Sometimes thinking inside the box is as cool as being outside the box. If you have the need to use technology, then iPhone has an app for giving your golf game some help. Wheaton Warrenville South’s very own Kevin Streelman is making a splash on the PGA Tour. And he’s becoming a titan of the Apple App world as well. This is a review of the App Golf Like a Tour Pro.
Golf Like a Tour Pro
Home Screen
How many times during a round of golf have you wondered “what do I do from here?” The mind goes blank, the hands tighten on the grip, sweat forms on the brow, and you are hoping that the press on that friendly nassau is covered. Well there is an App for that. Born from Larry Slivka frustrations on the course, his thought of ”What would Kevin Streelman do?” became the inspiration to make something really extraordinary. Larry and his neighbor Kevin would design an application for golfers to answer the question. S-Squared Golf became a builder of Apple applications and a resource for golf junkies.
For the price of a small bucket of range balls (less than $5), you can get real life situational “help” from PGA Tour Pro Kevin Streelman. Available on the Apple iPhone or iTouch, there are 50 common shots featured, with a summary, strategic analysis, Kevin’s Tip and video.
Starting Out
Opening the app bring you to a screen of a typical course layout, nine buttons framing the hole. Working from the tee towards the green the left hand side of the screen has Tee, Fairway, Fairway Bunker, Water and Greenside Bunker. The right hand side has buttons for Rough, Pitching, Chipping and Putting. Pressing any of the buttons will bring you to a menu of shots relating to the subject button, swipe a finger on a menu offering and volia, you have a shot summary of that menu item.
Shot Summary
Shot Summary
I feel that this is the strength of the app, it places crucial information in one spot. Think of it as crib notes, all packaged neatly on your iPhone screen. I like the format, look and ease in which a user can access information quickly. I also like that it is straight forward, and to the point. For instance, the Ball Placement for an Uphill lie in a Fairway Bunker is…Slightly Forward. Enough said.
Analysis & Strategy
The navigation menu at the bottom of the screen allows the user to move to more information, such as strategy. Here the app walks you through the solution to the shot. It’s text and you need to scroll (again a swipe of the finger) and read. I feel that this is better suited for prior to the shot, while riding in the cart, or after the shot, but not during. I say this as a past professional that really has pace of play issues!
Kevin’s Tip
Remembering what your teaching professional told you about the shot you’re currently facing is sometimes tough, but Kevin’s Tip is like having a one on one with your teacher. I like the overview, and coaching, but like the previous paragraph, unless you are in dire need, wait until you are in the cart to view this part of the application.
Video
Oh the things you will see. This is the last navigational choice for the app and it has some great powerful stuff. The ability to visually see Kevin hit the shot is worth the price of the app. His commentary on the fundamentals for executing the shot are spot on. The option is for regular video and slow motion, the regular provides audio with the video, while the slow motion is just video.
Overall is it a Winner?
Yep. And it is not because Kevin is a friend of mine (I paid for the app..your welcome Larry and Kevin), it’s a winner because it has amazing potential to help all types of golfers. I’m jealous because I didn’t think of it FIRST! The strengths are in its simplicity to provide real time information on 50 common shots. I feel that this app is most useful prior to teeing off while waiting at the tee box. The reason is that it averages almost 2 minutes to view most of the situational shots within the app. If used appropriately, there is no problem, but many golfers waste time on the course and that leads to slow play. Just be thoughtful when you do need to use this app! Think of a few shots that your ability is not up to par with and watch the video, or read Kevin’s Tips. Add the knowledge you’ve gained from Golf Like a Tour Pro to your Shot IQ database and your game will IMPROVE (if it doesn’t maybe you need analog).
Golf Like a Tour Pro can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes Store. It costs $4.99…if you don’t have an iPhone yet I’m sure you can swing it by your wife! AT&T has stores all over the place.
