Part of the joy in a hobby is buying all the gear. If it’s mountain biking; nothing’s better than dropping a few grand on the world’s best shifters, cranks and wheels. Even better is debuting it at the trailhead and explaining to your friends how damn awesome it is.

Gear is vital in cycling, snow skiing and hunting. However, perhaps no hobby can match golf’s allure for equipment, fashion and gadgets. Even if you suck, you can take solace in looking the part. You might not be able to play like Phil Mickelson; but you can wear a leather band Rolex and hit the Callaway GBB Epic driver just like he does. And for the custom alligator-skin belt and shoe combo “Lefty” he’s famous for; for $6 thousand you can have it too.

Emerging boutique brands are cool because they are exclusive and unique. “I have this, you don’t and you don’t even know where or how to get it.” It kinda feels good.

Look
G/FORE was founded in 2011 by Mossimo Giannulli, who also founded the billion-dollar clothing company Mossimo Inc in 1987. G/FORE offers colorful gloves and premium golf shoes. The black Crusader high-top and charcoal glove is a good start.

Good fabric, nice cuts and functionality are important for golf shirts, shorts and pants. Carnoustie Sportswear is one of the finest golf apparel brands in the business. Fabric options include fine cotton and micro poly blends of polyester and spandex materials, “every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.”

When in doubt, go with a legend such as Lacoste. Professional golfers that wear the Lacoste crocodile-emblazoned apparel are affectionately called, “Crocs.” Be a “Croc” too like Daniel Berger and Cristie Kerr and suit up in French polyester or cotton; you’ll never go wrong. Lacoste shirts and shorts typically retail for around $100; worth every penny.

Gear
After you’ve dropped a few thousand on looking like a pro, now it’s time to get some equipment and hopefully hit it like a pro. Woods, irons and putters come and go like the rain and the latest technology can be a big help. And of course, when you have better stuff than your friends, it’s always fun to let them know.

Made by descendants of Japanese samurai sword makers, Miura irons are made with ultimate precision and attention to detail. There are two types of irons, cast and forged. In short, cast irons are made by pouring metal into a cast, and forged irons are sculpted from a block of metal. Miura Founder Katsuhiro Miura only makes forged irons and he’s a genius; they feel like butter. Confidence is gained from knowing you have the best equipment in the world. And for those that know, Miura makes a luxurious set of irons, they’re stunning. Whether you choose their cavity or blade irons; Miura quality is worth the additional investment. Irons range from approximately $1,200 to $2,000.

The “popular driver” is an ever-revolving door. There have been so many hot drivers through the years: Wilson Killer Whale and Callaway Big Bertha come to mind. Last year the TaylorMade M1 and M2 were the talk and this year the dialogue has shifted to the Callaway GBB Epic. From mountaintops they shout, “I’m hitting it further than I’ve ever hit it in my life! 15 more yards!” Epic driver with an epic price tag, $500.

Scotty Cameron putters have transitioned from boutique to conventional. There are plenty of putters with jewels that cost well over $10,000. Here are a few boutique putter makers that feel like glory. Since 2008, Piretti Fine Putters have been making velvet-feeling putters in Spring, Texas. Their Limited Edition Pretara might be the most beautiful blade putter ever made, for $850 you can have one of only 50 in the world.

The preferred putter of Ernie Els and Zach Johnson, SeeMore Putters are known for their black bottom portion and the gun sight. They feel better than a Bloody Mary for breakfast and are priced between $200 and $400.

Golf is loaded with gimmicks that promise to shave strokes and help you hit it like Tiger Woods (early 2000s Tiger). Most are snake oil salesman inventions and will not help you break 100. News flash: lessons and short game practice is the only way to improve. However, if there’s a tool to invest in, get the Bushnell Pro X2 for yardages to within half a yard. A rangefinder will improve feel, thus improving distance control and accuracy. And like your new Callaway driver, the Bushnell Pro X2 is $500.

Golf is a game of honor. To show up to the golf course with schwag equipment and a get-up from Walmart is embarrassing. You don’t have to be a scratch player to wear the uniform; respect the game, respect yourself.