Golf clubs are valuable, and not just to the person who cannot hit a drive straight without the latest whizz-bang driver or sink a 3-footer without a $200 putter.
Club theft is an increasing problem as unscrupulous people realize that golf clubs can be resold for a decent amount of money.
In one case, a Louisiana foursome were arrested for breaking into members' storage lockers at courses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, taking their clubs and trying to resell those clubs on eBay, an Internet auction site. In other recent reports, golf equipment has been stolen from cars, from unattended golf carts and from areas around the clubhouse.
Seems your clubs aren't safe anymore.
What to do? First, a common-sense tip: Never leave your golf clubs unattended, anywhere. Used to be you could set your bag down outside the pro shop and mosey on up to the grill for lunch. Now, law enforcement officials recommend that you stow your bag in your locked vehicle first. If possible, put the clubs where they can't be seen so they don't tempt thieves to break into your car.
Likewise, don't leave bags strapped to carts and rely on the pro shop guy to remove them and put them in a safe place. Take your bag off yourself and keep it where you can see it, or where it's locked up.
Lockers should have sturdy locks, such as padlocks - for better security, don't rely on a simple combination lock built into the locker. There have even been reports of hidden cameras used to pick up combinations, so don't chance it - get a lock with a key.
Golf club insurance is another consideration. For most players, the easiest way to insure your golf equipment is through a rider on your homeowner's insurance. In many cases, homeowner's insurance will cover the current value of your set if it is stolen from you, but that might not be enough to replace the set. So a replacement cost endorsement on your policy will take care of that.
Don't forget to put your contact information on your clubs. Sure, it detracts a bit from the beauty of the club to have a label on there, but it can help you track your clubs if they are ever lost or stolen.
Big-time golf club thieves don't have time to remove all the labels from all the clubs they take - so if more people ID'd each club, that would act as a stronger deterrent to theft.
As well, golfers are being sold on products that protect their clubs.
Golf bag manufacturer Burton has a nifty set up - a golf bag that prevents individual clubs such as expensive drivers from being taken.
The Club-Lok bag looks like it has a normal club organizer top, but actually has clamps for each club (don't worry, they won't hurt your graphite shafts). When activated with locking levers, the clamps prevent removal of a single club. To protect the entire bag, wrap its steel retractable cable around a pole or other immovable object and stick the end into the combination lock. The bag can be found for about $150 - not much more than the cost of a regular high-end bag. Other types of bag locks are also available.
Several kinds of alarms are available for golf bags, too. Alarms clip to your bag and alert you if the bag is moved or jostled. However, most of these have failed to catch on because, after all, you don't want to be standing over that clutch putt and hear the sound of a siren from someone else's bag.
To fix that, the Clubsavr alarm system has a master control unit that clips to your bag and sensor tubes that protect your most valuable clubs. When a club is removed from the sensor tube, a clock starts to count down. If the club is not returned in a specified period of time, the alarm will sound. To make it better for golf course use, the alarm is just loud enough to alert you if there's a problem - it covers a range of about 10 feet. This may not be enough to help if you've left your bag - but it will tell others that the person trying to take your driver and run probably doesn't own the bag.
Golf equipment is expensive, and the options for protecting it from a determined thief are not perfect. But by taking some precautions and utilizing locks and alarms if necessary, your odds of hanging on to your clubs are increased.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Preparing For Summer
With apologies to those dealing with excessive rains in the Northeast and thunderstorms in the Midwest, it's time to start thinking about the summer golf season. If you haven't already, it's time to dust off the clubs, start putting on the carpet, and otherwise begin getting ready to hit the links. Prepare with the following products:
Proderma Prism. Prism is a quick drying and non-greasy sunscreen perfect for golfers. It doesn't make your hands slick and it lasts up to eight hours with UV 35+ protection against the sun. The formula was developed last year based on feedback from pro players on the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Nationwide tours, and over that time has received positive feedback from recreational golfers as well.
"Golfers of all levels spend hundreds of hours exposed to the sun's harmful rays and Prism provides an extraordinary level of protection to help prevent skin cancer," says Proderma Products' CEO Mike Argyelan. "Golfers cannot have any more excuses to use sunscreen - Prism is so advanced it will render any excuse trivial."
