Preeway

The Testing Opportunity

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron on course
Bag Boy has introduced the Nitron Auto-Open pushcart with its patented nitrogen-powered auto-assist opening mechanism.
Bag Boy describes the Nitron as “a revolutionary auto-open cart engineered with Nitro Piston technology, transforming from a compact folded cart to open and ready to go in seconds. The nitrogen-powered auto-open creates a simple two-step opening, making opening the cart effortless as the front wheel automatically pops out into place.”
Key features include: 
Auto-open with Nitro-Piston™ technology Top-Lok® technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system Easy one-step open Lightweight frame features a compact fold size for simplified storage and transport Multiple color combinations MyGolfSpy wanted four testers to test, review and keep the Bag Boy Nitron Auto-Open pushcart. Here is what they had to say.
What Testers Said: First Impressions
The testers all agreed that the setup out of the box was very simple. A few parts to lock in and the cart was ready to go.


Photo: Bag Boy Nitron out of box 
Tester edingc: “The build quality is impressive. It is obvious this is not a cheaply constructed item. The frame has some weight to it, and the plastic parts are sturdy and solid.”

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Frame
All testers agreed the patented Nitro-Piston was a great feature with tester Preeway saying, “I was blown away at the piston technology that went into the Nitron design and how easy it is to open and close the cart. My old cart was all about tightening/loosening screws which was extremely tedious and somewhat time consuming. I hated starting and ending each round with the hassle.” 

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Closed
Testers provided several videos of the ease of setup and breakdown of the Nitron.
What Testers Said: Additional Features
There were mixed thoughts on the Top-Lok feature that secures the bag (designed for Top-Lok bags) but Tester Hobert had no issues. “I experienced absolutely no bag twisting during my testing. I believe this is due, at least in part, to the upper bracket for the legs on my Sun Mountain 2.5+ fitting nearly perfectly between the Top-Lok brackets (see pic below) which prevents it from twisting.”


Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Top-Lok
Lacassem said “the hand brake is a complete game changer. Like a bike hand brake. If there were any issues it would be easy to replace. On slopes it slides a little bit if you have the brake applied and it’s not in a good position, but it is extremely secure and literally at the tip of my fingers. It’s the little things that are bonuses for me, they did a great job running clean lines and using fabric to hold the brake line tight to the cart. Small details.”


Photo: Bag Boy Hand Brake

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Hand Brake Line
Tester Preeway: “The top tray and bottom compartment located on the handle are well designed and functional. I’m not looking for a lot of storage space on the cart itself since I have plenty in my bag. I was really impressed with the storage space below the handle not so much because of the size but because it provided some degree of shade and protection for what was inside. This is where I typically kept my rangefinder and glove while walking.” 

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Accessory Bag
“The cup holder was another area for me where my opinion waxed and waned. I don’t typically bring my own water bottle with me and instead will get water or Gatorade from the pro shop. I never had any issues with getting these to fit and was also able to get a beer can in a koozie to fit without problem as well. However, there were a couple of times when it was really hot and humid when I brought a large Gatorade for the round and the larger bottles are just a tad too large in diameter to fit. I think the cupholder is designed to hold anything you can buy at the course, which to me seems reasonable.” 


Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Scorecard Console
The Final Verdict

Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Open
The Nitron pushcart received scores from 22 to 23.5 out of 25 and all the testers will be keeping the pushcart to use.
Tester edingc: “The Bag Boy Nitron is solidly built, has a ton of features, and it looks good! If you are in the market for a new cart, I’d recommend taking a good look at the Nitron. If you have a Top Lok-compatible bag, I’d not even bother looking at alternatives.”
Tester Lacassm: “I cannot recommend this cart enough for those looking for something on the affordable side. I receive so many compliments on this cart and don’t doubt anyone else that gets it will too.”
Tester Preeway: “Overall, I was really impressed with this cart. Anyone looking to buy a cart and join the walking mafia should really give this model serious consideration.”
Tester Hobert: “On the course, the Nitron is light and nimble, and its looks are the envy of all of the other push carts at the club. I strongly recommend that anyone in the market for a push cart take a long look at the Nitron!”
To read their full reviews and all the details our testers shared, go to the complete write-ups HERE.

