2 questions: GPS and Ball cleaning

[lumpuckeroo]

1. Absolutely get a gps or other electronic distance measuring tool. The sooner you have a good idea of how far each club goes and you have confidence looking at a distance and going "Yep, easy 7-iron" the sooner you will score better.

I agree on both accounts, I prefer GPS and love my frogger towels and brush.

[tjy355]

I just knock any chunky stuff off the ball with my hand. Maybe lick my thumb and wipe any extra dirt off, then wipe my hand on my pants.

There are a lot of chemicals (fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides...) used on golf courses that your hands will come in contact with during the normal round of golf. I would be cautious of putting my hands in my mouth. Just an FYI.

Wet towel for me.

[Marmitetoo]

1. I totally agree, GPS is great for getting to know the true consistent distances of your clubs, which will help your score, trust me. I have a SkyCaddie and it has a button on the side so that you can mark the staring position of the ball. Once you've hit it and you arrive at where the ball landed, it shows you the distance of the shot you just hit.

2. I did see that amazon had some golf ball washer pockets. Didn't seem to have any reviews yet though they looked like they might be worth trying out.

I'm considering training my dog to follow me around to act as both a Ball finder and ball licker/washer, my wife, however, just won't let me. She says she's already sacrificed enough!

Steve

[Jell0b0y]

1. Get a laser. You can scan the fairways of hilly courses to findlanding areas. You don't have to pay monthly fees or pay per course. It's just so much more maintenence free and flexible...
2. Ballsy ball cleaner. I've had this thing for years... In fact it's my oldest piece of equipment... There's a towel in the middle you just get wet to start the round. You can stick it in your pocket and your pocket doesn't get wet! http://www.ballzee.com/drill_down/ba...l_cleaner.html

Not all GPS units have monthly fees or pay per course. I have a sonocaddie XV2 and its totally subscription free after you purchase the unit. They also have excellent customer service and will map most course for you in less than 14 days or you have a feature that you can also map it your self if they don't have it mapped. After using it a month its a pretty good unit.

[flopdarock]

gps units are totally worth it... i dont own one yet... but ive played courses with units in the carts... very handy

as for ball cleaning... ive tried the ballzee and i always end up losing it... so i play my ball dirty unless there are big chunks of stuff on it which i just wipe off with my hand or the grass till i finish the hole and can get to the ballwash station between holes...
my putter face doesnt scuff up as bad as my driver face