Golf Practice-zine Newsletter for July 2008

Thanks for signing up to receive the July 2008 issue of the Newsletter. My retirement party is July 24 and my last day at work will be July 30, so final, final retirement preparations are happening. Course selections for the Great Western Golf Tour are almost set. I will be staying around to watch the Ottawa LPGA tournament at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, August 11-17. Here is the lineup for July:

Newsletter Contents:

1. Verishot
2. Tiger Out For Season
3. Top Ten Golfers Ever
4. IntelliGolf on Your Smartphone
5. ShotWatch Training Aid
6. CN Canadian Women's Open

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1. Verishot

What Verishot offers is a video camera monitoring system that watches a hole designated for closest-to-the-pin or hole-in-one contests.

How Verishot Works

A participating course designates a hole it wants to use for closest-to-the-pin contests by daily fee players. Verishot sets up cameras around the hole (up to three cameras) for shot verification purposes. A kiosk is setup by the tee box for the golfers to enter their ticket numbers before they tee up. Now the basic infrastructure of the Verishot installation is ready for use by golfers. The process by which the Verishot system gets used is as follows:

1. A golfer who elects to play for closest-to-the-pin (KP) buys a ticket when he pays his green fees at the pro shop. The ticketis generated by Verishot and contains a control number.
2. At the KP hole, the ticket control number is entered into the kiosk by the golfer. This activates the video system.
3. If the golfer hits a shot within 2-feet of the pin, they dial a 1-800 number to claim a prize. For a hole-in-one the prize can be $10,000. A shot within 2-feet means the golfer gets a gift certificate for use at the pro shop.
4. Verishot customer service verifies the shot via the captured video camera footage for the hole.
5. Verishot pays the customer (or charity) directly.

The course keeps part of the $5.00 ticket fee, Verishot keeps the rest to pay for prizes. The system is new and operations are flexible, depending on course marketing creativity. The Lawrence Welk course north of San Diego, CA offers a $10,000 prize for a hole in one, or a 2-year lease on a Hummer. For players who get within 2-feet of the hole, they get a $100 gift certificate for use in the pro shop. Also, the $5.00 ticket can be used as a credit toward the player's next tee time.

The system provides the golf club with a way of adding interest and excitement to the everyday golf experience. It adds a way to validate golfer claims for prize and contest purposes and greatly adds integrity and reliability to the organization and operation to golf business/charity events.

Even more important, it offers course operators a potential new source of revenue in times of diminishing participation rates at courses everywhere.

Verishot is owned by the Solon Company, is installed on 13 courses to date in the U.S. and is aiming for 50 courses by the end of 2008.

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Tiger is out for the rest of the 2008 Season. Obviously a huge loss to golf fans everywhere and to the PGA Tour.

I can't help but wonder about the real economic impact. How big a loss is it? Here are some factors to keep in mind, regarding who is hurt and who benefits (that's right, benefits).

Plus Side

• Tour Golf has a great opportunity. One aspect of the Rocco-Tiger match was that it shows how much Tiger can raise the game to a new level. When he is there, other players are forced to rise to his challenge. Rocco responded wonderfully and showed indeed that 'These Guys are Good'. In Tiger's absence the other players have a chance to raise their games and their confidence levels. Wins without Tiger can boost confidence to a level that prepares them for when he returns. Then everybody wins.
• Steve Williams will have the rest of the season off. The number one sports star in New Zealand, Williams has extensive interests in motor racing and his Foundation to support junior golf.
• Rocco Mediate is still basking in the glory of his outstanding performance at the US Open. It's hard to call what he did 'second place' his playing was so good. Tiger met expectations, Rocco has been elevated beyond belief. Much overdue.
• Tiger Woods (business-Foundation, Gatorade, Design). Even when not playing, the blush of the US Open has sent Tiger's stock soaring. I'll bet sales of Gatorade Tiger are up. His legend grows and grows.