The Testing Opportunity

Not everyone golfs in the rain but if you do it is essential to have quality rain gear that will keep you dry and comfortable and still provide enough flexibility so you can perform your best. 
Galway Bay has consistently performed well in our Most Wanted testing and, this year, offered to take part in MyGolfSpy Forum testing. 
Galway Bay provided each tester with their Hawthorn II golf rain jacket, Seagrove II chino rain pants and golf rain gloves. Five intrepid testers volunteered to play golf in conditions that would make most of us head home. These brave souls were chosen to give us their honest opinions on how this Galway Bay rain gear performed in some of the worst conditions, how it fit and identify its strengths and weaknesses. 
About Galway Bay

Galway Bay apparel was founded nearly 15 years ago. In their words, “we designed our Performance Outerwear to be versatile, comfortable and fashionable. Galway Bay provides protection from the wind and rain while still allowing players to take an unrestricted swing. So you can look and play great even when the weather isn’t.” 
Their garments include key technologies such as their proprietary Hydro-Flex 32, a three-layer fabric which is waterproof, breathable and offers, again in their words, “Performance Stretch. Galway Bay is serious about being waterproof; every jacket also includes a double durable water repellent coating.”
What our Testers Said: Hawthorn II Rain Jacket

The Hawthorn II rain jacket comes in two colors, black on black and Ultimate Grey. Our testers had their choice of color option and initial impressions were very solid. Testers noted minimal packaging and some were very surprised with how light and thin the material was. 
How did the Hawthorn II rain jacket fit? For our tester WaffleHouseTour a slight miss in ordering a medium versus a small meant that there was a “poofyness” in the chest. However “that poof doesn't bother me with a full swing – but it does with the short shots and putter.”
He added “when it comes to comfort – the jacket is flawless.  It is extremely lightweight.  It passes the breathability test with flying colors.  It is not warm – so you may need to layer up in the spring or fall, but you’ll be fine in the summer.   If you are carrying your bag on your shoulders – you’ll perspire there a bit – as you normally would – but it doesn’t cause any water to leak through.”
Tester jdparker noted “I feel like there is room in the shoulders and back area that should allow for a smooth golf swing.  The jacket does have that wispy noise that every rain jacket I have owned does.”

When it came to the on-course performance he had more to say: “The jacket was probably the one article of clothing that impressed me the most. So often rain gear is restrictive and noisy which can change my game and distract me from playing my best.  Let’s face it, you are already playing in the rain and now you have these limitations, it doesn’t make for an enjoyable round. Galway Bay knocked it out of the park on their jacket. It is comfortable and light. It has the necessary stretch and design to allow you to keep your normal swing, and this is paramount in bad weather gear. The slight noise I heard when I first put on the jacket ended up not being a distraction whatsoever and I was very pleased that a rain jacket finally fit that bill.”
Bottom line: The jacket really impressed all of our testers and while some found there to be a bit of “poof” in the chest, the majority found the fit to be great. More importantly, the performance in the wet was there to match. 
What Testers Said - Seagrove II Chino Rain Pant

The Seagrove II rain pants come in the same two colors as the jacket. The biggest difference between these rain pants and many others is that they are not meant to be worn over top of shorts or pants. They are meant to be worn alone while providing optimal protection against the elements. 
Tester GolferXY was a real warrior heading out to the range in pouring rain for 45 minutes. “The pants kept me dry and I wore them home in the car, stopping for some shopping on the way. No bleeding through. Also, I was curious if the straight legs of the pants might allow rain to run off into my shoes. Nope! Very pleased about that.”
Tester Alan Scanzi said, “it performed well on the course, very comfortable, better than all other outfits I wear, when I have to wear pants.”