Prism incorporates zinc oxide that helps to physically block harmful rays. It doesn't dry out skin because it's made without any alcohol, and includes Vitamins A, C and E to further moisturize. Plus, it doesn't cause allergic reactions that are common with some sunscreens.
Available in many pro shops, Prism comes in two-, four- and six-ounce bottles. It can also be purchased online through Proderma's web site, www.prodermaproducts.com.
New grips. Check your grips -- are they slick? Maybe just not as tacky as you would like? Time for a new set. Independent studies show that golfers who play once a week should replace their grips at least once a year; doing so can save three or four strokes a round.
Choosing grips can be difficult as there are many options available.
Going with a well-known name like Golf Pride, Lamkin or Winn will give you solid, well-made grips.
You might also consider the new Diamond Chord grips from C-Thru Grips. A relative newcomer to the grip market, having been around since 2001, C-Thru makes clear grips that feature a raised diamond pattern. They are played by 150 tour professionals and used by more than 200 collegiate golf teams. Plus, they're fun -- because the grips are clear, they're easy to customize with a logo from your favorite team or even your own images. See more at www.cthrugrips.com.
Good socks. Ever wear shorts on the golf course? If so, your sport socks probably caused tan lines. But some low-cut socks slip down into your shoes - no good on the golf course. Try JoxSox, a line of performance socks that feature a no-slip top, padded bottoms and a mesh fabric on top of the foot that allows air to circulate better.
Crew and quarter styles are available, as are ped versions that will help that tan. Get them in white, navy, tan or black by searching for a nearby store at www.joxsox.com.
If tan lines don't bother you, it's possible that insects do. Gold Toe makes a line of sport socks, Buzz Off socks, that incorporate insect repellent to keep fleas, ticks, flies and mosquitoes away from your ankles. The socks are available for men and women in crew and quarter styles, and the repellent lasts through 25 machine washings.
Distributed by Imperial Headwear, the Buzz Off line also includes hats and t-shirts. Look for the socks at apparel and pro shops as well as at www.goldtoe.com.
Proderma Prism. Prism is a quick drying and non-greasy sunscreen perfect for golfers. It doesn't make your hands slick and it lasts up to eight hours with UV 35+ protection against the sun. The formula was developed last year based on feedback from pro players on the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Nationwide tours, and over that time has received positive feedback from recreational golfers as well.
"Golfers of all levels spend hundreds of hours exposed to the sun's harmful rays and Prism provides an extraordinary level of protection to help prevent skin cancer," says Proderma Products' CEO Mike Argyelan. "Golfers cannot have any more excuses to use sunscreen - Prism is so advanced it will render any excuse trivial."
Prism incorporates zinc oxide that helps to physically block harmful rays. It doesn't dry out skin because it's made without any alcohol, and includes Vitamins A, C and E to further moisturize. Plus, it doesn't cause allergic reactions that are common with some sunscreens.
Available in many pro shops, Prism comes in two-, four- and six-ounce bottles. It can also be purchased online through Proderma's web site, www.prodermaproducts.com.
New grips. Check your grips -- are they slick? Maybe just not as tacky as you would like? Time for a new set. Independent studies show that golfers who play once a week should replace their grips at least once a year; doing so can save three or four strokes a round.
Choosing grips can be difficult as there are many options available.
Going with a well-known name like Golf Pride, Lamkin or Winn will give you solid, well-made grips.
You might also consider the new Diamond Chord grips from C-Thru Grips. A relative newcomer to the grip market, having been around since 2001, C-Thru makes clear grips that feature a raised diamond pattern. They are played by 150 tour professionals and used by more than 200 collegiate golf teams. Plus, they're fun -- because the grips are clear, they're easy to customize with a logo from your favorite team or even your own images. See more at www.cthrugrips.com.
Good socks. Ever wear shorts on the golf course? If so, your sport socks probably caused tan lines. But some low-cut socks slip down into your shoes - no good on the golf course. Try JoxSox, a line of performance socks that feature a no-slip top, padded bottoms and a mesh fabric on top of the foot that allows air to circulate better.
