This year's
new golf products are innovative, useful and beneficial.
What more do
you need to give yourself a reason to buy a great gift for your circle of
influence, family and friends? Even for yourself! It’s been a tough year!
The following
products give value-added a new meaning to the pursuit of better golf.
For improving
your game and staying on the cutting edge of equipment, these products fit the
bill:
Two new
devices incorporating GPS for measuring distances on the golf course have just
become available. Each performs admirably as to measurements but the bells and
whistles have different tunes:
Bushnell
Yardage Pro GPS Handheld Device
 Bushnell, experts in the field of telescopes, binoculars,
spotting scopes, riflescopes and laser range finders, has unveiled their first
GPS offering for golf. The Yardage Pro is designed to provide golfers with the
top quality and performance they expect from Bushnell laser rangefinders, in a
GPS device. The weather resistant Yardage Pro is quick and easy to use. It
gauges distances to the front, center, and back of the green. Bushnell will
offer downloadable courses on their website that are stored on your PC hard
drive with no expiration.
This GPS unit also offers a LCD screen with backlight, a rechargeable
battery with a 14 + life, and its one handed ergonomic design can be
clipped to your bag or belt.
·
MSRP:
$199.00.
www.bushnell.com
uPro
Hand-Held Golf GPS Device
The
stylish, compact and easy-to-use uPro features an unparalleled highly developed
combination of GPS and laser-range capabilities, providing hi-resolution aerial
photography and satellite imagery of thousands of courses worldwide.
Their new software's download
speed is up to 50 percent faster than the previous software, allowing users to
spend less time downloading and more time on the golf course.
The new, improved auto hole
advance allows the uPro to automatically detect the user's location anywhere on
the hole the user is playing. Users have the option of being prompted to change
holes or advance with no interaction.
More intuitive shot marking
is another new software feature. Once the user starts the mark shot feature,
the distance will update in real time as the user advances towards the ball's
location. This allows users to check distances quickly and easily for everyone
else in the group.
The
uPro’s ProMode download, for a minimal cost of ownership, adds video flyovers
and aerial imagery to the detailed data contained within Basic Mode, allowing
the user to actually see the course and measure to AnyPoint™ on the course,
unlike other golf GPS devices.
There
are no yearly membership fees for uPro, while annual fees for
uPro’s competitors range from $29.95 per year to $59.95 per year. If these
fees are not paid at the start of the year, previously downloaded
courses are disabled so the device will no longer work – not the case with
uPro.
The
USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is that uPro users will get for FREE what
competitors charge for.
Accessories
such as a belt clip, soft case and car charger are also available.
MSRP:
$399.99
www.uprogps.com
ProPlay 640
Personal Video Training Tool
Another
technological masterpiece that EVERY golfer should have is the ProPlay 640 GPS
Video (GPS stands for Golf Performance System). What a great, useful and worthwhile
product! And a desirable gift every golfer would love to have!
 Noted
instructor, Jim Flick, thinks this practical device is the best thing since
apple pie! With this device you can take your
practice range game to the course!
ProPlay
allows you to instantly review your swing while playing golf. Video frame by
frame playback, video analysis and markup, one button operation, variable speed
playback and side by side playback, are just a few of this tool’s features.
This rugged
and well-designed unit is compact enough to fit in a pocket and can be taken
anywhere.
For my money,
this is the product that should have been chosen as the winner of the Golf
Channel’s “Fore Inventors Only” golf show, instead of that unoriginal golf club
stand, which won first prize,
which has already been marketed for the past ten
years!
MSRP: $449.00
www.proplaygps.com
The Net
Return Pro Series – For the Golfing Family
 With the ProPlay GPS above and this
Net Return Pro Series,, you now can have your own driving range and teacher in
your own backyard!
The Net
Return Pro Series net stand 7’ 5” tall, 8’ wide and 3’6” deep and is made of a lightweight
1.5” tubular aluminum frame and weighs approximately 28 pounds, making it very
easy to transport.
The sleeved net
is made of heavyweight polyester and the entire structure can be easily assembled,
without tools, thanks to the Push Button Quick Color Connect System. This
System ensures assembly, by one person, in less than five minutes.
The Net Return Pro Series Package includes one Net Return Pro Series
Sports Net, four sand bags for outdoor stability, one rugged duffel bag for
transporting the net, and one 4’ by 12” basic turf mat.
