Grand Finale - The Last of '16

It really feels like we just turned the page on all of our calendars from 2015 to 2016. Now, we look up and in 6 hours here in the Eastern Time Zone we will be ringing in 2017. So let's look back on the year that was 2016.

While I did not play a lot of golf in 2016 it still was a year that I can look back on and have positive feelings. Although most of my golf was played before our golf season began (due to a warm and relatively snow-free winter) I was satisfied with how I played when I did get out. Never did I think that I's play golf on New Year's Day but to play in February was a real treat. Spring and Summer most of my play would halt due to long hours and drives to fulfill my role as the Director of Golf Services at Port Colborne Country Club. This can only help my golf resume down the road and I loved the course and it's membership. Unfortunately, we had to say good-bye to the course built in 1929 for financial reasons that were insurmountable. The course filed for bankruptcy, was put up for sale and was purchased by an outside party. Thankfully the course was purchased by "golf people" and it will not be bulldozed for real estate. So the course will remain under a new name (a suggestion that I made October 7th calling it Port Colborne Golf Club). As far as my future goes in all likelihood my tenure is over. That said, I recenntly made the decision to apply to be a Candidate for Membership with the PGA of Canada which is something that I've mulled over for considerable time.

From a blog standpoint I think my year was really good. First , I have to thank all of the companies and firms that took a chance on a "nobody" from Niagara Falls. Companies like Golf Marketing Services (Holly and Irlianna), Callaway Apparel, OnCore Golf, Swing Wizzard, KenRick Golf, Cradlz, Mary Beth Lacy, Miura, Carnoustie, SunIce, TaylorMade Golf (Canada), HoleOut, Lateral Line Putters and so many others. Without you I would have had no equipment to review. I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities. After my web hosting/building site failed to give me the services I paid for I made a tough situation to move everything to blogger. It's worked out very well and my page views in a short time with limited posts is better than I thought. Now I can see traffic and give companies numbers of views. Numbers that I need to possess in order to approach more golf companies to bring you (my readers) more products to review. Also special thanks go to CHASE 54 and TRUE Linkswear brands that I am a proud to wear and be part of. #ForThePursuit #teamTRUE

This year was a tough year in sports and entertainment. Yes the Chicago Cubs won the World Series and golf returned to the Olympics. Honestly, I never liked golf returning to the Olympics in Rio and it was for the very reason that has surfaced down there. It's a sport for the wealthy (especially down there) that is highly corrupt. so now the beautiful Gil Hanse (Mossy Oak Golf Course) layout sits there. Mostly unused. All of those dollars seemingly wasted. I just wish that golf would have waited until 2020 in Tokyo only because the industry is booming in that part of the world.  The world lost David Bowie, Prince, and Carrie Fisher just to name a few. But the passing of our King was real tough for me. The news that Mr. Arnold Palmer passed had the entire golfing community grief-stricken. No one person ever epitomized the game like Mr. Palmer. One of my heroes forever.

Photo Credit: USA Today

In closing, I just want to take the time a very safe and prosperous 2017. May your year be filled with happy memories and many birdies. Stay tuned everyone.

Add caption

Until The Next Tee!

Review Introduction Video - Lateral Line Putters L2 Traditional

Good Morning everybody and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.

I thought that I would post a video this morning. I received a Lateral Line Putters - L2 Traditional putter from Irlianna and Holly at Golf Marketing Services Inc. In this video taken in front of the American Falls I discuss my likes and concerns with this putter heading into the testing phase.

Thanks for watching.

Until The Next Tee!

#ClimbTheWall - Cardio

It's no secret that my health is poor. My health is something that I needed to address. The reasons are numerous but not limited to the fact that I want to live longer for my family. I have a 5 month old grandson that needs a fishing teacher (golf too) and I guess my golf game too. Cardio is definitely a facet that is vital to golf. In the past I have left tournaments by ambulance after severe angina episodes. Honestly, it's a real embarrassing feeling and it is something that I don't to happen again.

I had a session at World Gym Niagara Falls, Ontario and during my cardio portion of the workout I was gassed after 5 minutes. I didn't want to end there and pushed for 5 more minutes. I pushed more and more until I "climbed the wall" and surpassed my longest duration yet. Folks, if you face or hit a wall... climb it! #ClimbTheWall

Until The Next Tee!

