Inspired by sdandrea's club review thread. I have been a long time acquirer of gadgets for golf. Always trying something new, mostly from a walking perspective - small, light, etc. During the past week I lost my Frogger brush somewhere and am having to buy a new one. Until yesterday I didn't realize how much I depended on it. So I thought I would extoll the virtues of that and other gadgets I like...
FROGGER Brush - with a heavy duty Key-Bak. 5 of 5 stars.
The heavy duty key-bak is much better than the Frogger default - a must have IMO. Grab it, use it, watch it retract, and not worry about breaking it.
This helps keep the clubs clean and I use it after almost every iron/wedge shot. Gets off things that a towel may not - AND knocks off the heavy stuff before I follow-up with a towel, keeping the towel from getting too dirty for use the rest of the day.
STICK IT TOWEL - 4 of 5 stars (downgraded from 5)
So easy to pick up and deal with. Haven't had it long so unsure of wash cycles and longevity, but right now I love it. When walking I lose a towel occasionally as they slip through the clubs. This one sticks. And is easy to pickup around the greens with a club!
EDIT - downgraded to 4 stars after finding out not all clubs will pick up the towel. My putter works great, wedges not so great. Friends putters are hit and miss. If a magnet won't stick to your putter don't bother with this.
Golf Pouch. (for those that carry) 5 of 5 stars
To keep my phone, scorecard, etc. in and easily reachable during a round. Zipping them up in the golf bag isn't convenient for me - so I just leave the main pocket of this unzipped all of the time and slip my phone and scorecard in and out easily.
Ball Retriever. 5 of 5 stars of course!
The course I play has streams and a few ponds - one of these pays for itself rather quickly 🤣
I like the Search and Rescue ring models. Easiest to use and no fussing with setting a 'catch' each time.
MarTini Golf Tees - 4 of 5 stars
Forgot about the MarTini tees. RangerX gifted me one and they are great.
Virtually indestructible and the ball is stable on the tee (even a drunk can tee it up!). Only downside is sometimes they seem spring loaded - you may have to walk 10 feet to pick it up based upon how you caught it.
EDIT - I finally broke it! Still lasted for months, I broke two more regular plastic tees over the weekend - none could last a single round. Definitely buying another MarTini!
Cigar Compadre. 4 of 5 stars
Riding only, I do not use it while walking. Most cigar holders squeeze and can crush a cigar. This one just holds it upright without squeezing. I have the clamp model, but there is a new magnetic one that may be even better (its in my Amazon basket right now). Only reason its not 5 stars is I'm a bit precious about cleaning it - as its the mouth end that is sitting in the plastic tube. A minor inconvenience.
Cigar Holding Repair Tool. 4 of 5 stars
For use on and around the greens. I do not always use it, but tend to more often than not. Keeps the cigar off of ground that may have fertilizers and pesticides on and off throughout the season. Can also be used to keep clubs off the ground - useful for anyone that plays in the early morning dew and doesn't like wet grips. A little unwieldy in the pocket compared to a regular, slimmer, repair tool.
So that is it for now - my current gadget go-to list. Please let me know what I'm missing out on!
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NOT RECOMMENDED
Pocket ball washers - Ball-Zee, etc. 0 of 5 stars
In order to work they need to be wet/damp - and who wants a damp gizmo in their pocket? I've tried a few of them and am always disappointed. Nothing can replace the simple towel - now the Stick-It towel!