Tester EugeGal said, “straight out of the packet they just looked as stated, normal golf pants - not the garbage bags I currently have. Big plus on this!! Again subtle detailing on the right pocket. The 2 rear pockets have magnetic closures unlike the normal Velcro system - there was no flap so it will be interesting to see how this copes in the rain, but the magnet I thought was a nice touch. Nice tapered cut to the leg and the grey color just shouted smart!! These pants tick the box for me in all counts so far.”
Bottom line: Our testers were as impressed with the pants as they were with the jacket. Tester jdparker summed them up well, saying, “the pants breathe well and the stretch in the Hydro-Flex 32 material makes it easy to walk the course. The pockets are large enough to hold tees, marker and golf balls but not overly big. The back pockets have magnets in them to help keep them closed when not in use and perfect for a glove.”
What Testers Said - Galway Bay Rain Glove

While the jacket and pants received great feedback and overall ratings, the gloves had mixed reviews. Tester jdparker noted “the GB rain gloves for me are lacking some in performance.”
Tester GolferXY: “The gloves were fine.They stayed grippy even when wet. However, I ordered a size smaller than my normal XL and they were still too big. During 7-iron drills, the gloves did diminish my feel, but when I hit the ball off the toe, the stinger I expected was muffled. I could still tell that I mishit the ball, but didn't pay as big a price as I did with my other rain gloves.”
Overall, the Galway Bay rain gloves for our testers did the job but did lack some performance. Having said that, they still performed well compared to some other rain gloves our testers tried side by side, but they lost a bit of grip as they got really wet. 
The Final Verdict

We have to thank all of our testers for going out and getting great videos, photos and information in the rain for this testing experience. 
We asked our testers to rate all the apparel, taking into account the various categories. Their final ratings ranged from 85 to 97 out of 100.
Both WaffleHouseTour and jdparker summed up the testing experience and Galway Bay products nicely.
“I don’t think anyone will be disappointed by the Galway Bay rain gear. It absolutely does what it is supposed to do. It will keep you dry. You will stay dry. It is flexible and won’t slow down your swing. It's breathable and lightweight.   ust be smarter than I am about size, use their “what’s my size” guide and don’t take for granted what you usually wear.
“If you are in the market for rain gear or even if you are not, do yourself a favor and head on over to the Galway Bay site and pick up a new jacket, pants or gloves. You will not be disappointed. 
“I had some very low expectations with rain gear at the beginning of this process and Galway Bay blew me away with their performance in every aspect. They have found the solution to a lot of the issues in rain gear for golf. The Hydro-Flex 32 material that they use on the jacket and pants allows for the full range of motion all while giving you a modern look out on the course. 
“Finally, the most important part of rain gear is to keep you dry, and this gear will absolutely do that.”

To read their full reviews go to this link: MyGolfSpy Forum Full Reviews: Galway Bay Rain Gear 
 

Forum Member Review: Garmin S70 GPS Watch

The Testing Opportunity
In 2023, MyGolfSpy's Forum member testing program had seen its share of golf gear, from balls to gloves to clubs. However, one area remained largely unexplored: technology. That all changed when Garmin submitted the S70 GPS watch for MyGolfSpy Forum testing.
The Garmin Approach S70 is no ordinary golf watch. It's a premium GPS smartwatch designed for golfers, boasting an impressive array of features. With its vibrant 1.4-inch AMOLED touch display and pre-loaded access to 43,000 golf courses worldwide, it offers on-course functionalities such as “plays like” distance and a virtual caddie with green contour data. The Garmin S70 doubles as a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, making it a well-rounded smartwatch option.
Continue reading to discover what our testers had to say about the Garmin Approach S70 and whether its $699.99 price tag makes it a worthwhile addition to your golf game and daily life.
What Our Testers Had to Say

Before we dive into our testers' evaluations, let's introduce them. We carefully selected four testers with handicaps ranging from 7.8 to 20, with two additional golfers of 10.6 and 13.4 sprinkled in. Their swing speeds varied from the low 90s to more than 111 mph. Our testers included both casual and competitive golfers and they brought previous experiences with Arccos, Shot Scope and various GPS apps to provide a comprehensive comparison with the Garmin S70 watch.
First Impressions

