HERITAGE OAKS in Northbrook on Dundee Road is now a year-round golf facility. But while the 27 holes outside are closed for the year. Both the Acorn Grill and the clubs two simulators are open all year. So watch for holiday season pro shop sales for those shopping for a favorite golfer. See more at Heritageoaksgc.com or call (847)-291-2351.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram.

Rory Spears-In the range barn at Heritage Oaks GC in Northbrook, as the retrieval of range balls continues. Photo by Hayden Leven-Glenbrook North HS-Golf.

HOLIDAY SEASON is here, which means it’s time to start shopping for your favorite golfer.

So if your Black Fried-Day out, Small Business Saturday-out, and Cyber Monday-out. Now dig-in, the real shopping begins.

This year I’m curious to see what golf products will sell, and which ones won’t. Because I’m working at two golf clubs, so I have been able to track what is selling and what is not.

So I can say that it’s been a rough year for golf shoes. It appears that brands like Adidas, FootJoy and especially Nike have had a drop-off in sales. One year ago-4G was a popular seller, not so much this year which comes as a surprise. Will the Nike line of shoes and apparel now moving under the umbrella of Cleveland/Srixon-Dunlop change Nike’s run in golf. One area professional told me that not one person came in all year-looking for Nike Shoes or apparel.

So last week I wrote about what was selling and what wasn’t at the Year-End Golf Sale at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove. The show run by TOCC merchandiser Stacy Larson who does an outstanding job putting the sale together. It’s the best place to buy merchandise from both private clubs and public golf courses. Many smart golfers made purchases for both the holiday season, and to load up on needed products for the 2024 golf season.

GOLF BALLS-Pro-V1 is still the best seller on the market. Pro-V1 even out sells the Prov-V1x according to some professionals by a 5 or 6 to 1 margin at some courses, I spoke with. So as someone who had played the Pro-V1x ball for years, and found it to be a better ball to score with. I wonder what has golfers flocking to the straight Pro-V1. But while Pro-V’s are strong sellers, Titleist balls such as Velocity, Tru-feel and Tour Soft have not done as well. Some golfers told me Titleist should quit making the three balls I just mentioned. Even a mid-summer price increase to Pro-V’s did not slow down sales.

CALLAWAY seems to have jumped into second place in the ball market and is making a strong push at Titleist to be a front runner. Several golfers and industry professionals have told me that golfers seem to be losing faith in TaylorMade golf balls. Personally I put Bridgestone in third place behind Titleist and Callaway. Srixon balls were a tough sell at the YE-Sale, even at discounted prices. The ladies were quickly buying up the Callaway Reva-Ball. While Callaway Red Box Chrome Soft was out selling the Black Box, word is the Black Box Chrome Soft will be upgraded in 2024. So stay tuned.

GOLF BAGS-have slowed down in sales. But this seems to be because of strong price increases. I heard numerous complaints at various courses from golfers complaining about the price of golf bags, that have sky-rocketed in the last few years. Sun Mountain makes a great variety of bags, along with Callaway and Titleist.

The Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook Mistwoodgolfdome.com (630)-739-7600 open daily and home to McWethy’s Sports Bar.

GOLF APPAREL-has reached a point where it’s starting to become over priced in a crowded market. Because it seems that everyone thinks they can produce golf apparel. So if your an athlete or movie star-come out with your own line of golf apparel. It’s kind of like golfers all coming out with their own wine, after the success Greg Norman had when he started selling the grapes.

Golf apparel has become to thin in many cases. Sure you don’t want sticky fabrics on hot days but… Apparel has become in many cases skin thin, maybe it doesn’t restrict your swing however… some golfers are complaining they are still getting sun-burned in area’s covered by sleeves. Plus a stop in a well air-conditioned 19th hole leaves golfers chilled. But it’s not from having frosty mugs of beer. UnderArmour is leader in the thin like skin department from complaining golfers-who say the brand is also over priced.

But there is more-when temps drop this apparel doesn’t get it done. Mock-turtles don’t keep people warm, especially in the neck area. The answer to this problem is not to go wear a hoodie on the golf course.

WHAT I USE-my shoes these days are Sqairz-the best golf shoe I have ever worn. The current models are much lighter than the originals and have more style and color to them. CLUBS-Callaway, which continues to make yearly improvements to equipment like I have never seen by any golf company in 50 years of playing golf and buying equipment. APPAREL on clothing side Dunning slacks and shorts are winners for both style and comfort. But my golf shirts usually come from my favorite courses that I have played. But shirt brands such as Adidas, Greg Norman, Peter Millar, Polo are still winners in my book. You can’t go wrong with socks from FootJoy, Kentwool and Sqairz.

PUTTERS are an interesting area in the club world. The new Callaway AI Odyssey putters appear to be real winners, my limited practice with them was a positive one. But I’m very curious about Bettinardi and the continued improvement of LAB Golf putters, both worth investigating and I will be doing that in the short future. Recently I tried a Tour Edge 703 Wingman series putter, and it’s not bad. Tour Edge also has a great set of wedges, with design input from TE staffer Bernhard Langer. Makefield putters out of the Philadelphia area are not bad either. Makefield putter users have won 2 of the last 3 PGA National Club Professional Championships.

GLOVES-THERATEC by Oak Brook Terrace based Zero Friction are really good for grip and comfort. But maybe even better for the long term health of your hand, especially for you range rats that love to have long sessions of beating balls. Titleist’s Players Gloves are always a good choice, they cost a few extra bucks but well worth it. But for those in need of some copper in the glove for long term health of the hand. I recommend Copper Tech Gloves, the first company to add Copper inserts in the glove.

HATS OR CAPS-Several companies make great golf hats, including Imperial and Ahead-4G is pretty good as well. DO YOU NEED TO KEEP your hands warm, there is nothing better than GTech handwarmers-which beat the rub the packet warmers-hands down. Callaway and FootJoy make cart-mitts that are both really good. CLUB HEADCOVERS-get them from your favorite golf clubs. But do get a variety of them as you travel around, unless an equipment company is paying you. There is no need to to have a full bag of headcovers from an equipment company. I DON’T have a rangefinder but from the ones I have tried, Bushnell is the front runner for me and will be my choice of purchase when I do get one.

SO WHAT TO GET YOUR FAVORITE GOLFER-golf balls are always a winner. Every golfer needs them, but do make sure you are buying the right type. Because it’s easy these days to buy the right brand but the wrong type of ball. A new shirt from the favorite club is never a bad idea. Clubs-let your favorite golfer get fit for the clubs they want. You do not have to buy a full set of clubs at once. Many times just a new driver or putter will be enough. Buying someone a round a golf can be tough at this time of year, since many clubs have not set their rates yet for 2024.

MEDINAH’S NEW DIRECTOR OF GOLF CASEY BROZEK is a great choice for the Chicago’s area’s largest club. Brozek the former president of the Illinois PGA Section will bring stability to the club’s golf operation as it gets ready to reopen it’s famed Course #3, and welcome the 2026 Presidents Cup. I have known Brozek for some 15 years, and his personality and knowledge of the golf industry, will leave the members pleased with the decision to hire him as the clubs new director of golf.

The Gog Blog is heating up as the temperatures outside are starting to cool down. Back again tomorrow. RS