Gallery: Fore! The Best New Golf Gear That'll Save Your Game
01k-vest-training-session
Golf and technology go hand in hand, as evolving clubs, balls, clothes and teaching aides serve as enticements to any casual or die-hard golfer looking to chop a shot here or there from his handicap. With Father's Day approaching and the golf season in full swing, now's the time to scour the market for that one piece of golf equipment that can translate into success on the links. Here are 12 items, many of which are new in 2011, to help you make sure your [good walks aren't spoiled](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain100019.html). __Above:__ K-Vest Training Session ----------------------- The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers in New York City offers training time with the [K-Vest](http://www.k-vest.com/ktrainer_golf.php), which uses movement sensors in the chest, wrist and waist to break down six elements of a swing: alignment at address, posture at address, hip and shoulder turn at the top of the swing, hip position at the top, hip movement during the swing and spine movement during the swing. Chelsea Piers has paired with the [Titleist Performance Institute](http://www.mytpi.com/) to provide bio-mechanical feedback on swing data — how fast one accelerates through the shot, for example. Music plays on a computer when a swing is being performed correctly, but the possibility of fixing chronic swing flaws is music to any golfer's ears. ($115 per hour, [Chelsea Piers](http://www.chelseapiers.com/gc01.htm)) *Photo courtesy Scott McDermott*
02nike-20xi-golf-ball
Nike 20XI Golf Ball ------------------- Out with rubber, in with resin. That's the core — literally — of Nike's technology within the 20XI. Rock Ishii, Nike's head of product development for golf balls, realized that rubber-core technology had been maxed out, which led him and materials and science experts at DuPont to resin, a neutralized polymer. "This is material is faster and lighter," Ishii said. The lighter core permitted Nike to construct heavier outer layers to maintain the ball's durability and balance in flight. Internal tests with pro-tour athletes produced an average of a 2- to 3-mph increase, translating to several more yards of carry. So long, rubber. ($58, [Nike](http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikegolf/en_US/products/details?sku=GL0458)) *Photo: Nike*
03optishot-infrared-golf-simulator
OptiShot Infrared Golf Simulator -------------------------------- Don't want to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a standard golf simulator? Try this sim, which tracks a golf swing's entire path with its two rows of sensors on the artificial turf swing pad. Ten thousand light pulses per second are sent through the system to measure various facets of a swing, such as club-head speed and club-face angle at impact. The swing pad can be connected to a computer, TV or a projection screen to visually track ball flight off a swing and to evaluate swing mechanics. Eleven courses from around the world can be "played" to take you beyond the comfy environs of your living room. ($399, [OptiShot](http://www.dancindogg.com/)) *Photo: Dancin' Dogg Golf*
04bushnell-hybrid-laser-gps-rangefinder
Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS Rangefinder ------------------------------------- The world's first combination of a laser rangefinder with GPS tracking means you can now find the distance to that irritating sand bunker within a yard of accuracy. Push a button to send a pulse of infrared and visible light to your desired target, and the rangerfinder's signal travels at the speed of light to that target, reflecting back to the unit with the distance at hand. More than 16,000 North American golf courses are preloaded, along with more than 4,000 courses from England, Ireland and Scotland to come over the next several months. ($499, [Bushnell](http://www.bushnellgolf.com/hybrid/laser_gps.cfm)) *Photo courtesy Bushnell*
05epoch-s3-golf-tees
Epoch S3 Golf Tees ------------------ Epoch tees can identify how deep in the ground they should be placed for tee shots. B.J. Maloy, the founder and CEO of Evolve Golf, said that the [average sweet spot](http://www.evolvegolf.com/settings.php) on a ball is about half an inch, or the size of a thumbnail. A mapping system of each brand's driver was constructed to match it with one of the four stripes on the tee to target that sweet spot area. Maloy said a golfer, on average, can adjust his swing angle half a degree while maintaining consistent impact to the ball's sweet spot: "This is a technology that will definitely allow golfers to optimize their ball flight." ($7 for 50, [Evolve Golf](http://www.evolvegolf.com/srp.php)) *Photo courtesy Evolve Golf*
06oakley-full-auto-golf-spikes
