Martos Golf Blog

Tower Ranch Course Review

2009-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Course Name: Tower Ranch

Public Golf Course Review

Golf Course Name: Tower Ranch
Golf Course Site: Mountain Side Ranch
City: Kelowna
Province: British Columbia
Country: Canada

Design/Layout/Look Rating: 9.6
Challenge and Playability Rating: 9.4
Facility Condition Rating: 7.5 (These were spring conditions on a course that is not yet 1 year old, this is the only reason for not scoring high in this category)
Customer Service Rating: 9.7
Value of the Course Rating: 9.5
Overall Rating: 9.1

Fees and Costs associated with this course: Green Fees are in line with any high end course in the Okanagan Valley. They are: $125.00 (includes a cart) April 27^th to Sept. 27^th, from opening day to April 26^th and Sept.29^th to closing $105.00 (includes a cart).

Reciprocal/Local: April 27^th to Sept. 27^th$85.00 (includes a cart) from opening day to April 26^th and Sept.29^th to closing $80.00

Twilight: $70.00 (includes a cart)

The Course: The Club at Tower Ranch opened for play on 18 holes July 11^th 2008. It features bent grass on the fairways and greens. The bunkers (and there are lots) have white silica sand.

The most challenging par 4: is the Sixth hole. It’s 487yds. From the gold tees, the fairway looks narrow form the tee, there is a huge mound on the left, and it’s a slight dogleg left and is up-hill.

The most challenging par 5: is the Seventeenth hole which is also the signature hole. It is 583 yds. from the gold tees, it’s a double dogleg left and then right. There are huge mounds on the left and a cavernous bunker on the right off the tee. It’s a tough tee shot and that’s just the start.

The most challenging par 3: is the Fourteenth hole which is 244yds. from the gold tees. There is a big elevation change from the tees to the green of around 100 ft. The green is well guarded by massive traps left and right.

Specific likes about this course: Beautiful scenery all around the course. Huge undulating greens, which we thought were very fair, the fairways are shaved close, the white silica sand in the bunkers is excellent to play from.

Dislikes about this course: It was unanimous, the placement of the green on the fifteenth hole!! It’s a blind shot with the green way to the left and down the hill, everything falls left making it almost impossible to hold the green if you know where it is. This placement almost looks like an afterthought.

Is this course worth the fees? Absolutely!! The scenery alone is worth the fees. This is a spectacular golf course, one that will give pros and amateurs alike a stern test of their golfing skills.

19th Hole: This is a beautiful building, friendly helpful staff, seating for 60 to 70 people, it has a huge patio deck, the service was excellent, the food was great and the prices were reasonable. The Pro-shop is well equipped with gifts, bags, hats everything you might need.

Summary and opinions of this golf course: We thoroughly enjoyed Tower Ranch. The only disappointment we had was the placement of the 15^th green. Tower Ranch is a MUST PLAY course. We will be back as soon as we get some nice hot weather. If you are traveling to Kelowna or live in the area you absolutely have to play this course!

Author: Shelby Martowski
The Golfaholic
Date this course was played: April 25 2009
Date submitted: April 27 2009
http://www.thegolfaholic.com

TaylorMade golf balls review TaylorMade golf balls TP Black

2008-08-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Designed to help improve your game

TaylorMade golf balls are back. You and I have both seen the commercials on TV. Sergio Garcia is using them and the commercial says 120 tour pros have changed to them. It doesn’t say what tour they were on. I saw Greg Norman using one at the British Open. There has been a lot of hype about these new TaylorMade golf balls to say the least. They are supposed to take some of the market share away from Titleist. So I bought a sleeve of them the other day. The TaylorMade golf balls I purchased were the TP Black.

I’ve used them for the past few rounds that I have played so I believe I have a pretty good idea of how they perform. First off these new TaylorMade golf balls the TP Black are not longer than the Prov1. If anything I found them to be a little bit shorter than the Prov1, about 5 or 6 yards in fact. (I use a Sky Caddie sg4) They do have a nice boring trajectory off the driver face. I really liked it in the wind.

Cleveland Club Count Golf Bag Review

2008-08-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

With the Cleveland Club Count Golf Bag you will never leave your favourite iron behind again! How many times have you left an iron behind at the green you just finished? I know for myself it’s happened several times over the years. This year alone the foursome I play with has returned at least 7 or 8 irons already. With the Cleveland Club Count Golf Bag it never has to happen again.