Crew and quarter styles are available, as are ped versions that will help that tan. Get them in white, navy, tan or black by searching for a nearby store at www.joxsox.com.
If tan lines don't bother you, it's possible that insects do. Gold Toe makes a line of sport socks, Buzz Off socks, that incorporate insect repellent to keep fleas, ticks, flies and mosquitoes away from your ankles. The socks are available for men and women in crew and quarter styles, and the repellent lasts through 25 machine washings.
Distributed by Imperial Headwear, the Buzz Off line also includes hats and t-shirts. Look for the socks at apparel and pro shops as well as at www.goldtoe.com.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Spikes Make Their Mark
There's a real thrill associated with buying new golf equipment. The shiny new driver, with its siren call of more distance off the tee. The gleaming putter promising a chance to sink all those 5-footers.
Even the golf shoe gets some credit for being a fun purchase. There's something nice about a new pair of shoes, still sparkling white, guaranteed to be with you through every shot and every inch of the course.
But spikes don't hold the same appeal.
In fact, not so long ago, most amateur golfers only noticed their spikes when there was a problem -- they needed to be tightened, or perhaps when one went missing. Over the last decade, the status of spikes has raised considerably with the advent of plastic spikes and the opportunity to choose from between different offerings.
Plastic spikes, often called alternative or soft spikes, offer golfers more brands and options than their metal predecessors. Touted for causing less damage to greens, alternative spikes won favor from golf course superintendents everywhere.
A 1999 study at Michigan State University found that alternative spikes' traction compared satisfactorily to metal spikes during the golf swing and when climbing a dry slope. Only when climbing a wet slope did the metal spikes significantly improve over alternative.
Coupled with the high reduction in damage to greens, the coming of alternative cleats that provided equal traction spelled the end for metal spikes.
The same year that the study was done, 1999, was the first year that the PGA Tour reported more golfers wore alternative spikes than traditional ones. Some professionals continue to wear traditional spikes in tournament play, but the number is decreasing. In fact, it can be next to impossible for an amateur golfer to even find them for sale.
Interestingly, spike makers are starting to come back with a combination spike that incorporates metal into an alternative design.
Earlier this year, Champ introduced its Pro Stinger spike, a plastic-metal hybrid that gives golfers more stability like old-fashioned metal spikes but is better for the greens like the new alternatives.
This month, Champ reported that at least 20 golfers in the field at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, including winner Chris Couch, used the new spike. Phil Mickelson, who wore the Pro Stinger spikes in his shoes for his Masters win, is another one of the pros using this new hybrid spike.
Right now, Champ is making these solely for professionals, and aiming them at pros who have not yet switched from metal spikes. It's unknown what kind of damage these spikes would do to greens in comparison to other plastic spikes, and therefore not a product that golf courses would promote to their members.
Most plastic spikes are also marketed as being more comfortable for wear, because they bend with a golfer's foot as he or she walks the course.
Softspikes' Pulsar is at the forefront of this trend, with Reactive Comfort Technology -- a curved design that improves foot comfort and flexibility through flexible points on each of the spike's eight legs. Pulsar also features webbing between the legs of each cleat that reduces clogging with mud and debris.
Another trend in spikes: Marketing to women.
Champ has introduced a colored spike called the Lady Stinger that incorporates the company's Stinger technology and Visible Wear Indicator that shows when the spike has worn down and needs to be replaced.
"With more than 80 percent of LPGA players choosing Champ, it only makes sense that we create a product for the growing female golf market," said Harris MacNeill, company CEO.
The Lady Stingers currently are available in pink and blue.
While spikes will never get the "oohs" and "ahhs" of more flashy -- and expensive -- golf equipment, manufacturers are branching out beyond the initial features that the soft spikes offered to bring golfers more choices and personality in the spikes they wear.
Even the golf shoe gets some credit for being a fun purchase. There's something nice about a new pair of shoes, still sparkling white, guaranteed to be with you through every shot and every inch of the course.
But spikes don't hold the same appeal.
