing will change, your accuracy and distance will improve with practice, and you’ll become deadly with a putter, but you will always do these things while standing on your feet.

Your feet need to be comfortable!

Have you ever developed a blister while walking or running? It’s all you can think about and it ruins the experience. Don’t let uncomfortable shoes ruin your golf game. This is the most important area where you shouldn’t let your frugality make the decision for you. You will be wearing these shoes many times and they should be considered an investment.

Comfort should be your biggest concern 

Your foot should not move at all on your heel when you walk, yet your toes shouldn’t feel cramped. Have your shoes professional fit to your feet and walk around in them before you buy them. I like to be fitted in the pro shop because each brand will have a different fit. Remember to wear the socks that you’ll be wearing while playing golf, and not your everyday ones.

At least here in Florida where we have rain at least half of the year, I feel that having waterproof golf shoes so that your feet remain dry in damp conditions is a plus, but I also want comfort. Having both waterproof and good leather ones means that you can pick and choose based on the weather and course conditions. Don’t forget that good socks are important too; they will wick perspiration away from your feet, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

Spikes

These days just about all golf courses prohibit metal spiked shoes in an effort to protect the greens. Remember to purchase shoes that allow you to change the rubber spikes easily, and while you’re there, purchase some extras. You never know when you might lose one. Replace the spikes when they become worn. If you’ve never done it before, I have a set of instructions for replacing the rubber spikes on your golf shoes.

With all the things you have to worry about while playing golf, your feet shouldn’t be one of them. When it comes to golf footwear, quality counts.

We all know that golf is a dignified game of rules and manners, and it’s important to know the basics before you play for the first time. I’ve been on the course with people who have been playing for years, and STILL don’t understand that you don’t raise your voice or throw your driver after hitting a bad shot. So, I figured that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to remind us all that one of the things that are so special about golf (aside from the frustration of trying to get a small ball into a small hole from FAR away, is that it has RULES.

1, Whether you are playing alone, in a twosome, or a foursome, you must wait your turn. You must keep aware of the group on the next hole and wait until they are well ahead of you before hitting your ball.

2. It’s never cool to “push” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another player.

3. While you wait for your turn, go to your ball and determine what club you’ll need and how you are going to hit it. This is called “ready golf” and keeps the game moving. Don’t rush, just be ready.

4. If your team is holding up the players behind you, let them play through. You would simply wave them through, or if they are close enough, ask them if they’d like to play through. You will never make an enemy in doing this!

5. When someone is making a shot, you should be behind them and you shouldn’t make a sound! It is so distracting to be ready to tee off and just as you pull back, someone decides to jingle in coins in their pocket or noisily unwrap a piece of candy.

6. Replace your divots. When, in the fairway, you hit the ball and a clod of dirt and grass goes flying, replace it. On some courses, you just put the clod back and step on it to press it on; on most courses, there is a sand/seed mixture on your card to put into the divot. If your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on the green, use your divot tool to repair it.

7. As soon as you have completed a hole, replace the flag and leave the green so that the next players can play. Count your score and write it on the scorecard when you’re back at your cart.

Of course, there are many more rules of golf, but these simple ones will enable you to get through the course without coming to blows with anyone. We must
all keep the game dignified, right?

The products in this post were sent to me for review. All opinions are strictly my own.

It’s been quite a summer

Thankfully, I’ve been able to get out on the course or at least to the driving range between the days of rain and blistering heat. With Autumn on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to get outside, get to the golf course, do some exercise and enjoy yourself. It’s also the time to pick up a few items to help you enjoy a little more.

Cars

Keep a Fenix E12 Flashlight in your glove box. I use it when walking the dog at night because it’s a great size PLUS it has the included pocket clip so that I never lose it. This 3″ flashlight boasts 160 lumens when on high and takes a single AA battery. Because we have to walk in all kinds of weather, I’m grateful that like most Fenix Flashlights the E12 V2.0 is waterproof and rated with a durable aluminum body and ultra-thin optical lens. The tail end switch makes the beam go from low to medium to high with barely a touch. I’ve found it to be so handy, that I knew I needed to keep one in the car at all times as well as one in my wife’s car for breakdowns at night.

Output

• High – 160 Lumens/1 Hour/223 Feet
• Med – 30 Lumens/13 Hours/91 Feet
• Low – 5 Lumens/70 Hours/39 Feet

Pick one (or 2 or 3) up at FenixStore.com 

Bars

Did I lie on my scorecard? ABSOLUTELY NOT…I don’t KEEP SCORE. Golf is one game that’s incredibly frustrating and at the same time rewarding, and after a hot day on the course, I usually duck into the 19th hole AKA: home. You see I live within walking distance from the 18th hole, so it’s a quick stroll to the house where I can relax in comfort with my drink, especially on those days that I go out alone and am matched up for a fourssome.

I keep things easy, and I’m honestly not much of a beer guy. Oh, I’ll have one every now and then, but when I walk in the door I’d rather open a can of Vodka Lemon by Cocktail Squad. A CAN OF VODKA?

Craft Cocktails in a can

I am usually too tired to mix a drink, and just want to pour one over ice (or have it right out of the can). I never worry about my bartending skills, because these classic drinks have just the right amount of alcohol to mix all with 0 grams of sugar.

Flavors include

• Vodka Lemon
• Greyhound
• Whiskey Sour
• Margarita

There’s no more worrying if I have the right mixers or juices in the house when the fridge is stocked with Cocktail Squad.

• Learn more and pick up a pack at CocktailSquad.com

Pars

Tee Time with your buddies can mean a great day on the course, but we all know the feeling of that slice or ending in the rough. If you’re having a better day than they have, I have a great way to make their day a little better. Help them cut down on wasted time looking for their golf ball if you get there first with a BēKEN. These colorful markers make it easy to find where you’ve placed them, cutting down on your wait time as they look (not to mention the foursome that’s behind you, waiting to play through).

The 8″ high markers have a weighted base to keep them upright with grooved channels that hold a club or a cigar as you assess the situation. Placing your club on one reduces the chance of getting onto the golf cart and driving away leaving your club laying on the ground.

Colors include

• Blue
• Yellow
• Green
• Red Pink

Use them in your backyard for chipping and putting practice as well as with the kids for any “closest to the pin” games.

• BēKEN markers are available in 2-packs and 4-packs at bekengolf.com

Remember that they call is GOLF because all of the other 4-letter words were taken.