When to Regrip

2008-08-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Old, worn-out grips will cost you shots on the course. It's that simple. Compare an older grip to a new one and the differences are obvious. Regripping golf clubs on an annual basis is essential to getting the most out of your equipment. New grips make for a better game.

Older grips with smooth, hard surfaces and shiny patches or wear spots will cause the club to slip in your hands and affect the position of the club face at impact. New grips reduce torque and provide the tack and traction needed to make good shots.

There is no doubt that worn grips will hurt your golf game. But unlike a glitch in your swing, worn-out grips are easy to spot and fix. Simply pick up your clubs and inspect all sides. Signs of wear to look for include:

Smooth, hard surfaces
Cracks
Shiny patches
Wear spots, especially where the thumbs make contact
Faded or bare spots on grips that have been painted or have logos
Insufficient tack

Grip Sizes
Golf grips are available in many sizes. Playing with the proper-sized grips on your clubs is one of the most important elements of your equipment. A grip that is too small will cause the club head to close prematurely, resulting in a hook. A slice will occur with a grip that is too large.

Why Regrip?

2008-08-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Most golfers don't realize that grips are relatively simple to change and the right grip can have an enormous impact on their ability to shoot lower scores.

Golfers typically regrip for one of three reasons:

To fit their grips to their particular hand size
To achieve the desired feel for their playing preference
and climate conditions
To simply replace their favorite grips that have
become worn

The correct grip size allows you to set the club properly at the top of the backswing. A grip that is too small will cause the club face to close prematurely and lead to a hook. A grip that is too large can cause the club face to open at impact, resulting in a slice. Most new golf clubs come with Standard-sized grips but not all golfers have standard-sized hands.

Different material compounds and surface patterns allow us to offer a variety of feels in our grip line. Perhaps you prefer a softer or more tacky grip, or the traction of cord. Customize your clubs with the feel and performance characteristics your game needs for added confidence in every shot.

Worn grips simply do not give you the best opportunity to shoot lower scores. Grips that are worn will slip, which requires more hand pressure and ultimately creates forearm fatigue and additional strokes. Serious golfers should regrip at least once a year.

Get the Preformance you want with Titleist Golf Clubs

2008-07-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

This spring I decided to treat myself with a set of new Titleist Golf Clubs. I purchased the new AP1 irons and some vokey wedges. I must say that I love them both and my game is improving each time out. There was a small learning curve from my old irons but nothing I couldn't figure out. It is great to have the extra yardage I'm getting with these irons. I've gained about 10 yards with the short irons and about 15 with the longer ones.

Golf Bag Reviews - Use Them to Find your Prefect Match

2008-07-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

When you use Golf Bag reviews your Choice becomes Crystal Clear!
Golf bag reviews inform players as to the heavyweight contenders in this essential piece of equipment. They might not be critical to the game, but they are certainly critical to the enjoyment of the game. Golf bag reviews let players know the ins and outs of each model or style so that they can select the one that has the options that they need and want.

Instead of debating the finer points of stand versions to cart versions, players can learn more about each product quickly and efficiently. They can create an enjoyable experience right from the beginning by identifying the best system for holding all of their equipment. Golf bag reviews provide players with comparisons of makes, styles, and features.

Therefore, reading golf bag reviews is one of the best ways to locate the type of equipment that a player needs to carry all of their gear. After all, everyone has their own personal preferences and wants to find a carrying case that suits their style for comfort and functionality.

Staying in the Moment

2008-05-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Staying in the moment while golfing is the single greatest challenge in the game. Wouldn’t you agree? Yet the paradox is that it's not really an "action" at all. It's an inner commitment and inner orientation toward stillness. It's more of a mindset than an action.

To play in the moment is a supreme challenge for most people who play golf. If we're not thinking about the demands of the shot and the things that can happen to a poor shot, we’re analyzing our swing and filling our head full of countless details hole by hole.

In a couple paragraphs I'll give you a specific process to really learn how to become present when you play. To step deeply into the moment and enjoy the game regardless of what just happened.

If we're to make a deep and lasting structural change to our perceptual orientation (wow, that was a mouthful but it is the best way to describe things) then we require a process that can guide us in a natural way.

What is being in the moment? The irony of this conversation is that the only thing you EVER have is RIGHT NOW. There is no such thing as the past or the future. They are both mental abstractions constructed by our brain to "position" ourselves in relation to the moment.

