I’m hitting them all, baby! All for you.  In no particular religious order, here are my golf gift suggestions to recognize the 8 nights of Hanukkah, the 7 days of Kwanzaa and the 12 days of Christmas:

Hanukkah
–Night One–Heavy Putter
–Night Two–Pukka Golf Hats
–Night Three–Round of Golf at Victoria Hills, Deland, Florida
–Night Four–Groove Sharpener tools
–Night Five–Book # 1–Fifty More Places To Play Golf Before You Die
–Night Six–Trip to central Massachusetts to play Crump’n Fox and The Orchards (you’ll have to negotiate to get on the latter!)
–Night Seven–Henry-Griffitts custom fit irons
–Night Eight–Loudmouth Golf pants

Kwanzaa
–Day One–Scratch Golf wedges
–Day Two–Book # 2–The Impact Zone from Bobby Clampett
–Day Three–Accommodations at The Pit Vacation Villas
–Day Four–North Carolina Quarry Golf at The Pit and Tobacco Road
–Day Five–Ping Moon-Lite II carry bag
–Day Six–Nike Air Zoom Bandon golf shoes for all kinds of bad weather
–Day Seven–Book # 3–Golf’s Dream 18s from David Barrett

Christmas

–Day One–Central New York golf at Seven Oaks and Leatherstocking
–Day Two–A pair or two of Kikkor Golf Shoes
–Day Three–Another pair … of tickets to the Buffalo-Niagara Golf Show
–Day Four–A central Florida round of golf at Sanctuary Ridge
–Day Five–A multi-pack of Nuun tablets for water bottles
–Day Six–An Xtensor to exercise the forearm, eliminate weakness and add strength
–Day Seven–Shirts and Pants from Quagmire Golf
–Day Eight–Book # 4–A Course Called Ireland
–Day Nine–northeastern Ohio golf at Little Mountain, Avalon Lakes & Fowlers Mill
–Day Ten–Mugs and Greeting Cards from our favorit golf comic strip, Life In The Trap
–Day Eleven–Book # 5–Planet Golf USA
–Day Twelve–Summer resort golf getaways in western New York at Byrncliff and Holiday Valley

Loudmouth Golf

I was fortunate a month later to get my hands on another pair of these trousers, a groovier style in this second instance. Understand that while I liked the Shagadelic Black-A stylings, the Mojo-A lines that arrived next did wonders for a change of pace…

Loudmouth Golf

the style of the 1960s hep cats and groovy go-goers was an entirely different look. In fact, I can’t wait to illuminate an otherwise-dull western New York post-leaf change Fall day with these cats.

For whatever reason, I had it in my head that the Loudmouth Golf pants would not wear nearly as soft as they do. They feel like a pajama pant against the leg, but do not cling when the going gets warm. I believe that if there is a bit of the showman in you, clamoring to get out, these are the pants for you. If the showman is already out, chances are you have a pair of these duds.

Antigua (http://www.antigua.com/antigua.htm) is making some fine shirts these days. I took three with me to North Carolina last week and put them through the rigors of hellfire and brimstone in the depths of The Pit, Tobacco Road and Tot Hill Farm. Each of these three courses utilizes elevation (ascents and descents) as prime aesthetic and hazardous elements. You sweat a lot, so what better way to test a shirt? White, Red and Blue passed with flying, patriotic colors.

When you head out for a week of golf with friends, why not set the tone with a comfortable and scandalous pair of pants? Loudmouth Golf (http://www.loudmouthgolf.com/) did just the trick with its Shagadelic pants. My three chums shook their heads and enjoyed the round. Each took an opportunity to poke a little fun at my bottoms. When the dust had settled, the Shags signed for the low round and the high fives for their bravado. Loudmouth’s pants are incredible soft and comfortable, not to mention eye-catching. I have a pair of Mojo style that I can’t wait to bring out next.

