Jon Rahm stares into a Bushnell rangefinder at the Open Championship.
Glyn Kirk, Getty Images
I don't know much heroic pressure. I don't know the pressure of the PGA Tour. Hell, I don't know competitive golf pressure.
But I know a pressure unlike anything they face after Augusta National or on the final green of the US Open – pressure strong enough to strike fear into the heart of a seasoned golfer. I know packing stress, and that, dear reader, is why I am writing to you today.
Recently, I packed five weeks in Europe in a carry-on bag, an exercise in extreme space management that I can now compare unfavorably to a previous lobotomy.
Inevitably, I know what some of you are thinking right now: he must not have prepared well. It's wrong. I spent weeks carefully mapping out clothes that fit multiple ways in my wardrobe, reducing my total wardrobe. I carefully chose to buy clothes made from light and packable fabrics. I didn't do a single one though two packing list. I ditched sweatshirts and oversized clothes for packing cubes and something called “the folding method.” And yet I still spend most of the day before the trip shivering over my roller bag in a state of benzodiazepine resistance. Luckily, I didn't bother with the medicine, as it turned out I needed all the strength I could muster to close the zipper.
Now if I may dare to second guess your thoughts: Yes, five weeks in Europe and you're complaining? He must be unbearable. If you are part of this group, we can agree on the following facts: 1) You have never packed a trip like this in your life, and 2) I. i am unbearable.
But why am I telling you (not, perhaps, a licensed clinic) this time? Well, because the things that went into my bag during my Euro summer passed a special kind of editor's test – a tough, real-life competition that can't be replicated in any “product review lab.” ” or “programmer evaluation guidelines.” These things, reader, are James Colgan's Certified, One-of-A-Kind, Probably Bulletproof Purchases For Life (TM). Needless to say, I commend them all with my deep sincerity.
Life Gear
1. Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Carry-On
This continuity may not be literally destroyed. I've taken it across the planet over the past five years of frequent travel, including a four-country, eight-city gauntlet in the summer of 2024. It's scrunched up and zipped up and, yes, I've broken a zipper or two. , but I won't go without it. It's big enough to carry my size 13 shoes, so heavy duty that I giggle when I think about luggage carriers I'm trying break it down, and its tires are strong enough to withstand at least 20 miles of gravel city walking this summer. Best of all, if it breaks, there is a lifetime warranty. I don't get paid to say this, but I wish I could, because I look down on anyone who carries a different bag.
Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Carry-On
Spectra 3.0 Global Carry-On.
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2. Lululemon men's underwear and Darn Tough socks
The single most important item in anyone's luggage is underwear. I the second time most importantly socks. I chose it and, if I had a say in the matter, I would be wearing these on my trip to the Pearly Gates.
Men's Underwear Lululemon
Lululemon Men's Five-Pack Underwear.
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3. Patagonia backpack
Five years ago, as a doe-eyed fresh out of college, I received a black Patagonia backpack as a gift. Someone told me that I would never buy another backpack for the rest of my life.
It turns out they may have been right. I can't vouch for the model listed below, because Patagonia took mine out of commission, but it's safe to say it will be the best backpack you've ever owned. I've never had a shortage of golf-related backpacks in the last few years of my life, and I've never considered deviating from the trusty ole one, even though a recent toilet spill made it stink. touching such as Head and Shoulders.
Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L
Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L
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4. Rhone Snap-on Sweater
It's heavy enough to wear when it's cold, light enough to wear when it's windy, small enough to fit in my luggage and stylish enough to wear to a nice restaurant in France without too many prying eyes. Overall, I would say that is very good.
Rhone Clubhouse Crewneck
Rhone Clubhouse Crewneck
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5. Sony WH1000 headphones
Let me be the latest person to tell you that these headphones will change the course of your hearing life. As one Twitter commenter put it succinctly: “Before the latest version of these headphones came out, I thought about buying a dozen pairs to make sure I never use another pair of headphones for the rest of my life.” They are that good.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
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Golf gear
Here I have to admit an unfortunate truth: I didn't pack only to continue.