Most of us are either stuck in the future or the past. You hit a bad shot, 3 minutes have gone by yet you're standing on the next tee still thinking about it. Stuck in the trance of the past.

You just hit an iron shot in the bunker and you're already self imposing concern on yourself yet you're still minutes away from getting up to your shot. You’re locked in an imaginary future. Once again you're not present. These mental activities directly influence the "now". No surprise being present is so challenging...

If you want to do you must first Be

Ok, here's what you'll do to begin the change and become more present while you play. I encourage you to take these few simple notes and make the effort. Making this change will have more lasting effect on your game and your performance than all other changes you make combined. Not to mention the noticeable gains in your experience of life itself...

Be a student of the game - treat each round, each hole and each shot as a teacher and you are the student. There are game improving lessons in every moment. Berating yourself is an absolute waste of valuable head space. Focus on what you gained and how this helps you grow as a player AND a person.

Be detached - I've taught this to many players and it has an immediate effect. While there is more to it than I can express here, this is the mark of a player who has reached a very high level in mental development. Treat each shot, regardless of the result, as EXACTLY the same.

The mindset of discovery - this is a great process. Imagine you're a scientist, an experimenter or on a mission of discovery. What are you looking for you ask? Distinctions about yourself, your attitude, your ability to remain focused and calm, your commitment to a pre-shot routine, etc..

You are calmly making mental notes on your game while you play. All without judgment.

These will transform your game and gradually improve your ability of staying in the moment. Being fully present on each shot. Settled in the now while truly enjoying the experience of this great game. Isn’t NOW a good time to develop this gift?

Wade Pearse is a Peak Performance Coach who spent 7 years applying the most advanced mental game strategies in golf with his clients and in his own game with phenomenal results. Visit his website. It is filled with mental game resources you can use in your game right away.

The Golfaholic

How Online Golf Equipment Reviews Helped My Love Of The Game

2008-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

When a friend of mine introduced me to golf many years ago, I wasn’t overly impressed and asked him what he saw in the game. He said, “Well, golf means different things to different people. To me, it’s mostly about being away from my busy life for a few hours, being one with nature, and talking to some good friends.” That made sense to me, but I quickly found out what he meant as I became a golfer, too, taking lessons and burying myself in golf equipment reviews.

People do take up golf for different reasons and it does mean something different to almost every player. For some, like my friend, it’s relaxing on a beautiful course and enjoying nature and the scenery. To others it’s a great way to meet with clients and close deals. Some just enjoy an occasional round. Others get hooked and pursue mastery of the game with single-minded passion. But no matter what attracts you to the game of golf, we all have something in common: we need equipment. Lots of it.

Initially I had a real problem with that. Golf shops intimidated me. I didn’t really know much about golf clubs, golf shoes or even golf bags and I was embarrassed about my lack of knowledge. Whenever I went to a pro shop, everyone else seemed to be an expert, knowing everything about golf, except me. I didn’t understand half of what sales people were talking about and I didn’t even understand many of their questions. So I felt they were talking down to me and I resented that.

So I began reading golf books and magazines and asked golfing buddies for advice. I ended up with a good set of clubs, found that some balls worked better for me than others (I am a Titleist man), and spent a small fortune on golf equipment (Nike made a small fortune off me) I did or did not need. Truth be told, my lack of knowledge and my being ill at ease with the sales people in the pro shops probably kept me from enjoying the game as much as I should have.

All of this changed in the past few years. I am an online person. To me, finding accurate and unbiased golf equipment reviews on the web was just what I had been waiting for. I am not talking about just online golf stores or golf bulletin boards. What helped me were sites done by golfing enthusiasts who simply wanted to share their knowledge with others. See, while I used to be aware of the likes of Burton or Ogio or Ping, there wasn’t anyone who told me who truly made the best bag for me. I was told some of the training aids out there really worked while others were a waste of money but I didn’t know which was which. I knew of amazing advancements in golf carts and I had even heard of new technologies like golf gps, but I didn't know what was valuable information and what was just marketing.

For me, the emergence of golf enthusiast sites with golf equipment reviews made all the difference. I love reading reviews written by real people as opposed to just sales spiels, and I love how some of those sites explain it all in terms that make sense. I love to read and learn, and these days I totally rely on golf sites that are not only entertaining, but also provide me with the reviews I need and even recommendations on where to get the best deals.

