Golfers who did better with inventing rather than playing.
Why not help the golf world by not playing, but instead finding
ways to help good golfers get better.
Most golfers feel they could have the next great golf invention.
Well, now they have the opportunity to show their stuff. The
Golf Channel will allow inventors to market their products
to a panel of judges. The show is called Fore Inventors
Only, and it features 103 golf inventions that will eventually
be narrowed down to the top five.
The winner, voted on by viewers, will receive shelf space
for a year at a major golf retailer, a fully developed infomercial
and $50,000 worth of commercial and promotional airtime. It
is time to see some real golf inventions and gadgets this
summer.
Golf Gadgets - Inventors And Makers Of Golf Gadgets
The Golf Workstation
Inventors: Babe and David Bellagamba
Cost: $295
Web site/contact: www.golfworkstation.com; (813) 948-4407
How it works: Made from PVC pipes and Velcro. The golfer
wears a belt with Velcro on the back. The belt sticks to
a mat set up on the PVC pipe. A bar behind the right knee
keeps the leg from moving on the backswing. The golfer takes
a backswing with the Velcro shifting to the right side,
then follows through with the Velcro shifting back to the
left side.
Benefit: Claims to properly align the body at address,
create flexibility in the muscles used during a swing, prevent
swaying back and forth, going up on the toes or a reverse
pivot.
Drawback: Unless the PGA or USGA changes rules, it is illegal
to take the Golf Workstation onto the course.
The Universal Alignment A-1 Alpha Golf Ball
Inventor: Matthew Chute
Cost: $49.95 for one dozen (comes with instructional video)
Web site/contact: www.universalalignment.com; (727) 521-1795
How it works: The horizontal line makes the ball even with
the ground. The vertical line aligns with the middle of
the fairway or the hole. The slanted line represents the
swing plane. The lines act as a visual aid to assure that
the golfer is lined up properly.
Benefit: Once a golfer understands the concept, Chute said,
it will guarantee 18 perfect tee shots and 18 perfect putts.
Drawback: At about $50 a dozen, don't knock them in the
water or the woods. And it doesn't help you line up your
fairway shots, unless it's lift, clean and place.
Wrist Firm
Inventor: Richard Trammel
Cost: $49.95
Web site: www.shotsavers.com
How it works: For a right-handed golfer, a specially made
glove with a metal piece stitched in is placed on the left
hand. Vice versa for the left-handed golfer. The glove prevents
the wrist from cupping, or bending, at the top of the swing.
Benefit: By keeping the wrist straight, it allows for more
distance on drives and iron shots. It puts the ball on a
lower trajectory, which helps with distance.
Drawback: Because the Wrist Firm stretches almost to the
elbow, it takes some getting used to.
Krutch Putter
Inventors: Mark Cokewell, Stephen Wegzyn
Cost: $179-$199
Web site/contact: www.rosemarkgolf.com; (813) 991-5192
How it works: The putter rests on the armpit as the golfer
looks straight at the hole. It is swung like a pendulum
as the golfer stands on one side of the putter.
Benefit: Based on the theory golfers have one dominant
eye. By looking straight at the hole, most golfers will
have a better look at the hole and not be dictated by the
dominant eye.
Drawback: It is designed to have only one hand on the club,
so it will take practice to get a steady hand.
Grip Loose Finger Sleeve
Inventor: Allen Webb
Cost: $24.95 (small, medium, large)
Web site: www.griploose.com
How it works: The finger sleeve is a neoprene stretchable
mesh fabric that fits over any finger and beeps when the
club is gripped too hard. A snap on the bottom of the device
has a sensor, powered by a triple-A battery. It goes off
when too much pressure is applied.
Benefit: It forces golfers to grip the club loosely, which
should allow for a smoother swing and cut down on injuries
a tight grip may cause. It can be used in tennis and baseball.
Drawback: It could be distracting to hear a beep in your
backswing.
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