December 1st, 2016 - Grinding, Beanies and Bacon

Go to work for the first time in some cold weather on this day. Light flurries and a chilly wind. I also talk about The Swing Wizzard... a terrific tool for working on your swing without a need for striking golf balls. In for review here at alexandertothgolf.blogspot.com

Until The Next Tee!!

Grit, Pain and Determination

Winter... a time to celebrate the holidays, snow, ice and cold appendages. For those not fortunate enough to reside in parts of the world where golf can be played year round it can be a down time. The time when you sadly put away your golf clubs but you fondly recollect the shots that you pulled off... when you shouldn't have. The memories of being the first one onto the course or the last one off of the course as the Pro Shop anxiously awaits his or her departure for the evening. But then there are others that look at this time of the year to focus and address issues. I definitely fall into the latter.

I recently made a determination that I had to commence a legitimate workout regimen. Or should I say make a lifestyle change. For the longest time I fell into a rut where I would sit here at my laptop, open up a big bag of potato chips and unceremoniously eat the entire bag. Recently, I had a doctor's appointment and I stepped on the scale. I was mortified to see that I was tipping the scales at 230 lbs. The heaviest I have been in about 20 years and I clearly said to the nurse "I'm fat!" to which she said I wasn't. So I started to think about joining a gym and I did. World Gym in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

I started a regimen that included daily cardio and core and alternating days between arms and legs. It didn't take long to start seeing some results as I was gaining strength and losing weight. The funny thing about golf is that it so much resembles life. You only get out of it what you put into it. I've been working out in an almost religious kind of way and I joke around that I'm in "Beast Mode". I've been counting carbs, eating more greens and I started to drink protein shakes twice a day.

But changes like this don't come without a little pain and fighting your way to accomplish something. Again... so much like life. The other day I was doing my cardio and I was clearly not having a good day where I was "feeling it". I was gassed after 5 minutes and I told myself push through five more minutes. So I did and then I told myself... how about another 5 minutes. Mission accomplished! Then before I knew it I spent 45 minutes on the elliptical. The longest, best cardio workout that I have had in a very long time if not ever. Always remember this... "if you hit a wall... climb it". There is nothing that we can't do if we are determined.

So yesterday happened. As it turns out December 18th would be a day where I recognized some serious areas improvement that needed to be addressed. If not for the sake of myself then for the golf game. I was "fanaggled" into taking part in a Yoga session when I was checking out the basketball court to shoot some hoops. The instructor talked me into it (I tried getting out of it when I said I didn't have a mat... she located one). Yoga, something that I have more or less avoided. I tried it once before and left the class after 20 minutes. Anyways, I learned something about myself and yoga yesterday. Actually, I learned two things. The first is that you break into a sweat doing yoga (never saw that one coming). Secondly, I thought that for my age I was flexible or just flexible in general. Oddly and bizarrely enough I learned that I'm not. I am about as limber as a cement wall. I had no clue that yoga would hurt. Folks, I had no clue I was this "tight". Getting into some of the positions yesterday took serious work. My hips are pretty much frozen. If there is one thing I have to improve for golf it is definitely my flexibility. I'm floored by this epiphany. The other thing is that my arms although not totally necessary for getting distance are definitely a muscle group that needs strengthening. Okay, maybe vanity plays a small part too!

The moral of the story is this. When it comes to living in northern climates and golf there truly is #NoOffSeason. Instead... identify and address your deficiencies. Set a goal and strive to be better. Your body, mind and game will appreciate it. By the way my goal was to drop 20 lbs by my birthday in January... as of today I have lost 9 lbs and I already feel lighter on my feet. All of this can only help. Besides, a reward after a good workout is tanning, hydro-massage and sauna time. Definitely well worth it.

Until The Next Tee!

Review - Ben Hogan Golf VKTR

Two years ago marked the return of a beloved name to the game of golf and in particular golf equipment. Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company launched their initial products at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day under the watchful eye of then CEO Terry Koehler. The launch of the Ft. Worth irons and TK 15 wedges were met by attendees with enthusiasm. For a good reason too... the products were beautiful. I wondered how Ben Hogan would step it up the following year building on the success of their initial entries and golfers in 2016 were met by the classy and lavish PTx irons. I wrote a review at alexandertothgolf.com earlier this year. The irons were stunning only bested by their performance. At the same time, Ben Hogan also released their Ft. Worth hi irons as a more forgiving option to the original lower lofted Ft. Worth irons. The hollow forged design yielded great feel and a pleasantly aggressive ball flight. There was one more void that needed to be filled and that was a club for golfers who thought of long irons as "taboo". The VKTR Hybrid would be the answer.

