Journal
Buying guides and course know-how from the pros who pick our gear. No filler, no press releases.
Buying Guides
Best Putters 2026: Picked by People Who Putt for a Living
Blade putters reward good technique; mallets suit most amateur golfers; the right choice is the one you can consistently square at impact. Alignment, feel, and neck geometry matter more than price. Mallet and mid-mallet designs are generally more forgiving on off-centre strikes, making them the better starting point for most club golfers. Face insert material changes the feedback you receive: milled steel amplifies feel, softer polymer inserts dampen it for a firmer push feel at impact. Shaft length is the most overlooked fitting variable: a length that keeps your eyes directly over the ball is worth more than any alignment line.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
How Many Wedges Do You Actually Need?
Most club golfers play their best golf with two wedges, a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Serious players who need more precision around the greens will benefit from three, adding a gap or lob wedge to plug the distance holes in their set. The standard two-wedge setup (pitching wedge at 44-46 degrees, sand wedge at 54-56 degrees) covers the majority of short-game situations on British parkland and links courses. A third wedge makes sense when you have a loft gap larger than 10 degrees between your lowest iron and your sand wedge, or when you regularly need precise carry distances from 80-100 yards. A fourth wedge is only justified for low-handicap or scratch players who can reliably control a 60-degree lob wedge and are willing to drop a long iron to stay within the 14-club limit.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
What to Wear for Golf: Dress Codes Decoded
Most UK golf clubs require a collared shirt and smart trousers or a tailored skirt: get those right and you will be welcome at the first tee almost everywhere. Traditional private clubs enforce a full dress code, including collar, tailored trousers, and golf shoes. Always check the club website before you travel. Links courses demand the same formality plus practical layering: waterproof trousers and a windproof jacket are expected, not unusual. Municipal and pay-and-play courses apply a smart casual standard. Spikeless golf shoes are the most versatile footwear choice across all venue types.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Cabretta vs Synthetic Golf Gloves: Which Is Right for You?
Cabretta leather delivers superior feel in dry conditions, while synthetic all-weather gloves are the better choice for wet UK rounds: most British golfers benefit from keeping one of each in the bag. Cabretta leather offers unmatched grip feedback and breathability when dry, but loses performance quickly in rain and wears faster through wet UK winters. Synthetic and all-weather gloves maintain or improve their grip when damp, last longer through repeated wet/dry cycles, and work out cheaper per round over a full British season. The practical solution for UK golfers: a cabretta glove for summer parkland rounds, a synthetic for links days, autumn play, and anything with a grey forecast.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Do Alignment Ball Markers Work?
Alignment ball markers genuinely improve putting accuracy for golfers with a consistent stroke, but deliver little benefit until you have the basics of stroke mechanics in place. The optical aid works best inside four metres, where aim has the greatest influence on outcome relative to pace. Much of the gain is psychological: the marking routine forces a committed read and reduces hesitation through impact. For beginners, fixing stroke consistency will do more for your score than any alignment aid.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Care
How to Make Your Golf Grips Last
Clean golf grips with mild soap and water after every round, store clubs away from heat, and plan to re-grip every 40 rounds or 12 months to keep your grips performing properly. Never use solvent-based cleaners: warm water and washing-up liquid is all you need, and solvents strip the tackifiers that give rubber its grip. The car boot is the biggest culprit for premature grip failure. Heat cycles harden rubber fast, especially through a British summer. Shiny patches, slipping through impact, and a hard glazed feel are the key signs that re-gripping is overdue, not something to play through.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Waterproofs vs Water-Resistant: Rain Gear Explained
For year-round UK golf, a fully waterproof jacket and trouser set with taped seams and a breathable membrane beats water-resistant gear every time: DWR coatings degrade, seams let water in, and British conditions do not forgive optimistic packing. Water-resistant DWR coatings lose effectiveness with wear and washing, and no re-proofing spray adds seam taping or a waterproof membrane. A true waterproof needs three things: a laminated membrane, critically taped seams, and a breathability rating above 10,000g/m²/24h so you stay dry from both sides. Golf-specific waterproofs are cut with a longer back hem and articulated sleeves so they do not restrict your swing: fit and construction matter as much as the waterproof rating.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Bags 2026: Cart Bags and Stand Bags Compared