To learn more about subjects like golf equipment reviews please visit the web site at: http://www.thegolfaholic.com

Tee Up for a Brief History of Golf

2008-03-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

The game of golf has been a popular one for centuries, but the exact origins of this unique pastime are still the subject of some controversy. Some theories of golf history hold that the game was invented by the Chinese, while others hold that the game owes its existence to the Dutch. The most widely accepted theory, however, is that the game dates back to 12^th century Scotland.

Scotland has long been associated with the game of golf, and in fact many avid golfers have traveled there to play on some of the country’s legendary golf courses. Many tour companies specialize in golf tours of Scotland, and the link between this unique country and the game of golf has in fact been well established.

Golfers will be interested to know that golf courses have not always featured the 18 holes we are familiar with today. In the early days of the game golf courses were laid out according to the terrain being played, and the number of holes would vary from spot to spot. For instance, the famous St. Andrews Links originally featured a course of 11 holes laid out along this narrow strip of land by the ocean. Golfers would play those 11 holes, then turn around and play the same 11 holes in reverse order.

Later in the history of the golf course four of those 22 holes were deemed to be too short, thus reducing the number of playable holes in each direction to nine, and providing modern golfers with the 18 hole golf courses they know and love today.

The equipment used to play the game has changed as much as the course itself, and there have of course been many technological advances made since the first golf club struck the first ball. One of the relatively new inventions in the world of golf is the humble golf tee. This highly useful innovation dates back only to the 1930s; before that time the balls were simply struck directly off the grass.

The use of steel and titanium heads for golf clubs is even newer, dating back only to the 1970’s. Before then most golf club heads were made of wood. Graphite golf club shafts followed closely in the 1980’s, providing golfers with a better grip and better overall performance.

The care of golf courses has also changed a great deal over the years, with the highly manicured greens we see today a fairly new innovation. The modern equipment available to golf courses today allows those courses to be intricately and perfectly groomed, making play more enjoyable and ascetically pleasing. From fertilizers used to nourish the grass to herbicides used to discourage the growth of weeds, golf course owners have many ways to keep their beautiful courses looking their best season after season.

The Golfaholic

Ping golf clubs new G10 series irons

2008-03-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ping golf clubs new G10 series irons are their latest endeavour to create the ultimate easy to hit club. They are loaded with design features to try and make the game easier for you. This includes things like weighting low in the toe that boosts forgiveness and stability. The launch angle has been increased by a wider sole that also aids in forgiveness upon contact with the ground. They have a higher MOI (moment of inertia) which gives you more distance and forgiveness.

Ping has also brought back the CTP or (custom tuning port) to produce more consistent ball speeds. Something else new from Ping this year is their AWT (Ascending Weight Technology) in the shafts of their irons. Lighter long iron shafts create more club head speed and a higher trajectory, heavier shafts in the shorter irons create lower trajectory for optimal ball control.

Ping offers a vibration dampening insert (Cushin Selective Filtering Insert) in their steel shafted clubs. Any vibrations created at impact are dissipated, reducing the stress on bone, muscle and connective tissue. A secondary benefit of this option is it produces better feel and added control. I had this option in my i3 blades and believe me when I say they really work. I would recommend them for everyone. The added cost is worth every penny.

A Custom Golf Cart is your Opportunity to Recapture your Youth

2008-03-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Custom Golf Carts are a great way to put a personal touch to your ride. Anyone who has ever been a teenager understands the importance of personal transportation, and the fun that can be achieved by modifying those wheels. These days many avid golfers are reliving those fun teenage days by modifying their new favorite form of transportation. Many players have had their most enjoyable moments on their favorite course, and simply riding around in a custom golf cart can bring back a sense of freedom and youth.

Golf Bags A Very Important Piece of Your Equipment

2008-03-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Do you know what you are looking for?

Golf bags are an important part of your equipment, you may not think so but how else would you carry your clubs and all your other gear? Basically there are only two kinds and it comes down to whether you walk or ride when you play. Whichever you prefer to do there are certain distinct differences between a carry/stand Golf Bag and one that is designed to be hauled on the back of a cart. Your personal preference also plays a big part in choosing the right Golf Bag.

There are a few things to consider when you are purchasing a new bag. They are; comfort, weight, durability and protection.