The first thing I did the night before our departure was to clean my iron and wedge faces. I used my newly-acquired groove sharpeners (http://groovesharpener.com/) to evict the dirt and grass and other crud from the grooves and give the irons a bit of bite. Through six rounds over six demanding courses, any well-struck iron shot hit and bit with authority, leaving me with a host of birdie putts. Tees are do a nice job of getting the top layer of dirt out, but the groove sharpener is the answer for complete cleaning and restoration of iron grooves.

A few years back, Boccieri Golf introduced the Heavy Putter (http://www.heavyputter.com/). With weight in its handle and head, the putter swung the golfer, rather than the other way around. The brain trust behind the club introduced a Mid-Weight model in 2009 and the popularity of this version was evidenced by its visibility in the hands of customers. Having struggled with an old putter (Wilson 8813 an 8802), I decided to flip the switch 180 degrees and try the latest thing. On the demanding greens of Mike Strantz and Pete Dye, I slowly regained my touch. That I did so without any practice time whatsoever seems to point toward a certain usefulness of this Heavy Putter Mid-Weight.

I’ll have more in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, let me know if you agree or disagree and certainly tell us what we should review in the near and distant futures.

The Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly.

Recently I received a spate of the supposedly latest and greatest training aids that guaranteed miraculous overnight solutions to improve my swing and short game.

Well, as you can imagine, training aids are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get inside. Thanks Forrest for a great truth.

We tested all these products at the Rancho La Quinta Country Club using their staff PGA teaching pros headed by Shaun Shearer as well as our usual group of testers and those of the PGTAA (www.pgtaa.com).
A caveat:  Whichever training or teaching aid you decide on to rectify that part of your game that is lacking, you must use it regularly to obtain the benefits!
When it comes to golf teaching and training aids there is positively no shortage from which to pick from. There are teaching and training aids available for every facet of your golf game. From having a proper stance to sinking the last putt, there is something available to help anyone. The best advice here is to not get confused.
You must decide on a golf training aid that can help cure a particular problem area of your golf.

The Sonic Golf S1 Audio Biofeedback System

Consistent rhythm and tempo plus, balance, are the gel that keeps the swing moving freely and repetitively. The key to great golf is to find your own ideal rhythm and tempo and then maintain it.

Sonic golf enables golfers of all abilities to capture this most elusive aspect of the golf swing. With the Sonic Golf System-1, for the first time, you can literally hear the rhythm, tempo and timing of your swing in real-time, as you swing, and tune in to the most fundamental success factors of the golf swing.

The Sonic System-1 is simple, straightforward, and amazingly effective. Hear “casting from the top”. Hear jerky transitions from backswing to downswing. Hear the release of the clubhead before, at, or after the ball, and hear the sweet sound of a smooth, fluid, rhythmic golf swing - in real-time, every time.

The Sonic Golf System-1 technology is inserted inside the shaft of your club fitted with Sonic Golf’s custom Golf Pride grip. The swing motion is transmitted wirelessly to a belt-worn receiver, which converts your swing motion to continuous musical tones you hear on the headset unit. Slow swings are low pitch and quiet tones. Swinging faster and the pitch and volume gets higher.
Instead of focusing on the mechanics, such as starting on your downswing by shifting weight to your left foot, you can now exclusively use the audio feedback to regulate your swing. As a result, you will focus more on the swing itself and forget everything else.
$399.00 for the Solo model (shown above) and $499.00 for the Pro version

www.sonicgolf.com

AccuPutt Putting Trainer

This is an excellent aid that can be used from home.  The best feature is the ability to see the line throughout the stroke, which enables one to see if the ball is pushed or pulled.  If one is able to understand why the putt is off line then the stroke can be corrected.  The device definitely can build a memory that can be repeated and will create a more consistent stroke if used regularly. 

AccuPutt uses a type-1 laser to shoot an invisible line down the center of the practice green - the opening on the special patent-pending putter must travel perfectly straight to avoid breaking that line. A green LED on the base unit shows when the laser line is unbroken, but if the putter strays at all from the perfect stroke, a red light is activated instead - giving the user critical instant feedback while they practice their stroke.

