The GMS Holiday Gift Issue
Each week we write about improving your golf game. This week we’re going to change things up to speak about 4 golf products you might want to look at as a gift for yourself or someone else that will make the overall golf experience better. Each week, I’m approached by companies all over the world to introduce their products to the thousands of Golfers that read Golf Improvement Weekly (now over 24,000) and the over one thousand Golfers that come to see GMS each year.
And while I turn down 99.9% of what I see as not being worth the plastic it’s made of – there are some great, great products out there for Golfers. So with this being gift buying season … well, at least for guys like me that wait till the last minute – I’m sure most of the smarter people have completed their holiday shopping by now.
Yet, even if you’re finished holiday shopping –I highly recommend that you look at these products. They are just excellent products that I currently use, viewed or have tested.
The Back Nine –
This might be the most intriguing product of them all. It’s a movie about golf. But it’s not just any movie.
It’s about a 40 year old that’s around an 11 handicap that has a family, a job and …. wants to see if he can make it on the PGA
Tour. And it’s a true story.
Now, this is intriguing because at least once a month we get a phone call from at least one Golfer that is in a similar situation and wants to make the PGA or Senior Tour. Yet, there’s no way it will happen for these Golfers. It’s not as easy as getting to a zero handicap to make it on Tour. For the Golfer that scores between 72 and 82 from 6,600 yards – you’re really not even close.
Playing well with your friends – even scoring 72 on a 6,600 yard course is not the same as playing in a tournament from 7,200 yards. Plus, just to make it to the PGA Tour – you need to go to Q School where if you do make it through the initial qualifying sites to get to the finals – you then need to play 6 rounds of golf in 6 days and end up in the top 25 by scoring around 15 under par – from 7,200 yards in Tour conditions.
You really have about the same shot of making the PGA Tour as you would have making the Yankees as a starting pitcher. Saying that - I do sincerely look forward to someone making it and proving me wrong. It would be an exciting story.
However, Jon Fitzgerald wanted to see if he could do it. And during his journey of balancing family, work and golf – he found out a lot about himself.
When I first received this DVD back in the summer – I wasn’t expecting much. I thought it would be just like another one of those phone calls we receive from someone in their 40’s that’s an 11 handicap and wants to try to improve so they can play on the PGA Senior Tour in 10 years. And although the movie is about golf – it turned out to be about much more than that.
It’s about a 40 year old that’s around an 11 handicap that has a family, a job and …. wants to see if he can make it on the PGA
Tour. And it’s a true story.
Now, this is intriguing because at least once a month we get a phone call from at least one Golfer that is in a similar situation and wants to make the PGA or Senior Tour. Yet, there’s no way it will happen for these Golfers. It’s not as easy as getting to a zero handicap to make it on Tour. For the Golfer that scores between 72 and 82 from 6,600 yards – you’re really not even close.
Playing well with your friends – even scoring 72 on a 6,600 yard course is not the same as playing in a tournament from 7,200 yards. Plus, just to make it to the PGA Tour – you need to go to Q School where if you do make it through the initial qualifying sites to get to the finals – you then need to play 6 rounds of golf in 6 days and end up in the top 25 by scoring around 15 under par – from 7,200 yards in Tour conditions.
You really have about the same shot of making the PGA Tour as you would have making the Yankees as a starting pitcher. Saying that - I do sincerely look forward to someone making it and proving me wrong. It would be an exciting story.
However, Jon Fitzgerald wanted to see if he could do it. And during his journey of balancing family, work and golf – he found out a lot about himself.
When I first received this DVD back in the summer – I wasn’t expecting much. I thought it would be just like another one of those phone calls we receive from someone in their 40’s that’s an 11 handicap and wants to try to improve so they can play on the PGA Senior Tour in 10 years. And although the movie is about golf – it turned out to be about much more than that.
Go to their website to see a sample of the movie and possibly purchase it. When I told Jon that I would be writing about his movie – he offered to give a discount code that he’s extending to all our readers if you want to purchase the movie.
It’s really straight forward how to use it. Go to their website (http://www.thebacknine.com) and select the single copy of the DVD. There is a box that will offer the option of entering the code - gms4tb9. When you click submit, an 18 percent discount is factored in.
The ClubGlider –
As far as I’m concerned …. The best golf product I have ever used. If you have ever taken your golf clubs on a golf vacation – this product is worth its weight in gold!!!
I remember when travel bags for golf clubs didn’t even have wheels that allowed you to roll the bag. Then when the wheeled bags came out, it was like “aahhh, this so much easier – why didn’t I think of that?”
Yet, when I was sent this product – it changed everything! Until I used this – I never realized how much a pain in the butt the regular wheeled golf travel bags were.
The ClubGlider looks like a regular wheeled golf travel bag. However, on the bottom side of the bag there are two retractable legs that have wheels on them. So all you do is pop these out and it supports the bag. So now you don’t have to hold the bag up when you wheel it – it’s more like a pull cart. You could pull it with your pinkie finger. And it turns on a dime.