I like to ride when I play so mine rides on the back of the cart. I'm not carrying it so weight is not a concern for me. Cart bags are larger and therefore they are heavier. They have lots of pockets for storage so you can bring along anything you might need.

A Golf Bag that is designed to be hauled on a cart should have all the pockets and zippers facing forward, for easy access.

Durability is an important factor when you play a lot. I play three times week so my golf bag gets a lot of use. The zippers have to be durable enough to handle constant opening and closing.

Club Protection this is a factor that is sometimes over looked. Most cart bags are designed so that each club has its own individual slot. This is a very good feature because we don't want the expensive graphite shafts on our woods and hybrids to get damaged banging around with our irons. Also some golf bags have an external slot for your putter; this is good because some of today's putters have very large heads.

Do you know what Golf Ball you Should be using?

2008-01-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

The February edition of Golf Magazine has possibly the best article on finding the right ball I ever read. They test 54 golf balls and have all the results so you can find the one that works best for you. There is some surprising information in it. It really is a must read so check out the link I provided above.

A Consistent Golf Swing is a Simple Golf Swing

2008-01-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Golf swings are as unique as snowflakes, and about as tough to copy. Often the simplest golf swing is also the most effective at hitting the ball farther and straighter. The golf swing is probably the single most important aspect of achieving a lower handicap. We all know that it’s no secret that having a consistent golf swing is the key to having a great game of golf. The perfect golf swing is the one that is effortless through good technique. This consistency is achievable, but you must go down the right pathway to find it. The Simple Golf Swing is an awesome tutoring program that is guaranteed to improve the way you play golf and reduce your handicap.

What are you doing to keep your Golf Swing in Tune over the Winter Months?

2008-01-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well have you been trying to keep your swing in tune? I've been doing a little exercising and stretching routine I found on the net. As far as keeping my swing in tune I've been using the LeaderBoard since my wife bought it for me for Christmas. What a great product, I been working on my swing and while doing that I'm getting a core muscle group workout at the same time, it's great. You get to improve your golf swing and get some exercise at the same time. OK maybe you haven't heard about the LeaderBoard yet, it's the hottest new golf swing trainer to hit the PGA tour in years. This is what one of the owner's has to say about it.

Stuart Appleby - 2006 Mercedes and Shell Houston Open Champion: "I am not only a faithful user of the LeaderBoard, I am an owner of the business as well and I would not jeopardize my reputation on a product that does not deliver results - so many of the guys use the product on Tour now that in 2008, it will probably be bigger news if a player does not train with the Leaderboard."

The Hottest new Golf Training Product to hit the PGA Tour in Years

2008-01-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what the latest piece of golf training equipment the pros are using, and would it be of use to you. Well I’ve found it; this hot new product is taking the PGA Tour by storm. I’ve been using it for a month now and my swing and body are feeling great. Take a look at it. Here is what they are saying about it.

We just wanted to share with you some information on what is arguably the hottest training product to hit the PGA Tour in many years - the LeaderBoard Golf Trainer.

It is used by a host of Tour players including Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, KJ Choi, Rod Pampling, Stephen Ames, Zach Johnson, Bob Estes, Steve Allan, Paul Gow, Michael Campbell, Mike Weir, Stewart Cink, Brad Faxon, Aaron Baddeley, Heath Slocum, John Senden, Jesper Parnevik, and Brett Quigley.

In short, the LeaderBoard works the core muscle groups that power the golf swing.

The LeaderBoard uses an innovative resistance design to develop both muscles and movements specific to the golf swing. In addition to developing the optimum muscle function and motor skills, the LeaderBoard is also incredibly effective in immediately identifying swing deficiencies in posture, balance, timing and power by physically cueing the player that something is not right and retraining the muscles and movements for more effectiveness.

What do the Tour players say about the LeaderBoard?

Just a couple of their comments include:

Adam Scott - 2007 Shell Houston Open Champion: "I use the LeaderBoard not only to train my body to move with maximum power but also to technically reinforce the proper timing of my swing. The training I do on the LeaderBoard is paying huge dividends in my performance."

Geoff Ogilvy - 2006 U.S. Open and World Match Play Champion: "The LeaderBoard has been a part of my tournament preparation for the past two years. It is the most versatile training device I have ever used, and proved invaluable in the lead up to my victory in the U.S. Open. The exercises train those golf specific muscles to 'fire' at the right times, resulting in greater accuracy and longer hitting. I love it."

