A Golf Trip Is the Ultimate Equipment Test
There are few better places to evaluate golf equipment than a multi-day golf trip.
During our visit to Sand Valley, we played seven rounds across three and a half days, walked miles of fescue-lined fairways, battled humid conditions, encountered a brief but memorable rainstorm, and even made the trip over to Erin Hills. It was exactly the kind of environment where gear either proves itself or quickly gets exposed.
Several brands joined us for the journey, giving us the opportunity to spend real time with their products rather than forming opinions after a single range session or nine holes.
Looking back on the trip, four brands consistently stood out: SQAIRZ, Red Rooster, Tanso Golf, and Avalon Golf.
Here’s what we learned.
SQAIRZ Continues to Refine Its Formula
Walking golfers know that comfort isn’t judged during the first few holes. It’s judged after the second round of the day when your legs are tired and every step starts to matter.
That made Sand Valley a perfect test for the latest SQAIRZ shoes.
Bryan arrived expecting only small changes from his previous Speed 2s. Instead, he immediately noticed better breathability thanks to the updated upper construction, along with improved comfort and a secure fit that never allowed his feet to move inside the shoe.
Sizing was another pleasant surprise. As someone who typically struggles to find golf shoes that fit properly because of smaller feet, he found the online sizing guide accurate and appreciated that SQAIRZ offers options that many manufacturers simply don’t.
Several design details continued to impress throughout the week.
The waterproof construction features a gusseted tongue that creates a sock-like fit, while the nubbed lacing system helped keep tension consistent without loosening while tying the shoes. Stability, something SQAIRZ has long emphasized, remained one of the strongest characteristics throughout the trip.
Jamie also provided important context after experiencing sore feet following the opening day. After travelling more than twenty hours before immediately playing 36 holes, and eventually logging seven rounds over three and a half days, fatigue was inevitable. Neither golfer felt the shoes were responsible for that soreness.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway came when comparing the newest models to previous generations.
Early SQAIRZ shoes were exceptionally stable, but they also carried noticeably more weight. The lightweight VOLT series represented a significant step forward, and these newest models continue that progression with better styling, improved comfort, and a lighter overall feel while maintaining the stability that originally made the brand unique.
Red Rooster Delivers Again
Some brands become familiar because of marketing.
Others become trusted because they consistently produce equipment that lasts.
Red Rooster falls firmly into the second category.
Having used multiple Red Rooster gloves over several years, durability continues to be one of the biggest strengths. Bryan highlighted how even older gloves used regularly for speed training have held together remarkably well, especially in common wear areas like the thumb.
Sizing also deserves recognition.
Golfers with smaller hands often struggle to find premium gloves that fit correctly, particularly in cadet sizing. Red Rooster’s expanded size offerings made finding the right fit much easier without sacrificing feel.
The rain gloves once again proved why they’ve become a staple.
Although the trip only featured about thirty minutes of rain, those conditions were enough to remind everyone how valuable a quality rain glove can be. Jamie’s previous pair lasted roughly three years before finally being replaced, while the thin construction still allowed excellent grip without feeling bulky.
The trip also provided an opportunity to spend time with Red Rooster’s apparel and accessories.
Their lightweight vest became an ideal layering piece during cool mornings and changing weather, while the golf socks quickly became an unexpected favorite thanks to their comfort during long walking days.
Sometimes the best gear isn’t the most exciting purchase. It’s simply the equipment you reach for every time you head to the course.
Tanso Golf Makes a Strong First Impression
One of the more intriguing products to arrive before the trip was a set of forged wedges from newcomer Tanso Golf.
Although Jamie wasn’t able to properly test them as a left-handed golfer receiving right-handed clubs, the rest of the group quickly put them to work around the practice greens and throughout the Sandbox course.
The first impression centered around the shaping.
Rather than chasing aggressive styling, Tanso opted for a traditional rounded profile that reminded Bryan of classic Cleveland wedges.
Performance matched the appearance.
Multiple golfers commented on the soft forged feel, while Jeff in particular praised the feedback and responsiveness through impact. Bryan even chipped in using the 54-degree wedge during one of the group’s friendly contests.
Considering the wedges feature forged construction, Golf Pride grips, and premium steel shafts at roughly the $99 price point, they immediately became one of the most interesting value propositions encountered during the trip.
Longer-term testing would be needed to fully evaluate spin consistency and durability, but the initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive.
Avalon Golf Was the Biggest Surprise
If there was one unanimous favorite from Sand Valley, it wasn’t a club.
It wasn’t a golf ball.
It wasn’t even a pair of shoes.
It was Avalon Golf.
Bryan’s first experience with the brand quickly turned into wearing the same pants for most of the trip. The lightweight material, stretch, water resistance, and multiple inseam options made them unlike almost anything else he’d worn.
One unexpected story summed them up perfectly.
During a stop at the turn at Erin Hills, a bite into a hot dog resulted in a sizeable ketchup spill directly onto brand-new white pants. Expecting the worst, Bryan rushed to rinse them off, only to discover the stain disappeared completely.
From that point forward, they became his favorite golf pants.
Jamie echoed the sentiment, wearing his both on and off the course, including the long journey home.
The praise didn’t stop with the pants.
Avalon’s polos impressed with soft, comfortable materials, while the hoodies struck an ideal balance between warmth and breathability without feeling overly heavy. Shorts offered the same stretch and comfort as the pants, and the availability of multiple lengths allowed golfers to choose a fit that suited them best.
Perhaps the biggest compliment came after the trip ended.
Instead of simply recommending Avalon, Jamie placed another large order that included hoodies, polos, pants, shorts, and hats.
That says more than any review ever could.
Final Thoughts
Golf trips have a way of revealing the strengths and weaknesses of every piece of equipment you bring.
After seven rounds across Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, The Sandbox, and Erin Hills, these four brands consistently earned their place in the conversation.
SQAIRZ continued refining one of the most stable golf shoes on the market.
Red Rooster reinforced why its gloves remain among our favorites year after year.
Tanso Golf demonstrated that premium forged wedges don’t have to carry premium pricing.
Avalon Golf quietly became the biggest surprise of the entire trip, producing apparel that several members of our group immediately added to their regular rotation.
The best part is that the testing doesn’t stop here.
Members of the Life At The Turn community are continuing to evaluate many of these products through our Community Labs and Equipment Exchange, giving golfers the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from real players putting equipment through real rounds.