GolfSpy Dave

FYI Just started a contest to give away two of these up on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFz4vRlymF/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

Here you go. Play at your own risk [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I’ll shoot and post the rules when I get home later. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

DivPro: The 6-in-1 Golf Tool: Multi-Tool Madness I’ve been a sucker for multi-tools since I was a kid. I think that my love affair with them started either with my first Cub Scout pocketknife, or perhaps a bit later with the mother-of-all multi-tools, the Swiss Army Knife. I loved having a single tool that could be used in every situation. I didn’t ever plan on an adventure where I’d need to scale a fish, cut a tree branch, punch some leather, and then pick something out of my tooth, but it was good to know that my Swiss Army knife had me covered should the need arise. The DivPro 6-in-1 golf tool may not be as dynamic and broad ranging as the Swiss Army knife, but the comparison between the two is not that much of a stretch. You carry one tool that can handle multiple jobs, as opposed to packing multiple tools. The key for any multi-tool though is performance. Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of None is not a title that we want to see on a tool that we need to actually work. A screwdriver that bends during use is not improved just because it sits next to a bottle opener in the knife. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the six functions of the DivPro, and see how they measure up in on-course testing. Div Pro DIV Pro is a pocket organizer for golfers tired of searching for the right tool every hole. The DivPro is a multi-functional golf gadget that incorporates the following: Cigar Holder Ball Marker Club cleaner Grip Saver Divot tool Shotgun Can Opener Cigar Holder: 4/5 The DivPro did a fine job of keeping my cigar off of the grass, or from being lost when I drive away from the hole, forgetting that the cigar was balancing on the window ledge. The only deduction is that the holding apparatus has a fixed geometry, being made of inflexible metal, and as such cigars of different lengths and different gauges may require a bit of finagling getting them to balance. It’s also not quite as convenient as a clip that attaches to the push or power cart. Ball Marker: 5/5 The DivPro has a easy-to-remove ball marking coin that attaches to the tool with a magnet. The coin stayed in place while the DivPro was in my pocket, and it came off easily when it was time to mark. All solid here. Club Cleaner: Unscored! I don’t have a photo of this one because there was no way that I was going to cram the metal points of the DivPro into the forged grooves of my Srixon 765 irons. YMMV on this but I’m not doing that. As a caveat, the DivPro did a nice job of cleaning grass and mud from my grooves in my shoes. Grip Saver: 5/5 I am not a fan of power cart golf, and one of the reasons is needing to take multiple clubs from the cart to chip, then putt, or just to bring a few when yardages are uncertain. For me, there is nothing worse than picking up a damp, grass-encrusted putter grip. When it’s that type of round, I always have a tee tucked into the back of my cap for grip elevation. The DivPro provides a stable platform, even wider than a golf tee, which should keep your grip out of the morning dew. Divot Tool: 4/5 The DivPro does a fine job of fixing pitch marks. The tines are narrow enough to go into the green easily, with the geometry of the tool providing plenty of leverage for usage. My only dings on the tool come from its overall size. It’s just a bit big for pocket carrying for my tastes. I usually only have a switchblade tool and my coin marker in my pockets when I play. The DivPro is a bit longer, and a bit pointy on both ends to be 100% comfortable for me, but once again, YMMV. Shotgun Can Opener: 4/5 It’s been a minute since shotgunning beers was a standard routine in my golf round. Sure, it still happens during the occasional scramble, but I tend to buy good beer these days, ones that are better savored than shotgunned. Anyway, for the sake of research, I gave the shotgun tool a test, and it did a fine job. Can geometry will effect the latching on of the tool. The one I used had a rounded bottom and it was a bit wiggly. Once attached, the leverage was good, and the point sharp enough to punch through the aluminum. Watch out for the spray. The resulting hole was ample, and the shotgun process took the expected three seconds to complete. It’s a solid shotgun tool, easily better than a key, tooth, or tee. It also opens up glass bottles too, but don’t bring glass to the course. That’s not cool. If you really want to take your next round up a level, the DivPro package also includes the rules for playing Shotgun Golf, with full incorporation of shotgunning beers. The marshals will love you. DivPro Delivers I’d say that for $14 with Prime shipping on Amazon, the DivPro sits nicely in the price to value ratio. My only real gripe is that it is a little big for my preferences because of the can opener end. It’s not a deal killer, just worth noting. If you happen to shotgun beers when you play golf, this little tool may be just what you are looking for.