The VKTR Hybrid is designed with aesthetics and performance clearly at the forefront. Mr. Hogan was an innovator and had designs for a "hybrid" (as we now know it) dating back to the 1960's. Clearly ahead of his time. When the "new" Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company designed their first hybrid they wanted to present golfers a piece of art that would inspire confidence. Part of my problem in the past with hybrids was how they presented a large footprint at address. For this reason I was a long iron guy. The VKTR Hybrids come in five separate profiles and lofts start at 17* and progressing to 27*. Sticking with the theme of footprint size it's important to note at this time that as the loft increases the volume (club head size) decreases (110 cc to 96 cc). The reason is twofold as the hybrids in the higher lofts are more pleasant to look at and it allowed the engineers at Hogan to move weight forward.

Engineers at Hogan also added a degree of adjustability to the VKTR Hybrids. Although there is no hosel adjustments Hogan through their Perimeter Shot Shape Technology (PSST) allows for 24 grams of movable weights around the perimeter of the head. The head is designed with a neutral bias but you can move the weights around to suit your needs. This means that you can adjust for left to right and high or low trajectories. Through research, Hogan (and other brands) found that most misses with hybrids occur low on the face. Personally speaking, my misses with hybrids are thin and left and Hogan addressed the "thins" by creating a "larger more effective impact zone along the bottom". Also adding to the forgiveness is their V-SOLE technology found in their irons which improves turf interaction.

At Demo Day, I immediately went for one of their 18* models. This particular club was shafted with a UST Mamiya ReCoil 660 shaft. This shaft was a regular flex and as expected from a shaft like this the result was a smooth-swinging piece of equipment. As much as I loved the clean, classic look at address it was the feel that won me over. The acoustics were crisp and the resulting strikes emitted a sharp sound. A feeling that gave me the impression that the face was very responsive... which it was. I never did adjust the weights but the resulting flights were of a consistent and penetrating trajectory. I think predictable would be a suitable adjective. My focus shifted towards the 23* and it's hard not to talk about how precise the "gapping" in your set can be with Hogan. The VKTR Hybrids seemingly meld into the iron offerings which creates a "flow" to your set. Designers made the VKTR Hybrids to have a steeper landing angle and when compared to other hybrids I would say that engineers succeeded. However, it would be more telling to see these in action on the course. Going back to the aesthetics the VKTR is a handsome club and I love the red paintfill and ferrules with the red stripes. Also, designers of the VKTR were a little cheeky. If you look closely at the adjustable weight screws you will notice that there is a resemblance to the old Hogan "medallion". All of it is a retro throwback to yesteryear.

"The Medallion"

As the calendar turns to 2017 it's fun to think about what Ben Hogan will come out with next. One would be led to believe that it would be fairway metals or maybe even a driver. Or will Ben Hogan stick with their bread and butter and stay out of that game? In the interim they have the VKTR Hybrids to compliment the beautiful irons in their stable. Folks... Mr. Hogan would be proud. Check them out at benhogangolf.com

It's Coming...

Oh boy... the time is drawing ever so closer. Almost time to start filling a big bag full of goodies and take to the skies. Now, one would think that with the Christmas/Holiday season upon us this automatically means that I'm referring to "Ole Santa". But I'm not! This time I am referring to myself. It's almost time to jump on a Southwest Airlines flight at Buffalo International Airport and fly down to Orlando, Florida for the 2017 installment of the PGA Merchandise Show. Four days of exploring all that is new, old and exciting in golf.

Photo Credit: trasemiller.com

At the time of writing I have appointments that are starting to line up in advance of the show. I'm looking forward to chatting with contacts I already have and contacts I have yet to make. Appointments to discuss products for testing and review. So what am I looking forward to? Well, first there is TaylorMade Golf. I am absolutely dying to see how the M range stacks up in comparison to the 2016 edition. Last year at the demo day I was blown away by the M2. The performance all-around in my eyes made the M1 (which I already had) look inferior.

