Going to Go Hug a Tree

I’m not a tree hugger, but I am impressed with something so simple as the Eco Endurance golf tee. The Endurance tee is made from natural starches and a composite of resins. According to the manufacturer they will degrade in 3-4 years (um that is a long time…but I guess those plastic water bottles I use take like 3000 years so I’ll say that 3-4 years is very good) or if placed in compost 12 months. Eco Golf also touts that the Endurance tee will last 10x’s longer than a wooden tee and will cause less damage to mowing equipment. This is a win-win situation. By lasting longer, and causing less damage to mowers, this tee could revolutionize the game of golf!…well sorta. At least the Amazon forest won’t be supplying my wooden tee fetish.

Playability

I’ve tried so called “hi-tech” golf tees in the past. And none of them really did anything for me. I mean I like the feel of a solid piece of wood, and the bonus of having a ready toothpick. The shape and size (2 3/4″) of the Eco Endurance were similar to what I use, I would have rather played a 3″ tee but these were gratis…no complaints. I noticed that it was a smidge lighter than a wooden tee, but the savings in weight were evident while walking down the 18th hole. I didn’t feel as tired and had more energy!

The Eco Endurance tee did its simple yet important job. It held my golf ball, and fluttered through the air on my big swinging drives. Since the tee is not painted with a color, the bottom of my driver and hybrid demo didn’t show the usual paint transfer. That is great if you don’t regularly clean your clubs, but kinda limits the telltale signs of a poor swing.

As far as durability, the tee lasted me all 14 tee shots. Which is actually a very good thing. I have splintered many a tee in my days, so kudos to Eco Golf. The downside I see is on par 3’s. I usually look for wounded soldiers, those discarded broken tees. If everyone played the Eco Endurance, I wouldn’t have to hunt for the right sized temporary tee. Darn!

Conclusion

So if you want to be more green, and save some, then go out and ask for your club or retailer to stock the Eco Golf Endurance Tee. They come in stock colors (white, tan and natural whatever that color is) and custom colors can be ordered. The tees can also be printed on (mine were courtesy of the Holiday Inn Lafayette City Center) and purchased directly from Eco Golf. 1,000 tees for $45.00 isn’t too steep, especially if you only need 2 per 18 holes…thats like a lifetime of golf. Now I only wish the packaging wasn’t in a plastic bag.

Relying on the latest iPhone 3G S (video capable), the Swing At’em application is a small yet powerful tool to use for all golfers.

What makes this App Cool

I was amazed to see so much potential, in such a small form factor. Basically you get a way to view your swing, annotate it, and pass it on. Available in the iTunes Store for $15, this is a “way of the future”. The Swing At’em video swing analysis app is a tool with some moxie.

Video is taken using the built in camera of the iPhone 3G S. Running the app allows for the user to add lines (shaft angle, spine angle, even drawing a circle for the head) and play back the swing in slow motion.  Take a look at your swing and in minutes you can tell if your head is moving, or you are standing up. Drawing a shaft line and shoulder line allows you to see if the club is on plane. You can even go side by side and sync a swing to another. All this in a hand held unit! Yummy…

The Cool factor is that anyone with the iPhone 3G S can use this app. Imagine, for the price of a cart fee, you could have a wicked cool application that allows you to improve your swing. Heck you could record your group and see how they stack up!

I’ve taught using video for a few years, but the price of getting a top notch system will set you back a couple grand. Getting the dedicated unit up will take time, and you need to have a power source. The Swing At’em is self contained, and measures in at a whopping 4.8 ounces…(the weight of the iPhone). You can split the screen, mirror the swing, save it and send it to someone else to view.

I was able to speak with Pol at the show, and he was very outgoing and excited about the product. Watching the demo of the app I was able to see the potential from a teaching aspect.

You can now edit a video in the palm of your hand

Overall Thoughts

If you own a 3G S iPhone and want to know more about your game, then I feel that the Swing At’em app is a super-duper deal. Will it replace a dedicated video system? Not really, the dedicated video swing systems of the world are more powerful, and they have more functionality with regards to higher frame capture rates, multiple camera options and larger storage ability. But it all comes at a price and a learning curve. The strengths of the Swing At’em is that it’s all hand held, and basic (which is a good thing). There are not so many buttons that one needs to take a class at the local JuCo to feel adequate using the app.

The downside is that you need the 3G S to shoot video, you could import, but then why not use a digital camera with higher frame rates for cleaner video. The playback screen is 3.5 inches, which could be small for some people with less than perfect eyesight. But I feel that Pol Montano and the Swing At’em has a product that costs a fraction (about the cost for a few feet of video cable) and ultra portability by using your smartphone! Can you see me now?

I also feel that once the iPad goes live, this application could fit very nicely into your digital golfing toolbox. Maybe I can get the wife to let me buy the 3G S?

Dogleg Right Golf is planning to do an article on GPS (Global Positioning System) hand held units. Since the USGA ruled that:

The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only.

It seems that range finders and GPS units are all the rage. I you use any of these devices, please fill out the form below and send it back. Once the weather gets better and we can get outside and test them, we will!

Click Here to Fill out Form

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.

It’s that time of year, chocolate, flowers, jewelery, cards oh my! These are a few ideas, something special for that Golfer in your life.

If you must go overboard…

• Clicgear push cart. This is one easy and simple way to get that exercise your significant other promised to do on their 2010 Resolution List.  Voted Best New Product at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show. Can be found at most local Golf Pro Shops and Retailers.  Find dealers and more info at Clicgear.
• Callaway Diablo Driver.  Love the name, and the game. This is one driver that will smack the devil out of the ball! Callaway Golf offers a wide range of game enhancing equipment.
• Cleveland Golf CG15 Black Pearl Wedges. Cleveland is the leader in wedge technology and they make a solid club. These are at the top of my list to add to my bag this year.  Conforms to the USGA rule on grooves, so you don’t have to worry.
• Scotty Cameron Putters. This might be the ultimate “I love you” gift you could give a golfer….enough said.

Something a little more “reasonable”…

• Gift card to any local golf course for a round of golf.  This is great because your “honey” can use it when the weather finally breaks.  Get it for two players (hint..hint) and choose the walking option, it saves money, and it promotes fitness.
• Golf Lessons.  Almost all golf courses have teaching professionals and I recommend finding out where your “valentine” practices or plays. This will save you the time searching for someone. Check our Instruction page for PGA Professionals that I recommend, not because they are friends, but because they know the game and how to teach it.
• A “free pass” day. Let your spouse know that they have one “freebie” day to go play golf.  You could make a nice card, and put it in writing!
• Hat Clip Ball Marker.  Most of use use coins for ball marks.  Sometimes we forget, so why not get something that clips onto a hat and stays there.  Most retailers will have a section by the hats that include the magnetic ball marker and clip.  Small but cool gift. Maybe you could get a hat to go with it…

These are just some ideas that any golfer would love to get this Valentines Day. Or you can become a fan of Dogleg Right Golf on Facebook and possibly win a $50.00 Callaway Gift Card.