Homa -14

Please make sure to post your putts per round once it shows up. Gotta keep the number low if you are gaming that thing

Introducing Palio Cigar Tools One of my favorite things about working for MyGolfSpy is the chance to try out products from brands that I have never heard of before. Sometimes the products are so uninspiring, that there is a good reason that nobody has heard of them. In other cases, trying something unknown leads to the discovery of a product that will become a constant companion in the years that follow. In terms of golf items, this is what I remember happening with both Pure and SuperStroke grips. There was a time when both were relatively unheard of, which seems impossible now, as they are both major players in the golf industry today. At some point though, not many consumers even knew who they were. For a time machine trip, check out my original Pure Grips review from 2011 HERE. With that in mind, I was definitely interested when someone suggested I check out the torch and cutter from Palio that I am sharing with you today. While it’s unlikely that any product will reach SuperStroke status, you never know when the next product will become the next itproduct. Occam’s Cigar Tools I love Occam’s razor. It’s that wonderful premise that simpler solutions are more likely to be correct than complex ones. To simplify, just keep it simple.I know that there times when I wish I had an old glued-shaft driver, just so I wouldn’t think about where all of the weights and the hosel should be set. If I can’t adjust anything, then nothing can be adjusted wrong, and I need just hit the ball. KISS is a solid system to live by IMO. Simplicity of operation is definitely one of the strengths of the Palio cigar tools. The Palio cutter uses a simple double guillotine blade design to sever the cap from your stick. There is nothing fancy in the operation here. With the Palio cutter, you’ll find sharp blades, a strong plastic body, and nothing but a quick slide to sever the tobacco. There are some additional aesthetic and operational enhancements, like the beveled edge where the cigar rests for cutting, but overall, the cutter remains entirely overt in its operation, which is a huge plus. The Palio Triple Torch Lighter also operates with ease. You need just fill it up with fuel (Xikar’s Performance High Altitude fuel is rad.), flip the lid open, and then click the ignition button for three raging jets of fire. The lighter is very compact, and with that, a bit surprising in the amount of fire that it delivers. You’ll probably not go wide-open jets with this one unless you are smoking something with a 90-ring gauge. Yes, those huge sticks exist. Check out this shot of my two buddies with the giant cigars at The Punch Bowl from our last trip to Bandon Dunes. Anyway, the Palio Triple Torch is a simple, yet solid machine, and like the cutter, there are some little design features that really up its usefulness. Under the cap, you’ll see a little piece of mirrored metal, allowing you to monitor the burn of your stick as you light it. The other really cool design element is that the lid closes over the top of the ignition button, preventing the button from being accidentally pressed in a pocket or golf bag. I definitely appreciate a design that prevents pocket fires on the course. Palio Cigar Tools: Simple, yet solid features and... Inexpensive The best feature of these tools is that they are both quite inexpensive. The cutter will run you about $25, with the torch only costing $15, or less if you shop around. If you are looking for a cigar tool set for your golf bag, I love this pair as a budget-friendly option. While I truly believe that the Xikar Tactical Torch that I reviewed a few weeks back is the ultimate cigar torch, I would be wrecked if I lost it at the course, where as losing one that only costs $15 would be annoying, but not devastating. The Palio Triple Torch and Palio Guillotine Cutter tools are both budget-priced, yet they actually perform.

That exactly how it works, and it doesn’t even need a car! [emoji41][emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Quick Update Guess who has flown back into the putter well...