Photo Credit: TaylorMade Golf

This past Friday, I found myself at a store that I have wanted to see for a long time. Located about 2.5 hours away in St. Thomas, Ontario sits a golf store and the golf products inside were the thing of legend. Old and new. While there, I happened to run into the regional representative of Callaway Golf and we know each other through the golfing circles. Golf shows and so on. He happened to have the new Epic range with him. The new Epic and Epic Sub Zero look amazing and I cannot wait to swing them. I saw the insides of them to see what makes them "tick" and my urge to swing those sticks became stronger. Due to an "embargo" currently in place I could not take any pictures. But they are sharp, look great at address and they also offer the Project X HZRDUS as a stock shaft. By the way, the new Steelhead XR irons are no slouch either.

Photo Credit: vertgolf.com

I am really looking forward to trying to set something up with Cobra Golf. I WILL be swinging the KING F7 ONE Length irons. I stumbled upon this notion many years back by accident when I screwed up my own re-shaft (I never knew it was a thing). But I love the principle behind it. There is definitely something about it that I like and really it does make a lot of sense. Last night on Twitter I was talking to Vertical Groove Golf and they will be having a presence at the show. They are a new company that is bringing out a new driver... this particular driver has vertical lines as opposed to the usual horizontal ones we usually see on drivers and such. As much as that intrigues me the crown does as well. It's sort of "dimpled" for what I figure equates to better aerodynamics. If you are familiar with aerospace or physics think "Bernoulli's Principle" and how it relates to air foils. Last year, I made friends with a gent named Greg from Reno, Nevada. He told me to visit a booth last year but I ran out of time. Ironically, this company started following me on Twitter and I look forward to having an in-depth look at Directed Force Putters. Other companies I cannot wait to see include the likes of Skechers Golf, CHASE 54 (#TEAM54), Longball, KenRick Golf and countless others.

Photo Credit: golfchannel.com

There is another company that I cannot wait to visit on the range and that is Wilson Golf. If my curiosity wasn't stoked before with the reality show Driver vs Driver it is now seeing that the design was deemed non-conforming by the USGA. The reason has to do with the sole plate on the retail on the 10.5* and 12* versions. The 9* version is conforming. Wilson Golf was quick to address this issue to customers who had already purchased this driver following the show but a few things come to mind. Before I begin please remember that I am a huge Wilson Golf fan. In a statement (which I will paraphrase) Wilson stated that due to the nature of the show and it's resulting confidentiality they had no time to send it away to the USGA for testing. Something about this really bugs me. That may well be true but there has to be some sort of tape delay from production, to the airing and on to the driver going to retail. Maybe I'm mistaken. The ensuing scramble by Wilson might be good "smoke and mirrors" to cover the faux pas. But for a company that struggles to sell drivers or have their own staff put their drivers into play this could be extremely hurtful and a very bad omen. Wilson has come a long way over the last several years. A company that had a stigma for years with golfers thinking that the brand had become a "box store brand". Something like this could sway golfers to lean another way when thinking about buying a new driver. Granted, as I stated in my post-show re-cap I think Wilson went out of their lane on the price point. Sure, Triton might be worth it but sitting on racks next to M2 or Epic in the same vicinity puts the Wilson product at a disadvantage.

Some readers might find my comments unfair and some are almost certainly to disagree with me. But I'm okay with that because I have no issue sharing my opinions. My mission statement for my blog and reviews was and always will be to speak my mind (and the total truth) on my views of golf products. It who I am and it is who I will be. Unbiased.

Until The Next Tee!

Review - KenRick Golf Company

Accessories. When you think of vital golf equipment the thing that golfers are most likely to think about first are clubs, balls and golf bags. Of course, these are all integral to playing the game. But at some point accessories enter the fray. Shoes for example are considered an accessory in my eyes and so are belts. After all without them... we could be losing our pants every swing. (Before continuing special thanks go to Irlianna and Holly of Golf Marketing Services for the opportunity)

I think it's fair to say that all belts are not created equally. I used belts from different companies over the last five years and while some were good... others were rubbish. Long forgotten because they weren't durable. However, the focus of this review is so far on the opposite end of the spectrum that it isn't funny.

Nestled away in the Northeastern United States lays a little state called Rhode Island. This is home to the KenRick Golf Company. KenRick is the creation of Ken Block and Rick Schad. I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Block leading up to this review and I learned a lot about the innards of how KenRick came to be. Both gentlemen as one might expect are passionate about the game of golf and admittedly they are not world beaters. Mr. Block has been quite active in politics (he ran for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014) and has a background in computers. Mr. Schad has over two decades of design experience and his reputation in the design industry is extraordinary. Having designed shirts for some of the greatest rock bands, designed toys for some major brands and FOX Sports. Between the knowledge of both men is a great foundation for success.