Ogio Golf Bags Stand out from the Rest

2008-01-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Company President Mike Pratt's commitment to design, innovation and functionality, is what makes Ogio Golf Bags so unique. Ogio was the first manufacturer to receive the coveted Business Week IDEA Award* for design innovation. They have come up with so many good and innovative ideas; you really should take a good look at an Ogio Golf Bag today.

OGIO Golf Bags came up with a club management system called the Woode: where your woods are elevated and isolated to one side. Your woods each have an individual compartment. This organization provides a clear view and easier access to both woods and irons. The woods also cascade down to help eliminate possible damage to the club shaft.

Titleist Driver Reviews - let out some shaft with the Titleist 907 D2

2007-12-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

Titleist 907 D2 -finally the word is getting around about the best new driver to hit the market in 2007. I’ve been saying it since I demoed one earlier this summer. The Titleist 907 D2 is easily the most forgiving easy to work driver I have ever used. I’m very surprised it has taken this long for the word to get around.

Have you seen the January edition of Golf Magazine? If not let me save you some time and money.

In their club test this month they had twelve guys tee up six drivers. The drivers were; Mizuno MX-560, Nike SQ Sumo2, Ping G10 draw, Srixon Z-RW, TM Burner and the Titleist 907 D2. The Titleist 907 D2 was a clear cut winner with an impressive 5 out of 5 stars. What made the difference for the Titleist 907 D2 were its good looks, great feel and its overall playability.

If I were to recommend one Golf Gps System

2007-12-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

If I were to recommend one Golf Gps System it would be the Sky Caddie, and the reason is this; my Sg2 was giving me trouble (it wouldn't stay on), it would shut down several times per round. I spoke to Sky Caddie and they said I would have to send it in, so I did. Two weeks later they sent me a brand new unit no questions asked. Talk about standing behind your product, my SG2 was 3 years old. Now that’s what I call service!

Buying my Golf GPS was easily one of the best purchases I have made. Golf Digest calls it one of the best innovative products to come along in years. If you are serious about your game, a Golf GPS System is a must have gadget.

Burton Golf Bags Functional and Top Quality

2007-12-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

Burton Golf has been around since 1907, turning out superior golf bags that are both fashionable and functional. The Club-Lok system is something new not only for Burton, but for the golf bag industry.

The Club-Lok golf bag from Burton, incorporating the Club-Lok Golf Club Theft Prevention System, is a brainy and highly functional approach to securing your golf clubs in the bag, and securing your bag on the bag rack, on the cart, in your trunk, or in your garage.

The Club-Lok is a built-in anti-theft system. That system is called the Club-Lok Golf Club Theft Prevention System, and it protects the individual clubs contained by the bag, plus the entire bag itself.

The system is ingeniously designed and easy to use, and it does not in any way interfere with the functions of a normal golf bag, even with the Club-Lok system built-in, the bag is nice-looking and sensible.

The only drawback to the system (for some) will be that it requires the use of an organizer bag top. Lots of golfers prefer open tops, but even if you prefer the open top, if you are worried about the security of your clubs it's a very small compromise to make.

The system has two parts to it, both of which are secured by the use of a combination lock on the front of the bag.

First there is a series of hidden clamps under the organizer top. When two levers on the sides of the bag top are snapped into place, these shaft-friendly clamps lock into place, preventing the removal of clubs from the bag.

The Second part is a retractable steel cable on the top of the bag that extends out, to be wrapped around something secure and locked onto the front of the bag (the bag stand outside the pro-shop, for example).

It is a regular golf bag in all respects other than the theft-prevention measures. The organizer bag top includes slots for 14 clubs. It features 9 pockets, a soft single strap and handles for easy lifting.

If you have concerns about the safekeeping of your golf bag, or the clubs within your bag, you're probably among those who have been victimized by theft. Or you know someone who has been.

The Insurance Institute of America estimates that more than $120 million in claims are made for stolen golf equipment yearly. Some recent surveys show that seven of 10 golfers either have had their clubs stolen or know of someone who has experienced club theft.

Items in a golf bag, including high-priced drivers, favourite putters, jackets, custom head covers and collectible divot tools, are all prized. There is a monetary attachment to these goods, but there is also a strong emotional connection.