It's Not Rubbing Two Sticks Together Now I’m not for a second going to recommend the two-stick ignition method as an option for lighting your cigars on the course. It just jumped into my head when I was thinking about the lighter that I have for you today, Xikar’s XFlame Electronic Lighter. This lighter is so high tech, causing my brain to rebel a bit and drift to the other, low-tech, end of the fire making spectrum. Humans have used fire for a long time, and although we now dress it up in fancier outfits, fire remains one of our most critical survival tools. Sorry for the reflective tangent. I just got caught up in a maelstrom of mental marveling when thinking about how the use of fire is so ancient, and yet still so critical for modern human civilization. Anyway, let’s leave those sticks un-rubbed, and instead delve into the stick-lighting circuitry of the Xikar XFlame Electronic Lighter. Xikar XFlame Features and Specs: Does not require butane or lighter fluid Ideal for travel Quick and easy to use. Lights the entire end of a cigar in seconds Burner coil is easy to clean and easy to replace Optimal temperature won't overheat your cigars Evenly lights up to 62RG cigars USB rechargeable battery 100% Windproof Measures: 4.125"H x0.98"W (1.10"W Coil) Fire Without Flame So the irony of the XFlame is that it actually is completely devoid of flame. You use a grill of battery-warmed metal to light your cigar rather than any kind of fire. Now some of you will remember when cars came with cigarette lighters as options, and when they were actually intended to light cigarettes rather than a place to plug in a USB adapter. That car lighter is the best parallel to the action of the XFlame. Electricity causes the metal to heat up to a temperature that is able to light the tobacco, without actually producing any kind of flame. It’s a modern spin on an old idea, and the best thing about the XFlame is that you don’t need an attached car to make it work. The XFlame lighter charges via USB, something that all but the most luddite-leaning of you probably do on a daily-ish basis. Plug the cord into the lighter, and the other into any old USB port and you will charge the XFlame easy peasy. The action button will light up and let you know that it’s charging, and turn off when it’s finished. Again, you’ve charged stuff with USB before. No engineering degree required here. Igniting the XFlame So you’ve done you charging due diligence, and are ready to light your first cigar with the XFlame. The process is "very simple", but there is a bit of a learning curve, and specific operation sequence that you’ll probably take a couple of ignitions to master. The first thing that you will need to do to turn it on is to quickly click the on button five times. Yep, I said five times. What seems a bit click-excessive is a actually great safety feature for preventing the lighter from accidentally lighting in a bag or pocket. I’m sure that an accidentally-pressed-five-times scenario exists, but it’s so improbable that safety is almost ensured. So you press five times to turn it on, and then press and hold to heat up the metal grill. It heats up quickly, and significantly. It also turns itself off after a handful of seconds, maybe 10, so that the XFlame is not on indefinitely. For smaller cigars, one or two ignition runs were sufficient, but I needed a few more runs to light big rings. The lighting experience is much different than with a torch. It’s a bit more subdued, as the heat output is likely less with the XFlame when compared to a multiple-jet torch. It’s also quite the quiet experience, with the typical roar of the torch being completely absent. If you follow this link below to see a quick video of the ignition process: XFlame Observations While the XFlame was easy to charge and use, there were a couple of criticisms and concerns that I had during testing. First, it does require a bit of practice to master. I handed it to my cigar smoking buddy to use on the course and he messed with it a few times and handed it back, subsequently asking for my Tactical Torch. The five-presses-to-turn-on system is great at preventing accidental ignitions, but it takes a bit of practice to get right. Not a deal killer, but it’s