StableGrip Glove Now Features Natural Fit for the Best Fit in Golf

(LOUISVILLE, KY) – The technologically advanced golf glove on the market just got better. Bionic’s best-selling StableGrip now features Natural Fit, allowing the glove to conform even better to the natural shape and contours of the hand. The result is a better, more stable grip, which allows the hand to relax as much as possible when swinging a golf club. And all teaching pros agree that a relaxed grip is the secret to better performance and lower scores.

So, what’s different about StableGrip with Natural Fit?

It features three-dimensional finger pads. Padding has always been a key feature of the StableGrip design. This is because the hand is a series of peaks (joints) and valleys. Filling the valleys allows the hand’s surface to be evened out, allowing better contact with the club. With the new design, the pads wrap around three-fourths of the finger – filling the valleys on the sides of the fingers as well.

The glove’s gussets, or the sides of the finger, feature stretchable Lycra which creates a more natural fit and maximum flexibility. Lycra is also breathable, helping to keep the hand dry and, therefore, prolonging the life of the glove. Sweat is one of the biggest factors in shortening the life of high-end leather products like premium golf gloves.

“We’ve always had the most feature-rich glove on the market,” says Cheryl Fink, Bionic’s marketing director. “Making the best better is always a challenge, but we’ve been able to improve on our patented features with this revolutionary new glove design.”

Other features that have always been a part of Bionic’s technology include pre-rotated finger design, superior moisture management, flexion zones and premium sheep-skin Cabretta leather.

Finally, Bionic is arguably the most durable natural leather glove on the market. Its pads offload pressure from impact, thereby easing wear and tear. An independent study shows Bionic is two times more durable than a standard premium leather golf glove.

The new StableGrip with Natural Fit will be available this fall at bionicgloves.com and in select golf specialty stores, pro shops and sporting goods stores. It retails at $26.99.

Team Golf Pride Wins 2014 Ryder Cup 21-3

(SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.) - Before the first shot is struck at the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, Power management company Eaton announced today that its Golf Pride Grips Division was already the clear winner.  In fact, Golf Pride was the grip of choice by a margin of 21-3 (88%) over all other competing brands combined.

Of the 21 players relying on Golf Pride grips during golf’s most esteemed team event, 13 will trust their games to the Tour Velvet family.  The second most popular Golf Pride grip family represented at the Ryder Cup is the New Decade MultiCompound, with a total of 5 players using it to negotiate the forecasted challenging weather this weekend in Scotland. In addition to the full swing grip counts, Golf Pride is also the leading putter grip manufacturer in players’ bags at Gleneagles this week.

“Arguably, the Ryder Cup is the most exciting event in golf,” said Brandon Sowell, global sales and marketing director for Golf Pride.  “Because of the international pride on the line, many players consider their performance in the Ryder Cup as defining moments of their career.  We are pleased to know that when the pressure of a nation or a continent falls on these players’ shoulders, overwhelmingly, they choose Golf Pride.”

To view Golf Pride’s entire 2014 product line, visit www.golfpride.com.

Lester George Shares an Architectural Perspective of Golf Practice Facilities with PGA Professionals

(RELEASE) - The second of four regional Boot Camps being held by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) was held last week at Mistwood Performance Center and Golf Club in Romeoville, IL. At these boot camps, PGA Professionals, owners, managers, superintendents, and operators (about 30 at each event) share ideas and trends in golf to stay up-to-date and bring fresh ideas to their facilities. Their mission is to harness the combined power of the staff at all types of facilities to grow their revenues, enhance their careers, and grow the game of golf.  Lester George, ASGCA member and Golf Course Architect with 25 years of experience designing and building golf practice facilities, was the featured speaker at the Boot Camp.  

"The recent GRAA Boot Camp at Mistwood Performance Center, outside Chicago, opened the eyes of the golf professionals in attendance about how to create a better practice environment for their members and customers,” said Ryan Gingrow, PGA Magazine and Golf Range Association of America Northeast Relationship Manager. “Lester's presentation inspired and educated and provided real solutions for the challenges many professionals face.  We look forward to having him at our final Boot Camp at The Landings Club, Savannah, in November."

George’s goal is to inspire these professionals to create imaginative practice facilities that they otherwise might not have considered. “Working with PGA professionals on their facilities means varying budgets, logistical challenges and space limitations.  Each presents a unique set of circumstances,” George explained. “You start your planning as if you have no boundaries. Then you create your facility based on needs, financial feasibility and operational imperatives that are customized to enhance the teaching curriculum of that facility.”

Gingrow added, "Now more than ever, the practice range is the 'hub' of golfer development programs and serves as an entry point for those who have not been introduced to the game.  Lester has provided excellent solutions for creating practice areas for all facility types to bring new golfers to the game and to keep the core player as well."