Part of this success is due to their passion of designing the best possible product and having the product made at home in the United States as opposed to outsourcing overseas. The advantages of this means that for quality control purposes they "don't need to travel around the world" and of course there is tremendous pride in being truly Made in the U.S.A. So how does a company like KenRick keep all of the production at home? As fate has it, Maine is home to one of the last remaining tanneries in the United States. All of the leather straps are produced at this tannery and it's only a short five hour drive for KenRick to check on quality control of products... if needed.

To the average person many would be inclined to think... "what's so special about a belt?" and the answer to the question is easy. You can tell that a lot of thought went into the design of the belt. To that end the design is for the most part Mr. Schad's. The belt straps are offered in a very fine and premium leather and a "ribbon webbing". While the leather straps come in white, black and a crocodile embossed brown. The ribbon webbing can be customized and is great for companies or tournaments wanting to promote their respective brands. The ribbon is woven and not printed which is a point that Mr. Block pointed out. This leads to a superior product. Rounding out the design of the ribbon webbing version of the belt is a cotton backing and genuine leather. The leather version as stated earlier is made with the highest quality leather and the quality is obvious.

While the entire product is quite impressive the star of this show is the divot tool. The divot tool is made from cast aluminum and is the tip of the sword... I mean belt. It was by chance and accidental that the sound of the divot tool coming out of the belt is similar to the sound of a Samurai Sword coming out of the sheath. It was something that I noticed but never paid attention to until my conversation with Mr. Block. The design is smart and clicks when it's inserted back into the belt. The ball marker included is magnetic and sits inside of the divot tool. A recent change has seen KenRick make the ball markers open to customization.

As far as my observations go when tested this product tested with top marks. It's hard to ignore the practicality of this belt because everything is right there. Have you ever dug through your pockets looking for your divot tool or ball marker? Of course you have. Have you inadvertently had yourself poked and prodded in your  "nether region"? You might have... I have. Have you put a hole in your $100 pants by a divot tool? If you have then you have me beat. Either way, kiss all of these problems good-bye. When I wore the belt for the first time while practicing at Whirlpool Golf Course (Niagara Parks Commission) I knew that KenRick had a winner on their hands. I was working on approach shots of varying lengths and as I approached the practice green I would slightly pull out the tip of the belt, remove the ball marker and then using my thumb and index finger I pulled out the divot tool. A quick repair of the green later I picked up my marker, inserted it into the back of the divot tool and clicked the divot tool back into the place. No digging and no fumbling around. I would also get one last hurrah in on the course and I wore my black belt with the excellent contrasting white stitching. My KenRick belt was a star and that was something that I thought that I would never say about a belt.

Seeing that KenRick Golf is newer to the golfing industry the only thing missing is getting these belts into more hands of the golfing masses. This is something that KenRick intends to address at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show. The belts come in at two different price points. Which is a stroke of genius from a retail perspective. If you go to http://kenrickgolf.com/ you will find that the current prices are $44.25 USD for the Ribbon Webbing version and $74.25 USD for the leather versions. The Croc Embossed Brown is a little more at $89.25 USD. Either way, these products from KenRick are worth every dime. If you're in the market for a new belt really consider KenRick Golf (Twitter handle @KenRickGolf)

December 13th - An amendment to the article. It is important to note that it is advised to remove the divot tool when going through TSA/Security Checkpoints. There is no guarantee that they would see it on x-ray or confiscate it. Better to check it than to lose it. Always better safe than sorry.

On the 15th Day of Christmas - Gift Ideas For Golfers

Ever so slowly the halls are getting decked and the chestnuts are roasting on an open fire. Even though we haven't really seen any true snow yet it's definitely starting to feel like the holiday season. With this particular season of course comes walking through crowded malls looking for the right gift. or do we? There is of course ordering goods on-line so you don't have to suffer afflictions like parking lot rage, mall hotness and the desire to scream at the individual that just ran their cart up into the back of your heels.

So you might have purchased the X Box One, the obligatory chocolates and Barbie. But now you find yourself needing a practical gift for the golfer in your life and you don't know where to begin. Well, sharing is caring and please let me offer some terrific golf gift ideas.

