9 Cool Items For Golfers At CES

By Andy Vuong

January 08, 2014

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SOLAR-POWERED COOLERWhat could make those marathon Saturday rounds in the dead of summer more bearable? Solar Cool Technologies might have the answer with its solar-powered cooler, essentially a portable mini-fridge that gives you quick and easy access to those cold ones. If you use battery-draining GPS golf app, the cooler also includes a USB port to keep smartphones juiced up. As long as there's sunlight, the cooler won't run out of power. It's not for the budget-minded, though, with a hefty $1,200 price tag. Of course, it's also an excellent accessory for camping, tailgating and other outdoor activities, making the cost slightly more palatable. The cooler will be available in June. Solarcooltech.comSOLAR-POWERED COOLERWhat could make those marathon Saturday rounds in the dead of summer more bearable? Solar Cool Technologies might have the answer with its solar-powered cooler, essentially a portable mini-fridge that gives you quick and easy access to those cold ones. If you use battery-draining GPS golf app, the cooler also includes a USB port to keep smartphones juiced up. As long as there's sunlight, the cooler won't run out of power. It's not for the budget-minded, though, with a hefty $1,200 price tag. Of course, it's also an excellent accessory for camping, tailgating and other outdoor activities, making the cost slightly more palatable. The cooler will be available in June. Solarcooltech.com

ZEPP SENSORThis recently released swing sensor is similar to the Swingbyte and other related analyzers. The difference is that the square-shaped Zepp attaches to a golf glove rather than a club shaft. This is a huge deal because it eliminates the hassle of having to remove the device when switching from a driver to a wood to an iron. The Zepp measures tempo, club speed, club plane, backswing, hand speed and other data points, all of which are displayed in a sleek smartphone app. The program also allows you to compare your swing side by side with that of a professional. A sensor, golf mount and charger costs $150. Zepp.comZEPP SENSORThis recently released swing sensor is similar to the Swingbyte and other related analyzers. The difference is that the square-shaped Zepp attaches to a golf glove rather than a club shaft. This is a huge deal because it eliminates the hassle of having to remove the device when switching from a driver to a wood to an iron. The Zepp measures tempo, club speed, club plane, backswing, hand speed and other data points, all of which are displayed in a sleek smartphone app. The program also allows you to compare your swing side by side with that of a professional. A sensor, golf mount and charger costs $150. Zepp.com

BREFFO SPIDERPODIUMWhether riding or walking, if you use a smartphone GPS golf app, it can be a struggle to find the right place to put the phone. The cup holder in golf carts isn't all that secure and leaves the phone susceptible to drink spills. If you walk and use a pushcart, you most likely have to deal with a mount that features multiple pieces. The Spiderpodium offers a unique solution. Consisting of a steel-based alloy material, the "spider legs" bend easily to provide a strong grip around the phone. It has enough legs to latch onto a cart's steering wheel or a pushcart's handle bar. The mount costs $25 and is available at amazon.com.BREFFO SPIDERPODIUMWhether riding or walking, if you use a smartphone GPS golf app, it can be a struggle to find the right place to put the phone. The cup holder in golf carts isn't all that secure and leaves the phone susceptible to drink spills. If you walk and use a pushcart, you most likely have to deal with a mount that features multiple pieces. The Spiderpodium offers a unique solution. Consisting of a steel-based alloy material, the "spider legs" bend easily to provide a strong grip around the phone. It has enough legs to latch onto a cart's steering wheel or a pushcart's handle bar. The mount costs $25 and is available at amazon.com.

EZGO GOLF CAR with Kicker systemIt doesn't quite measure up to Bubba Watson's Hovercraft Golf Cart, but this tricked-out ride could be the next best thing. It features six speakers, three subwoofers, five amplifiers and a head mount that includes a smartphone hook-up. With $2,500 in audio equipment from Kicker and full-body hydrographics, the customized cart -- EZGO prefers the term golf car -- costs an estimated $6,000 to $8,000. EZGO.comEZGO GOLF CAR with Kicker systemIt doesn't quite measure up to Bubba Watson's Hovercraft Golf Cart, but this tricked-out ride could be the next best thing. It features six speakers, three subwoofers, five amplifiers and a head mount that includes a smartphone hook-up. With $2,500 in audio equipment from Kicker and full-body hydrographics, the customized cart -- EZGO prefers the term golf car -- costs an estimated $6,000 to $8,000. EZGO.com