funny watching someone struggle to do something that should be automatic, like lighting a lighter. Too Quiet I think that the silent operation plays a little into the awkwardness of learning how to use the XFlame. With a traditional torch, ignition is accompanied by the roar of burning fuel. The XFlame “ignition” gives you a glowing red button, and a glowing grate that you may or not be able to see depending upon how bright it is where you are lighting up. In so way do I want the lighter to make a sound when it is lighting, but a subtle vibration would be awesome. Think about how your phone can vibrate. Take that and reduce it by 90% and I think that we have a winner. Subtle vibration during lighting to add some tactile information to the process. Again, I think that the lack of sound (or subtle vibration) takes a bit away from the lighting ritual. Personally, I like to hear the flame as I light the cigar. It’s something primal, I suppose. The chop of the cutter, and the roar of the torch are part of the enjoyment process when I smoke a cigar. Too Hot Yes, it is a bit ironic that I am saying that a torch gets too hot when it is trying to light something on fire. I’m not concerned with the heat during the ignition process, that is excellent. Instead, I am talking about how the top of the torch remains hot, and somewhat exposed after you are finished using it. Most of the torches that we use have some kind of lid that sequesters the hot fuel jets after the cigar is lit. In a few seconds, that torch is cool enough to put in your pants pocket or golf bag. The XFlame ignition grill remains exposed though, and has a fairly wide diameter, potentially providing easy access for other things to find it when you don’t actually want them to catch fire. In a tabletop setting, this is not an issue as the XFlame is very stable as you stand it up on its base to cool. On the course though, I just could never really know how hot it was after using it, fighting the temptation to touch it and find out. All this being said, it does cool down fairly quickly, but it is just tough to gauge. I would love to have a heat-resistant case to put it in, or some kind of cap that would make it pocket safe sooner. Even a little color-changing with temperature sticker on the top to gauge when it is OK to store. Yes, I want a torch that acts like a mood ring. Dare to dream, bro. Windy Wizardry Criticisms aside, if you frequently play golf in the wind, and have struggled to light a cigar while doing so, the XFlame will be your new best friend. I’ve tried other “wind-proof” lighters in the past, and all of them proved to be no match for actual wind. If there was a flame, the wind would blow it out, with strong winds dissipating the lighter fuel before it ever even lit. With nothing to actually light, the XFlame will bring the heat regardless of wind. Sure, your stick may get blown out after you get it lit, but that’s not the XFlame’s fault. This is the lighter to pack in your bag on windy adventures. Last year, I had the fortune/misfortune to play Pacific Dunes at the Bandon Dunes Resort on a 25mph sustained/gusts to 50mph morning. Now while playing Bandon on any day, under any conditions is a treat, that round was a brutal treat. While I did not smoke a cigar that round, it was not for lack of trying. We had five torches between us, and some matches, and only one of us was able to get his stick lit. While I hope I never experience that type of weather again, the XFlame will be in my 2020 Bandon Dunes Trip gear kit for sure. Dave’s Xikar XFlame Take: Still Glowing Criticisms aside, I am still impressed overall with the Xikar XFlame lighter. It may take some doing to figure out how to use it, and I may not feel totally safe immediately putting it back in my golf bag, but its flameless design really delivers cigar-lighting salvation during windy rounds. If you want to get your flame on in a flameless, high tech fashion, give the Xikar XFlame a quick (five) clicks here. The XFlame will cost you about seventy bucks to get going, but won't cost you a cent in lighter fuel. When the ignition grill needs to be eventually replaced, it will only cost about another twenty dollars to make your XFlame ready to light like new.

