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Through Tiger Woods infidelities, Nike Inc. still stands by him. When most companies stopped sponsoring or showing Woods' in their ads, Nike and a few other companies stood by Woods' in his efforts to rehabilitate and return to competitive golf. Recently, Nike came out with a commercial promoting its company through Woods'. Standing on a golf course with the swoosh appearing on his hat, Woods' stares into a camera while his unseen father, Earl Woods, who was highly influential on Woods' earlier days, states "Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are, and did you learn anything?" Nike stresses that the company is not afraid to deal with the problems that their athletes face, and because Woods' is back in the game now, they have to do the best to address the situation and move on. Tiger has been one of the top athletes to make the most money and Nike is not about to give up on him. In upcoming golf matches, Woods' will be using Nike golf products throughout the course.
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High Definition Golf is the latest technology in golf simulators that combines revolutionary advancements over their traditional predecessors. Players have the opportunity to play a full round of golf or just the front or back 9 of some of the most popular golf courses in the country. In addition players can get an analysis of their swing, go to the driving range, or play some other mini-games to test their skills. The advanced technology eliminates the computer generated models, and instead replaces them with actual photographs taken from the real popular courses (such as Pebble Beach), which provides for the most realistic experience to date. Players simply take their own golf clubs and ball and drive/put/or chip their shot directly into a projection screen where the computer will then replicate the shot on the screen, with almost complete accuracy. Additional benefits include an online feature that allows for users to interact with other players and/or coaches. The only downside is that this system now is very expensive, costing about $40,000 dollars to be installed. However, these systems likely will continue to be installed in many other areas including golf pro shops and vacation resorts making them more accessible for the public.
SkyGolf created the SkyCaddie in the early 2000's and it had quickly become the #1 rangefinder in golf today. SkyGolf has currently worked with over 23,000 golf courses and setup their technology at these golf courses. By the end of 2009 the company plans on establishing its products and services at around 30,000 golf courses. As a division of SkyHawke Technologies, SkyGolf has created a way for the average golfer to receive the same information that professional golfers receive, by walking each course just like an actual tour caddie. SkyCaddie is currently the official rangefinder of the PGA of America, LPGA, PGA of Britain, PGA of Ireland, PGA of Germany, Swedish PGA, and the technology partner of the PGA Learning Center. SkyGolf and its SkyCaddie product have quickly become the most successful and sought after rangefinder in the golf industry today.
The SkyGolf website currently holds a library with maps of all the courses that have been mapped out by the company. Once the device is purchased you can go on SkyGolf and download the courses that you regularly play onto your device and be on your way to a better golf experience. SkyGolf uses GPS when the courses are being mapped and gives you accurate readings for your golf course.
Currently SkyGolf creates 4 different models of its SkyCaddie and have 2 models that are coming soon, with each device is about the size of your cell phone. These models range in price from 200 to 400 dollars, each device gives readings to the front, middle, and back of the green. All devices have the features of mark the ball, distance to hazards and up to 40 different targets per hole. The newest device is the SG5, which
currently sells for $399.95, includes many great features, and features a color screen. The Mark the Ball feature lets you know how far you hit every club in your bag allowing you to better manage your game. The InteliGreen feature rotates the shape of the green to match the angle of the shot you are going to take. Instant Distances to Greens and Hazards removes hazards that behind you and displays the hazards that are still in play, this allows you to better manage your game and elite those high scores. Up to 40 targets on each hole gives you information to distances to bunkers, hazards, and the green so that you have the same information as a professional golfers caddie would attain for their golfer. The SG5 also comes with a USB cable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, ac battery charger, heavy-duty belt clip, user guide, and quick start guide.
As a golfer I feel that the SkyCaddie takes away from the game, I am the type of person that likes to figure out how far away the green is and choose a club based on how I feel about the upcoming shot. The only feature about the SkyCaddie that I would like to have the information from is the Mark the Ball feature, it would allow me to more accurately choose the right club on each shot. I also feel that even with the technology and knowing the correct distances you still have to step up to the ball and hit a good shot, knowing the distance of each shot is only half of it. On one hand if given the opportunity I would love to use this device to see how it works, but would much rather play a round of golf without the SkyCaddie any day of the week. The SkyCaddie is up to debate if you want to use it to improve your golf game, but for me I would much rather not use this device and rely on my feelings about the distances of shots and how far I can hit the clubs in my bag.
The Approach G5 from Garmin is the newest high-tech golf range-finder from Garmin, a worldwide leader in GPS technology. Garmin has been successful in many areas dealing with GPS technology, including marine, aviation, automobiles, sports and fitness. The Approach G5 is placed in the sports category of this very well-established name in the industry.
The first range-finder from Garmin, the GolfLogix, was a success itself. It was endorsed by such golf personalities as Gary McCord and Peter Kostis. It was a touchscreen model, one of the first of its kind, and seems to be very well-liked. The new Apporach G5 is a revolutionary breakthrough in this type of technology. It full color, touchscreen, and has features that are the first of its kind.
The Approach G5's touch screen feature allows you to point to exact points on the golf course that you need distances from or to. For example, simply touch a bunker, and it will give you the distance to the front of the bunker or the distance needed to carry it. Once you approach the green, you will receive distances to the front middle and back if desired. Also, there is a feature that allows you to point to and drag the pin to the exact position that it is in on that specific day.