MATRIX AUDIOFinding the right speaker for your golf bag can be tricky. You want the sound to be crisp enough to enjoy, but not so booming that it will annoy your playing partners. And a minimal footprint is a must. Matrix Audio's Qube 2 might be the world's smallest Bluetooth stereo speaker, tiny enough to attach to your golf towel clip. Matrix says the Qube 2 can last roughly two 18-hole rounds -- 8 hours -- on a single charge. The speaker is just over 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and weighs a half pound. It costs $80 at matrixaudio.com.MATRIX AUDIOFinding the right speaker for your golf bag can be tricky. You want the sound to be crisp enough to enjoy, but not so booming that it will annoy your playing partners. And a minimal footprint is a must. Matrix Audio's Qube 2 might be the world's smallest Bluetooth stereo speaker, tiny enough to attach to your golf towel clip. Matrix says the Qube 2 can last roughly two 18-hole rounds -- 8 hours -- on a single charge. The speaker is just over 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and weighs a half pound. It costs $80 at matrixaudio.com.

3D PRINTERSDesktop 3D printers were all the rage at CES, and for good reason. They've dropped in price, making residential use a reality. What can you print for golf? Manufacturers of a couple of models assure us that you can manufacture golf tees with ABS plastic, a standard material used in 3D printers. One tee would take about 10 minutes to print, with manufacturing time dropping steeply if multiple are printed simultaneously. The da Vinci 1.0 desktop 3D printer costs $500 at XYZprinting.com.3D PRINTERSDesktop 3D printers were all the rage at CES, and for good reason. They've dropped in price, making residential use a reality. What can you print for golf? Manufacturers of a couple of models assure us that you can manufacture golf tees with ABS plastic, a standard material used in 3D printers. One tee would take about 10 minutes to print, with manufacturing time dropping steeply if multiple are printed simultaneously. The da Vinci 1.0 desktop 3D printer costs $500 at XYZprinting.com.

ZEPHONE SMARTWATCHThere are plenty of golf GPS watches, but the ZePhone is an actual smartphone that's integrated into the body of a wristwatch. Arriving from Swiss-based Kronoz this summer, the watch will be powered by Android Jelly Bean, meaning it will have access to the full suite of golf GPS apps in the Google Play store, such as GolfLogix and FreeCaddie. App makers may have to tweak programs for the smaller screen size, but this is the future of smartwatches. The ZePhone will feature a SIM card slot, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability, GPS, a microphone and speaker and a pedometer. The price hasn't been released. Mykronoz.com.ZEPHONE SMARTWATCHThere are plenty of golf GPS watches, but the ZePhone is an actual smartphone that's integrated into the body of a wristwatch. Arriving from Swiss-based Kronoz this summer, the watch will be powered by Android Jelly Bean, meaning it will have access to the full suite of golf GPS apps in the Google Play store, such as GolfLogix and FreeCaddie. App makers may have to tweak programs for the smaller screen size, but this is the future of smartwatches. The ZePhone will feature a SIM card slot, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability, GPS, a microphone and speaker and a pedometer. The price hasn't been released. Mykronoz.com.

EPSON SWING ANALYZEREpson, the printer manufacturer, is undergoing a transformation of sorts and jumping into wearables and swing sensors. The Epson golf swing analyzer, roughly the same size as the Swingbyte, attaches to the grip of a club, allowing it to also track your wrist movement throughout the swing. The company hasn't announced price or release date.EPSON SWING ANALYZEREpson, the printer manufacturer, is undergoing a transformation of sorts and jumping into wearables and swing sensors. The Epson golf swing analyzer, roughly the same size as the Swingbyte, attaches to the grip of a club, allowing it to also track your wrist movement throughout the swing. The company hasn't announced price or release date.

SAMSUNG CURVED UHD TVCES featured 75 Ultra HD-related announcements. Samsung's 105-inch Curved Ultra HD TV is simply breathtaking. Ultra HD TVs feature four times the pixels of 1080p sets. Samsung, which has an exclusive deal with the PGA Tour for certain content, says curved displays offer "a truly cinematic experience" with a wider field of view and panoramic effect, making the TV seem even bigger than it is. Imagine watching the Masters on this masterpiece. Keep dreaming. The price hasn't been disclosed, but the TV could cost as much as an Audi A8 ($70K+) when it's released later this year.SAMSUNG CURVED UHD TVCES featured 75 Ultra HD-related announcements. Samsung's 105-inch Curved Ultra HD TV is simply breathtaking. Ultra HD TVs feature four times the pixels of 1080p sets. Samsung, which has an exclusive deal with the PGA Tour for certain content, says curved displays offer "a truly cinematic experience" with a wider field of view and panoramic effect, making the TV seem even bigger than it is. Imagine watching the Masters on this masterpiece. Keep dreaming. The price hasn't been disclosed, but the TV could cost as much as an Audi A8 ($70K+) when it's released later this year.

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