This week’s edition of Hittin’ The Links is centered on gadgets. Regardless of whether these tools help you maintain your clubs, enjoy your round more, or help you swing better, they’re guaranteed to be useful for at least something…
Hole 1: SkyCaddie
Now that distance finders are legal for some forms of tournament play and for handicap posting, there’s no reason not to use one of these tools to help improve your game. This little guy uses GPS satellites and preprogrammed course layouts to give you yardages to hazards and greens. [Link]
Hole 2: Bushnell Range Finder
Even though it gives the same end result as the SkyCaddy, this range finder is a near cousin of a pair of binoculars and works by bouncing a laser off your indicated target and giving the user their appropriate yardage. [Link]
Hole 3: Ballfinder SCOUT
If you play a course with thick, deep rough you’ll appreciate the need for this little baby. It works by identifying balls in the most gnarly of lies. Working in mere seconds in a 35 foot radius, the SCOUT will help you greatly speed up your round. [Link]
Hole 4: Divot Mat
Just because you can’t get to the range doesn’t mean you can’t practice. The Divot Mat consists of a rubber mat and a contact-sensitive pad that allow you do see your clubface angle at impact. [Link]
Hole 5: Impact Bag
Just like the last product, this bag allows you to groove your swing away from the course so that you’ll enjoy your next round just that much better. It promotes a flat wrist at impact which helps keep the clubface square for a longer time. [Link]
Hole 6: Metronome
Whether it be putting, chipping, or full swings a good tempo is a necessity. This electronic metronome provides you with an external tempo to allow you swing to become more fluid and rhythmic. [Link]
Hole 7: Swing Fan
Although oddly shaped, this large contraption will prevent casting and build more lag in your swing. These new factors in turn with the strength built up by the fan will lead to longer, straighter drives. Also doubles as a fan for those hot summer nights. [Link]
Hole 8: Powder Ball Marker
I always have to rummage through my bag on the first green searching for a ball mark. I can never seem to remember to grab some at the first tee. However, this new gadget would prevent such inconveniences. Simply tap against the putting surface and a talcum mark distinguishes your ball position and will not deflect another player’s putt. [Link]
Hole 9: Grip Tackifier
Nothing like a worn out grip to ruin a round of golf. I practice extensively with my 56° wedge and my 7 iron and the grips are noticeably worn more than my other clubs. This specially formulated rag would ensure that they keep their tack for many practice sessions to come. [Link]