The digital scorecard is another revolutionary feature that is included in the Approach G5. During your round, this allows you to keep score for up to four players. When your round has concluded, it is compatable with your computer and allows you to enter you score into your computer for personal reference.
Garmin is continually updating the Approach G5 by both adding new courses to its database and improving current course maps that are available for download. The Approach G5 just recently came onto the market in March of 2009. Therefore, since it is a brand new product, there have not been significant reviews, but judging by the reputation of Garmin, you can count on quality.
A New Technology that has been introduced and has revolutionized the golf equipment industry is the Iron Byron. The machine is used by the United States Golf Association and top industry premier manufactures to design and test club designs to bring the best product to you the consumer.
The Iron Byron is actually named after the most consistent player in history, the Great Byron Nelson. Legend had it that Byron's swing was so consistent and perfect that only a machine could be as accurate shot per shot. Although this is a bit of a exaggeration the real man was perhaps the greatest in consistency. The Machine Iron Byron can swing a documented ten thousand times. It is said that they have to replace the centerline turf every few months as the balls hitting the same spot thousands of times wears it out.
This information technology tool really has brought about the dramatic changes we see today in the golf club industry. This change really has pushed the limits and from finding the results with such consistency club manufactures are able to regulate and produce the best product possible for us the end users.
Radar Golf has revolutionized the way the game of golf is played today. This technology will prevent so many headaches, lower your score, and speed up play. How can you go wrong with Radar Golf?
Radar Golf uses a Ball Positioning System technology, which consists of three main components: the handheld, Shield-It pouch and ball. BPS technology uses advanced electronics to enable the handheld to transmit a specific radio frequency signal. When this signal reaches a Radar Golf ball, the ball returns a separate specific RF signal. The handheld receiver is tuned to "listen" for the signal from the ball. An LCD provides visual feedback and an audio tone allows you to hone in on your lost ball. You will receive stronger feedback as you get closer to your ball.
If you are wondering about how the Radar golf ball is affected by the microchip, or if it has any other problems, you have nothing to worry about. The ball is USGA conforming and meets all USGA specifications for size, weight, distance, initial velocity and symmetry. The embedded microchip is so small that it does not affect the performance of the ball in any way. The chip has no power source and will last as long as the ball.
The Radar Golf package has an overall price of $199.95. The
PepsiCo Inc. announced today that Gatorade and Tiger Woods will be releasing a new product called "Gatorade Tiger." This new Gatorade product will be introduced in March 2008. The flavors Woods' picked are cherry blend, citrus blend and grape. Woods will join Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning and Mia Hamm as an endorser of Gatorade products. _______________________________________
FOX Sports reports:
Tiger Woods will have his own brand of sports drink next year under an endorsement deal announced Tuesday with Gatorade that marks a couple of firsts for the world's No. 1 golfer -- his first U.S. deal with a beverage company and his first licensing agreement.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Golfweek magazine reported last month it was for five years and could pay Woods as much as $100 million, moving him closer to the $1 billion mark in career endorsements.
"There have been some licensing elements to things we've done," said Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG, who cited video games produced by EA Sports as an example. "But everything he does with Gatorade is going to be creating new products. It's something Tiger and I and our licensing business has been looking at for some time."
ESPN The Magazine and BusinessWeek have compiled a list of the Top 100 most powerful people in all of sports. The list includes athletes, coaches, owners, agents and other executives. NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, is number 1 on their list.
"Who wields power in sports? In a special project with BusinessWeek, ESPN The Magazine spotlights many of the people -- from the suits to the jocks -- influencing the games you love."
The Chicago Tribune reports that Tiger Woods is making the PGA Tour and the FedEx Cup meaningful during a time when the NFL is dominant. This past weekend Tiger Woods won the BMW Championship, which is the third of the four FedEx Cup tournaments and took over the FedEx points lead. This tournament came at the same time as the opening weekend of the NFL and the ratings were surprisingly respectable.
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Even if Tiger Woods doesn't pocket the $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup, they should give it to him anyway. He is carrying this thing.
The power of Tiger was revealed again Monday when the TV ratings came out for the BMW Championship. Sunday's final round did a 3.2 national rating on NBC; one national ratings point is worth more than 1 million households.
That wasn't as high as the 4.0 NBC had done for the last round of the previous FedEx Cup event, the Deutsche Bank Championship. But that tournament didn't have to go up against the NFL, and it had the drawing power of Woods battling Phil Mickelson down the stretch.
Still, Sunday's 3.2 rating was significantly higher than the 2.1 for the final round of the first playoff tournament, The Barclays, in which Mickelson was in contention with Woods sitting out.
For the final 30 minutes, the BMW did a 5.0 national rating, a decent number considering the competition.
Locally, the Bears obviously ruled, doing a 26.9 rating on WFLD-Ch. 32; one local ratings point is worth 34,550 households. But at the same time, golf ranked second in the market from 3-5 p.m. with a 4.2 rating. The tournament actually picked up viewers down stretch, peaking at a 6.9 rating in the final 15 minutes.
Woods, obviously, was the draw on television as he was on the course, accounting for the big crowds at Cog Hill over the weekend. Try to imagine where the FedEx Cup would be without him.