Unfortunately, lots of golfers have an “it won’t happen to me” attitude when it comes to theft. However if you're one of those people who does worry that it can happen, then worry no more: Burton Golf has addressed your concerns. It’s a first-rate bag and a well thought out design. It’s fully functional with outstanding quality. I am pleased with it and its price won't break the bank. Club-Lok's theft prevention system keeps clubs and bag secure. The bag is functional and attractive regardless of anti-theft properties. The Burton Golf Bag Club-Lok is a terrific innovation in golf bags.

Junior Golf Clubs are for the Kids

2007-11-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

“Proper Fitting Junior Golf Clubs will make a Huge Difference for your Child”

So you think you might have the next Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam on your hands! Well having a set of Junior Golf Clubs properly fitted for them will not only help them learn, they will gain confidence and enjoy the game even more. Even if your son or daughter is just beginning, having just one Junior Golf Club that is correctly fitted will be an enormous help for them. The problem with buying Junior Golf Clubs off the rack or using your old ones that are cut down is they may be too heavy, with not enough loft, or too long with not enough flex. These are things that need to be looked at when you are looking to equip your child.

My year in Review

2007-11-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

Although I fell short of the goals I set for myself this season I have to say it was a good year anyway. My playing partners were awesome for the most part, really only a couple of incidents all season and that’s pretty good seeing as how we played 56 rounds of golf together! They are a great bunch of guys.

I started the year at an 8 handicap and finished up at a 7. This is not bad but its 2 strokes away from the goal I set of 5. But when I look at it, at one point during the year my cap was up to an 11 until things came around. We joked about it being spring training, but it sure lasted a long time.

Greens in reg. Was not good this season, I finished the year at 49%. It’s about 6% lower than last season. This was definitely a sore spot that needs to be improved on if I’m going to get my cap down lower.

Putts per green were respectable at 32.5 but I had too many 3 putts early in the year. I changed to a new Odyssey SRT 2 ball in June and started to putt much better. At one point near the end of the season I didn’t have a 3 putt for 5 rounds.

Scrambling was another sore spot, I was only 35% in up and downs. This is definitely an area that needs work next season.

Driving accuracy was respectable at 53% but should be better. On Oct. 5^Th I purchase a new Titleist 907 D2 driver and I just love it and wish I had it at the start of the year, but who can justify $600.00 for 1 club. I found it at the end of the season when they were getting rid of this year’s stock, what a good buy. $320.00. Over my last 5 rounds using it I was 64% in fairways hit. Next season should be awesome.

Diving distance has never been a problem for me I averaged 283 yards with my R7 quad. After purchasing the Titleist driver I was averaging 295 yards. Another thing to look forward to next season and just in case you want to know how I know my driving distance it’s because I have been using a golf GPS system for the past 3 years. If you don’t have one you’re at a disadvantage.

Sand saves this season were a real surprise, at the being of the year it was pretty much the same old routine. I would maybe save 1 out of 5. Then I got a new 60* Cleveland CG12 with only 4* bounce. After I started using it out of the sand I started getting it up and down almost every time. I finished the year with a save percentage of 68. This was the real bright spot for my season.

I only played in 1 tournament this year which is not what I had planned but it just worked out that way. It was our men’s amateur. I ended up being in the first flight playing against guys with caps from scratch to 8. I was at an 8 at the time; I didn’t have much of a chance at the low gross but did manage a low net prize. I won 6^th low net; there were 6 low gross and 6 low net prizes for each flight. I played really well with the exception of 3 holes over the 2 day event. I shot 81 on both days which was only 1 shot over my cap (respectable). I had trouble on #1, 2, 3, on those 3 holes I was 11 over par in 2 days. They just killed me, and yes it was all in my head. My mental game was out of whack for sure.

Well that about raps it up for me. I can’t wait until next season. I have purchased a membership at a place called Urban Golf links. They have an indoor practise range equipped with video camera and laser launch monitors, it’s so cool. They have 6 stalls set up like this. I plan on getting a head start on next season.

How was your season?

Golf GPS Systems

2007-11-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

How far would you go in your pursuit to improve your game? What if I told you about the enormous benefit the Golf Gps System has made for us amateur golfers? You wouldn’t want to get left behind by your competition would you? Word is going around about how valuable these systems can be. It’s like having the same yardage book that Tiger Woods carries around a golf course! About the only thing it can’t do for you is carry your golf bag.

You may have had some experience with them in the past. Some higher end courses have them installed right in their golf carts. I’m sure at the time you thought “what a great idea”. Now think about how valuable it would be to have one you can carry around the course with you! Are you getting the picture yet?