The aperture in the putter is even adjustable so that as a user’s putting improves, they can continue to challenge themselves until their putting is pure, consistent, and deadly accurate.

The only negative is the putter used is not the putter one uses on a daily basis.

$249.95      www.accuputt.com  or www.321putt.com

 RoboCup Automatic Ball Return Robot 

Spending just an hour practicing putting and you can be assured of sore back. RoboCup is the only ball return device designed to work on every practice green.

When your putts drop into the hole, RoboCup’s innovative design automatically shoots the ball right back to you.

RoboCup runs on 4 AA batteries and will return the ball up to 14 feet, depending on green speed. A set of batteries last for 15,000 putt returns. Combine it with the RoboCup Caddy Cord, shown in the photo, and even missed putts shoot back to you.

The RoboCup (with Caddy Cord) is available for under $60, making for an ideal Father’s Day or spring/summer gear or tech-inspired gift. Without the cord - $49.95

www.finetunegolf.com

The SensoGlove for correct grip pressure – how to avoid the “Death Grip”

Practicing with the SensoGlove will teach you the correct grip pressure for a smooth, consistent swing that delivers greater distance, enhanced precision and lower scores. It has adjustable pressure settings that allow the user to select a grip that works for them and stores this information. It also measures each finger’s pressure. A lighter grip improves distance and accuracy with every club, including chipping and putting.

SensoGlove’s built-in digital computer actively monitors your grip with sensors placed strategically throughout the glove, providing instant feedback at all the points of your swing. SensoGlove’s audio feedback warns you at the moment your grip becomes too tight, allowing you to learn and maintain correct grip pressure at every point of your swing.

The lightweight digital computer can be removed and replaced without removing the glove, so you can use it only when you need it.

The gloves are exceptionally durable and are available in men’s and ladies sizes S-XL for $89.00. If the glove wears out, keep the computer and simply reorder another glove for $25.00.

www.sensoglove.com

ProStance

As per ProStance devotee, Padraig Harrington, “The ProStance is a great tool for any golfer at any level. It helps build balance and stability for every part of the game from putting and chipping to the full swing”.

This device works well for advanced players working on their balance and weight shift.  I noticed that for players who do not have good balance at all, had difficulty making a swing.  As per Shaun Sheareer, “I believe that the Pro Stance is great for average and advanced players and will recommend it to my advanced players”.  Unfortunately you have to have a teacher there to watch for if you are unbalanced an amateur golfer, they themselves, will not know how to fix the balance problem.  “I found the Pro Stance to be helpful with players who tend to have their head ahead of the ball at impact and this teaches the feeling and balance necessary in the swing to keep the head back and then complete the weight shift on the follow through.”

$79.00                 www.pro-stance.com

KC Putting Device - A Putters Dream

More like a putter’s nightmare.  This device looks great in the case and then you open it up and see all of the cheap plastic parts you have to put together and then have to read the manual to put it on the putter. 

The idea of the device is great and you are able to see the path of your stroke and see where the ball is positioned.  The device also enables you to see what line the ball starts on and if it is consistent with your stroke.  Not recommended.

True Ympact Swing Trainer

The True Ympact is excellent for players with casting problems and for players who would like to feel their hands in front of the club. 

The device does not let you release the club early.  It is difficult to hit shots with the device on, but once you remove the True Ympact your swing will feel great. You can tell instantly that the True Ympact had started to build a different memory into the swing and the shots were more solid and a more consistent ball flight was evident. 

Our testers and PGTAA (www.pgtaa.com) teachers and students who tried this saw an increase in distance after hitting about 50-60 balls.  I will use this with my students and recommend it for a training aide for them to purchase.

$99.95         www.trueympact.com

The Perfect Link

The Perfect Link is the best putting aid out of the group as it keeps your left arm in perfect position throughout the stroke.  The device keeps your forearms close together on both the back stroke and forward stroke. 