The Major Check In Well since the first major of the year has passed (how about that Tiger guy?), I thought it a good time to update this thread with my project progress. Now some of you have just played your first round of the year, but though rainy, the NorCal winter was just mild enough that I was able to play golf, and generate some data to base my conclusions upon. Let’s take a look at the current bag and the club replacement threat status. Driver: Callaway Epic Flash Threat Level: GREEN This driver has performed better and better each week. The cool thing is that it is getting longer as I tweak my swing. Overall, I’ve been trying to shallow out my swing, and actually give the backswing time to complete before going forward. Swing changes can be dicey, but so far, the swings that match the new plan have been excellent. I’m still tweaking the sliding weight a bit on the driver. I think that it’s down to two different adjacent spots, one that produces a slight fade, and the other that I can actually turn over to draw. I swear that the fades are deeper, but my brain/ego wants to see a draw. All I know is that I’m hitting balls deeper on the home course than I was last year, and so the Epic Flash is going nowhere. My only concern is that drives are nearly all carry. I’d like to figure out how to shallow out the angle of descent to get some hard fairways roll, but that is a mystery that as of yet I’m a little clueless about. Teeing lower seems to help some, but also makes me more prone to wipes right as I alter my angle of attack and dynamic loft for some reason when the tee is lower. I just keep telling myself that hitting fairways is more important than 15 yards of roll. Fairway Woods: Callaway Epic 3W and 5W Threat Level: BRILLIANT GREEN The long game is coming into its own. These two clubs are so reliable and predictable for me that they are not going anywhere. The switch to the R-Flex Fujikura Pro Green shafts was a solid move. As distance is my main problem these days, it’s nice to have two weapons that work in the (not-that-long) long game. These fairways deserve and Epic high five! Hybrids: Callaway Big Bertha 2018 4H (and 3H) Threat Level: GREEN AND GROWING I thought that these would be the first clubs replaced in the bag. For some reason, initial range and course interactions were awful. I had 180° dispersion and was hitting the 18° 3H about 140 yards. That was why I ultimately started this project with the 3H in the garage, and used the 5W to cover those distances. Well, as I’ve changed my swing a bit, and become more comfortable with the 4H in my bag, I come to appreciate and trust the Big Bertha 4H, so much so that I’m adding the 3H back in to address another club issue that I’ll get to in a moment. The only tweaks for these is that they are both set to draw and +2 loft, making the 3H 20° and the 4H 22°. These settings mesh nicely with the 15°/18° fairway woods. This is a new plan, so data collection on the switch will start this weekend. I have high hopes that I will be able to rely on these hybrids like my previously favorited RAZR X hybrids. Irons: Callaway APEX 19 Threat Level: YELLOW I should probably have two colors listed for the threat level, but YELLOW makes for a nice merger of the GREEN and RED conditions for the irons. It has definitely taken some time to adjust to these, but they are really responding to the new swing. I’ve actually had some GIRs in recent weeks, and for a one-putt-par guy like myself, that is an amazing feeling. Having two putts to make a par feels like cheating… I feel confident in the irons 6-AW, but unfortunately the set also has a 5i in it, and thus the hybrid alterations above. I just can’t get this club to work. The 6i is fine, but once I get to the 5i, all bets are off. The other irons are all high launching, with the typical flight being a little right to left. The 5i really likes to take the pull-slice-corkscrew route. It’s maddening. I can’t for the life of me figure out what the issue is, and it’s become an issue, giving me zero confidence in hitting the green whenever it comes out. That’s why I’m adding and adjusting the hybrids. There is now a 4.5° gap between the 4H and the 6i, and I’m not sure how that will play out on the course. Am I now dead at 170 yards? Do I need to get the already strong 6i bent a degree stronger? I’m going to play and see. My