In fact, not so long ago, most amateur golfers only noticed their spikes when there was a problem -- they needed to be tightened, or perhaps when one went missing. Over the last decade, the status of spikes has raised considerably with the advent of plastic spikes and the opportunity to choose from between different offerings.
Plastic spikes, often called alternative or soft spikes, offer golfers more brands and options than their metal predecessors. Touted for causing less damage to greens, alternative spikes won favor from golf course superintendents everywhere.
A 1999 study at Michigan State University found that alternative spikes' traction compared satisfactorily to metal spikes during the golf swing and when climbing a dry slope. Only when climbing a wet slope did the metal spikes significantly improve over alternative.
Coupled with the high reduction in damage to greens, the coming of alternative cleats that provided equal traction spelled the end for metal spikes.
The same year that the study was done, 1999, was the first year that the PGA Tour reported more golfers wore alternative spikes than traditional ones. Some professionals continue to wear traditional spikes in tournament play, but the number is decreasing. In fact, it can be next to impossible for an amateur golfer to even find them for sale.
Interestingly, spike makers are starting to come back with a combination spike that incorporates metal into an alternative design.
Earlier this year, Champ introduced its Pro Stinger spike, a plastic-metal hybrid that gives golfers more stability like old-fashioned metal spikes but is better for the greens like the new alternatives.
This month, Champ reported that at least 20 golfers in the field at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, including winner Chris Couch, used the new spike. Phil Mickelson, who wore the Pro Stinger spikes in his shoes for his Masters win, is another one of the pros using this new hybrid spike.
Right now, Champ is making these solely for professionals, and aiming them at pros who have not yet switched from metal spikes. It's unknown what kind of damage these spikes would do to greens in comparison to other plastic spikes, and therefore not a product that golf courses would promote to their members.
Most plastic spikes are also marketed as being more comfortable for wear, because they bend with a golfer's foot as he or she walks the course.
Softspikes' Pulsar is at the forefront of this trend, with Reactive Comfort Technology -- a curved design that improves foot comfort and flexibility through flexible points on each of the spike's eight legs. Pulsar also features webbing between the legs of each cleat that reduces clogging with mud and debris.
Another trend in spikes: Marketing to women.
Champ has introduced a colored spike called the Lady Stinger that incorporates the company's Stinger technology and Visible Wear Indicator that shows when the spike has worn down and needs to be replaced.
"With more than 80 percent of LPGA players choosing Champ, it only makes sense that we create a product for the growing female golf market," said Harris MacNeill, company CEO.
The Lady Stingers currently are available in pink and blue.
While spikes will never get the "oohs" and "ahhs" of more flashy -- and expensive -- golf equipment, manufacturers are branching out beyond the initial features that the soft spikes offered to bring golfers more choices and personality in the spikes they wear.
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Zooming In On The Rules
At the beginning of this year, the U.S. Golf Association and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club gave rangefinders the green light. These devices, which resemble miniature binoculars or digital cameras, allow golfers to quickly determine distance to the pin from any location on the course.
Decision 14-3/0.5 of the Rules of Golf lets each course, club or tournament determine whether to allow use of rangefinders by issuing a local rule.
One of the biggest arguments for approving the use of distance-measuring devices is that they will help speed up play. Golfers will no longer have to search for a semi-hidden marker in the ground or pace off distance from a 150-yard post. Instead, they will just aim the rangefinder, get their yardage, select a club and hit, thus saving a minute or two on fairway shots.
"It has been a long time coming, and it is the right thing to do for the game of golf," said Rob O'Loughlin, president of Laser Link Golf. "This type of technology can only speed up play and improve scores for the average player."
On the other hand, if golfers begin to measure distance to and over various hazards, it may not decrease time spent over each shot. Golfers still need to make sure they are keeping up the pace of play and not spending more time with the devices than they might without one. To reduce this potential reduction of time saving, courses can install their own systems for use, systems like Laser Link Golf's Distance System.
The Distance System has two components, a handheld rangefinder and a reflector on the flagstick. This focuses golfers on determining yardage to the pin and is designed to speed up play.