Now some people might be saying that it’s not that hard with a regular travel bag – and you’re right, it’s not. That is until you try the ClubGlider. Here are a couple examples of why this product is incredible:
One - getting your golf bag into the travel bag. It seems to me that whenever I used to pack my travel bag that once I put my clubs in – I’d always have to readjust the golf bag and slide it lower before zipping it up. It would be - hold open the travel bag with one hand, lie the golf bag inside with the other hand, then readjust by picking both bags up at the same time so that the golf bag slides to the bottom. Then you have to hold both bags in the upright position so you could zipper it up.
With the ClubGlider – just pull the legs out (which supports the bag on a 45 degree angle) and drop your golf bag in. The way it’s supported, your golf bag just goes to the bottom of the travel bag for you. No holding the travel bag up – the legs do that for you. It might not seem like much reading this – but the first time you use the ClubGlider – you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is.
Two – The ease of wheeling it around is fantastic. For example: when you’re going to the ticket counter at the airport you have your golf bag, your luggage, your ID, etc. And while you’re waiting in line - the line has the repeated process of move forward two steps, wait for two minutes, move forward two steps, wait two minutes. You then have to decide whether to hold up your bag the whole time or drop it and pick it up each time you move. Now, your golf clubs probably weigh at least 20 pounds – and even though the bottom of the bag is on the ground – you’re still supporting most of the weight.
With the ClubGlider you don’t do anything – the bag just stays upright for you - when it’s time to step forward all you need to do is put your hand on the handle and pull it (you could pull it with your pinkie finger).
Believe me – when I was first told of this product, I didn’t think much of it. Then when I tried it – I wanted to invest in the company (I couldn’t, but I’m still very excited about the product).
When I told Mike Baum that I was writing about his product – he wrote me back saying:
I remember when travel bags for golf clubs didn’t even have wheels that allowed you to roll the bag. Then when the wheeled bags came out, it was like “aahhh, this so much easier – why didn’t I think of that?”
Yet, when I was sent this product – it changed everything! Until I used this – I never realized how much a pain in the butt the regular wheeled golf travel bags were.
The ClubGlider looks like a regular wheeled golf travel bag. However, on the bottom side of the bag there are two retractable legs that have wheels on them. So all you do is pop these out and it supports the bag. So now you don’t have to hold the bag up when you wheel it – it’s more like a pull cart. You could pull it with your pinkie finger. And it turns on a dime.
Now some people might be saying that it’s not that hard with a regular travel bag – and you’re right, it’s not. That is until you try the ClubGlider. Here are a couple examples of why this product is incredible:
One - getting your golf bag into the travel bag. It seems to me that whenever I used to pack my travel bag that once I put my clubs in – I’d always have to readjust the golf bag and slide it lower before zipping it up. It would be - hold open the travel bag with one hand, lie the golf bag inside with the other hand, then readjust by picking both bags up at the same time so that the golf bag slides to the bottom. Then you have to hold both bags in the upright position so you could zipper it up.
With the ClubGlider – just pull the legs out (which supports the bag on a 45 degree angle) and drop your golf bag in. The way it’s supported, your golf bag just goes to the bottom of the travel bag for you. No holding the travel bag up – the legs do that for you. It might not seem like much reading this – but the first time you use the ClubGlider – you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is.
Two – The ease of wheeling it around is fantastic. For example: when you’re going to the ticket counter at the airport you have your golf bag, your luggage, your ID, etc. And while you’re waiting in line - the line has the repeated process of move forward two steps, wait for two minutes, move forward two steps, wait two minutes. You then have to decide whether to hold up your bag the whole time or drop it and pick it up each time you move. Now, your golf clubs probably weigh at least 20 pounds – and even though the bottom of the bag is on the ground – you’re still supporting most of the weight.
With the ClubGlider you don’t do anything – the bag just stays upright for you - when it’s time to step forward all you need to do is put your hand on the handle and pull it (you could pull it with your pinkie finger).
Believe me – when I was first told of this product, I didn’t think much of it. Then when I tried it – I wanted to invest in the company (I couldn’t, but I’m still very excited about the product).
When I told Mike Baum that I was writing about his product – he wrote me back saying:
Yes, please direct everyone to www.clubglider.com for information and/or to order on the website. On the website they can get FREE NAME PERSONALIZATION embroidered on their ClubGlider. Also, please let your subscribers know that they can use the promo code MIKE at the end of their order when ordering on the website to get $70 off!
Vedalo Sunglasses –
As a self confessed sunglass lover. I have to say these are the very best sunglasses I have ever owned. I was introduced to Vedalo Sunglasses at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January 2009 after stopping at 43 other sunglass displays where each person told me how their company’s sunglasses were the best.