only other concern is that the Project X shafts may be too heavy for lots of golf, with end of round fatigue being a real thing. I’ve boosted my exercise plan, so that may help, but those thoughts of Recoil 95 just keep creeping back into my head. UPDATE: I wrote that paragraph a few days ago, and things may have changed as far as shafts. This morning I finally did the new Mizuno Shaft Optimizer fitting tool and found that the PX 5.5 are the 8th rated shaft for me. Ugh. Really, really, really liked the C-Taper Lite, and was actually getting the Mizuno Hot Metal Pro 5i on to the green at 175. I almost needed to change my shorts. That said, I am sticking to this project, and going with the adjusted hybrid - drop 5i plan for the next time period. I did look at the Hot Metal Pros online though... Wedges: Cleveland RTX3 Threat Level: GREEN Love these wedges. I’ve spent some time goofing around with a 56° Callaway PM grind, but nothing gets the ball to the target on the green like these Clevelands. I’ve actually added a couple of different shots to the short game arsenal with them. Though still puckering, high, short shots, and low spinners are now not completely impossible. One plus of being so bad with my irons is that I’ve gained some skills with the short game to compensate. Putter: Odyssey/Toulon Atlanta S Threat Level: RED I bet that it comes as no surprise that the putter is the first club to get the boot. I even went as far as to make this a 13 club project, knowing that the likelihood of any putter staying in the bag for long was unlikely. I’ve got putter promiscuity problems. So what happened to the Atlanta? To this day, it is probably my favorite putter from distance. I can lag this thing in close for days. The Stroke Lab shaft and balance are outstanding. The issue is that I can’t aim it in close. From inside of seven feet or so, when putts should be easier, I spray more than a freshman at his first kegger. Seriously, I can’t stand over it an know for sure where it is going. I tried using the line on the ball as a training aide, and have spent lots of hours and putter trying it out, but I just can’t get the eye and the stroke to match. I have the feeling that the round head aversion is coming into play. Something is just not clicking, and now that missing short thought is cemented in my head so the Atlanta is heading south. So what’s in the bag? It’s a bit rotational. The EXO 2-Ball shows real promise, but I hesitate there because of a long held belief that if I become comfortable gaming a 2-Ball that it will wreck me for all other putters that are not 2-Balls. The old faithful Bettinardi Signature 5 and new mistress Queen B 10 have also gone out to play. I do have something super sexy coming in the mail that could swipe the spot, but as of right now, the putter well has gone dry. Ball: Srixon Z Star XV Threat Level: GREEN Someone that I know and trust suggested that I play a firmer ball, basically saying that anything with “soft” in the name was costing me serious yards. As I’m prone to suggestion, I cleared out all of the Bridgestone 330-RXs and Callaway Chrome Softs from the bag, instead filling it up with Z-Star XV balls. I’ve had a couple of dozen in the garage for a while, but always passes over them as they are designed for people who swing harder than I do. But trusting a guy, we will call him “Tony”, I played the harder ball. Since doing that, I have shot 82 each of the past two times I was out, with previous rounds being 85 or 86. For those not in the know, remember that I am a 11 HCP who has never broken 80. That was one of the reasons for doing this whole thing in the first place. The full swing game was so much better. Longer, and straighter too. Had I had a putter of confidence, I could have broken 80 since both of those rounds had a couple of doubles in them. I need to remember that shooting lower, not bagging shiny new stuff, is the whole reason for doing this. See You Next Major Anyway, thanks for reading all of this. I appreciate all of you on the other side of the computer following along. It keeps me on track, and keeps me from just randomly ordering clubs on a whim. I went to a huge demo day today and bought nothing. Not a single club. Sure, I did walk around the used tent with a couple of putters (Metal X Milled 2 and old Anser 4) for a while, but I put them down unpurchased.

