Category: Gadgets
Golf is the gadget lover's sport. There are more golf gizmos than anyone can count: tees, and markers, stroke counters, range finders, ball retrievers, GPS systems, hat clips, sports seats, divot tools, groove cleaners, weight tape. You can't even begin to count them all.
Remote Control Bag Carrier
Golf Carts are an abomination. The way people buzz around in them they might as well be playing polo. But this seems like a good idea. I've seen these on a lot of courses lately. For those who can't carry their bags on their back, and who have trouble using a traditional golf pull-cart (dragging it around can potentially put stress on the shoulder), it still allows them to walk -- the way God intended golf to be played. Of course, the best solution would be for clubs to bring back real, human caddies. But money-hungry golf course managers aren't going to allow that. They make far too much money on the cars.
KaddyUSA
LaserLink Could Speed Rounds
Pace of play is like the weather. Everybody complains, but no one seems to be able to do anything about it. Now, the inventor of Soft Spikes has come up with a laser targeting system that he claims will cut rounds by at least 10 minutes.
How? Well, think about all the time spent by players wandering about looking for a sprinkler head yardage marker. Now, you can just aim the laser and get an instant reading. It may also boost speed by increasing player confidence in their shots and decreasing missed greens.
Unfortunately, it's not something you can just use on any course. It requires the course to install special reflctors on the flagsticks. Still, it seems to be catching on. The USGA says its legal for handicap purposes and a growing number of courses apparently are using it.
Retractable Brush
To get the proper spin off the grooves on your club, they've got to be clean. Like many golfers, I clip a brass wire brush to my bag for cleaning during the round. But to really use it, I've got to unclip it from its hook. EZ Brush seems to have the solution: a brush on a retractable leash.
Golf Watch
The Golf Watch from AZX does everything a modern digital watch should do, plus, it lets you store the scores from up to 50 rounds of golf. It also keeps track of putts. It's about $50.
Brush-Ts
I bought a set of Brush-Ts at a golf show last month and recently had the chance to try them. After just a few holes, I think that I agree that they are a superior design to the wooden tee. At the very least, they're more durable. I normally break a tee on every hole. Obviously, these won't break.
As for hitting it longer and straighter, I don't know yet. I hit two balls on a couple of holes -- one with the Brush-T and one with a wood tee. I did get a better flight with the Brush-T, but it was too limited a test to be sure. I'll have to experiment some more.
