Among the major holidays, Father’s Day ranks way up there at Casa Bogeyman.
The definitive list might go something like this:
1. Christmas
2. Birthday
3. Tax Refund Day
4. Father’s Day
5. Hug-A-Bear Day.
The last one comes each November and makes the Top 5 because we don’t have a bear, which officially takes ol’ Bogey off the hook for that day.
But to be sure, Father’s Day has a special place in the golf community as a whole and for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a sports activity a father and his kids actually can participate in together. And it usually isn’t very long before the kids get the best of it.
The other reason is more self-serving. Fact is, Father’s Day kind of sneaks up on most of us. To that end, golf provides the ultimate “get out of jail” card. When you are lost, out there without a gift-giving clue, look to golf for your salvation.
A lot of dad’s dig golf and they dig golf stuff. So to help out n these waning moments, here’s a few golf-related Father’s Day ideas for those playing catchup:
First Crack
Basically, there are two things fathers like to improve, one is their physical well being and the other is their golf game. Back Neck Care Center of Sunset Hills has a Father’s Day special of $49 for an introductory evaluation and treatment that might accomplish both.
Dr. Tobin Lingafelter has the rare qualities of being a chiropractor and teaching golf professional. He can help manage your pain, in either of those categories. Call 314- 842-8884 for the information.
Need The Eggs
The new Wilson Staff Duo golf balls recently were hot-listed by Golf Digest. It is the lowest compression (40) ball on the market and claims to be for players “who are seeking distance and accuracy.” There just might be a few dads that fit that description.
As a bonus, Wilson recently launched the high visibility yellow version of the ball, which looks good in landscaping if you put one near the clubhouse. In addition, you can have these golf balls personalized for good ol’ pops.
They go for $19.99 at Dick’s Sporting Good, Golf Discount, Pro Am Golf and other such stores.
Go big or go home
If you’re going for a “wow factor,” a golf trip to French Lick hits the hole. A 3 ½ hour drive from St. Louis, the resort in French Lick, Ind. is a hidden gem that features two top-notch hotels and three spectacular golf courses, including the Pete Dye Course, the Donald Ross Course and the new Sultan’s Run Golf Club.
The resort, which also has a casino, has a number of golf packages, including one for Father’s Day weekend. If I may be so old, excuse me, I mean bold, ol’ Bogey might suggest the “Double Play,” or a getaway for two.
The package includes overnight accommodations at French Lick Springs Hotel, a day of golf at The Donald Ross Course and a day on Sultan’s Run. The prices start at $239 per person, per room based on double occupancy. You can add an overnight stay and day of golf for an additional $150 per person.
Smartphone video holster
The MVP Sport Smartphone Video Holster captures your swing on video using your iPhone. You can shoot video and review instantly, upload to the internet, email, or watch on your computer screen.
It doesn’t get any better, no matter how you look at it.
This baby works works with your phone’s front and rear camera and shoots in portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) mode. Bogeyman suggests vertical, it will make you look thinner.
The gadget sells for $16.95 at Golf Discount and other places.
Tom Watson’s Lessons of a Lifetime Instructional DVDs
A two-DVD set produced by the eight-time major championship winner, it provides 44 lessons averaging 4 minutes each of comprehensive instruction. In a recent survey – conducted by Tom Watson Productions – 93% of those polled said the DVDs improved their game. Another 78% said the DVDs were the best instruction program they had used.
Keep in mind, it wouldn’t take much to improve ol’ Bogey’s game. Pretty much any instruction might be beneficial, even directions from the parking lot.
But for $49.95, this has potential. A number of stores carry it, including Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Club Fitting
The big fella deserves a lot better than those 1979 Walter Hagens. There’s no better way to get dad up to speed than a proper club fitting. Almost all the golf outlets in town offer a driver fitting for less than $100. It gets a little pricier as you start going through the bag.
One suggestion is to call John Kelly. He was a club fitter before it became hip to be a club fitter, and has been recognized as one of “America’s Top 100 Club Fitters” by Golf Digest. Kelly handles almost all the manufacturers, and then some. He does club repairs, adjustments, etc.
For an appointment, you can reach John Kelly at (636) 349-1123 or jkelly@sunsethillsgolfcourse.net.
Drive for dough
TaylorMade essentially has taken over the equipment world. After all, when you can sell people on a white driver, which the company did last year, you can make it rain.
While white was right for a lot of people, the company is now introducing an all-black version of the R1 driver. It features the same technology contained in the original white R1, including 168 possible adjustment settings, a 12-way adjustable hosel and a sole plate that facilitates seven face angle adjustments. This thing might even make Julienne fries.
The black R1 costs the same as the white, $399, and should be arriving in various stores this week, in limited quantities.
Like a glove
SensoGlove is a golf glove with built-in sensors that constantly read grip pressure. Purportedly, practicing with it will teach you the correct grip pressure for a consistent swing, which of course leads to greater distance, accuracy, lower scores … you know the rest.
Light grip pressure is something that gets talked about a lot, but it’s tough to identify exactly what it is. For instance, the Bogeyman often asks his boss to get a grip on himself. Maybe this would help.
The glove goes for $59.99 on www.intheholegolf.com and can still be ordered in time for the Father’s Day.
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