Minus Side

• Tiger Tournaments (Buick, ATT, Tiger Challenge)must have insurance. As a business person, I wonder whether sponsors protect themselves with insurance policies against star players not showing up for events. Really, if events pay appearance money to ensure that top players come to their events, is it not logical to expect they would cover themselves against no-shows? Business risk is business risk. So, I think negative impacts can be overstated in cases lke this. In golf, nobody's business is bigger than Tiger Woods and the biggest businesses are behind him. You bet the big boys are covered. Heck, didn't movie studios insure film stars legs for a million bucks? If I was Tiger's agent, IMG, you're darn right his legs, knees, arms and head would be insured.
• Tiger Woods is a competitor. He loses his competitive edge until he gets to play again. He may have to modify his recovery plan and his golf swing depending on how the knee responds to surgery. That is an unknown unitl next season. This will mean that Tiger losses precious time to fulfill his goals of surpassing Jack Nicklaus' records. The only thing stopping Tiger is Tiger. His health, as this event shows very strongly, is a key factor in how great his record and legend becomes.
• New Business. Obviously the star is laid up. Initially he cannot put weight on his leg. That puts a damper on new business development. Personal appearance is still a big part of what he does. It may be a small part, but it would suffer nonetheless.
• Personal Appearances, Exhibitions. Sponsors won't have Tiger to wave around at corporate outings and clinics. He should be available for video and audio advertising, but that too would be down by his lack of mobility.
• Television.The Los Angeles Times reported that CBS TV ratings in which Tiger finised top 5 were 171 percent higher than those in which he did not compete. NBC Sports said their ratings increase with Tiger averaged 59 percent higher. A loss of fan interest will decrease in majors and the ten or so tournaments that Tiger would normally play will suffer reduced attendance.

Net Gain

My feeling is Tour Golf and the Golf fan benefits. All the best to Tiger and his recovery but no single golfer should totally dominate the tour. The better the competition, the better Tiger will be. Nicklaus and Palmer were great because they had each other. So did Hogan, Snead and Nelson.

Rocco Mediate and Phil Mickelsen have shown that with time, the pros can narrow the gap to push Tiger. Mediate pushed Tiger, there is no doubt about that. Rocco will emerge a better, stronger golfer for his experience. Others should benefit form the Rocco example. Tiger even gave himself a boost; I think even he was surprised that he could go five rounds and win on one leg.

The real golf fan would watch the upcoming Majors and FedEx Cup with relish, with or without Tiger. It is at the margin where PGA Tour marketing people worry. Tiger brought so many fans to the game, who would not otherwise be attracted to golf. But last year's British Open did not have Tiger in the playoff, Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia certainly made an exciting finish.

So, we'll see. Even when he's not there, Tiger leaves a pretty exciting impression.

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1. Jack Nicklaus
2. Tiger Woods
3. Ben Hogan
4. Sam Snead
5. Walter Hagen
6. Gary Player
7. Arnold Palmer
8. Gene Sarazen
9. Tom Watson
10. Bobby Jones

I have no problem with the names on the list. I do question Bobby Jones at number ten. He really started it all as far as golf in the twentieth century is concerned. Nobody made golf more popular or gain more world-wide attention for golf than Bobby Jones. He was Jack Nicklaus' benchmark and hero. I say he goes number one, followed by Nicklaus, then Woods.

Next, I question why some names are missing. A list like this is always open to interpretation. If Top Ten means the best players that is almost impossible to measure between eras (differences in equipment, agronomy, strength of field, definition of major tournaments, etc.). If you include people whose significance to the development of the game, then other names should be added and Top Ten becomes too limiting a number.

For instance,what about:

• Charles Sifford - breaking the colour barrier
• Bobby Locke - Four majors; arguably the best putter who ever lived.
• Byron Nelson - the definition of gentlemen and all that good golf stands for
• Harry Vardon - six Open Championships, the grip and the Stroke Average Trophy
• Tom Morris Sr. and Tom Morris Jr. - founders of greenskeeping and professional golf
• Colin Montgomerie - Seven straight European Order of Merit titles; great match play player
• Nick Faldo - Six Majors, World Number One, Great Ryder Cup player
• Greg Norman - Two Majors, World Number One, and model of the modern golf businessman

I'm sure I've left some very worthy names out (e.g. Peter Thompson). However, I think the list should at least be renamed the Top Nine American Golfers of All Time and Gary Player.

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Now you can track your golf game with your Smartphone. Handheld devices are everywhere -- golfers love gizmos and manufacturers love us.

Resort courses have popularized GPS systems on their carts as a way of justifying their premium course fees and also to keep golfers occupied during the wait period between shots. The GPS is only available to those who ride and it's focused toward proshop tracking of carts and ordering from the restaurant as much as giving yardages to golfers.

