Galvin Green LARS Interface-1 Golf Jacket Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, December 10th, 2018
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Golf Lifestyle • Reviews
Tags: Galvin Green

I must admit this review of the Galvin Green LARS Interface-1 jacket took me awhile. You see, in northern Utah we have two seasons: unbearable heat and winter. We are a desert technically, so we don’t get much rain. So testing rain jackets is more of a challenge. And keep in mind, I do on-course testing, not just fly by one-wear reviews of golf apparel.

I’ve been thrilled to have the LARS in the bag, in the unlikely event that some rain hits. But due to some traveling to Florida, Bandon Dunes, and Mexico, I’ve had some great rounds logged with the LARS.

LARS Features

This LARS jacket by Galvin Green is a short sleeve windproof, water repellant jacket. LARS is versatile jacket for varying conditions when sleeves are not wanted or needed. The outer layer is a tightly knitted Polyester combined with a polyurethane membrane which is soft and smooth on the inside.

The waist has a draw string which is great for tightening down the hatches and keeping the wind out. I also like to tighten it to keep the garment from interfering with my putting stroke or golf swing.

Colors

LARS comes in three super colors, back (pictured), dark blue, and green.

Sizes

LARS comes in sizes small to triple-XL.

On the Course – On the Town

On one of my recent rounds in Florida a light rain started to fall. The problem is that the temps were about 85 degrees. The last thing I want to do is put on a long sleeve jacket and cook myself to death. The LARS kept my core dry, but allowed me to stay cool, at least physically.

I sported the LARS a ton on my trip to Bandon Dunes this past summer. At Bandon the temperatures were in the 60’s, but with huge amounts of wind. Thanks to the LARS jacket I weathered the high winds well, pun intended. My enjoyment of that tremendous golf destination was aided by having the right apparel for the conditions.

I’ll wear the LARS around town too, when I need to just cut the edge off of some wind or slight chilly conditions.

No matter what the conditions, I find LARS to be extremely comfortable. It performs flawlessly and provides a nice style to my outerwear. Speaking of style…

Style

One note about LARS. The style has a big of an edge to it, with the white graphics under the sleeves and on the back shoulder area. I like that quite a bit. It goes right along with my rock & roll attitude.

But LARS is certainly not obnoxious or over the top. It’s super classy and sharp looking.

Conclusion

Galvin Green’s LARS Interface-1 jacket lives up to what I expect from Galvin Green. Over the years I’ve reviewed many GG products, and they’re all of the highest quality and design. The price for their products is not cheap. In fact, it’s almost in the “if you have to ask how much it is, it’s probably too much” department. That said, the LARS is worth every penny of its $329USD retail.

Hooked on Golf Blog Celebrates 14th Blogiversary

Written by: Tony Korologos | Saturday, December 8th, 2018
Categories: Miscellaneous • Site News
Tags: Golf Blogs

On December 5th, 2004 I wrote my first golf blog post. Little did I know that I’d still be at it 14+ years later. I had no idea how many great friends and associates I would make in the industry, how many of the world’s greatest golf courses I would play, how many of the worlds best golf destinations I would visit, and how many great pieces of golf gear I’d review.

Lucky? Nope.

People say I’m “lucky” to have these great experiences and opportunities. I disagree. Luck has nothing to do with it. It’s all about hard work and dedication.

There have been hundreds of golf blogs over the last 14 years which have come and gone. People think running a quality blog is easy. It isn’t. I work hard to produce original, quality, honest content. I take pride in capturing my own pictures for 99.9% of my features, whether it is a fantastic golf resort in the Bahamas or a bag of golf tees. I spend a lot of time testing equipment. Weeks. Months even. I don’t do the “three swings on the practice range” type of reviews.

Perhaps that’s why HOG is trusted by its patrons.

Without a doubt the best part of my 14 years of golf blogging, is the tremendous friendships I’ve made. From tour pros, course pros, equipment makers, PR people, fellow bloggers, to caddies on the Old Course in St. Andrews, I’ve got special friends all over the world I would have never met had I not started this humble blog back in 2004.

St. Andrews, Scotland Golf — My pal Boynie (left) and myself at the Home of Golf, the Old Course in St. Andrews

The Future

I’m anxious to see what the future holds for HOG. What new countries will I visit this year? What new world class golf course will I review? Who will I have the pleasure of getting to know next? What groundbreaking golf gear will I test out this year?

Thank YOU

To you, my patrons (not readers… you know, like the Masters), I greatly appreciate your loyalty and patronage.

See you on the golf course.

Christmas a.k.a. Holiday Golf Gift Guide – Gifts Over $75

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, December 4th, 2018
Categories: Golf Gifts
Tags: Christmas Golf Gift • gift • golf gift • Holiday Golf Gift

Tis the season to give generously to the golfer on your Christmas, um, er…. “holiday” gift list. Hooked on Golf Blog has you covered. Below are a few great golf gift ideas which will run over $75 and let’s face it, not much in golf is less than $75, except the HOG golf gift ideas under $75.

In the list below I’ll post the item, a photo, and a quick comment on each. You can visit the full HOG feature by clicking on them.

