iGolf Neo GPS (aka Bushnell Neo)

It's odd how many Golfers don't use GPS but don't hesitate to ask for distances when we play scrambles together. I picked an iGolf Neo on eBay for ten bucks, downloaded the nearest 10-12 courses and hit the links. The iGolf is discontinued and replaced with Bushnell Neo at iGolf.com but I still see them on eBay.

I attached it to the handle of my push/pull cart so I can see it when selecting a club without any extra effort. It's allowed me to figure half and quarter swing distances for key clubs I can use when under a tree canapoy or in high winds. Although it has advanced features such as those that will allow a golfer to map out new holes and add points they encounter on a course that's not pre-mapped, I just use it for the basic center, front, and back of the green readings. Quick and easy. I like it so much I may get a GPS watch soon. The Neo's one limitation is when I don't walk, I need to carry it around as another item in my pocket. I usually just leave it in the cart and take an estimated reading from there before I grab a club and head to my ball.

 

 

 

 

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Swing Speed: Medicus Power Meter

I only use a few training aids. I have always been more like Kevin Costner in Tin Cup when he chastises the doctor who puts on these crazy looking training aids, but then tries to use them himself later. I have found a few that are either cool enough for other golfers to admire them and not snicker or discrete enough to use with drawing attention or feeling conspicuous.

One of my first is the Medicus Power Meter. This attaches easily to your club and the club length and golfer's height are entered. It will display the swing speed after every swing and automatically reset for each swing just by the momentum of each swing. No user intervention is needed after its attached and turned on.

 

Knowing swing speed is key for a new golfer. Although you should go and get fitted, that's not an expense many new golfers want to make. The Power Meter let me get my driver swing speed easily (96 mph). This helped me get a static fitting online for the right shaft flex for a new driver. When a golfer self fits using the Ping static fitting guides, ball fitting on manufacturers websites, shaft fitting, etc swing speed is usually an input required.

I kept reading about ball selection based on compression designed for different swing speeds and techniques for more power, but I did't really know how fast I was swinging the club and was happily surprised to see it on the high average range. This made my training plan much better since I no longer felt the need to try and increase my swing speed. I switched to focus on my short game and saw my scores start to drop.

It's a great discrete training aid that will surely help your golf. It can be used in regular range practice to help evaluate the quality of each shot.

 

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Welcome

Funny, yesterday I decided to start a golf blog. I felt current instruction over complicates the game. As a software architect, I believe I can identify the core design patterns in the swing to simplify the game. Then I found this article on Sandtrap.com and got the kick in the pants I needed to start the blog.

I am going to post a few articles on golfing. I decided I am at a point in my architecture carer where I need to start building social networking skills. Golfing will give more 'out of the office' opportunities with the executives I work with.

 

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