Purchasers
can choose to upgrade the turf mat for an additional cost that varies depending
on the material and weight. All turf comes with a 1 year UV warranty. Other
accessories, such as an EZ TEE Fringe Hitting Surface or a cup and flag for
putting, may also be purchased for a nominal charge.
MSRP: $495.00 www.thenetreturn.com
More on a low
tech level, but are just as functional, are Daphne’s head covers – ideal for either
the female or male golfer or Scotty Cameron’s new ball marker.
Daphne’s
Head Covers
Seen those
cute animals on top of clubs, especially the driver? Daphne’s selection is
outstanding. The Black Panther and the Black Lab are my personal favorites,
while ladies gravitate to the Pink Calico cat, the Peacock and the Puffin.
 This 25-year-old family
business is doing a rip-roaring business in the custom head cover arena. These
head covers are not only well designed, but also their quality and attention to
detail is superb.
Each animal
is fully lined and elasticized to ensure a secure fit on your clubs. Each
animal is guaranteed for life. Inside the label you will find their factory
phone number. Rest assured that if you should have any problems with your head
cover, the manufacturer will fix it pronto.
The latest model is the Hippo Heads & Tails, which fits on two clubs, a
460cc driver and a fairway wood or hybrid. Also, the Gorilla model for hybrids
is very cool!
Hybrid,
utility and putter covers are also available.
MSRP: $25.99
www.daphnesheadcovers.com
The Scotty
Cameron Ball Tool
 This useful gadget is appearing on the
Tour to enhance putting prowess. Officially known as an “Alignment Integrated Marking” device, it simply lets you
use a line, either drawn or manufacturer produced on your golf ball, to dial in
the line you see to the cup, using its milled hash mark sight lines.
Then,
after stepping back, any minor corrections are made by moving the ball, rather
than the marker, either to the left or right. Remember that right-handers tend
to miss putts to the left, whilst the opposite is true for left-handers. It
also serves as a snazzy ball marker.
MSRP:
$44.00 www.scottycameron.com
Of course,
having a Scotty Cameron Square Back putter completes an ideal gift.
 This Newport head-style putter is a
precision milled 303 Stainless Steel head with a high toe profile and circular
heel and toe sole weights that provide more stability, by reducing twisting on
off-center hits. It has a Double bend shaft with 1/2 shaft offset, so players
can get a nearly face-balanced mallet, a clean look at address and a silky
smooth feel at impact .
This
model contains the same head weight as other Newport models but has a slightly
thicker topline and a milled sight line in the flange.
The high toe
profile helps reduce the tendency to raise the toe at address for better
accuracy. The factory adjustable weights are set to provide the proper head
weight to shaft ratio for the perfect feel. The Tour-inspired cherry dot
graphics are very visible and look extremely good on this Scotty production.
$299.99 www.scottycameron.com
Aldila Voodoo shaft
WOW! What a
wonderful feeling one gets using this shaft. It is the talk of Tour players on
all Tours. Made for use in woods and hybrids and for the better player who’s
seeking optimum low-to-mid launch angle and low spin.
The entire
length of the shaft is specially designed with a patented, one-piece
carbon-fiber rib system. This hoop keeps the shaft more concentric during the
swing, preventing shaft ovaling, deformation and wasted energy.
This not only
keeps the shaft’s structure stable, but it also maintains the shaft’s symmetry
to play the same each swing, transferring the maximum energy a golfer can
deliver to the ball. The Voodoo simply helps generate consistently straight and
long shots.
It is
available in both 60g and 75g versions.
Aldila’s new Voodoo
shaft is going to be one of the most desired and popular shafts for 2008 and
2009.
MSRP: $299.95
www.aldila.com
Bridgestone
B330-RX Ball
Paula Creamer
won with this ball at this year’s Samsung World Championship and it is
currently the hottest and fastest selling ball at most retailers.
 This multilayer urethane ball features a very soft gradational compression
core with Tour-level
spin, feel and control around the greens, but optimized for moderate swing
speeds (85 to 105 mph) off the tee.
The B330-RX
utilizes the same industry leading Seamless Cover Technology that Bridgestone
balls have become known for, and features a 330-dimple pattern for optimal
trajectory and consistency of ball flight.
It definitely
is a ball that offers both distance and exceptional feel around the greens.