 A bonus feature is that the Perfect Link will also help your chipping technique.

It is ready to use right out of the box and can be used not only on the practice putting green, but in the comfort of your home as well. 

Our testers found that by using The Perfect Link to warm up before each round, it has ingrained a memory in their putting strokes that they I can take and feel out on the course as well. At the PGTAA (www.pgtaa.com) we have had multiple students and teachers try the device and they all saw improvements in their stroke.  It especially helps with a more consistent stroke on shorter putts.

$29.95           www.theperfectlink.com

TruePlane Putting Trainer

Trueplane is used by more than 250 tour pros and these players have more than 200 wins on the main tours including 11 Majors since getting Trueplane. One of Trueplane’s biggest endorser is Masters Champ Trevor Immelman.

Trueplane has been used on tour since 2001. I believe that an inside-to-inside stroke is best because it is just as simple as a straight stroke and is easier to achieve and more natural. On many occasions many of our testers who said they preferred a straight stroke tried Trueplane and found that it felt great.

To use the Trueplane, you simply slide the putter along the guide following the red line for the perfect stroke. The Trueplane includes a guide rod for perfect putter alignment as well as a smart looking carry bag.

$59.95      http://www.brooksgolf.com/

Also available is Uniputt.

Uniputt provides a quick and simple way to eliminate wrist movement from the putting stroke and provides immediate feedback enabling you to improve your putting in minutes. This simplifies the stroke and makes it more solid and consistent. Eliminating wrist movement is an important part of the ideal pendulum stroke used by pros and recommended by coaches.

Eliminating wrist movement is an important part of the ideal pendulum stroke used by pros and recommended by coaches. Uniputt provides immediate feedback enabling you to improve your putting in minutes.

$29.95          http://www.brooksgolf.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.
MSRP: $449.00
www.proplaygps.com

Bridgestone Golf Balls

We used Bridgestone’s B330, B330 RX and Treo balls. All our testers raved about the feel of all three of these balls especially the Treo. While doing our wedge testing as well, the RX received the highest ranking from our better players, while the Treo was the favorite of the higher handicappers.
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

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His latest book,” The Right Mind for Golf”, is to be released in August 2009.

He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net

June 25, 2009                                                                                                                                          mb@mblacy.com

TSXV Trade Symbol:  ANE                                                                           (760) 346-6942
US Trade Symbol: ANTGF.PK

Antigua Extends License Agreement in Canada

 Peoria, Ariz.. — The Antigua Group, Inc. recently consummated a four-year extension of its license agreement with Tournament Sports Marketing of Waterloo, Ontario - Canada.  This extension continued an 18-year partnership in the Canadian market between the two companies.

“We are extremely proud of our long-term partnership with Tournament Sports Marketing (www.tournament-sports.com) and their principle Mr. Kim Bauer.  TSM has done a fantastic job in Canada with the Antigua brand since 1991 and over the past several years we have worked together on the Nancy Lopez brand (www.naceylopezgolf.com) in Canada as well,” said Antigua President Ron McPherson. 

The Antigua Group, Inc., one of the nation’s leading designers and marketers of genuine golf and sports apparel under its Antigua brand, distributes a variety of men’s and women’s garments including selections from its Desert Dry™ apparel.  Desert Dry™ is a moisture wicking technology created exclusively for Antigua to absorb and wick moisture quickly and evenly to achieve the most efficient evaporation possible for comfort and dryness.  Antigua apparel is routinely tested under the hottest conditions of the Arizona Desert to assure that it meets the highest standards of moisture wicking performance. 

Headquartered in Peoria, Arizona, The Antigua Group, through its license sports division, holds license agreements with Major and Minor League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) along with numerous American universities and colleges for men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, headwear and outerwear.  Antigua additionally designs, produces and supplies product for corporate America and specialty retail managed under its corporate division. Its golf division also holds license agreements with the PGA TOUR, LPGA and the PGA of America.  For more information on The Antigua Group, visit them online at www.antigua.com. 