(As a person who has always been on a very tight budget I'm hoping to have all of my ideas under $50 USD)

OnCore Golf Avant -  Every golfer at one point or another needs golf balls. This company based in nearby Buffalo, NY is in the golf ball industry and they are starting to gain traction in the difficult golf ball industry. I had the pleasure of reviewing these golf balls and they have a lot to offer. Soft feel, long off of the tee, and they perform well around the greens. Available in white and optic yellow these golf balls offer the best "bang for the golfer buck". You can order these golf balls from http://www.oncoregolf.com/ for $20 USD. (OnCore is also offering holiday bundles as well.)

Thirty6ix Golf Company - I love golf and I love to wear golf fashion. However, be as it may I don't like to lounge around in golf apparel all day. Golf lifestyle brand Thirty6ix Golf can help you. The Toronto, Ontario based brand offers everything. If you're looking for headwear, fleece, t-shirts, tank tops, or accessories than look no further. All of their prices are in Canadian dollars which could make this brand very attractive to golfers south of the 49th parallel. Everything on the site is $54.99 CAD or less. Check them out at https://36golfco.com/

SwingClick Golf - A key to a great golf swing is tempo. When our tempo and timing is on our ball striking improves and the game gets just a little more easier. Tempo is a hard thing to learn. That is until SwingClick came on the scene. By strapping the SwingClick Golf device to your lead forearm golfers quickly ingrain tempo and timing. With aid coming audibly golfers will hear three clicks. One is at the top of the swing. The first click will be at the top of the swing where you feel like you have paused. You haven't though... you're still moving but you have now transferred your weight. The second click will be at impact and the third is at the finish. You can use the SwingClick in your house when the snow is flying. No down time. The SwingClick Plus is offered in blue, orange, purple and red. They can be purchased at http://swingclickgolf.com/ for $35 USD.

Cradlz Smart Phone Holster - I recently posted a review on this product. It is a simple, effective tool that can be used almost everywhere for every activity. Golfers in particular like it because they can attach their smart phone in the Cradlz device and get video of their swing. The flexible tripod attaches to nearly anything and is also easy to assemble and store in the golf bag. By taking video and using software like free V1 Sports analysis software you can begin to see where your faults are. Or better yet... you can see why you pured that iron. Each device is $29.99 USD Check out Cradlz at http://www.cradlz.com/

Snap-Hookz Golf - This highly functional accessory is the brainchild of Derek Queener down in lovely Clearwater, Florida. Instead of digging around the pockets of your golf bag you can attach Snap-Hookz using the snaps on the golf bag and keep your gloves, tee bags etc a mere reach away. The webbing used comes in a variety of colors and designs. Also, not to be forgotten there is complete customization available. Each Snap-Hookz costs $17.99 USD. For dog lovers they also offer collars and leashes as well. Please visit https://snaphookzgolf.com/ for more information.

Tee Claw - I love this product. Not only are they extremely affordable but their uses are literally countless. If you haven't seen this product John Black is the mastermind behind the product. Are you stuck hitting off of mats in the winter teeing up the ball on a rubber tee? I know I used to be before Tee Claw and there is no going back ever again. With Tee Claw you can "practice like you play" and kiss rubber tees/tubes good-bye. Twist a Tee Claw into the mats commonly found at the range or dome and stick your usual tee into the hole. The claws grip the carpet or turf and by using a second claw and one lanyard (included) you not only have a fool-proof set-up for practice but you now also have an alignment aid going down your toe line. Each pack comes with 3 tees (different lengths), 4 lanyards and 3 Tee Claws. When they were $14.95 USD each pack I though they were a steal but after visiting their site they are now $8.99 USD. Visit http://teeclaw.com/ for more information.

HoleOut Golf - If there is one company that understands practical it is California based HoleOut Golf. The brand offers "Absurdly Functional" product for golfers. These products are everything from the Anti-Sway Pro which helps eliminate the worst swing fault there is... "the sway". To the HoleOut Pro which by using the "HoleOut Method" will help you make more putts on the green. The brand also features the PerfecTee which is the most durable tee I have ever seen to the PerfecTowel which offers golfers the perfect towel to have as an accessory. The towel can clip onto your bag or hang off of your pants pocket and offers a wet and dry portion. All of their products have been outstanding in my testing and have garnered tremendous marks from me. To check out their entire line-up please visit https://holeout.com/collections/the-holeout-product-suite Prices range from $5.99 to $49.95 USD but they offer the HoleOut Sweet Suite which includes four of their products for $89.95 USD

AntiSway in picture is longer in production.

