Where's My Pitching Wedge?
By Alan Hunter
There is nothing worst then leaving a club on the fairway or around the green of the last hole you just played, or even worst losing a golf club all together because you forgot to pick it up after you made your shot. And as courses transition from one seasonal grass to another chances are they’ll limit carts to cart path only and that means you’ll be taking several clubs with you to the fairway to hit your next shot, increasing the chances of leaving one lying on the fairway as you head back to your cart. Replacing a lost club can cost anywhere from $100 to $200. Ouch, that hurts the back pocket! There are three different products we are going to look at that can eliminate the chances of losing a wedge, putter or even a fairway wood, these products also help to keep your grips dry and lessens stress to the back bending over to pick up clubs off the ground.
Clubzup
Of the 3 products we are looking at today the Clubzup is the simplest in design. This patented design slides in right over the butt and then and insert the ClubzUp spikes into the grass. Your club will then stand straight up. To remove, simply tilt the club back then forward loosening the spikes and lift. When done the maker claims you can put the Clubzup back into your pocket. Upside: relatively small and inexpensive. Downside: you’ll need multiple units if you are taking more than two clubs with you to the fairway or green and you’ll have to clean off any moisture or dirt that accumulates on the spikes if you plan on keeping it in your pocket.
The Club Pal
For it size The Club Pal is ultra lightweight (under 6 ounces) and consists of a patented foot-press that the manufacturer says makes it easy to plant the Club Pal firmly and securely into the ground. Of the three units The Club pal can handle multiple clubs and even the flagstick, plus it also has an eyelet that allows you to attach a towel as well. Too big to put in your pocket, The Club Pal can be stored on the outside of your bag. Upside: durable construction, handles multiple clubs, allows a towel to be attached, easy to use. Downside: the unit might fall off if you drive your golf cart like an ATV.
The Club Caddy
This patented device won The Golf Channel’s Fore Inventors Only program. It is a small, lightweight device that easily clips to an extra club allowing it to stand up on its own. A carry device is included to hold “The Club Caddy” on the bag when not in use. The Club Caddy works on every club in the bag and can support two or more clubs at the same time. Upside: easy to attach to you club. Downside: when attached to its carry device the unit protrudes from your bag.
While all 3 products serve the same purpose, the design of each is completely different from the other. The Club Pal is obviously much bigger then the Clubzup and The Club Caddy, yet seems to be the most durable. Which unit is best for you? That will depend on the type of bag you have and just how often you intend on using it. Plus any small investment you make on reducing the chances of losing a club, protecting your back and keeping your grips dry will certainly pay for itself in the long run.