Golf Tip Of The Week (3)

This tip is entitled “Over or Under the String”.  You have to “trap” the ball to hit consistently solid shots.  This action also allows you control over your trajectory which allows you to control how far your ball goes.  There are some fundamental things that one must do to “trap” the ball.  This tip eases into the concept of controlling your trajectory.  Does your ball go over or under the string?

Is Pink the new Black? Is Bridgestone the new ProV1?

Well you probably won’t catch me in a Pink golf shirt…after all, black goes with everything!  I do know that Bridgestone is giving Titleist a run for it’s money.  The precious Titleist ProV1 franchise is under serious attack from Bridgestone Golf.  Titleist is already suffering from a patent lawsuit from Bridgestone that it lost in 2007.  It reportedly has to pay Bridgestone a royalty for every dozen ProV1 balls sold.  Well it looks like Bridgestone took all that cash and pumped it into research and development, because the hottest ball for 2009 is definitely going to be the Bridgestone B330-RX.  According to Bridgestone, it is the first HIGH PERFORMANCE golf ball for NORMAL SWING SPEEDS.  Sound like you?  I have spoken to many already who swear that it goes further and feels as soft.  It doesn’t hurt that it costs a little less either.  Don’t expect to see Couples and Appleby playing this ball on tour.  It’s not for the Big Boomers, it’s for the Baby Boomers!

Check out the new ball on Bridgestone’s website by clicking either graphic below.  Come on in and pick up a dozen if you want to try them.  Call me and I can ship you a dozen if you’re out of state.

New B330RX Golf Ball

B330RX Characteristics

Golf Rangefinders – GPS or Laser?

Starting January 1, 2007, the new USGA ruling allowing distance measuring devices took effect. Basically it allows for the use of GPS devices or Laser Rangefinders to be used in play. They are still subject to tournament rules with each organization, but anyone can use them for handicap purposes and everyday play. The PGA Tour does not allow these devices in its competitions, but caddies use them during practice rounds.

One of the most popular questions this past year has been GPS or LASER? I think its confusing unless you’ve thoroughly used both as I have.

GPS (global positioning satellite) uses military global positioning satellites to coordinate your position on earth by “triangulating” your position. This technology was new and made a lot of sense to me so I went out and bought a SKY CADDIE by Skyhawke Technologies early last year. Through Sky Caddie’s Website, you buy a yearly subscription which allows you to download course mapping to your unit. This data is used to reference your location (in relation to) GPS coordinates. You have to hook your unit up to your computer much like a camera for the unit to communicate with the Sky Caddie website. I was discouraged out of the gate because my unit would not communicate through either of my 2 computers at work. After about an hour with a Technical Assistant from SK, we ascertained that it was my firewall. We tried several work arounds and nothing worked. We both gave up. I did get it to work at my home computer though and promptly downloaded some courses. I was amazed and pleased at how well the unit worked for at least a few weeks and a few rounds. I took a trip down to Reynolds Plantation and quickly discovered that the unit would go Haywire down there. I actually called Sky Caddie from the course and they said that there was some interference possibly from the Sprinkler System and that my unit would not ever work down there. They already knew of the existing problem. A few weeks later over in Alabama at the Montgomery Robert Trent Jones course, I was playing a par 4 and looked down at my unit. It gave me a number something like 256 when I was right beside the 150 marker. The next hole which was a 490ish par 4, I got a reading in the 300’s. It only took me a few more holes to see that the Mapping was somehow shifted on this course. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was a tournament out at Stone Mountain’s Stonemont Course. My brother and 2 other friends couldn’t wait to see my Sky Caddie at work. On this overcast day, it took the unit about 2 hours after I turned it on and about 9 holes later to finally start spitting out numbers.

Needless to say, the Sky Caddie just did not cut the mustard with me. My distances are too important to have to worry about whether the information is accurate or not.

If I’d only listened to my good friend and favorite competitor Tom Comsudes, I wouldn’t have wasted all that time with that gimmicky technology. He had the forsight to see (although he was only ribbing me mostly) that the GPS was just kind of hokie.

If you really want accurate, easy to obtain yardages, try yourself a Laser Range Finder. The best unit that I’ve used is the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. This unit has a Target Lock feature that confirms that you’ve shot the flag when it’s in the middle of the viewfinder. But you’re not just limited to shooting the flag as it’s quite easy to shoot 150 yard markers, edges of bunkers, trees, and also random spots on relatively flat fairways. The numbers just don’t lie once you get the feel of not shooting a tree behind the green. No recharging, downloading, turning on, booting up like you get with GPS. Bushnell also has 2 other units that I like. They have the Medalist for $299. The Tour V2 (new for 2008) for $349. And the 1500 Pinseeker is $399. Come pick one up today. It’s one of the best toys you’ll ever own! I should also mention that EVERY PGA Tour Caddie uses a Laser Rangefinder. None of them use the Sky Caddie.

www.skygolfgps.com

www.bushnellgolf.com

Won’t know where I’m going ’til I get there…

I’ve always wanted to really share my expertise and insights without all the “pressure” to feel like I’m selling. My first instinct is to HELP, but that always leads to making a sell…cause I’m very good at finding out what people “don’t know they need”. If you really want honest, accurate advice that you can depend on then you’re in the right place. If you aren’t on my eMail list you really need to take care of that now! Go to my WEBSITE and REGISTER! There’s going to be a LOT of good stuff to come so please check back.