Well I hope that this little guide comes in handy and makes your golf shopping a little easier. Happy shopping.

Until The Next Tee!

Review - Cradlz Smart Phone Holster

We've all been there. We're out practicing, striking golf balls and in the age of social media we want to share our golf swing with our friends and followers. So, we strategically place our phone on top of our golf bag where it's precariously perched in between two golf clubs. After making sure that the shot is set up just right you address the ball and then... the phone falls not to the ground but down to the bottom of the golf bag. So you unceremoniously empty your golf bag and flip it upside down and retrieve your phone.

Okay so that scenario likely hasn't happened to many of my readers but if I have to be honest (and I should be) it happened to me. The number of times that I have tried to get video or pics of my swing for the purpose of analysis is staggering. Even though I hate seeing myself on camera or video the reality is that it's a necessary evil. Luckily for golfers there is a product out there that can effectively eliminate the above scenario from unfolding and send you on your way to breaking down your swing.

Cradlz by Stinger Smart Phone Holster is a simple effective tool brought to you by Stinger Golf. Going back to the history of the company (based in Northern Ohio) some golfers may recollect their previous endeavor Stinger Golf Tees which are known for being the original performance golf tee. Once upon a time I used them and liked them a lot because of their slim design, ease of inserting into the ground (including hardpan) and the "cup" the ball sat on was very small. The brand has wanted to expand their market within the golf industry with the purpose of offering golfers... "more". More is what they've been able to offer with the Cradlz Smart Phone Holster. When I say more I mean it as more chances to learn about your golf swing, more opportunities to get actions photos of any activity and simply more uses than you can shake a stick at. 

Louis Rittberger is the President of Stinger Golf and I want to take this time to thank Mr. Rittberger for the opportunity to test out the Cradlz device. When I wrote Stinger asking for the opportunity to test out their product Mr. Rittberger was very forthcoming. The package arrived from Ohio in no time at all and it's always nice to see fast shipping. Fast shipping and positive customer service go a long way in making a company successful. Upon opening the package inside was a neatly packaged item. The Cradlz device was in two segments inside of a nice mesh bag. Made from a high impact plastic the company's branding is on full display neatly on the front of the holster. There is an adjustable clamp that can clinch virtually any cell phone firmly in place and attaching the tripod to the clamp is a thing of ease. Using a threaded screw you simply screw it together and the device is ready for use. The tripod is really what I like about Cradlz. For me, it's the tripod that really seals the deal on the ingenuity of the device. The tripod has flexible legs that are extremely malleable. They can twist and curl around nearly anything. Essentially the Cradlz device can be attached to almost anything.

When it came to the testing of Cradlz it was easy to pass a positive judgement on it early. The two pieces were easy to put together and attaching it to my golf bag, a bag stand or anything else for that matter was simple and quick. I have used Cradlz extensively as I have finally obtained a great way to capture swing video to analyze with software like V1 Sports. As a matter of fact just the other day I was out at the range getting in a December session. I employed Cradlz by attaching it to a bag stand securing it by wrapping the legs around the top brace. A couple of days later I wanted to see my swing as I had some minor issues with my striking. Because of the solid design I caught video that was clear and shake-free. I was horrified when I slowed down the video frame by frame and saw me standing up and losing spine angle. Without my ability to capture that image using Cradlz I would never have known what the issue was. My last round of golf I used it to capture a swing on a Par 3 as the sun was setting. It made for a nice picture without a photographer. The uses continued to exhibit themselves as I attached it to the steering wheel of my boat while fly fishing on the Lower Niagara River. I've used Cradlz for getting video of me putting on the greens, to capture video of me hitting an approach into the green for a review to be posted later this week. Really the uses of Cradlz are infinite. Ultimately, if there was one negative thing to say about the design or the device it's that i would love to see the fit be a little more snug. It could be the case on my phone but it did manage to fall out a couple of times. Honestly though... it really is no big deal.

I'll be doing a piece that is coming out on the weekend on holidays buys for golfers. With a value of $29.99 USD the Cradlz Smart Phone Holster is on my recommended to buy list. It's uses are too many count and it's value is immeasurable. I highly recommend this product to golfers and active people in general. The practical applications are wonderful and the design durable. Have a look at their website.  http://www.cradlz.com/

Until The Next Tee!

