7 Christmas Gifts About My Life (and Golf) Survival Guide

If you want to know how much shit you own – if you want to stare straight into the blinding abyss of your own materialism – I have the perfect solution.

Move across the country.

I admit that I felt pretty good about the state of my belongings when I decided to move to Park City, Utah. I had lived in New York for almost five years, and the spatial realities of that lifestyle had kept my closet small and my cupboards empty.

I rarely acquired new clothes. I frequently emptied drawers and donated unused items. The only material goods I acquired in large quantities, aside from underwear and socks, were old copies of the New Yorkers. I lived skinnybaby.

But the day came when I realized I would have to put the lion’s share of my earthly possessions in half the trunk of a 2011 Toyota Highlander…and my life changed.

I gathered my things. Then I consolidated again. Then a third time. And a fourth. Finally, by the fifth reduction, I arrived at an appropriate amount. It was unsettling to see how many previously necessary things were left behind (when faced with a soup that fell apart, I still fondly dwell on the memory of my hand blender), but it was strangely exciting to see the things that made it happen. In.

Those things, the list of items that could just about fit in a carry-on bag? These were my possessions that had survived the Great Decline. Items that I could confidently say would travel with me in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

They were great either because they did something essential that could not be replicated, or because they did such things that I couldn’t justify leaving behind. These elements, at the intersection of versatility and essence, are listed below.

1. Normatec Boots

I wrote about the Normatec Leg Compression Boots for the first time last year and I was surprised to learn how many golf fans had never heard of this product. These LeBron-approved space-age recovery products are my favorite after a long day on the course or a long workout at the gym. The pants are essentially large balloons, trained to inflate and deflate in specific patterns to promote blood circulation and speed recovery. The secret sauce is called something dynamic compression technologywhich promotes circulation, eliminates metabolic waste and mimics a natural muscle “pump”.

I recommend this product first because it is the product I cared the most about including in the packaging process. Back then, it was a lot to give up trunk space in the name of recovery. But since arriving West, all the early headaches have been worth it. Pants are part of my weekly routine, and even though we’re now well into the offseason, they’re also a great way to stay cool between rounds of a 36-hole day or multi-round weekends.

HyperIce Normatec 3

Normatec 3 is the next evolution of the iconic Normatec series, using dynamic air compression to improve your well-being, recover faster, enhance your training and maximize your performance.

$699 from Fairway Jockey

2. Rhône Commuter Pro Pants

If you saw my face a GOLF.com video over the past two years, you have probablyYes saw a Rhône Commuter polo shirt in action. And if you’ve seen me in person, you’ve probably seen me wearing these Commuter Pro pants.

Most of Rhone’s athletic gear is at my favorite intersection of high quality, understated, and non-cookie cutter, but these pants are at the top of the heap. They’re heavy enough to wear in cold weather, soft enough to wear in warm weather, stylish enough to wear to a nice meal, and athletic enough to wear on a run. If you need a pair of go-anywhere pants, a king of versatility, look no further.

RHONE Commuter Pro Pants

Made from an evolution of our best-selling fabric with a structured yet flexible feel, these pants feature an adjustable buttoned waist and permanent press pleats for a sharp, refined look.

$158 from Rhône

3. Stio Hometown Down Jacket

Ten years ago, I made the worst decision of my life and chose to move to Syracuse for four winters to go to school. For the uninitiated, Syracuse is one of the snow capitals of the world. Winters last from October to May and are a mix of endless cold and perpetual gray.

I got into the golf industry largely because I had freezer burn from my time at Cusa, and although my career took me to greener (and warmer) pastures, I discovered that I hadn’t really survived the cold of my youth. I dreaded the winter months with a passion and hated dressing up to play golf in the cold so much that I barely played once the temperatures dropped below 50.

Earlier this year, with the arrival of winter, I received the jacket that changed my view of the world: the Stio Hometown Down Jacket. Stio says the Hometown Down is a “mid-weight jacket,” but I can attest that I’ve already worn it successfully in temperatures well below freezing. It doesn’t take much time to understand why it’s such a popular purchase among residents of cold-weather communities: it’s thick but not oversized, and nimble enough to wear for a variety of activities. If you’re going to a sporting event in the cold or just planning to spend the winter on the golf course until the snow arrives, I can confidently say that Stio is the best value.

Stio Hometown Down Jacket

The Stio Hometown Jacket is a mid-weight option with heavy-duty versatility. Filled with responsibly sourced down and recycled fabrics, it’s a winner all around.

$349 from Stio

4. Important Supplements

I’ll be honest: I’m not really a fan of supplements. It took me many years before I stood at the altar of protein powder, and many more to reach my recent flirtation with creatine.

Part of the reason for my lukewarmness was that I was irritated feeling like a gym bro. My brother (who is studying to be a doctor) often reminds me that eating a lot and in moderation is enough for the vast majority of people. Adding powders and big bottles of water seemed like a great way to lose what little dignity I still clung to for seemingly little gain.

But then I found Momentous. Their branding is subtle (sense a theme here?), their recipes are minimalist, and their standards are high-end. I still don’t wear the big water bottle or the string tank top, but their products make me feel strong and energized without feeling gross.

Capital Plant Protein Powder

Momentous 100% Plant Protein is designed for high-performance athletes who demand the best from their nutrition. With 20g of clean plant protein per serving, using pea and rice proteins sourced exclusively from the USA and Canada, it provides a complete amino acid profile to fuel recovery and optimize performance.

$49 Momentous Supplements

5. Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket

A funny thing happens as you delve deeper into the world of golf: you learn that some of the best golf apparel brands don’t necessarily market golf. Like Arc’Teryx, whose hiking and outdoor equipment is some of the best all-season golf equipment on the market.

Now I’m not sure I recommend intentionally walking in pouring rain with the Proton Hoodie, and I’m also not sure it would be suitable as a single-layer solution for a 35 degree day – but if either thing happened while you were wearing it, I’d feel pretty good about you surviving in one piece. That’s the essence of the Proton jacket: its value comes from its ability to perform in all potential Scottish weather conditions… which means saving space in your hand luggage (or trunk) in the packing process.

Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket

Designed for climbers, including on the golf course, the Proton Hoody is the essential breathable insulating layer for high-performance missions. Coreloft 80 g/m²

Compact insulation works with the breathable outer fabric and lining to regulate temperature and vapor buildup. The Fortius Air 20 nylon shell is lightweight and durable, articulated patterns eliminate restrictions.

$420 from Arc’Teryx

6. Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker

I change portable speakers less frequently than the United States changes presidents, so when it finally came time to buy a new one over the summer, I took the task seriously.

I ended up with the Bose SoundLink Flex (which is on sale for around $100 for the holidays) and boy am I glad I did. The thing is basically indestructible (waterproof and dustproof), its battery lasts 12 hours at a time, and the sound quality is good enough to fill a foursome on opposite sides of the fairway in the summer (I thought you might not want to play at that volume).

Bose SoundLink portable speaker

Meet the updated SoundLink Flex speaker. Surprisingly powerful and bold sound in an ultra-compact format – perfect for sharing music and good times anywhere on the planet. It’s also built to last, so you can go wherever the pace takes you.

$119 from Bose

7. Blue Tees Portable Speaker

I don’t own this speaker, nor did I take it with me on my trip, but it deserves inclusion on this list for one simple reason: I witnessed a friend’s willingness to drive three hours across rural Michigan to retrieve this speaker from the course where he had accidentally left it. If that’s not a ringing endorsement of a product, I don’t know what is.

Blue Tees Player+ GPS Golf Speaker

$249.99 $199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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