FFS. Didn’t make the top 40. [emoji35] Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Thanks! It would be fun to see this happen. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Dave's Take: Xikar's Tactical Triple-Jet Torch https://www.xikar.com/products/lighters/tactical-triple/ The streamlined appearance of the High Performance Triple Jet Flame Lighter (Tactical Triple) is engineered for performance and precision. Easily inspect remaining butane levels in your tank through the oversized double EZ-View™ red fuel windows and fine-tune your desired flame height with a quick turn of the oversized adjustment wheel, centrally located at the base of the lighter. Earlier this week, I shared with you my thoughts on the Xikar VX2 V-Cut cutter. Having had a stick or two since then, I am becoming more and more convinced that v-cutting is going to be my go to when it comes to cap clipping. Pleasant draws for days with the V. Cutting the cigar is only one part of the cigar smoking process though, as one typically needs to light the stick as well. Today, I am going to share with you Xikar’s new torch, the Tactical Triple-Jet Flame Lighter, providing you with my impressions of the lighter, running it through my 10-Click Challenge™, and ultimately determining if it will replace my current torch, the much adored Xikar Turrim Single. Features Durable and ergonomic metal body Oversized fuel adjustment wheel Ergonomic pull-down ignition Manual flip-top lid Angled triple jet flames Low-profile/removable pocket clip EZ-View™ Red Fuel Level Window Four available finishes MSRP: $99.99 Ergonomics and Functionality As soon as I saw the tactical name, I assumed that the torch would feature military-like aesthetics. While I can see this torch fitting into an overall military motif, it doesn’t scream militaria, making it approachable for those not looking for that style. I think that I would describe the overall look and feel of the Tactical Triple as tool-like. This lighter has the looks that would allow it to sit on a table next to a leather recliner and a glass of cognac, but it is much better suited for trips into the field. The field could be a hunting or fishing expedition, or better yet, a 6500 yard walk across freshly mowed grass. The overall texture of the Tactical Triple is just rough enough to promote a solid grip, but not so abrasive that it feels uncomfortable. The shape of the torch allows it to sit comfortably in your hand, with the flip-top lid, and the ignition button being thumb available. Since I never wear anything clipped to my belt, I usually remove such clips from items, but the clip on the Tactical Triple clip is very low profile, and doesn’t impair the hand feel. It also does clip nicely to a belt, or to the various clipable spots on the golf bag or push cart.If you really don't like the clip, just a couple of screws and it's removed. Xikar pays attention to the ergonomics of their products. If you look at the edge of the flip top lid, you’ll see a little ridge. That ridge gives you just a little more traction when you flip up the top, your finger likely slipping more should that ridge have been absent. It’s a small design element, but it shows the thought and thoroughness that Xikar puts into their products. Like with the Turrim Single, the flame adjustment knob is large, and easy to adjust. You can definitely adjust flame height while the lighter is going. The large EZ-View™ butane window lets you know exactly when the lighter needs to be filled, removing the possibility of taking an empty lighter to the course. Assuming, of course, that you remember to check... Dave's 10 Click Challenge My measurable metric for lighter performance is Dave's Ten Click Challenge. I fill the lighter, give it a few ignitions to make sure the butane is in the system, and see how many ignitions occur with ten consecutive lighting attempts. A reliable torch should give you fire, not clicks. The Xikar Tactical Triple scored 10/10. It actually did this on three separate occasions, with one time going for 25 straight ignitions before I got bored and stopped. The Tactical Triple brings the heat! Golfability How well suited for golf is the Xikar Tactical Triple? I would say that it is ideally suited for the golf course. It’s not a small lighter, but it is compact. It will easily fit into a golf bag pocket, or into your travel humidor if not displaced by long cigars. It’s not as travel humidor perfect as the cigar-shaped Turrim Single, but it fits in the 5-Cigar case all the same. The things that I look for in a course torch are the ability to either not get too hot, or to cool down quickly (ideally both). With the three flame jets, the lighter definitely will throw fire at your cigar, but it still stays cool. The flip up lid never really heated up during cigar lighting, and it covers the hottest part of the torch when closed. I had no problem or concern with dropping the lighter into my pocket, or bag right after use. It is also worth mentioning that this torch does very well in the wind. The lid provides a nice little windbreak when open, and those three jets provide enough fuel to fight all but the strongest of gales. This was unfortunately not always true for the Turrim Single, where windy rounds would require awkward wind-evading crouching, and lots of relighting clicks. The Tactical Triple brings you fire in the field like a champ. Overall: I’ve Made a Tactical Decision The Tactical Triple-Jet Flame Lighteris now my gamerlighter. It’s in the golf bag, on the patio at parties, and it’s the one I seek out when I need to light anything on fire. I feel a little disloyal replacing the Turrim Single, but the Tactical Triple is just a better performer. None of us are going to bag a driver that’s twenty yards shorter just so it doesn’t feel bad when it’s left at home in the garage. Sorry Turrim Single. You are a great torch, but the Tactical Triple has got your number. You’ll save a penny from your Benjamin when you purchase the Tactical Triple, but you really will be getting what you pay for. This thing is a high-quality torch. Plus, with Xikar’s lifetime warranty, you’ll not need to buy another lighter perhaps ever. Assuming you didn’t do something awful to the torch, and even then, I’d contact Xikar. They support their stuff. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more cigar stuff, including what may be the most wind-proof lighter that I have ever tested.