The B330-RX
features a street price of $42.99 per dozen (suggested retail price of $56 per
dozen)
www.bridgestonegolf.com
PeakVision
Golf Sunglasses
If you are looking for the finest golf sun glasses
available look no further than PeakVision’s range.
TS3.14
Golf Sunglass – Carbon
The TS3
half-rimmed frame is crafted from magnesium/aluminum alloy. The narrow
profile frame geometry is designed for narrow width faces and the younger set.
The TS3 weighs in at an amazingly lightweight 19 grams and features
PeakVision's Dual-Zone Amber NXT unbreakable lenses that deliver perfect light
management for both the sky and turf with remarkable optical glass-like
clarity.This purchase
comes with a microfiber lens care bag, a durable zippered hard case with clip,
and a one-year warranty.
For those who
prefer a less slim and sleek pair of sunglasses, PeakVision’s GR4.02 Golf
Sunglasses with a polished Tortoise frame should be perfect.
 This model, as
well as being PeakVision’s most popular, is my personal favorite. It features a
sleek nylon Grilamid (microcrystalline nylon) frame which rides easy with an excellent
8-base curve lens wrap and vertical depth for great coverage.
Known for its
lightweight, comfortable fit for medium to large face shapes, (recommended for
a hat size of approximately 7 1/4 - 7 7/8) the GR4 has interchangeable lens
capability and can accommodate lenses for nearly every sport. The NXT
unbreakable lenses deliver perfect light management for both the sky and turf
with amazing optical glass-like clarity.
Aside from being well designed and distortion free, all
PeakVision’s models are simply the most comfortable pair of sunglasses we have
ever tested. They are easy on the eyes and lightweight and can also be worn
all day. It’s simply difficult to leave home without these – I never do!.
MSRP: $149.00 to $189.00 www.peakvisionsports.com
SeeMore SB
1 Mallet Putter
SeeMore’s new
SB 1 100% milled aluminum Black Satin Mallet putter as precise, as it is
beautiful.
 The best feature of the SeeMore range
of putters is that their RST (RifleScope Technology) alignment system
allows the golfer to set up the putter perfectly square to the intended target
line each and every time, by lining up the black bottom portion of the shaft
between two white lines and covering a signature red dot on the heel of the top
line. It is like locking radar onto a target.
SeeMore
putters with RST also help the golfer establish a system for continuous
improvement with visual feedback.
The pedigree
of this brand continues unabated with Major winners and top Tour players
singing SeeMore’s praises. Payne Stewart, Zach Johnson, Vaughn Taylor
and Briny Baird are proponents and winners using SeeMore.
If your
putting needs a boost or meaningful improvement, this is the tool to get you to
where you want to go.
MSRP $225.00
www.seemore.com
 TaylorMade’s
Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider Putter
The TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider putter is already becoming a cause celebre
on Tour. Following the initial success of the larger Rossa Spider, a 20% smaller
and lighter version has been brought to market.
 Simply put, the Spider has a high MOI
(Moment of Inertia), similar to the PING Doc 13, but also has TaylorMade’s
famous MWT (Moveable Weight Technology) and the AGSI + Titallium Insert.
The Itsy
Bitsy rolls the ball superbly, especially well with the AGSI + Titallium insert.
The Spider’s two MWT ports give the player the option to easily change weight
in the rear for customized control and feel.
The Itsy
Bitsy's high MOI, steel
wire-frame head construction with light aluminum core, pushes increased weight
to the perimeter which in turn helps it to deliver
extremely consistent distance results on off-center hits, so
that instead of
coming up short, often times the ball reaches the hole.
$240
www.taylormadegolf.com
For looking
stylish, sexy and well dressed, the following soft goods products are
definitely worth considering:
CollarSTYX
 With the exception of Fairway &
Greene, every golf shirt manufacturer has a soft collar which invariably curls
and takes away the fresh and smart look of a shirt.
Wouldn’t it
be great to see not only Tour players, but everyday golfers, male and female,
look well groomed and immaculately attired? Solution - CollarSTYX - easy to use
and ideal in all weather conditions. They are also reusable.
MSRP: 12
clear -$14.95 or 24 clear -$21.95 www.collarstyx.com
Tehama
This
powerfully designed men’s luxury performance shirt
incorporates Tehama’s “Hang Em Dry” moisture wicking pima cotton/micro
polyester knit polo.
