ARIZONA GOLF AUTHORITY

Category: TOOL CHEST

Arizona Golf Gifts for Dad – Help Your Family ’Ace’ your Father’s Day Gift

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

Tin Cup Father's Day Package

Scottsdale, Arizona – Do you have a shelf full of “He likes golf so I’ll buy him this” golf gadgets collecting dust in the garage?

Well, just forward this hint along to your well-meaning loved ones before they start their Father’s Day shopping, or leave an innocent, printed copy in plain view around the house somewhere and you won’t have to visit that corner of the garage this year.

Tin Cup Products, LLC emblems are a fun and easy way to comply with the USGA Rules of Golf to mark your ball for identification, and add your own personal style to your golf ball at the same time.

These are the same emblems used by many professional PGA, Champions, European and LPGA Tour players to make certain their ball is clearly marked.

Named “Best New Product” at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, the Tin Cup personalization process takes just seconds, as players simply place the stainless steel Tin Cup stencil over a ball and trace the emblem using an ultra fine point permanent Sharpie.

Arizona dads will be happy to know that both the University of Arizona “Block A” and the Arizona State University “Pitchfork” and ASU logo are both prominently featured in Tin Cup’s popular collection of 30 officially-licensed college cups.

Whether you’re supporting the U.S. Military, want to promote your alma mater or your certain fondness for cigars, you’ll find the Tin Cup logo stencil that’s just right for you. In addition to more than 90 existing models, Tin Cup introduces new logos and designs each month, producing an ever-expanding collection to choose from, including all four major military branches. Other popular emblems we’ve seen about are the Luck of the Irish and the Jolly Roger.

And don’t forget game improvement markings for your ball. The Take Aim Tin Cup emblem features a modified bulls-eye pattern with lines to help you aim and then set-up to your target and intended path of play; it’s in their popular “Visualization Series”.

Tin Cup products are made in the USA from 100% stainless steel. Each design sells for $19.95 and Tin Cup also offers a kit including the design stencil, storage bag and pens for $30.

If you wish to use your own logo design, Tin Cup’s customization program provides low minimums, affordable pricing and prompt delivery for corporations, charities, media outlets, celebrities, events and others seeking a distinctive gift.

Tin Cup stencils are currently sold at more than 750 retail locations worldwide, including PGA Superstore, Edwin Watts, Roger Dunn and Golfsmith, as well as elite clubs and resorts like The Boulders, Baltusrol, Bandon Dunes, Congressional, Kingsmill, Medinah, Reynolds Plantation, Torrey Pines, Wailea and Sea Island. The company also has distributors in Canada, the UK and Japan.

For more information, visit www.tin-cup.com or call 888.984.6287.

May 21, 2012
Butch Harmon Instruction is Dad’s Favorite Fathers Day Gift

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – If your dad is an avid golfer, forget the necktie, the silly barbecue apron and the latest, overpriced “musk in a bottle” fad. Give him something he’ll really enjoy – Butch Harmon’s new golf instructional two-DVD set titled “Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist”.

“Coming from a golf family, Father’s Day has always been associated with golf,” says Harmon. “I can’t think of a better way to say ’happy father’s day’ to your dad than with some tips that began when my dad, Claude Harmon, played on tour.

Butch is the son of 1948 Masters champion Claude Harmon, and has been involved in professional golf for over 40 years. He was a PGA Tour player from 1969 to 1971, with one Tour win – the 1971 Broome County Open – to his name. He became best-known, however, through his work as a teacher of the game, beginning with Greg Norman in the early 1990s followed by a ten year association with Tiger Woods from 1993 to 2004.

“My thoughts were to create a DVD that was designed to help your game, capture and retain your interest, and to entertain you. Unlike any other golf instructional DVD ever produced, I’ll share my thoughts supplemented with those of the game’s greatest golfers that I’ve had the privilege of working with.”

The two-DVD set features 57 chapters containing more than 250 specific tips, totaling over four hours of instruction from the man voted #1 in Golf Digest’s annual ranking of America’s Best Teachers for the past 11 consecutive years.

Dad will savor watching Butch’s actual footage of the familiar student-players who benefited from Harmon’s instruction, including Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Natalie Gulbis, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Nick Watney and Tiger Woods.

Since his early experience with Norman, Butch has worked with more than 100 PGA, LPGA, and European Tour players, including 21 Major winners and recent former Official World Golf Rankings number one Lee Westwood.

The Butch Harmon School of Golf currently has five signature locations throughout the United States, Macau, and Dubai, and is one of the top golf academies in the world. The signature locations include Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada, Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Florida, Loon Golf Club in Gaylord, Michigan and international locations in Macau and Dubai.