IntelliGolf is a software vendor that changes the golf tracking experience for those with Smartphones and handheld devices capable of GPS. Awarded "Best Product of the Year 2007" in the Smartphone and Pocket PC category, IntelliGolf Eagle Edition, is perfect for use by players who want to play their favourite courses with the help of GPS distancing. The program adds a combination of software that automates golf scoring and wagering, evaluates performance with statistics and graphs, and shot tracking.

The GPS-enabled version 9.x software works on:

• Blackberry (Series 7100, 8100-Pearl, 8300-Curve, 8700, 8800)
• Handheld PCs
• Java-based Smartphones
• Windows Pocket PCs
• Palm OS or Treo handhelds
• Nokia Series 60
• Sony Ericsson P900/910
• Macintosh iPhone may be planned in furture revisions

Golf Course Database and GPS Capability

Courses are mapped, coded and stored for download into a database on your Smartphone or handheld. There are currently over 24,000 courses in the database. Courses are free for the download.

Courses mapped for Ottawa, Ontario include:

• Camelot GC
• Falcon Ridge
• Glen Mar
• Hylands
• Manderley on the Green
• Meadows
• Ottawa Hunt and GC
• Greensmere
• Stonebridge
• Talon at Greyhawk

For Vancouver Island, near Victoria, BC:

• Arbutus Ridge
• Bear Mountain
• Cedar Hill
• Cordova Bay
• Gorge Vale
• Meadows
• Olympic View
• Royal Colwood GC
• Victoria GC

IntelliGolf keeps a list of customer-verified GPS equipment compatible with the Eagle software. Check their website for an up-to-date listing (www.intelligolf.com/intelligpscert.asp)

Software Features - Eagle Edition

The software retrieves the course information from its database. Then IntelliGolf gives you modest graphics of each green, showing distances to front, back and pin locations from where you and your ball are located.

You have real-time, on-course GPS capbility in your hands. The capabilities makes the system a wonderful golfer's aide:

• records scores for up to 5 players
• tracks putts, fairways hit, drive distance, sandsaves, penalty strokes
• keeps stats on each player
• putting stats
• calculates course handicap from your handicap index
• on course distances
• keeps track of who has the honour on each hole
• view and print post-round stats
• export round stats for analysis with spreadsheets or databases
• can save scorecards, stats, handicap reports as a web page
• tracks scores for side games
• golfers can play from different tees within a group

This is only a subset of the features! See their website for further details.

The suggested retail price for the Eagle Edition (their premium product) is $59.95 (U.S. dollars).

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The Shotwatch looks like a sports watch but is really a golf swing training aid. The built-in software that helps you achieve greater control and consistency in your golf swing by tracking speed, tempo and grip pressure.

As a golf swing trainer, Shotwatch remembers your best golf swing. A built-in signaling device tells you when your ideal grip, speed and tempo is off during any golf swing. Any miss-timing generates a beep. The instant feedback facilitates muscle memory control to improve your golf game and shave strokes off your score.

The Basics

(These details are based on the instructions described at shotwatch.com website)

Put a ball down, align yourself and take your normal setup.

Turn Shotwatch on by pressing the START button. After 10 seconds you will hear a double beep to indicate you’re ready to swing. As you draw back you’ll hear a single beep. This indicates ShotWatch is activated and you’ll get a good reading.

After you’ve hit the ball, check the measurements of your swing by going to the SELECT button. You will get readings on SPEED, GRIP AND TIME.

The MODE button controls functions related to saving shot readings, shot icons, and your shot handicap setting. You need to know the different MODE icons. You scroll through the icons by pressing the MODE button. The curved arrow is the ready MODE. Next is the thumbs up. Select the thumbs up when you’ve hit the shot you want to save in memory. You do this by pressing the SELECT button while the thumbs-up icon is displayed. A series of numbers and dashes flash on the LCD indicating the Best Shot info is saved.

Press the MODE button again and the next icon is the file folder. Assuming you saved the best shot measurements in the manner just described, as you press the SELECT button each measurement for SPEED, GRIP AND TIME will be those you saved from your best shot. You can change your best shot measures as often as you like. Obviously you will have different best shot values when you swing a different club.