The Antigua Group, Inc., 16651 North 84th Avenue, Peoria, Ariz.. 85382

Over the past months, I’ve tested a fair number of these clubs, hoping to find the one(s) that would carry me to a new (and lower level) of golf.  I was across the border (NY-PA) yesterday at Penn Hills Club (18) and Pine Acres CC (9–rain out as we started off 10) and became aware, amid the growing storms, that the Nike SQ SUMO hybrids were my soulmates and would stay in my bag for a long time.

These Nikes look like traditional fairway woods/metals, albeit with a thinner club face.  I’m big on looks, as I suspect many are, although I did give some of the more contemporary clubheads (Nickent, Nike SUMO2, et al.) a chance. When my eye is distracted by a back-end bulge (on the club head!), I find it difficult to execute the swing.  I imagine that, if I were mired in the high 80s to low 100s (shots, not years), or if I were 20 years younger, I’d be much less influenced by appearance and much more open to a more radical club head.

Next comes a tie between sound and feel, all of which lead to confidence and performance.  I was always equally distracted and amused by the quacking sound the first square-headed Nike driver made a few years back.  Didn’t matter to me how straight and far it went; if it sounds like a duck, then it is a duck.  Thankfully, the company has improved that aspect of the club, making life easier for wolfhounds everywhere who went to therapy due to these invisible geese.

Some dandy Cobra clubs were eliminated in the semi-finals.  I liked their look, sound and feel.  Their performance was excellent (blew two second shots to par fives at Charlotte Golf Links over the green with them in April!) but I could not punch them under trees!  Darned things flew too high.  I’d never had trouble with the punch recovery with my long irons.  I actually relied on it from trees and into the wind, and it was one shot I wanted to keep in my bag.

The final match pitted the winners against a fine entry from Titleist, the 909F2.  If this doesn’t confirm my fringe lunacy (or perhaps seat me as your hero), I don’t know what will.  The Titleist club is the ultimate player’s hybrid.  It has the traditional look (as all Titleist clubs do) and swings, sounds and feels like someone on tour should hit it.  In other words, it is slightly less forgiving than the Nikes (which have the slightest of slight offsets in the hosel.)

My 74 from the tips at Penn Hills (and 38 on the front from the tips at Pine Acres) convinced me that I can be really good, but not great.  I’m not going to venture into the high 60s anytime soon.  If I did, then the Titleist series would be the clubs for  me.  Where I am, around a 5 handicap, is a deceitful temptress.  I hit enough good shots to envision myself playing the game at the highest level; at 43, I’m realistic enough to know that I won’t be doing so.  I need the security of the Nike, although I’m darned attracted to those Titleists!  For what it’s worth, no matter how many other balls I try, I can’t get enough of the spin I get from those ProV1s!!

April 23, 2009

                             Curvilinear Sole Gives Player More Shot Control

MAUMEE, OH – Henry-Griffitts, the seminal force in custom club fitting for 26 years, announces the release of its new OS-1 Irons. The successor to the RDH 3 Iron Series, the OS-1 features a Curvilinear Sole to offer improved consistency, control and playability.

The Curvilinear Sole is designed with optimized weight distribution — a lower center of gravity, strategically placed tungsten/copper sole weights, wide sole and cutout back design. The result of the Curvilinear Sole is apparent at club-ball impact. Even off center hits are improved and the ball launches into the air faster and higher.

“The OS-1 is exceptionally forgiving, but gives the player the freedom to play all shots,” says Randy Henry, founder of Henry-Griffitts. “The sole has great playability and allows a wide variety of shots for all golfers – zero to high handicaps.”

The OS-1’s classy and stylish design provides the golfer with a desirable aesthetic without sacrificing the performance of the club. It also features a fly-cut-machining process to ensure a perfectly flat face, machine-engraved grooves and the softest stainless head to eliminate imperfections in the club and increase consistency for the player.