 Tehama,
the line of high-end contemporary sportswear for men and women that was
co-founded by Clint Eastwood and Nancy Haley, has introced the evolution of its
Hang’em Dry category with two signature groupings each for men and women.
Staying true to Tehama’s Luxury Performance focus, and the namesake for the
movie ‘Hang’em High” – the supreme fabrication blend has been
established as an industry leader with its moisture-wicking qualities.
For
the active golfer, Tehama Hang’em Dry offers polyester and pima
cotton/polyester blend fabrications that are lightweight, moisture wicking,
antibacterial, and have UPF 30+ protection. Within the new Hang’em Dry
collections, golfers and consumers will see body mapping, color blocking,
mechanical stretch and new innovative details.
Tehama
also offers a full line of ladies’ apparel.
Top - TEHÀMA Hang'em Dry "Luther
Colorblock Polo" in Oriental Red.
Cool Plus
with Antibacterial Finish $64 Bottom- Orbit Flat Front Short - Cotton
Madras Shades of Black with Oriental Red $56 www.tehamainc.com
Q-Link - Titanium
Bracelet - Black Ceramic
Q-Link,
the leaders in personal energy systems, has introduced their new Unisex Titanium Q-Link
Bracelet with Gloss Black Ceramic Finish and crafted of solid, ultra light
Titanium with a spring steel core.
 Q-Link is a technology
that amplifies and clarifies the body's energies. By reducing the noise in any
energy field, this technology strengthens and purifies the body's own energies
This
unique new bracelet is precision crafted with exceptional quality and attention
to detail. The Ceramic Black Titanium Bracelet features flexible sides for an
exceptional fit, a laser etched serial number and new dual SRT-3 wafer design
for maximum performance.
The bracelet is elegant and aside from offering the Q-Link magic, is also very
dressy and very comfortable. Available in S/M/L/XL
MSRP:
$199.95 www.qlinkgolf.com
adidas ClimaProof
Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket
 Addidas has continued to dominate both
the airways and Tour players with their highly recognizable and accepted brand.
Their designs and fabrics keep them in the top three performance brands of
golfing attire. From footwear to headwear and outerwear, addidas outperforms the
competition both in the marketplace and with golfers’ style of clothing.
One of their
most popular introductions has been the ClimaProof
Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket. This waterproof jacket features a shell that is 100% polyester laminated
twill and a lining that is 100% polyester mesh.
Undeniably elegant and a real ”head
turner”, it is also so very comfortable and functional. And, depending on your
personal preference, the inner lining is easily removable to allow a looser
fit. Matching pants are also available, an all include a two-year warranty.
$275.00 www.adidasgolf.com
TaylorMade Performance Labs
Want to treat
somebody really special? Try TaylorMade Performance Labs.
 The TaylorMade Performance Lab’s
certified professionals will fit men,
women and junior golfers of all ages and abilities to a custom set of
TaylorMade golf clubs, using an exclusive technology called Motion Analysis
Technology by TaylorMade (MAT-T) which was previously available only to Tour
professionals. This is the best two and one half hours any golfer can spend.
Locations
are available at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert, CA, The Four
Seasons Resort in North San Diego, the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia and The Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia
Fields, Illinois.
The cost of
the fitting ranges from $150-400 depending on the location, the season and
extensiveness of the fitting. Custom-built TaylorMade Golf clubs can be purchased
at competitive prices and shipped in a matter of days.
Reservations are required...customer just calls in advance...open 7 days
week...TMPL fitting pros will work with your schedule.
www.tmplabs.com
Pete Dye Golf Courses
 Many magnificent course photographs, many made especially for
this volume by Ken E. May, Dye’s photographer of choice, enhance a witty and
irreverent text by golf writer Joel Zuckerman.
Fiendishly difficult and spectacularly beautiful, Pete Dye’s golf courses are
among the most exciting in the world. In this volume, 130 were selected to
honor his 85th birthday—among them such famous marvels as Teeth of the Dog, PGA
West, TPC Sawgrass, and Black Wolf Run, but also less well-known courses that
will come as a revelation to golfers everywhere. A great companion book would
be George Peper’s “The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes”.
Have a great time
shopping and a marvelous holiday season with your family and friends to whom
you have given these gifts. |