A stand bag is the right choice if you walk the course regularly, while a cart bag suits trolley and buggy users who want more storage and a full 14-way divider system. Cart bags are heavier and pocket-rich, designed to lock into a trolley cradle and carry waterproofs, drinks, and accessories without compromise. Stand bags with dual shoulder straps and a hip pad make a significant difference to comfort on hilly British courses over 18 holes. Waterproof construction (seam-sealed zips and panels) is worth the extra cost for golfers playing exposed links or northern parkland courses in autumn and winter.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Headcovers 2026: Covers With Character
The best golf headcovers in 2026 combine a secure fit with materials that hold up to British rain, and they say something about who you are before you even take a swing. Fit matters more than looks: a loose cover rattles off in the bag and can scratch the very club it is meant to protect. Full sets save money and keep your bag looking coherent, but mixing a statement driver cover with plainer fairway covers is a legitimate strategy. British conditions demand water-resistant or quick-dry materials; leather looks great but needs care if you play links courses through autumn.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Polos 2026: On and Off the Course
The best golf polos in 2026 combine moisture-wicking performance fabrics or cotton-rich blends with a fit that clears club dress codes and works just as well at the 19th hole as on the fairway. Performance polyester and poly-cotton blends are the most practical choice for British links conditions: they dry fast and hold their shape in wind and light rain. A UPF 30 or 50 rating matters year-round in the UK, even on overcast days when cumulative UV exposure adds up across a season. For British club dress codes, stick to a proper knit collar, solid or clean stripe colourways, and avoid graphic logos or loud prints to stay clearly within most club rules.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Rangefinders and GPS Devices Under £150
For most UK golfers, a slope-toggle laser rangefinder is the best all-round buy under £150, with GPS watches the better pick for those who want hands-free yardages on the move. Laser rangefinders give flag-accurate yardages within a yard; GPS devices show course-wide distances at a glance without any pointing. Look for flag-lock vibration, a slope toggle that switches off for competitions, and waterproofing rated to at least IPX4 for UK conditions. Strong options exist across both categories from around £80, with the best value laser and GPS picks sitting between £100 and £130.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
10 Best Golf Ball Markers 2026 (With Personality)
The best golf ball markers in 2026 balance visibility, legality, and personal style: a slim magnetic disc is the most versatile choice for most golfers, while novelty and premium options let you express yourself within the rules. Size matters on the green: a marker between 20mm and 25mm is large enough to spot easily but small enough not to interfere with other balls or distract playing partners. Magnetic markers attached to a hat clip are the most practical option for British conditions, since they stay put when a rain-soaked glove fumbles for a coin. Under R&A Rules, a ball marker must be artificial and must not give you a line-of-putt advantage; novelty markers are fine, but raised or 3D markers with directional features are not.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Gifting
Golf Gifts Under £50 Our Pros Would Actually Want
The best golf gifts under £50 are the consumables and small accessories every golfer actually burns through: gloves, ball markers, headcovers, and tees chosen with the recipient's game in mind rather than novelty appeal. Prioritise items the golfer replaces regularly: gloves, tees, and ball markers make ideal gifts because they are used every round and most players accept whatever is cheapest rather than buying the best version. Combining two or three smaller picks (glove plus ball marker set plus tees) into one package stays well under budget and reads as more considered than a single novelty item. For UK golfers, lean towards wet-weather practicality: waterproof-friendly towels, deep-socket headcovers, and leather gloves suit British conditions far better than summer-focused accessories.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Push Trolleys 2026: UK Buyer's Guide
For most UK golfers, a three-wheel push trolley with a folding frame, integrated scorecard holder, and a foot brake is the best all-round choice for wet fairways and links courses alike. Three-wheel designs handle soft and undulating ground better than four-wheel models, making them the default pick for British conditions. Weight matters more than you might expect: a 3 kg or lighter frame saves real effort over 18 holes, especially on courses with a slope rating. Look for a universal bag fitting and a front wheel that locks straight, so you can push across a camber without the trolley drifting.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Castle vs Wooden Tees: Does It Actually Matter?