"The laser is calibrated to find only the target, and the target is specifically engineered to seek out the laser. This feature is what separates our product from other handheld laser measurement devices like it," reads a statement on the company's Web site, www.laserlinkgolf.com.
"Simply put, a target specific device is easier to use and more precise than a non-target specific device."
The QuickShot is the handheld part of the system, and reads distances to a Laser Link reflector from 30 to 300 yards. The Smarty is a reflector that screws on to the top of the flagstick -- or courses may choose a SmartStick with the reflector built into the body of the flagstick.
The QuickShot does not include other features like wind speed, so it can legally be used for handicap purposes. The USGA did issue a recent clarification on which distance-measuring devices are permitted under the rules.
"Golfers must NOT use distance-measuring devices for handicap purposes or in competition that are capable of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play, even if such a function is not used," the USGA announced in a press release dated March 1. "For example, a distance-measuring device that includes a compass and can measure changes in elevation can NOT be used in competition or for handicap purposes."
Laser Link's O'Loughlin welcomed the clarification.
"Our company has always focused on measuring distance to the flagstick only, and it was our belief that this was going to be the way the USGA would decide," O'Loughlin said. "They are doing what's best for the game. They have drawn a line in the sand, much the same way they did with ERC. Allowing devices that measure all kinds of variables seem to only complicate a game that is already complicated enough. We want to simplify distance measurement, which in turn will help to speed up the game."
Nikon, Bushnell, Leica and Newcon Optik also offer handheld electronic devices that conform to the USGA rules.
Decision 14-3/0.5 of the Rules of Golf lets each course, club or tournament determine whether to allow use of rangefinders by issuing a local rule.
One of the biggest arguments for approving the use of distance-measuring devices is that they will help speed up play. Golfers will no longer have to search for a semi-hidden marker in the ground or pace off distance from a 150-yard post. Instead, they will just aim the rangefinder, get their yardage, select a club and hit, thus saving a minute or two on fairway shots.
"It has been a long time coming, and it is the right thing to do for the game of golf," said Rob O'Loughlin, president of Laser Link Golf. "This type of technology can only speed up play and improve scores for the average player."
On the other hand, if golfers begin to measure distance to and over various hazards, it may not decrease time spent over each shot. Golfers still need to make sure they are keeping up the pace of play and not spending more time with the devices than they might without one. To reduce this potential reduction of time saving, courses can install their own systems for use, systems like Laser Link Golf's Distance System.
The Distance System has two components, a handheld rangefinder and a reflector on the flagstick. This focuses golfers on determining yardage to the pin and is designed to speed up play.
"The laser is calibrated to find only the target, and the target is specifically engineered to seek out the laser. This feature is what separates our product from other handheld laser measurement devices like it," reads a statement on the company's Web site, www.laserlinkgolf.com.
"Simply put, a target specific device is easier to use and more precise than a non-target specific device."
The QuickShot is the handheld part of the system, and reads distances to a Laser Link reflector from 30 to 300 yards. The Smarty is a reflector that screws on to the top of the flagstick -- or courses may choose a SmartStick with the reflector built into the body of the flagstick.
The QuickShot does not include other features like wind speed, so it can legally be used for handicap purposes. The USGA did issue a recent clarification on which distance-measuring devices are permitted under the rules.
"Golfers must NOT use distance-measuring devices for handicap purposes or in competition that are capable of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play, even if such a function is not used," the USGA announced in a press release dated March 1. "For example, a distance-measuring device that includes a compass and can measure changes in elevation can NOT be used in competition or for handicap purposes."
Laser Link's O'Loughlin welcomed the clarification.
"Our company has always focused on measuring distance to the flagstick only, and it was our belief that this was going to be the way the USGA would decide," O'Loughlin said. "They are doing what's best for the game. They have drawn a line in the sand, much the same way they did with ERC. Allowing devices that measure all kinds of variables seem to only complicate a game that is already complicated enough. We want to simplify distance measurement, which in turn will help to speed up the game."
Nikon, Bushnell, Leica and Newcon Optik also offer handheld electronic devices that conform to the USGA rules.
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