How I spent $125 and accessorized my game for 2021

accessories

It won't cost a fortune to fine-tune the tinier tools we need.

How best to spend — or splurge! — your golf dollars? Whether you have $50 or $500, check out GOLF.com’s new How to Spend… series, in which our own staffers take a designated amount of play money and go shopping in GOLF’s new Pro Shop. The goal here is to not only tell you about the products we love, but also to help golfers find items they might like — no matter their budget. You can visit GOLF’s Pro Shop here.

It’s that time of year where we put one golf season to bed and begin dreaming about the next one. 2020, goodnight. 2021, welcome! 

When that forward thinking matriculates to March, April and May, it’s pretty easy to understand that purchases will be made. With that in mind, it might be time to re-up on some accessories that won’t break the bank but will have you primed to start 2021 in perfect shape, golf-gear wise. If I were the one buying the gifts — thankfully my family can splurge on me for Christmas — here’s how I would spend $125.

$125 remaining …

Everyone needs a bucket hat. You don’t need to be a bucket hat person who wears one every time you play, but you certainly need one for those rounds where you know it’ll come in handy. Those rainy days where you’re going to game it and it’ll help to keep the rain from dropping on your face. Or those sunny days when the back of your neck is in danger and you’d rather not continue reapplying sunscreen. Bucket hats come in handy, and they’ve never been more fashionable.

Adidas UPF Sun

$19.97
The UPF Sun Hat will protect your head and neck from the sun’s rays. It is made of 100% polyester double weave and provides UPF 50+ protection. Since the brim is so wide, protection extends to your neck and below. A removable drawstring cord helps keep the hat comfortable and secure.
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$85 Remaining …

We’ll keep the attire accessories going here with a simple, yet important, stretch belt. Sure, many people like to match their belt color to their shoes color, and who knows what shoes you’ll be wearing all year long? That doesn’t matter. Keep the belt game simple, standard and stretchy for maximum comfort regardless of the pants you’re wearing or the color of your kicks. That’s my style, anyway.

Under Armour Performance Stretch

$35
The Under Armour Performance Stretch Belt features elastic webbing with leather end pieces and belt hole panel for elevated and enhanced style. The width is 1.4 inches and sizes run from 32-40. The belt was featured on GOLF.com’s GOLF Fall 2020 Style Guide: 5 great belts to wear on the golf course.
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$50 remaining

Now that we’ve handled our attire needs, time for some accessories that would help me play better. As someone who unfortunately lost their alignment sticks in 2020, I am in need of my driving range saving grace. Alignment sticks are the most reusable training tool in golf, and they don’t cost much. That is, unless you lose a pair.

Callaway Alignment Stix

$19.99
These shock-corded rods are adjustable to help you determine correct alignment, proper swing path and ideal ball position. 
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$30.01 Remaining …

It’s a bit of an accessories beget accessories issue when I’m wearing my bucket hat, out in the sun, beating balls on the range with my alignment sticks. But thankfully, there are always more accessories to accessorize with. Insert: hydration. Every golfer who loves to hoof it should have a go-to golf water bottle in their bag. 2020 eliminated (at least temporarily) many water stations on the course, so at the very least take care of your fluid intake by always having a Rambler on hand.

YETI Rambler 18 oz Bottle with Chug Cap

$30
A necessity for hiking, kayaking, or just commuting to work. the double-wall vacuum insulated cup keeps your drink cool from the first pour to the last sip. The durable, shatter-resistant bottle is dishwasher safe for when it needs a full clean. The TripleHaul handle is easily removed and the Chug Cap is included with the bottle.
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$.02 Remaining …

Don’t spend it all in one place! Isn’t accessorizing for game for the price of a single golf club exactly what we should be doing in December? Save the big purchases for later.

NEWSLETTER

Sean Zak

Golf.com Editor

Zak is a writer at GOLF Magazine and just finished a book about the summer he spent in St. Andrews.