Tester Josh Ross shared his initial impressions, noting the watch's premier build quality. While he could do without the red accents, he loved its overall aesthetic. With the right band, he found the fit perfect and he liked the watch face’s size. The tactile buttons were easy to press and, even with a tempered glass protector, the watch remained highly responsive. Josh Ross also appreciated its sleep mode, which deactivated when he raised his arm to check the time.
Parshooter36 also offered positive feedback, emphasizing his love for the S70's appearance right out of the box. Transitioning from a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 as his everyday timepiece, he felt right at home. He also highlighted the availability of both 47mm and 42mm versions to cater to different wrist sizes.
On The Golf Course
Tester FallenSaber, our higher handicap tester, had a slew of positive notes from his on-course experience, despite a few minor GPS quirks. "On the course, the watch performed exactly as expected," tracking most shots effectively, even around the green. The quick GPS signal connectivity and overall accuracy impressed him. While there was a minor issue where the watch placed him on the wrong hole, it was easily rectified by manually changing the hole. He also noted that, for his purposes, the Pin Point Feature was not crucial.
Another tester, Goaliewales14, mentioned a drawback related to his watch placement and golf glove. He explained, "The fit was good, but what I ran into was my glove kept hitting buttons. There were a few times during my swing where the watch vibrated in my backswing because my glove pushed the power-off button. That, to me, is a huge downside for a watch that’s supposed to be a golf watch."
Josh Ross's on-course experience aligned with expectations for a premium golf watch. He found it user-friendly, with faster course detection than his SkyCaddie. The watch's graphics impressed him and its light weight meant it was almost unnoticeable. He gained confidence in the data provided and even replaced his rangefinder with the Garmin S70. He argued that golfers could perform better with this watch, thanks to access to comprehensive data such as yardages to obstacles and tips for dogleg holes.
Another standout feature highlighted by our testers was the Tempo Training feature. Parshooter36 considered it a valuable tool for improving swing tempo. "I have always considered myself as having a smooth swing, but I really struggle to get the 3:1 tempo they are looking for. I am always looking for ways to improve my swing, and I never had a way to measure tempo before. I plan on continuing to work on my tempo with this feature as I feel it is a very useful tool."
Off-Course Features

Recognizing that the Garmin S70 is more than just a golf GPS watch, we tasked our testers with evaluating its lifestyle features:
Josh Ross found several vital features that enhanced his daily life. "For many who are users of smartwatches, this likely is data you’ve got access to and isn’t anything exciting for you. But for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the data I was provided with." He used the Sleep Score and Body Battery daily to monitor his overall readiness for tasks. The watch's accurate heart rate readings even helped him avoid a problem with syncope ( a brief loss of consciousness similar to fainting). For him, this alone made the watch invaluable.
However, for Goaliewales14, the off-course features couldn't surpass those of his Samsung Galaxy watch. He hoped for general improvements to elevate the S70's status as a smartwatch.

Tester FallenSaber, an avid runner, found the watch's fitness and wellness data highly valuable. He noted that the watch tracked various fitness activities, including weight lifting. While it did a decent job pre-populating activities, it struggled with high-intensity interval training workouts that required quick adjustments. The Garmin S70 provided pre-loaded workouts and instructional videos for weightlifting, a handy feature.
FallenSaber also highlighted the watch's myriad features such as stock monitoring, weather updates, calendar integration and more. The watch's versatility made it challenging to cover all its functionalities within the review. He emphasized the ability to download playlists and connect Bluetooth headphones for music without a phone.
The Final Verdict

In summary, the reviews for the Garmin S70 GPS watch were overwhelmingly positive. Three of the four testers said they would continue using it. Their scores were impressive, ranging from 82 to 93 out of 100. The fourth tester gave the Garmin S70 a score of 66, citing concerns about its price, button interference with the golf glove and its performance as a smartwatch.
The price was a recurring topic among testers. This watch retails for $699.99 and some testers said there were more affordable options available for higher handicaps. However, they unanimously acknowledged the quality, feel and build of the Garmin S70.
Tester FallenSaber provided a fitting conclusion to the Garmin S70 watch review. “The Garmin Approach S70 watch is your go-to watch to replace your rangefinder, golf app, smartwatch, and fitness tracker. This watch will do it all with a very impressive display that is highly customizable. I wish this watch would have come with at least 3 sensors or would be compatible with non-Garmin sensors to help justify the price point. If you are looking for a do-it-all golf watch that is much more than a golf watch, then this watch is for you. If you are simply looking for a golf watch, then you might be able to find something at a lower price point.” 
Want to read the full in-depth reviews from our testers of the Garmin S70 watch? Go Here! 
What is Forum Member Testing?
MyGolfSpy offers all its community members a unique opportunity to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by forum staff. 
Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear!
Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions. 
To learn more about how testers are selected, head here: Want To Be A Tester?