It’s an imperial Baltic Porter from Porchlight Brewing here in Sac. 10% and dangerously smooth. Need to moderate pours [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Did a DIY tap handle for the 128oz growlerwekrs growler today. Local place does $10 fills on Wednesday’s so it won’t be too pricy to fill. CO2 keeps it fresh and flowing. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Thanks for voting. Voting is open for a couple of weeks so feel free to spam family with FB accounts. The eggplant emoji driver cover would be rad. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I think it’s my new favorite too. Much as I love the ritual of the Xikar XO cutter, this one just makes for a better smoking experience. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

https://t.co/Lft9k97zcF Yep, it's a shameless begging post for some votes in the Dormie Workshop Cover vs. Cover contest. Not totally sure of how long the voting is open, but you will need to log in with Facebook to do so. Here is the rough draft (aka I suck at digital drawing). If it wins, they will make it. https://t.co/Lft9k97zcF

Spring is Here; Let’s Open the Lounge Since the Masters is now over, we can all officially welcome in the 2019 Golf Season! Sure, some of you are still dealing with snow, and some of us never really stopped playing anyway, but at least symbolically, we are all now ready to pack our gear, and hit the course. Those of us who enjoy a good stick with our sticks know that “golf gear” also includes our favorite tools for lighting up our favorite golf cigars. Just like selecting the best ball for our game, we also must take the time to select the correct cutters, lighters, and other cigar products for the. As such, it seemed like the natural time to add the Xikar XV2 V-Cut cutter to our growing Cigar Review Compendium. The Xikar VX2 V-Cut Cutter The VX2 V-Cut is engineered to create the optimal depth of a v-cut, ensuring plenty of draw without damaging your cigar cap. The inverted stainless steel blade provides inward pressure to the cap of the cigar during the cut, preventing the cap from expanding and splitting. The new VX2 V-Cut offers ergonomic, one-handed operation utilizing the all new Secure-Lock™ system requiring simultaneous pressure to both side release buttons, easily done with your thumb and index finger. Upon release, the spring-loaded cutter snaps open providing access to a built-in 64RG bowl, simply place the cigar cap in the bowl and press the cutter closed. The precision engineered depth of the VX2 V-Cut maximizes draw without cutting too deep and breaching the cigar cap causing your cigar to unravel. Exquisitely designed and engineered for precision. I thought that we would kick off the 2019 cigar gear reviews with the new Xikar product that I have been most excited to try out, the Xikar XV2 V-Cut cutter. It’s tough to pinpoint why this cutter really piqued my curiosity, but at soon as I saw it, I wanted to take it out for a quick clip. I guess I was wondering about how a V-Cut compares to the traditional guillotine cut, or simple punch through the cigar's cap. Is the draw smoother? Does the cap suffer more, or less damage when sliced in the V shape? Could the deeper V-cut make the draw too much? As I said, I was curious. Specifications: Xikar VX2 V-Cut Cutter V-Cut cutter Aluminum body Stainless steel blades Double Secure-Lock™ release buttons Spring-loaded blade release 64 RG bowl (cuts the cap of 70RG cigars) Colors: 5 (Silver tested) MSRP: $49.99 One of the things that you are likely to first notice when you take the VX2 cutter out of the box is its weight. This cutter has a very pleasing heft to it. It feels like you are going to do something significant with it. As you can see from the photos, it’s just the right size for single-handed operation. The VX2 sits in your palm, where you can then very easily engage the Secure-Lock™ buttons to open the cutter. I like this double-button feature as it is super unlikely that the cutter will just pop open on its own, either in your bag or your pocket. Simple to open, and only opens when you need it to. That’s an ideal mix. To cut your stick, you just simply rest the cap in the bowl, and press down on the top of the cutter. The blades are quite sharp, and cruised through the tobacco without a rip or squish. The cigar in my photos is a NUB Habano tubo, a pretty solid stick made by Oliva, with a ring gauge of 60. Here is an image from the Xikar site showing you what the cuts would look like with different sized cigars. Even with a smaller cigar, the cut depth does not penetrate too far. This is likely due to the bowl geometry of the cutter. Regardless, you’ll have no issues with having the dreaded too-deep V. Did the V-Cut Make a Difference? That’s the big question, right? It is all fine and good if the cutter feels good, and cuts well, but why bother if the performance is not significantly different from just poking a tee into the end of the stick? What did I conclude? I loved smoking the NUB with the V-cut. If I’m being honest, didn’t really expect to see that much of a difference between the V-cut and the traditional blunt cut. The difference was actually quite extraordinary. I’ve had more than a couple of NUB tubos on the course. They are the perfect length, and the tube makes them very golf bag friendly. Until prior to the VX2, all of them had been cut with a traditional guillotine cutter. The VX2 was as easy to use as expected, but the improved draw was a lovely surprise. Something about cutting through the cap, and deeper into the filler, really made the draw smooth, and appropriate. Now obviously your mileage will vary with the cigar brand that you choose, but with that NUB, the draw was spot on. Not too much so the cigar burned too hot, and not too little, causing you to collapse your face to move air though the layers. It was a balanced smoking experience, with the NUB only becoming too hot to hit once I was under the 1” mark. Out of curiosity, I also double V-cut a NUB and while the airflow went up a bit, it was still a spot on smoking experience. No problems with cigar integrity on that second cut either. This blade, will cut! Dave’s Take: Bag the VX2 V-Cutter While I could roll out a bunch more fancy words about the Xikar VX2 V-Cut, the final take is that this will be the cutter in my golf bag, and on my patio for the foreseeable future. It’s fun to cut with, and the V-cut opening enhances the cigar smoking experience. The five available colors cover a wide range of aesthetic options, and while the $50 price is quite reasonable for the Xikar quality, a quick search on Amazon will let you grab one for about $10 less. Stay tuned for more Xikar and other cigar-related products in the coming weeks. I may even have a few things to pass along your way as well. -Dave

I'd like to see him pass Jack, and then I'd like to see the next phenom come along and pass Tiger. I love seeing golfers perform super-human feats.

Congratulations to BGH Bracket/espn19369949 Shoot me a DM and let's get that putter on its way to you.

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Yep. It’s excellent. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Kevin Na Winner at -13