In the first two weeks of my big Euro tour (in Scotland), I took my golf clubs to test my skills on a few of the best Linksland courses. This provided all kinds of options for bag expansion in those first two weeks, including (but not limited to) stuffing an odd number of jackets and pants into my golf bag before it was shipped back across the pond.
Below, in short order, are some of the best things there were that a bag.
1. Bushnell V6 Shift Rangefinder
Six months ago, I arrived in Australia on the golf trip of a lifetime. I made it 50 yards from the rental car when I saw the big problem: golf courses, like everything else, aren't fought meters. I spent the entire trip working out a governing equation formula to estimate yards, only to find that my game was over.
Fortunately, on the penultimate lap of the trip, I realized the problem: I was counting wrong.
After that nightmare ended, I decided to get myself the best rangefinder-proof rangefinder I could find, which happened to be the Bushnell V6 Shift. It's just amazing. Stupidly easy to work. It is incredibly accurate. And, remarkably for me, it measures the distances between yards (although you can change it to meters, if you feel so inclined).
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Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Laser Rangefinder
$399.99
Using new and improved electronics, along with our patented, Tour-trusted Slope technology, the Tour V6 Shift is the most accurate, consistent and longest-lasting Tour series Bushnell Golf has ever released. PATENTED, TOUR TRUSTED SLOPE TECHNOLOGY Our Tour-trusted Slope formula gives you the most accurate Slope-compensated distances and is used and trusted by 99% of PGA Tour pros. SLOPE ADJUSTMENT TECHNOLOGY Take advantage of the Slope to get compensated distances around the course when you want it, and have a USGA-compliant device for tournament play when you need it. SUPERIOR ACCURACY Using new and improved electronics, the Tour V6 Shift is the most accurate, consistent and longest-lasting Tour series laser Bushnell Golf has ever released. IMPROVED PINSEEKER WITH VISUAL JOLT In addition to feeling when you've locked onto a flag, the red ring now lights up as the JOLT vibrates to give you even greater feedback and the confidence of knowing you've locked onto a flag. ADVANCED WEATHER RESISTANT DIMENSION (IPX6) The laser tour series Bushnell Golf has ever made. LENGTH: 4.5″ WIDTH: 1.6″ HEIGHT: 3.1″ WEIGHT: 8.7oz WATER RESISTANT: YES, IPX6 DISPLAY: LCD LCD POWER SOURCE: 3-Volt Lithium (CR-2) SWITCH SLOPE YES MAGNIFICATION: 6x2mm SECOND DIUPILEN : 6×2 mm : 4.0mm EXTRA LENGTH RANGE: 16mm RANGE: 5-1,300 yards ACCURACY RANGE: 1 yard VIEWING RANGE: 330ft@1000 yards RANGE: YES
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2. Bag Boy Travel Bag
Another bag I hit hard without breaking. This version comes with a clean, hard-plastic top, which looks great if you're in the business of not letting the airline drive you to metal and wood (as you should be).
Bag Boy T-10 Travel Cover
$199.95
KEY FEATURES Anti-crush ABS for great club protection High-quality, high-quality skate wheels All-Weather 600D polyester fabric body keeps the body in a tough interior for compact storage Main handle integrated with StandGuard™ top bag -differently designed foam padding. protect the bag's way of standing while on the go ADDITIONAL FEATURES A lockable, fully wrap-around zipper makes it easy to access and pack Heavy-duty anti-explosion strap Two oversized outer pockets Two mesh pockets for internal organization Sturdy, skid-resistant ABS base Inner compression strap secures the bag in time for the trip. shoe/garment bag
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3. Driver's wrench
I once made several holes in a bucket list round with a player whose driver was making an ungodly clicking noise. I took my driver's wrench from my bag and gave it to him. Three twists later, his click driver felt smooth as silk. He shrugged and, nervously, gave the next sentence.
“It must have been a problem for the last six months, at least.”
Don't do this. Bring a wrench. You will be happy this way.
Driver Wrench
Driver's wrench.
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