The “Butch Harmon About Golf presented by Titleist” DVD set is sponsored by Titleist, Winn Grips, Rolex, Golf Digest and JMA and will be available for $79.95 on-line at www.ButchHarmonDVD.com.

Once Dad’s taken care of, click the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our all Arizona Golf Courses Guide List and Reviews directory has an AZGA Player’s Arizona golf course review for every golf course in Arizona, click on www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

April 29, 2012
Martin Golf Apparel Readies Fall 2012 Collections

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

Dallas, TX – Golf industry icon Rick Martin, who returned to the business with his new company, Martin Golf Apparel, in 2011, is excited to announce Martin Golf Apparel’s new Fall 2012 collections. In keeping with Martin’s longtime philosophy of creating apparel that’s both traditional and timeless, the Fall 2012 Martin Golf Apparel collections will continue the company’s focus on not only natural fibers, but what Martin calls “natural colors” as well.

Maritn Golf Apparel

“The Martin Golf Apparel color palette is something I’ve developed over a lifetime of experience in the apparel business,” says Martin, “and I’m proud that focus on traditional colors, as opposed to trendy ones, is among the things I’m known for.”

For Martin, too much modern golf apparel has strayed from the traditional path to which he adheres. “I remember watching last year’s U.S. Open, looking at the tour players competing for the win, and being struck by the contrived look of their outfits,” recalls Martin. “The outfits had such a ’costume’ feel, and also a stifling uniformity. Each piece was clearly designed to be worn only with pieces from the same collection. It’s great for TV but not my foursome.”

“My idea of golf fashion is rooted in watching legends like Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan – gentlemen who always looked well put together, but never contrived. To that end, my goal is to create elegant, stylish but versatile garments that are related, but can be worn with anything. This, in addition to my commitment to using only natural fibers – no synthetics, no pieced-together garments – is one of the cornerstones of what Martin Golf Apparel is all about.”

Martin Golf Apparel’s Fall 2012 collections embody the philosophy that led Martin to launch the company. The Essentials Collection makes use of the company’s entire color palette, bringing to the golf apparel marketplace a variety of knits and sweaters that truly live up to the Martin Golf Apparel philosophy, “as Timeless as the Game.” The Timeless Elements Collection offers items in a more specialized, yet still broad, range of colors.

Martin Golf Apparel

The three remaining Fall 2012 collections are perfect illustrations of Martin Golf Apparel’s ability and commitment to blend timelessness and tradition. The British Regimental Collection employs a color palette inspired by vintage British military uniforms, backed up by and blended with distinctive clarifying colors and used in the service of modern yet timeless golf apparel. The Charcoal Classics Collection features many of the same colors as the British Regimental line, but highlights them with Light and Dark Charcoal shades to create the sort of bold yet natural contrast. Finally, the Vineyard Collection specializes in what Martin calls “earthy” tones.

Martin Golf Apparel is sold exclusively at golf clubs across in the country. In Arizona, you can find this line at Desert Mountain, Whisper Rock, Mirabel, Estancia, DC Ranch, Stone Canyon, Ventana Canyon and Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain. Visit Martin Golf Apparel

Click the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our all Arizona Golf Courses Guide List and Reviews directory has an AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

April 23, 2012
PING Adds To “Bubba and Friends Drive to a Million”

PING G-20 Driver

PHOENIX, Arizona — PING announced April 12^th it will increase its charitable contribution through the sale of 5,000 pink G20™ drivers. PING will donate $50 per club, thus ensuring a $250,000 donation toward Masters Champion Bubba Watson’s goal of raising $1 million for charity in 2012.

PING’s announcement follows Bubba’s popular win at the 2012 Masters. The 5,000 limited-edition drivers will be available in golf shops around June 1.

“We looked back at the last few days and realized that with all the tremendous energy Bubba has created with his win at the Masters and for our brand, we needed to do more with this opportunity to give back to those in need,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The response to the pink G20s has exceeded expectations at this point, so we’re increasing our commitment to help bring Bubba closer to his goal of raising $1 million for charity this year.”

In January, Watson announced the formation of “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” – a year-long effort to raise $1 million for charity through his own efforts and the support of his partners and sponsors. At that time, PING launched “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING,” a program that pledges $300 for every drive Bubba hits farther than 300 yards (up to 300 drives). It kicked off the initiative with a $10,000 donation.

Bubba has launched 172 eligible drives of 300-plus yards on the 2012 PGA Tour, raising $61,600 from PING. He is 128 qualifying drives short of 300. Based on his current pace, it’s expected he’ll reach the 300 milestone in June.

Best of all, the funds raised through “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING” will stay in the Phoenix area, home base for PING Manufacturing’s worldwide headquarters.