Oakley Full-Auto Golf Spikes ---------------------------- During its Full-Auto design process, Oakley determined that golfers needed two primary enhancements in their shoes: maximized comfort and breathability. The former is accomplished through Red Code cushioning, which directs comfort to the heel. The company found that, in head-to-head testing, the Full-Auto offers 20 to 49 percent more shock resistance than the leading competitors. Likewise, lab testing showed the Full-Auto has 20 percent more breathability than top competitors. An eVENT membrane and a synthetic upper part of the shoe are engineered with micro-pores to let heat and perspiration escape. It also reduces moisture buildup, which decreases foot friction and, in turn, lowers the risk of developing blisters. Of course, your feet might be too comfortable to notice the difference. ($140, [Oakley](http://www.oakley.com/products/oakley-full-auto/14027-001)) *Photo: Oakley*
07odyssey-dart-putter
Odyssey DART Putter ------------------- Direction and realignment technology (aka DART) lies at the heart of this putter. The theory of gestalt, that people can connect two objects to form one that is whole, is put into practice with the white line on top of the putter head. It helps the golfer align the putter with the ball and visually connect the proper putting line toward the hole. The putter head has interchangeable weights at 350, 360 and 370 grams for golfers who enjoy tinkering with the heftiness of their clubs. The totality of the putter's features ensure this is truly a mind *and* body experience. ($179-$199, [Odyssey Golf](http://www.odysseygolf.com/global/en-us/products/putters/white-ice/white-ice-dart-putter.html)) *Photo: Odyssey*
08cleveland-launcher-ultralite-fairway-wood
Cleveland Launcher Ultralite fairway wood ----------------------------------------- Fairway woods are becoming more like mini-drivers, according to Nate Radcliffe, the metal woods development manager at Cleveland Golf/Srixon. Lighter weight is one similarity between the two clubs and is the biggest feature in the Launcher Ultralite series. Thirty grams have been removed from this year's model, thanks to 15-gram reductions in the shaft (made by Miyazaki Golf Shafts) and the grip, constructed by Lamkin Golf Grips. Radcliffe said a loss of 10 grams equates to a swing that takes 1 mile per hour faster to complete. Thirty grams equals 3 mph, which translates into a 4- to 5-mph increase in ball speed, resulting in six to nine yards in added distance per shot. Just don't take the driver out of your bag quite yet. ($200, [Cleveland](http://www.clevelandgolf.com/US_launcher-fl-fairway__launcher_fl_fairway__viewProd_fairway_woods.html)) *Photo: Cleveland Golf*
09polara-ultimate-straight-golf-ball
Polara Ultimate Straight Golf Ball ---------------------------------- This golf ball isn't sanctioned by the United States Golf Association [because of its dimple variations](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2011/05/polara-golf-ball/), but don't let that stop *you* from using it on the course. David Felker, Polara Golf's head of technology, explained that the shallow truncated dimples around the ball's equator — think of the ball like a globe — cause it to have low lift and drag. This gives the ball a side spin during its carry that helps reduce hooks and slices by up to 75 percent. To maximize its effect, orient the side stamp arrow on the ball from the tee so that it faces the target. ($30-40, [Polara](http://polaragolf.com/)) *Photo: Polara Golf*
Michael Jones10ghostcorza
TaylorMade Corza Ghost ---------------------- A white putter against green grass sharpens the eye, according to Michael Fox, TaylorMade's product line manager for putters. The color contrast enables golfers to see the leading edge of the putter better. A repositioned loft in the putter's club head and Pure Roll technology in the club face insert produces more forward roll, which decreases skid. "You're starting the ball on line faster," Fox said, "and there's a more consistent speed because there's no skid." ($160, [TaylorMade](http://www.taylormadegolf.com/products/putters/ghost-series-putter)) *Photo: TaylorMade*
11under-armour-stability-t-shirt
Under Armour Stability T-shirt ------------------------------ [Compression shirts](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/nfl-combine-chest-sensors/) aren't just for football or basketball players anymore. Under Armour offers this one for golfers, with its primary advantage being its reduction of muscular vibration. Specialized stabilizing pads on the back near the spine increase stamina and keep muscles from tiring out the way they normally would after dozens of swings. It also improves [proprioception](http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-proprioception.htm), or the body's spatial awareness during movement. Large mesh panels on the inside of the arms and the back let body heat escape so that only your golf ball is on fire. ($65, [Under Armour](http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/sports/golf)) *Photo: Under Armour*
12ping-k15-driver
Ping K15 Driver --------------- Ping's newest driver relies on redistributed weight to form a more balanced club. Missed hits are typical for casual golfers when they swing a driver, said Ping engineer Brad Schweigert: "We wanted to make the entire club face more forgiving from all the mishit positions." That was accomplished, in part, by moving roughly 10 percent of the club head's mass to the heel. Schweigert said this helps a golfer square the club face more easily, protecting against misfiring shots all over the course. ($338, [Ping](http://www.ping.com/clubs/driversdetail.aspx?id=8302)) *Photo: Ping*