Comeback(s)

Well folks it finally happened. After months of wondering when I'm returning to golf there is finally an answer. Yep... I bet you weren't expecting this beginning at all. For some time I had been mulling over a decision to walk away from the game altogether. A game that I love and am very passionate about. The reality is that I love that everything golf is and that it has to offer... it's humbling, beautiful, rewarding and maddening all at the same time. So many of the people involved in the game are very good people and part of what I liked so much about my position of Director of Golf Services this year at Port Colborne Country Club was the banter from said people around the shop or clubhouse.

November 14th Session

Seeing that this time of the year is the "off-season" of golf in these parts of the world there truly is no off-season for some. I fall into the latter category especially with my epiphany of not wanting to quit golf. The truth is that what I really crave is to play golf and more to the point play in competition. With the PGA Show coming up in Orlando (MCO) at the end of January I was going to use the time to play in a Mini-Tour event or two. Now as it appears for the moment my schedule in Orlando isn't going to mesh with the Moonlight Tour (which is a segment of the OGA Tour). There is an event that I could play in the day of departure but making my flight out of MCO could prove a little dicey.

Knowing that spring will inevitably arrive at the end of what is supposed to be a long, snowy winter there will be events to play in somewhere. Whether it's on the NGA Great Lakes Tour (where I've previously embarrassed myself with poor scores and an unfinished golf swing) or a Mini-Tour like the Michigan Players Tour I know I have a ton of work to do to prepare. I'm pretty much in a sort of golf "No Man's Land" being a soon-to-be 45 year old trying to compete against 23 year old "kids". Although, I have been a little inspired by the recent successes of Padraig Harrington and Anders Hansen. The tender age of 50 seems light years away. There has been a part of me that has thought about relinquishing my status and returning to Amateur golf. The reasons are many but among them are the lower costs of events and it might be a more suitable place to build a playing resume.

Lower Body work out. Leg Press. Note CHASE 54 #ForThePursuit

No matter where I end up I am re-dedicating myself to a new fitness and practice regimen. I recently joined World Gym in Niagara Falls and I am quickly turning into a "gym rat". Part of the motivation here is a piece I saw in "Golf Tips Magazine" where Canadian Women's Long Drive Champion Lisa Vlooswyk talked about how the lower body, core and flexibility play more of a part in generating more distance. A tool that I need to compete with the afore-mentioned kids. I am alternating leg and arms days with cardio and flexibility being worked on daily. Recently, I stepped on a scale and was mortified to see me weighing in at a fat 230 lbs. Of course, after the fact I saw my swing on video and I was distracted by my gut. A urgent sense of change took over immediately. Practice on the range has been fairly regular as well regardless of our ever-changing weather patterns. It went from 60's to 30's in the blink of an eye... oh and the cold rain too. But, practice must be had and the grind is a part of the game's beauty too.

Photo Credit: Calgary Herald

As it turns out we saw another comeback proclaimed this week. One that is barely more popular than mine and one that has been received by the masses. Finally, after months of close calls Tiger Woods is back in a small field event. In tropical New Providence, Bahamas Tiger made his return in the Hero World Challenge. Of course the tournament is ongoing but the golf world was ecstatic to see his return. I liked watching his first swing and it is maybe a little "alien" to see him swinging  TaylorMade Golf M2 woods after years playing products with a "swoosh". He's also gaming a Scotty Cameron putter and playing Bridgestone Golf B330S golf balls. As alien as it is... it is also refreshing and exciting and I like exciting. There were pundits around golf journalism that suggested he would finish last in the field this week. His opening 73 was even more ammunition for pundits like Brandel Chamblee to criticize him. While I'm not a Tiger lover... Chamblee is (as far as I am concerned) a Tiger hater. Oh... jealousy is a sick and ugly monster. Then today happens... Tiger posts a 65. Saturday should be a fun day to watch as Tiger is paired with Rickie Fowler. I don't know what will happen in the end but love him or hate him it's great seeing Tiger back. He sells tickets and increases television ratings which is all very good for golf.

Photo Credit: pgatour.com

It's always fun watching a comeback. Whether it's Tiger Woods or some fat kid who's been through Hell and back all the while being trolled the entire time. I cannot wait to peg it up again. God! I love this game.

Until The Next Tee!