Golf Refugees: I Love These Guys & Their Multi-chromatic Balls

We've written about Golf Refugees numerous times over the past few years, which isn't surprising as they tend to come up with innovative, exciting products quite regularly. In addition, their unyielding commitment to environmental sustainability is remarkable... and "making golf greener" is something that anyone who loves the game should be thinking about.

The UK based indie eco golf brand produces an awesome, edgy collection carbon neutral organic cotton polos and t-shirts,  and recently introduced a gorgeous line of hand-dyed, striped polos that one can customize to create a beautiful, bespoke golf shirt.
Golf Refugees also produces the BinBag, my favorite golf accessory... ever.

It was their elegant black balls, however, that first caught my eye several years back, making me an instant fan, and now in the spirit of multi-chromatic awesomeness come spiral graphic golf balls.

"These are golf ball designs from Golf Refugees, I want these more than I want anything" 

That was the immediate response from one of their Facebook fans.  I second the emotion... and their awesome looks are the only things these kaleidoscopic orbs have going for them. According to the ball's designer, the line that's created where the clockwise spiral on one side meets the counter-clockwise spiral on the other, serves as a natural alignment aid. How cool is that?  I'm guessing these balls would be easier to find than less brilliant balls... and I'm hoping the double spiral design may just have a hypnotic effect that'll help me get "into the zone" when I'm standing over it.

Visit Golf Refugees' Facebook page and let them know which of the color combinations you like best.

Golf Writer Celebrates Despite Triple Crown Letdown

Many in the thoroughbred racing world were none too pleased with the outcome of Saturday's race.

It was the Preakness, where the collective hopes of horse racing fans have often been dashed, and Derby winner Animal Kingdom lost by just a half-length, effectively ending all hopes of a 2011 Triple Crown winner.  There hasn't been one of those in over three decades, so when a nervous, overheated chestnut colt named Shackleford refused to give up the lead the mood at Pimlico grew decidedly glum.

However, there's one well known golf writer who wasn't crying into his champagne, and he too goes by the name of Shackleford. Actually, the writer / author / blogger  in question spells his name Shackelford, but like his equine namesake he's often reffered to as Shack.  And what some may not know... yet... is that Geoff Shackelford's latest book is not a golf book, but an extraordinary photographic tribute to Zenyatta, winner of 19 consecutive races, 2010 Eclipse Award "Horse of the Year" and one of the most uniquely endearing race horses of all time.   Zenyatta At Home is the book and it's quite an accomplishment, as it manages to capture the singular spirit of a very special horse.

As for Shackleford the horse, it's unclear whether he'll race at Belmont. Many are hoping he does and I'd guess Shackelford the writer is among them.