“With the new Curvilinear Sole design the Henry-Griffitts OS-1’s deliver the best combination of forgiveness, playability and versatility in an iron set,” said Sandra Palmer, LPGA Professional and member of the Texas Hall of Fame and NCAA Golf Hall of Fame. “This is an ideal choice for all golfers looking for more benefits and better playability.”

OS-1 Irons will be available in May 2009 from Henry-Griffitts Certified Teachers nationwide.

The suggested retail price for the OS-1 irons from Henry-Griffitts is $160.00 per club (steel shaft) and $175.00 per club (graphite shaft).

About Henry-Griffitts

Henry-Griffitts is the pioneer of dynamic club fitting and originator of the lie board, interchangeable heads and dynamic fitting, as well as the club-fitting cart. Dedicated to the symbiotic relationship between swing and equipment, Henry-Griffitts custom fits clubs through its national network of HG-Certified Teachers and then hand assembles those clubs to the tightest industry specifications. Henry-Griffitts was founded in 1983 by Randy Henry and Jim Griffitts, a pair of golf professionals who recognized that custom-fit golf clubs consistently enhance golfer performance.

                                                                        * * * *

For more information and product images contact Mary Beth Lacy at:

Email: mb@mblacy.com

Phone: (760) 346-6942:

DISCOVERED MIURA IRONS

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (April 22, 2009)—A player on the Duramed Futures Tour won last week’s Louisiana Pelican Classic with eight Miura Golf MC-102 irons in her bag. She finished at 8-under 136 to earn a three-stroke, rain-shortened (to 36 holes) victory at The Wetlands in Lafayette, La., while using the MC-102 3-iron through pitching wedge, all with Nippon NS Pro shafts.

The player, in her third 2009 event, earned $12,600 for her first victory this year, placing her second on the money list with $15,515 in earnings. She leads this year’s tour with a 71.38 average score. Last year she earned her first career Duramed Futures Tour victory at The Gettysburg (Pa.) Championship.

Miura Golf—whose corporate office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia—manufactures the world’s highest-quality forged, mild-steel irons for consumers and for some of the world’s major golf-equipment companies.

“We’re extremely pleased that this victory has demonstrated that Miura Golf’s forged, mild-steel irons also are the ideal iron choice for women golfers,” says Miura Golf Vice President Bill Holowaty. “We’re very proud of her, and we fully expect her to be back in the winner’s circle again soon with the help of her Miura MC-102 irons.”

For more Miura Golf information or company/product images please contact Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942 or mb@mblacy.com.

April 17, 2009                                                                                                                                         mb@mblacy.com

TSXV Trade Symbol:  ANE                                                                                 (760) 346-6942
US Trade Symbol: ANTGF.PK

Antigua Golf Signs PGA TOUR License Agreement

Peoria, Ariz. – The Antigua Group, Inc., celebrating its 30th year in business in 2009 as one of the nation’s leading designers and marketers of genuine golf and sports apparel under its Antigua brand, has proudly signed a three-year license agreement with the PGA TOUR.  Acquiring the PGA TOUR license was predicated on Antigua’s long-standing reputation as a genuine golf brand and allows Antigua to continue service to PGA TOUR events and expands Antigua’s reach to the Champions Tour, the Nationwide Tour and specific PGA TOUR retail partners.  Antigua’s golf division is proud to additionally hold license agreements with the PGA of America and the LPGA.

Headquartered in Peoria, Arizona, The Antigua Group, through its license sports division, holds license agreements with Major and Minor League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) along with numerous American universities and colleges for men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, headwear and outerwear.  Antigua additionally designs, produces and supplies product for corporate America and specialty retail managed under its corporate division.  For more information on The Antigua Group, visit them online at www.antigua.com or contact Mary Beth Lacy at mb@mblacy.com or call (760) 346-6942.