The next MODE button is your handicap setting. They can be set from 1, excellent golfer, with an actual handicap in single digits, to a 5, which is the setting for a beginner. Intermediate handicap settings, 2,3,or 4 will correspond to the skill level of the user.

Each shot is compared with the best shot saved in the file folder. If you exactly repeat the measurements from the saved best shot, the arrows will display all neutrals. Let’s say you repeated the same SPEED, but had higher or stronger GRIP pressure and had a slower swing. The characters displayed would be dash, or neutral on SPEED, a plus or up arrow on GRIP and a minus or down arrow on TIME or tempo. If your handicap is a 1, the Shotwatch is unforgiving, but if your say a 5 handicap you have a greater margin or error.

The next two icons are the beeper and the setting for a right handed or a left handed golfer. If you want to turn the beeper off, while it is displayed in the icon bar, press SELECT and it will disappear indicating it’s off. Changing from right handed to left handed is a similar operation. Press SELECT the “R” changes to an “L”.

First Impression

From a short review by Ashley Mayo in Golf For Women (July/August issue), her impression described a good way to use the ShotWatch in a practice session:

"This training aid isn't a timepiece; it's a swing-fixer. The ShotWatch has sensors that measure tempo, grip pressure and hand/arm speed. I took the gadget to a driving range, programmed it to Level 1 (the levels vary from 5 for beginners to 1 for scratch golfers) and pressed start. When I hit a solid shot, I pressed select and saved the swing variables from that shot. If a subsequent swing didn't match the saved data, the ShotWatch beeped, prompting me to check which number was off—and to correct the problem. At Level 1, the ShotWatch beeped even when my tempo was only slightly slower or faster, which became frustrating. So I changed the setting to Level 2. This time the watch beeped only when my tempo was significantly off. This instant audio feedback helped me recognize what a good swing feels like and I began making one sweet swing after another; $149."

The suggested retail price on the ShotWatch website is $199 plus tax, so maybe the Golf for Women people have seen street prices.

The ShotWatch website maintains excellent instructional videos that illustrate the use of the watch for practice sessions. These videos are also available on YouTube.

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With a total purse of $2.25 million, and a field of 156 players, this will be Canada's only LPGA event.

LPGA Stars in the Field:

• Lorena Ochoa
• Annika Sorenstam
• Paula Creamer
• Morgan Pressel
• Laura Diaz
• Lori Kane
• Cristie Kerr
• Brittany Lincicome
• Meg Mallon
• Suzanne Pettersen
• Karrie Webb

In addition to Lori Kane, other Canadian stars in the field include:

• Dawn Coe-Jones
• AJ Eathorne
• Alena Sharp
• Kira Meixner (a) (Canada's top female amateur golfer of 2007)

Starting on Monday, August 11, 2008 players not already cleared to play in the Tournament will have their last chance to qualify at a round to be played at Ottawa's Camelot Golf and Country Club. Practice rounds will begin play at the Hunt Club from noon until course closing.

A Schedule of Events table is available on the tournament website (www.cncanadianwomensopen.com) just click on Tournament Info.

Key Statistics:

(Based on RCGA / Ipsos Reid Survey information on Sponsorship)

• Six million Canadians play golf (highest participation rate of any sport - 22%)
• Key demographic of fans 86 percent of whom are between age 16 - 64
• Breakdown of attendance: 52 percent male / 48 percent female
• Attendance should reach 70,000 with a nationwide audience watching Rogers Sportsnet coverage on television.

From talking to Hunt Club members, the course has never been in better shape. They are really proud and excited about the upcoming tournament. The men are cleaning out their lockers, ready for the LPGA pros to takeover as soon as the Saturday before the event. Those that miss the cut in the previous week's tourney are expected to head straight for the Hunt Club to get some practice in.

All 27 holes of the course will be shutdown, so absolutely no place is set aside for membership play during the tournament. The LPGA will "own" the place for the week of August 11-17.

I've got my week-long pass for the grounds. I got four grounds passes for $218.00 (parking not included). I consider that a bargain. I'm especially excited about watching the practice rounds during the week. Last time the LPGA was at the Hunt you could get right up close to the pros. I got some tremendous practice tips from watching them work. Make no mistake, this is a business and these are some very disciplined professionals we are going to see. The best female golfers in the world are coming to Ottawa. I can hardly wait!

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