Tune Driver – Bluetooth golf driver speaker – $110

The tune driver cranks! The sound quality is great too. And if you break your driver, the tune driver could be a substitute in a pinch. But please, for the love of golf, do NOT play Coldplay with this thing or I’ll wrap my driver around your head. While I’m at it, lay off the Kenny G too.

Indi StingRayTT Wedges – $159-$169 each

After about 12 years of playing the same wedges I finally have a new fun set I’m working with from Indi Golf. The StingRayTT wedges have full grooves all the way out to the toe, lots of mass in the upper outside part of the head, and make hitting out of the sand easier than ever.

Bushnell Phantom GPS Rangefinder – $99

Phantom showing yardages to center, front, back.

The Bushnell Phantom GPS is so awesome and so compact that you need to make sure you don’t have it stolen, like I did. Talk about infuriating. Anyway the Phantom is a great GPS which has a super powerful magnet so you can attach it to the frame of a golf cart or other metallic surfaces. The numbers are super accurate.

Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Disc – Golf Shoes – $150

The Puma PWRADAPT Disc golf shoes are super stylish, extremely light and comfortable, and are tightened by a super awesome knob.

Shot Scope V2 GPS Performance Tracking Watch – $189

Like getting granular with your golf stats? Track everything you can imagine, from fairways to greens to putts, while also getting GPS yardages. Did I mention this is all on a watch?

Tour Edge Exotics CBX Hybrid – $249

This is a tremendous hybrid. I’m thrilled with mine. It flies far, straight and is easy to hit, just like hybrids are supposed to!

New Level Golf 1031 Forged Irons – $199 per club

Take your game to a New Level. I did.

ProCheck Golf Ball Compression Measuring Device – $139

Ever wonder if the ball you fished out of the lake is good? Not sure what ball fits your swing speed? Live on a golf course and find lots of used balls? Test them out with ProCheck.

HOG World Tour Visits Mexico’s TPC Danzante Bay

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, November 28th, 2018
Categories: Golf Courses • Golf For Women • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Mexico • Mexico Golf • TPC Danzante Bay

The latest stop on the HOG World Tour was TPC Danzante Bay, about 40 minutes from the town of Loreto, Mexico. Loreto is on the east coast of the Baja Peninsula, looking over the Gulf of California.

Looking down at Villa del Palmar Resort from near the 18th tee of TPC Danzante Bay

TPC Danzante Bay is a Rees Jones design which takes advantage of the local mountains to produce dramatic views, challenging carries, and elevation changes.

The course is part of the Villa del Palmar resort, which offers other great vacationing activities like great beaches, snorkeling, boating, hiking and more.

Fredrik Lindenblom tees off on the par-3 13th hole

Stay tuned for my full review of TPC Danzante Bay, and my review of the Villa del Palmar resort soon.

Christmas a.k.a. Holiday Golf Gift Guide – Gifts Under $75

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, November 22nd, 2018
Categories: Cigars • Golf • Golf Accessories • Golf Apparel • Golf Balls • Golf For Women • Golf Games • Golf Gear • Golf Gifts • Golf Lifestyle
Tags: Christmas Golf Gift • golf gift • Golf Gifts • Holiday Golf Gift

It’s that time of year again. Time for the annual Hooked on Golf Blog Christmas gift guides, “holiday” gift guides for you politically correct types. Today’s focus is affordable golf gifts. In my guides I feature products I’ve reviewed in the previous year, and provide links to the full review. Let’s get this one started!

Wallaroo Shelton Sun Protection Hat – $48

Wallarroo hats makes some very stylish, comfortable hats which also provide great protection from the sun. I use the Shelton hat regularly when golfing, camping, hiking, or working in the yard. Okay, I admit it. I don’t work in the yard.

Coast Apparel French Terry Crew Neck Sweater – $39

This blended sweater (55% cotton/45% polyester) is very comfortable and works great on and off the golf course.

Kentwool Socks – $20

Such a great color…

Kentwool socks will probably be on every gift guide I ever do. They’re simply fantastic and I refuse to wear any other sock on the golf course.

Ricky Johnson Milled Aluminum Cigar Holder – $70

Classy. This is a super cigar holder with a mega-strong magnet. Mount the holder on a golf cart frame or any metal surface.

Mullybox – $29/month

Monthly subscription gift boxes are hot in the golf world right now. Mullybox puts together a great package with lots of very cool and useful golf accessories.

Chase54 Frequency Golf Pollo – $73

Chase54 makes some fantastic golf apparel. I really love my Frequency polo, and it goes great with their Trekker golf shorts.

Vegas Golf VIP Edition On-Course Game – $29

Vegas Golf is a fun game with chips that are awarded for good and bad plays in your golf group. Add ’em up at the end of the round and collect your bets!

Srixon Z-Star Golf Balls – $29

Srixon has been advertising a special rate of $29 for their Z-Star golf balls. The Z-Star is fantastic and every bit as good as any other tour ball out there like the ProV1, ChromeSoft etc.

RangeBall T-Shirt