For most amateur golfers, the choice between castle and wooden tees has almost no effect on your ball-striking. Both work. The differences that do exist come down to durability, eco credentials, and how fussy you are about tee height consistency. Castle (plastic) tees last longer and hold a consistent height, but they are not meaningfully better for distance or accuracy at amateur swing speeds. Wooden and bamboo tees are the more eco-friendly choice, break more readily on mishits, and are accepted at links courses that frown on coloured plastic littering the tee box. Biodegradable tees split the difference: they behave like wood but break down naturally, which matters on courses with strict litter policies.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Spiked vs Spikeless Golf Shoes: What Our Pros Wear
For most UK golfers playing wet, links-style courses, spiked shoes are the safer call for traction and stability. Spikeless shoes earn their place for golfers who value comfort across a full day and want a shoe they can wear off the course too. Spiked shoes grip better on wet fairways, slopes, and soft ground, making them the stronger choice through a British winter or on exposed links turf. Spikeless shoes offer genuine all-day comfort and versatility, and have closed the traction gap considerably with modern multi-directional lugs. Club dress codes and course conditions should both factor in: some clubs restrict soft spikes or require a change of footwear in the clubhouse.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Gloves 2026: Cabretta Leather vs All-Weather
For most UK golfers the best setup is one cabretta leather glove for dry conditions and one all-weather synthetic for wet rounds: the two types solve different problems and no single glove does both equally well. Cabretta leather gives superior feel and feedback in dry conditions, and is the tour-preferred choice, but degrades quickly if worn in the wet repeatedly. All-weather and synthetic gloves grip harder when wet, making them the practical choice for links golf, autumn rounds, and any British day where the forecast cannot be trusted. Sizing matters as much as material: try a cadet fit if standard sizes have never felt quite right, and always size snug in cabretta because the leather stretches to fit over time.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
Best Golf Tees 2026: Castle vs Wooden vs Plastic
Wooden tees remain the best all-round choice for most golfers, but castle (plastic) tees outlast them in wet British conditions and are worth keeping in your bag for links rounds. Tee height matters more than material: driver needs 40mm or above, irons and hybrids should sit just above the turf. Bamboo tees are a genuine eco upgrade with no performance trade-off, and many UK clubs now encourage them. Carry a mix: short woodies for irons, one style of castle tee for par-3s and wet days, and a handful of long tees for off the driver.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Comparisons
Electric vs Push Trolley: Which Is Worth It?
For most club golfers a push trolley offers better value, but an electric trolley is worth the extra cost if you play two or more times a week or regularly tackle hilly courses. Push trolleys cost £60 to £200 with no ongoing running costs, making them the practical default for once-a-week golfers on flatter courses. Electric trolleys start around £350 and excel on hilly terrain, offering 36-hole battery range, hands-free operation, and genuine long-term convenience for frequent players. The main electric trade-offs are weight (8 to 14 kg vs 4 to 6 kg), battery replacement every 3 to 5 years, and the need to check rain-resistance ratings for British conditions.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026
Buying Guides
How Our Pros Choose a Putter
Match the putter head to your stroke, the face to your ball, and the length to your posture. Arced stroke: blade. Straight back and through: mallet. Milled faces roll firmer with more feedback; inserts feel softer and quieter. Off-the-rack 34 to 35 inches only works if your eyes sit over the ball at address; fix length before face technology.
Fayrway Pros · 27 August 2026