“I can’t emphasize enough the growing need for genuinely educational practice facilities at clubs and courses throughout the country,” said Lester George. “Sometimes, the difference between a good facility and a great one can be something as simple as offering real practice options for players that simulate conditions on the golf course to prepare them for their round.  PGA professionals are where most initiatives to grow the game begin.  The ASGCA and George Golf Design want to do whatever we can do to help them evaluate, reevaluate and repurpose their facilities because that will benefit the game of golf.”

Old Chatham Golf Club Celebrates Three Holes-In-One On Sept. 14

Excitement At Triangle’s Top-Rated Private Golf Club

(DURHAM, N.C.) – Old Chatham Golf Club, the top ranked golf course in North Carolina’s Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Triangle area, showed off the excellence of its No. 1 ranked green complexes and overall course conditioning in a highly unusual way this past week, with three holes-in-one in one day.  What made this even more impressive is that the course was set up for the final day of the Club Championship with tough hole locations.

The chances of making a hole-in-one are difficult:
- The odds of an average player making a hole-in-one are roughly 13,000 to one for an average player.
- The odds of two people in the same foursome acing the same hole are 17 million to one.
- The odds of three people ranging in age from 30s, 50s and 70s making a hole-in-one within hours of each other on the same day, on the same course, set up for a Club Championship?  Unknown, but pretty infinitesimal.

Tony Tata, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and James McNamara, M.D., Duke School of Medicine professor of neurosciences and director of the Center for Translational Neuroscience, were not playing in the same foursome, however they did ace the same hole within an hour of each other on Sunday.

“It’s my first ever hole-in-one,” said Tata, speaking of his 156 yard uphill shot with a seven iron on hole No. 7, which he hit while playing with his wife Jodi and friend Paul Chou. “It’s incredible!  I’ve played a long time, and never thought I would make a hole-in-one.”

An hour later, Dr. James McNamara made his hole-in-one on the seventh hole with a solidly struck six iron, while playing with friends Mary and Ted Moore. Said McNamara of his accomplishment, “There is hope for all golfers. I had to wait a long time for this!”

Chris Martin, senior product manager at Salix Pharmaceuticals, was playing in the Club Championship on Sunday morning with fellow member Chris Rice when he aced the challenging seventeenth hole from 195 yards with a five iron. This was Martin’s third hole-in-one.

A fourth hole-in-one came six days later, at the beginning of the three-day North Carolina Mid-Amateur Championship on Friday, Sept. 19.  This tournament showed how challenging the course is even to top players, with only four of the 125 competitors shooting under par.

“The series of holes-in-one is very exciting for us, as we have about 10 holes-in-one a year at Old Chatham, but never three on the same day or four in such a short period of time,” said John Marino, director of operations at Old Chatham. “It is remarkable for something this unique to happen, and we want to congratulate all four golfers on their achievements. To celebrate, we will give each golfer the flag of the hole they made their shot on and share this with all our members. We hope to see and celebrate more holes-in-one in the future.”

“We have had a lot of great feedback on the quality of the Champion Ultradwarf Greens that were installed in 2012, however, this is the best possible kind of feedback - that when a player hits a perfect shot and the greens are rolling so true, the ball disappears in the cup. We are proud of the players who hit the shots and the course conditions our course maintenance team has worked so hard to create,” said Brian Powell, head golf course superintendent at Old Chatham and president of the Carolinas Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA).

For more information on perfecting your hole-in-one odds at Old Chatham, visit www.oldchathamgolf.org.

Black Magic Golf's New Hybrid Wedge Renders Traditional Sand Wedge Obsolete

(WESTMINSTER, CO) - The approach to making an advanced sand wedge is to take a very in-depth look at the most common mistakes golfers make when trying to get out of difficult situations like sand traps and tall grass. With a traditional sand wedge, there's a tendency to over or under compensate in the swing, producing a shank or chunking effect.

Black Magic Golf's proprietary Hybrid Wedge design doesn't just remake the ordinary. Instead, it greatly improves on the concept by incorporating a smart face forward design, which allows even high handicap players to gain an open clubface for unbelievable flop shots and high, soft bunker shots. The face forward design moves the hosel of the club back, creating a shank proof golf club that eliminates those chunky shots most golfers struggle with when using standard clubs.

"Stepping up to a ball lying in deep rough or in a bunker intimidates most golfers," said Brad Cochran, General Manager of Black Magic Golf. "Even low to mid handicappers who hit the ball well often find themselves helpless when trying to get out of the sand or thick rough. We wanted to make the game more enjoyable for everyone. So, we addressed one of the most difficult shots golfers' face, the trouble shot. Our Hybrid Wedge is designed to make golf easier while still maintaining USGA specifications."

