Golf is in a lull this week, the Wild and Avalanche had 3 days off, and baseball season is doing whatever baseball does.
Us, however? No weeks off. No lulls. No valleys. Peaks only. Just another edition with the best of the internet this week.
🗂️ IN THIS ISSUE
→ Lacrosse is really just a path to the Ivys
→ Cigs are back, again
→ Genius luggae for your next golf trip
👀 Best Things We Saw This Week
1. The real ROI on your kid’s sports career
From $99k/year tuition at IMG to playing hockey in Connecticut while you attend high school in Texas, parents are increasingly doing (and paying) anything to give their kids the best shot. The financial ROI isn’t there, but maybe that’s not the point.
2. Oakland Hills is looking prettayyy pretttayyy pretty good
It’s been 4 years since a fire tore through their clubhouse. It’s now back and looking better than ever.
3. Gen Z nostalgia is bringing back cigarettes
Wild to think in the age of AI, bitcoin, and Whoop straps, somehow smoking is making a comeback. If Gen Z is truly trying to bring back the 90s, this is certainly an interesting angle. Maybe bring back crystal clear Pepsi instead?
✍️ Editor’s Picks
NIKE Air Max ‘95 G NRG ($229) → Nike continues taking every popular shoe and making a golf version. Most of them fall flat in our opinion but this one lands with a minimal lava colorway.
Shop here →
RHOBACK Medley Swim Trunk ($74) → Four-way stretch, perfect 6.5” length, and this one comes with a built-in liner. Smart move by Rhoback and even smarter move for you this summer.
Shop here →
BIRDIE PACK Travel System ($300) → We’ve seen lots of creativity in travel luggage the past few years but this modular system fits specifically within your golf travel bag, both adding protection to your clubs and filling in the othewise empty space. Genius.
Watch the video →
GHOST GOLF Magnetic Club & Shoe Brush ($35) → We’ve seen a trend of more golf accessories able to stick to your cart so it’s there when you need it. But combine that with a brush that also is meant for your shoes, we’re sold.
Shop here →
🙌 Thanks for reading
Stay cool, swing easy — see you next week.
— Riley, Founder & Editor
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ABOUT CLEVER
Clever The Optimist is a weekly newsletter curating elevated menswear and golf gear for guys who refuse to settle.
Founded by Riley Kearns in 2024.
Based in Columbus, OH.