April 16, 2012
PING Sponsors “Bubba and Friends Drive to a Million”

PING G-20 Driver

PHOENIX, Arizona – PING is an incredible Arizona-based golf company which built its reputation by producing innovative, quality golf equipment. What is often overlooked in all the publicity is their generous commitment to charitable causes.

Ping’s latest fund raising partnership is with Bubba Watson and his “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” effort to raise $1 million for charities this PGA Tour season.

“Bubba came to us with the idea for his charitable drive last year,” said PING Director of Communications Pete Samuels, “and we knew it was a natural fit.”

Right around the same time, knowing Bubba’s love of all things pink, PING had been working on a new driver in a hotter, deeper shade of his favorite color. This new driver became the basis for how PING could support Bubba’s effort.

In addition to a $10,000 upfront contribution, PING is supporting “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” by donating $300 for the first 300 drives Bubba launches over 300 yards in 2012. PING’s fundraising event is called, “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING.” All funds raised will go to Phoenix-area charities, chosen by PING with Bubba’s support.

So far, Bubba and his pink driver have had incredible results. With his trusty all-pink PING® G20™ driver, Bubba Watson is #1 on the PGA Tour in average driving distance at 315.5 yards.

“On the season, nearly 62% of Watson’s drives have traveled 300-plus yards, the highest percentage on the PGA Tour,” said Samuels. “We’re estimating he will reach number 300 for 2012 as early as mid-May.”

Bubba Watson and PING CEO John Solheim

The really cool thing about this effort is that Bubba didn’t go the traditional route of forming a charitable foundation because he didn’t want administrative costs to consume any money collected. Instead, if you make a donation to your local American Society or sponsor someone during a charity walk, he wants you to go to his Facebook page and post the info.

He’s set up a tracker on www.bubbawatsongolf.com to record the total donations. Our unofficial estimate of Ping’s contribution totals well over $52,000 through the WGC Cadillac event at Doral.

“I couldn’t do it on my own,” Watson said. “I don’t have $1 million to give away. It’s my friends and sponsors, we’re all trying to team up and raise $1 million — and for a guy from Bagdad, Fla., named Bubba that’s a pretty big accomplishment. Even if we raise a half million this year, it’s still half a million.”

Whether it turns out to be a half-million, a full-million or maybe more, we tip our golf hats to a laid-back, long-hitting lad from Florida, and a state-of-the-art company that always does things right. Ping founder Karsten Solheim always said the game should be enjoyable; watching the “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING” tally rise will certainly be great fun.

Click the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Their all Arizona Golf Course Guide List Directory features an AZGA Player’s Arizona Golf Course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

March 20, 2012
GolfLogix Has New Interactive GPS Golf App Features

GolfLogix Interactive GPS Golf App Display

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – GolfLogix has introduced new Interactive GPS features providing Champion members additional tools to improve course management and play better golf. According to company president Pete Charleston, the new software was created based on feedback from the GolfLogix community of 1.5 million members.

The new automatic update features for Champions members include:

Club tracking – This patented system gives GolfLogix exclusive rights to accurately capture club distances and locations of logged clubs, overlying shots on hole imagery to produce a mapped history of every round

Aerial flyover – Similar to what’s seen on TV, the flyover provides a birds-eye video tour of each hole from tee to green

Pin position – Eliminates the need for lasers, allowing users to zoom in to get specific GPS distances to the pin or any other key points (hazards, landing zones) on any hole

Digital yardage book notes – Allows users to create and save critical notes directly on hole imagery (ex: false front 12 yards from edge of green; fairway slopes right-to-left toward water 250 yards from tee box)

Easily downloaded from www.GolfLogix.com or App Stores such as iTunes, Android Marketplace and BlackBerry App World, the software is compatible with more than 60 smartphone models.

In addition to the upgraded Champion membership which costs less than $20 annually, the free GolfLogix app provides accurate distances to the center of the green, yardage book quality imagery, scorekeeping and in-round pro-level stat tracking for more than 30,000 courses worldwide. All existing Club members will get a free round credit to try all of the new 2012 Champion member features.

And more enhancements are coming in mid-2012, when the GolfLogix app will feature instructional videos and tips from the Golf Digest teaching vault. As the software continuously captures a player’s stats during the round, personalized feedback, instant advice, tips and drills will be sent to his or her smartphone for review and comparison against previous rounds.

All GolfLogix levels include access to the Member Clubhouse, the No. 1 online golf community where millions interact through social forums, offer challenges to fellow golfers and maintain an indexed handicap. Personal web pages for each user also store performance statistics, so every round can be analyzed by fairways hit, greens in regulation, putting, shot trends and more.

For more information: www.GolfLogix.com, 877.977.0162.