The pros make it look easy when they put enough spin on a wedge shot to make the ball back up next to the pin when it hits the green, but these players practice for hours every day so they can learn how to consistently compress and pinch the ball. Thanks to the new HWedge from Black Magic Golf, you can too, and you don't have to practice for hours every day to get out of the sand or tall grass and hold the green.

Black Magic Wedges allow you to put more spin on your golf shot. The hybrid technology of the Black Magic Wedge has a zero degree bounce angle at impact. They are designed to dig into the turf or sand, lifting the leading edge up, so the club can slide smoothly under and through the ball with a cleaner club face. If a player mishits a few inches behind the ball they will still get approximately the same spin rate as if they pinch the ball perfectly. Consequently golfers will know how the ball will react on the green more consistently.

Black Magic Hybrid Wedges help golfers find new precision and create high, soft shots as they make their way onto the green. Black Magic Wedges come in 37º, 48º, 52º, 56º and 60º Right Hand Lofts and 56º Left Hand Loft.

The HWedge is available to purchase online through www.blackmagicgolf.com.

Sweetgrass Golf Club Unveils Special Fall Getaway Rates

(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) – the award-winning amenity course at Island Resort & Casino – offers shoulder-season stay-and-play specials starting at less than $100 per golfer.

Situated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Sweetgrass features customizable packages including one round of golf and one night stay for  $75 per person, or two rounds of golf and two nights for $160 (double occupancy). Prices include cart, GPS and range balls.

The popular “Perfect 4-Some” package starts at $215 per person and provides two nights at Island Resort & Casino and rounds of golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club and two other highly acclaimed nearby courses: Greywalls and TimberStone. For even further savings, three and four night stays are also available via the “Perfect 4-Some” special.

“Fall golf in Northern Michigan provides the best bang for your buck, pristine conditions and optimal weather,” says Dave Douglas, Director of Golf. “Not only is the changing foliage a sight to behold, but flexible and value-laden packages ensure a stress-free planning process.”

Sweetgrass Golf Club was designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese and was again named a top course in the state last month by GOLF Magazine. Hosting the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship each spring, Sweetgrass is regularly praised by pro golfers for its beautifully crafted layout and unique accents.

A dedicated on-site golf concierge and VIP Room offers guests a private 19th-hole experience. Groups can enjoy comfortable living room-style seating, private dinners, gaming tables, beverage service, televisions and direct access to the golf course, pro shop and open fire pit.

Sitting adjacent to the golf course, Island Resort & Casino boasts 24/7 Vegas-style gaming including 1,200 slot machines and an award-winning poker room. Well-appointed guest suites, world-class entertainment at the 1,327 seat Island Showroom and a variety of dining options highlight the resort’s luxurious offerings.

For more information, or to book a tee time, visit www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com.

The Sea Pines Resort Announces New World-Class Beach Club

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.)  -- The Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head’s most celebrated leisure retreat – announces the completion of the highly anticipated new world-class Sea Pines Beach Club.

The two-story 25,000-square-foot Sea Pines Beach Club presents an inviting seaside atmosphere with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and distant Tybee Island. The new facility provides year-round enjoyment for resort guests and property owners with an array of family-friendly amenities including dining, retail and special event space.

The first floor features Coast, a beautifully appointed casual beachside restaurant and a wrap-around oceanfront beach bar with seasonal entertainment.

The Beach Club’s second floor showcases Ocean Lounge, an upscale bar serving a selection of specialty cocktails and a signature collection of premium rums and tequilas, as well as small plates and desserts. The area also includes event space with large floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious outdoor deck connected by terraces and covered verandas.

A new retail space, the Surf Shop, offers an assortment of beach supplies as well as children's toys ideal for fun on the sand. Resort apparel for men and women is also available including logoed T-shirts, headwear and premier brands including Peter Millar, Johnnie-O and I Can Too.

For on-the-go dining, the convenient Surfside Market offers express concessions including freshly made salads, sandwiches and snacks.

“The new Beach Club combines exceptional design and craftsmanship with spectacular coastal beauty,” says John Munro, Vice President of Hospitality, Sales and Marketing at The Sea Pines Resort. “Premium finishes and lavish attention to detail throughout affirms The Sea Pines Resort's commitment to quality, durability, and providing a world-class experience for our members and guests.”

The Sea Pines Resort has also begun construction on a new 26,000-square-foot Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse on the site of the existing structure. Slated for completion in spring of 2015, the facility will honor the RBC Heritage with a gallery showcasing the rich tournament history and display of past champions.

The legendary Lowcountry destination recently invested in multiple resort-wide revitalization projects including the new Plantation Golf Club and golf learning center at its Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean courses. The amenities of the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse include an expansive pro shop; Live Oak, Lowcountry-inspired cuisine; 2,000 square feet of event space; and spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms.

For more information: www.seapines.com, 866.561.8802.