Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Gear and Gadgets

Christmas is right around the corner, so we at ChicagoDuffer.com have compiled multiple lists to help you find the perfect holiday gifts for the golfer in your life. Each list will feature only products that we have tested over the year and would recommend to people on our own Christmas List. Want your product to be included on next year's holiday gift guide? Contact Adam at chicagoduffer@gmail.com for details. Here is our Holiday Golf Gift Guide for the best gear and gadgets this season:

Bushnell Neo XS Golf GPS Rangefinder Watch

This watch has become my everyday-wear accessory, on or off the course. As a GPS rangefinder, the Bushnell Neo XS is above and beyond any others I have seen on the market. It provides you distances to the front, middle, and back of each green in addition to yardages to many main hazards on the hole. It also comes preloaded with over 30,000 courses, so you don't have to worry about downloading any post-purchase.

Rukket Golf RUkkNet Pop-Up Golf Practice Net

Winter weather got you down? The Rukket Golf Pop-Up Golf Practice Net is the perfect golf set-up for a basement or garage during the cold offseason. This mammoth driving range net is perfect for your training session and is a cinch to set up and tear down. It can also be used as an outdoor range when the weather warms up.

Bunker Mentality Golf Apparel

Readers of this blog know that I am a huge fan of Bunker Mentality-- the UK-based golf apparel company that specializes in alternative styles for the modern player. Whether you are looking for European-style polos, slacks or outerwear, Bunker Mentality has you covered (literally).

Tin-Cup Golf Ball Stencils

No, I'm not referring to the legendary Kevin Costner movie. Tin Cup golf ball stencils are quickly growing in popularity due to their incredible inventory of stencil designs and customization options. With stencil patterns ranging from pop culture icons to collegiate sports logos and everything in between, Tin Cup has you covered.

The DUFFIES: Best Golf Equipment and Apparel of 2014

Every year we at ChicagoDuffer.com have the privilege of testing the season's newest golf equipment and fashion from companies all over the world. While it is true that we have a soft spot for independent golf companies, it would be foolish to not appreciate the amazing products the "big brands" release every year. In an attempt to highlight which products were our favorite from this season, I am proud to unveil the inaugural DUFFIES -- a completely made-up trophy that will be awarded to the best of the best.

So without further adieu, here are our votes for the best golf equipment and products from 2014:

Best Driver -- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha

We tested more than two dozen drivers this season, but we kept coming back to this magnificent boomstick time and time again. While it was not the longest driver we tested, the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha was far and away the most consistent and well-rounded of the bunch. It is still my driver of choice every time I step on the golf course, and it is going to take a small miracle for another club to replace it in my bag.

Best Irons -- PING i25

Nobody produced a better mid-handicap set of irons than the folks at PING. Their incredible PING i25 iron set not only catered to those of us who aren't cool enough to play blades but still wanted shot-shaping ability, but they also look and feel amazing. They might be a step away from the "traditional" PING iron look, but we could not find a set of sticks that fit our game better.

Best Wedges -- Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0

Don't let the annoying numbers in their name fool you: hitting the Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 wedges are easy as pie and require little to no math. Unless, of course, you need help adding up all the money you'll take from your friends with these in your bag. Their look, feel, and performance stood above the rest in the wedge market, and that is no small task.

Best Putter -- Nike Golf Method MOD 90

Ok, this putter was released toward the end of 2013, but we have to include it here. Nike Golf is making some incredible golf clubs as of late, and that is exemplified in their impressive Method MOD 90 putter. I'm usually a fan of mallet putters, but this ultra-thin blade design felt too good and performed too well to not keep it in my bag.

Best Golf Ball -- 3UP Golf 2S14

Everyone loves the Titleist Pro V golf balls, but you can keep them for all I care. No matter which category I can think of -- distance, feel, spin, durability -- the 3Up Golf 2S14 golf ball rose handedly above the rest. Don't let the fact that 3UP is an indie golf brand scare you; these guys make a damn fine product.

Best Overall Apparel Company -- Bunker Mentality and Dunning Golf (tie)

This was a difficult choice for me since I love both companies so much. So, instead of choosing one over the other, let's all play nice and share! The UK-based Bunker Mentality specializes in providing highly-personable golf apparel that scream individuality. Conversely, the US-based Dunning Golf exudes traditional charm and high performance. While these two juggernauts may reside on opposite ends of the fashion spectrum, they both make up most of my golf wardrobe.

Bunker Mentality Puffer Caddy Vest Review

Bunker Mentality is quickly becoming one of my favorite golf apparel companies on the market. Their new Puffer Caddy jacket vest deepens my appreciation of the brand, which aims to be an alternative option for golfers with a quirky side. When I first reviewed Bunker Mentality earlier this year, I mentioned that this is not your grandfather's golf apparel company. The Puffer Caddy vest drives that point further in terms of both style and personality.

At its surface, the Puffer Caddy is a way to express one's self on the golf course. Available in numerous colors, the jacket screams "edgy" while serving as a high-functioning piece of outerwear. You may not normally see golfers wearing jackets with a hood -- let alone a puffy hooded jacket vest -- but why not? Is there an unwritten rule that says I can't rock this sucker at my country club? Screw that. I'm wearing this every time I play until you get used to it.

In all seriousness, the Puffer Caddy did come across as a bit "too" puffy. Perhaps I should have went with a smaller size for my frame, but I did notice a slight obstruction in my golf swing while wearing the vest. Again, this was slight, but noticeable nevertheless.

That being said, the garment is absolutely comfortable to wear and kept me warm, even in sub-20 degree weather. Of course, I did require a long-sleeved layer under the Puffer Caddy, but if you can't figure that out for yourself then I can't help you.

If you are looking to put an alternative spin on your golf wardrobe, give the Puffer Caddy by Bunker Mentality a try. It might not be for everyone, but then again, that's not what the company is trying to accomplish.

Here's a video review of the Bunker Mentality Puffer Caddy by internet golf sensation Mark Crossfield:

Bunker Mentality Golf Apparel Review

Bunker Mentality is a new golf apparel company that focuses on players with a colorful personality and who are willing to look outside the confines of "traditional" golf attire. As the UK-based company's name suggests, this is golf clothing for players who have a different mentality when playing the game. Bunker Mentality celebrates everything that is fun and unique about the game of golf by providing a wardrobe alternative to people like me who play the game for fun, not for accolades.

For example, the Eagle Golf Target Crew Neck Sweater is a great knitwear option for cooler days on the course while showing a bit of your personality at the same time. The front is mainly grey marl, while the back is hot pink. The sleeves feature these two colors in a contrasting stripe design. The cuffs have a subtle but appealing stitched ribbing effect. The front of the garment contains the Bunker Mentality Eagle Golf logo, which is stitched in opposing red and white coloring. The back of the sweater features a striking Bunker Eagle Golf logo, stitched in hot pink. A stitched crosshatch below the neck adds the finishing touch.

Likewise, the Bunker Logo Bobble Hat will help you keep warm during those autumn rounds without compromising your sense of style. An inner fleece band lining inside ensures you don't feel the cold. The bobble design features 3 colors: navy, red and grey.

Last but certainly not least, the Clubhouse Hit it Hard Zipper Grey Marl jacket looks as good off the course as it does playing out of a bunker. The jacket features the "Hit it Hard, Find it, Hit it Hard Again!" tagline across the chest. Made with a white double stripe tipping on the hem and cuffs with high stand collar lined with rib for comfort and strength. Plain back with small Bunker Mentality print on the outer back neck.

To see the full line of men's and women's apparel from Bunker Mentality, be sure to visit the company website here.