OK then here are a few of the kinds of things you can do with a Golf gps system.

· Well first off here is the obvious one, it gives you the yardage to the green (front, center and back) from the spot your ball comes to rest off the tee. This is not just from the fairway either; it’s from any spot your ball stops.

· The unit that I have even gives me the shape of the green from whatever direction I’m approaching it from.

· Some units can track multiple targets per hole. The new Sky caddie SG4 can track up to 40 targets per hole. (When professionally mapped). It will tell you how far it is to a fairway bunker and how far to carry it. It will give you the yardage to the corner of a dog-leg so that you don’t over shoot the fairway.

a) Here is an example; #17 at my home course is a 420 yard par 4 with a sharp dog-leg to the left. Playing conservatively by not using a driver will leave you an uphill approach shot of 200+ yards. Because of the GPS unit I know that to cut the corner over the trees, it’s a 230 yard carry which usually leaves me in the middle of the fairway with a wedge in my hands on my approach.

That my friends is a significant advantage!

· Are you still guessing at how far you can hit each of your clubs? Well the golf GPS system will help you do away with the guess work. All you have to do is mark the spot where your ball is, hit your shot then mark the spot where your ball came to rest, and the unit gives you the distance you hit the ball. If you keep track, after 3 or 4 rounds you will have a very good idea of just how far you hit each club, no matter what kind of swing you put on the ball. What I mean by that is was it a good swing or a bad swing, a half, ¾, or a full swing.

· I have been using the golf GPS to track my driving distance over the past 3 seasons now. I have a very good Idea of how far I hit my driver. (283yds. avg.) This season I demoed a new driver and found that I was driving the ball an extra 13 yards with it. That was enough information for me to justify purchasing the new driver.

Are you getting the picture yet? Can you see how valuable a Golf GPS System would be to have in your bag? It will help you shave strokes off your scores. They help you speed up your play because you don’t have to pace off the yardage. If you are reading this article you can use a Golf GPS.

Now is the time to take complete control of your game, don’t get left behind by your playing partners. Run don’t walk to get this unbelievably valuable piece of golf equipment.

Author

Shelby Martowski

The Golfaholic

Mental Training and Your Life

2007-11-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you that are knee deep in snow, you can do a lot to improve your mental game for golf during the off season by applying the principles of "The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf " to your life. Even if you live where the weather is warm and sunny, you can work on improving your mental game everyday by applying my book to your life.

The same negative emotions that upset your chemistry while playing golf are present in your daily life. The only difference is that during a round of golf the feedback is immediate and easy to see because it affects your performance and score. The negative emotions in your life may take days, weeks, months or even years to catch up with you in one way or another. As a result, you pay little attention to the negative emotions in your daily life and allow them to continue to exist.

If you have a strong desire to be in control of your emotions on the golf course in order to lower your score, make it a habit to reflect on the Daily Affirmation in my book several times a day every day. When you do, follow Shakespeare's advice in Hamlet, "To Thine Own Self Be True." Without being true to yourself, the Daily Affirmation of "I am always truthful, positive and helping others" will only be eight hollow words without meaning to you. Empty words will not increase your self-awareness of the negative emotions that are on your tape.

However, if you are true to yourself and make it a habit to reflect on the Daily Affirmation throughout the day, you will become very aware whenever you attach negative emotions to the facts in your life. Once your awareness of what is on your tape increases, then you can start to reprogram your tape and stop attaching negative emotions to the facts you encounter in your daily life.

Your tape wants to do its job which is to have you repeat or make similar responses to what you have done in the past. If you have fear or get angry in your daily life, you will have fear and get angry on the golf course. Your fear and anger will cost you strokes when you play golf.

However, if you take the time to mentally train yourself to reduce the fear and anger you may experience in your daily life, it will become easy to do it while you are playing golf. Once you reduce or eliminate the negative emotions from recurring on your tape, you will be amazed at how well you can play golf and how much happier and productive your life off the golf course will become.

If you are knee deep in snow, you have plenty of time to reread "The Mental Keys" several times and work on reducing or eliminating the negative emotions from your tape in your daily life. If you do, your mental game will be much improved when your golf season begins.

The same holds true for you if you are blessed with good weather. If you desire to keep improving your mental game, make the time to reread "The Mental Keys" and apply the Daily Affirmation to your life.