Click to visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

March 20, 2012
Apache Stronghold Golf Club Debuts Signature Glove

Apache Stronghold Signature Glove by Easy Glove

San Carlos, Arizona – In yet the next evolution of logo-wear, Apache Stronghold Golf Club in San Carlos, working with Easy Glove North America, has developed their own signature golf glove.

Easy Glove utilizes a proprietary process that can place a digital image on up to 90 percent of the product’s surface area so the design options are limitless. “As soon as I saw the Easy Glove graphics I had to have it for our club” said Jim Lawrence, Director of Golf Operations. “You don’t see that many completely unique items in golf shops these days and this is definitely unique. I think it will be very popular with our customers and increase sales as an impulse item” added Lawrence.

So if you are one of those players that has to have the latest new product, trek on out to Apache Stronghold. But before you do, check out our team’s course review.

Click Apache Stronghold Golf Club to visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for every golf course in Arizona.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

March 19, 2012
Jim McLean Golf School Opens at SunRidge Canyon

Jim McLean Gof School – SunRidge Canyon Golf Course

Fountain Hills, Arizona – Greater Scottsdale’s list of Ivy League golf schools just became more prestigious with the debut of the Jim McLean Golf School at the Keith Foster-designed SunRidge Canyon Golf Club . The instruction facility is located on SunRidge Canyon’s practice facility with a permanent structure to be built in 2012 to house the school activities. McLean’s stable of instructors began teaching students in November 2011 with frequent visits from McLean as his calendar permits.

Jim McLean has long been recognized as one of the top golf instructors in the world, named 1994 PGA Teacher of The Year, and currently ranked No.3 by Golf Digest, among many other distinctions. Along with the world’s best database of golf swing clips and video content, Jim McLean has completed more than 35 years of research on the golf swing.

Using corridors of success and safety zones, Jim McLean’s teaching system can accommodate a variety of golf swings. Every student that attends a Jim McLean golf school or lesson will improve their game and leave with an organized plan for improvement. On average students improve their handicap by 4.6 strokes after taking a golf school program. Golf Schools feature The 8-Step Swing®, The Slot Swing™, X-Factor®, Y-Factor™, and Powerline.

Jim McLean & SunRidge Owners Don & Cindy Misheff

McLean’s stable of instructors teaches golfers how to improve their game with lessons ranging from a 30-minute “pre/post round” golf lesson to a one-day “ultimate” golf program, which includes seven hours of instruction, playtime and analysis.

In addition, the school offers two- and three-day programs that fully immerse students into McLean’s cutting-edge game-improvement methods.

Game improvement is available for everyone’s budget as prices range from $70 to $1,872. For more information, click on: http://sunridgegolf.com/jim-mclean-golf-school/

Visit our Arizona Golf Course Directory List and read the AZGA Player’s Review for SunRidge Canyon, as well as every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

February 16, 2012
Raven Golf Club – Phoenix Home to New Instruction Partnership

From the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf News Desk

PHOENIX, Arizona – Two of the most innovative brands in golf instruction, Jeff Ritter Golf and Martin Chuck’s Tour Striker Golf Academies (JRG/TSGA) have announced the launch of a new instruction program set to open this fall at The Raven Golf Club – Phoenix.

One of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America, Ritter’s presence reaches all corners of the globe. Ritter’s creative approach to the game has appeared across print, television and radio, including frequent content showcased with Golf Digest magazine.

Martin Chuck is the inventor of Tour Striker Training Products, the highly successful series of golf learning aids endorsed by CBS Commentator Gary McCord. As success of the Tour Striker brand grew, Chuck launched the Tour Striker Academies, which now operate programs throughout the country.

Along with the progressive vision of The Raven Golf Club Management Team, OB Sports, long-time friends Ritter and Chuck saw the opportunity to create a program unrivaled in innovation and productivity to meet the needs of all players regardless of skill level or age group. “I had worked for years on my own building a successful coaching brand,” said Ritter. “But what I missed most was the creative process associated with collaborating with others. The opportunity to work with someone as talented as Martin to build this new program is something that I’m extremely excited about.”

Proponents of a holistic approach to learning, JRG/TSGA “Integrated Coaching” programs will offer cutting edge modalities designed to unlock a player’s true potential while providing fun and creative solutions for enhanced physical, emotional and nutritional performance.

Designed to give golfers the tools and support to achieve any goal, JRG/TSGA programs include: Private Lessons, Group Clinics, Corporate Events, Comprehensive Schools, Advanced Fitting Resources, Junior Golf Development and more.

For more information on JRG/TSGA programs visit www.ravenphx.com/instruction.

Read the Arizona Golf Course AZGA Golf Course Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.

It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.

October 13, 2011