The same thing happened at Vedalo. Although Joseph went into great detail about the technology used to make these sunglasses. I have to confess I wasn’t really listening … that is until I put them on and saw how clear they were. Then I became much more interested to hear about them. They definitely put a lot of research into the lenses and have the patents to prove it.
And once I started looking at their styles – I was hooked. They started out as a company that specialized in sunglasses for pilots, then they added sunglasses for race car drivers, and now they have sunglasses for golf. So they have a vast catalog of styles to choose from. Yet, it all goes back to the lenses.
The lenses are so clear. There’s no distortion at all. It’s almost as if you don’t have anything between your eyes and what you’re looking towards (except its not too bright and they stop all glare).
There are few big name sunglass companies that you may have used; I know I have tried all brands. Yet these are the best. I could give you all the scientific research and patents Vedalo has – but you can read about that on their website. Plus, you can go their website and see all they styles – you’re going to be impressed.
When I spoke with Joseph recently to tell him that I was writing about his company in the GIW gift issue, he offered to give a nice discount to anyone that reads GIW. Joseph wrote: Have your readers go to www.VedaloHD.com and enter the coupon code - GMS.
This will give them a 25% discount on their entire purchase.
The same thing happened at Vedalo. Although Joseph went into great detail about the technology used to make these sunglasses. I have to confess I wasn’t really listening … that is until I put them on and saw how clear they were. Then I became much more interested to hear about them. They definitely put a lot of research into the lenses and have the patents to prove it.
And once I started looking at their styles – I was hooked. They started out as a company that specialized in sunglasses for pilots, then they added sunglasses for race car drivers, and now they have sunglasses for golf. So they have a vast catalog of styles to choose from. Yet, it all goes back to the lenses.
The lenses are so clear. There’s no distortion at all. It’s almost as if you don’t have anything between your eyes and what you’re looking towards (except its not too bright and they stop all glare).
There are few big name sunglass companies that you may have used; I know I have tried all brands. Yet these are the best. I could give you all the scientific research and patents Vedalo has – but you can read about that on their website. Plus, you can go their website and see all they styles – you’re going to be impressed.
When I spoke with Joseph recently to tell him that I was writing about his company in the GIW gift issue, he offered to give a nice discount to anyone that reads GIW. Joseph wrote: Have your readers go to www.VedaloHD.com and enter the coupon code - GMS.
This will give them a 25% discount on their entire purchase.
Golf Made Simple, Inc. (GMS) –
Yes, this is our company - www.GolfMadeSimple.com. And with many people thinking I have a biased opinion – that maybe so - yet GMS is the most successful golf instruction company there is for helping Golfers to play better, more consistent golf. We help Golfers improve their golf swing, along with understanding what Causes their bad swings. Then we take you onto the golf course each afternoon for 9 holes to train you take those improvements onto the golf course!
The amount of emails we receive each year from Golfers that have come to GMS and are happy that they came to see us after experiencing disappointing instruction other places increases each year.
If you haven’t been to GMS – click here to see a sampling of how many Golfers improved in 2009
Regards,
Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life
Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
• 3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
• 9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
• Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
• A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
• Instructor for Life Program
• The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
• 3-nights Accommodations
• 9-holes of Golf after class each day
• Lunch in the clubhouse each day
• And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!
GMS has locations in:
Florida: St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California: Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona: Phoenix
Europe: Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado: Denver
Virginia: Washington DC area
If you’re waiting for your season to start – you’re waiting too long. Players have two seasons – Off Season and The Season. Monkeys unfortunately have just one season – The Season.
Now this might not make much sense to a lot of Golfers because The Season is the only way they know how to do it. The frustrated Golfer is trying to improve too much at the same time that they’re trying to play. And because of this – more frustration is produced every year during The Season. Yet, even though this frustration is repeated yearly – the Monkey continues to ....
I am probably a poster boy for why you should attend one of your sessions.
I attended xxxxxx golf school this past winter. After changing my stance, grip, and golf swing over 3 days, I was left on my own to make the swing work. I e-mailed my instructor for assistance but never got a response from him.
My issues are consistency and trying to make my new golf swing work. I spent most of the summer getting worse, not better. It was only at the end of the summer that I began to approach my old scores of low 90's when I hoped to be in the low 80's. Prior to golf school, I had a 16-17 handicap as strictly a weekend golfer. At my worst this summer, I was in the 110+ range and almost gave up golf for knitting.
My inconsistency is that sometimes I hook and sometimes I slice the ball- usually at an inappropriate time. I also seem to have one bad shot on many holes that turns a par into a bogey or a bogey into a double bogey. I feel that I have the ball striking ability to shoot in the mid to low 80's with a possible 79 every once and awhile. I had hoped that xxxxxx golf school would have gotten me there.
GMS was my second choice for golf school last year and I guess that I should have made a better choice and went to see you.
I could tell that James had a genuine concern for my improvement in my golf game. Thank you again and I will be recommending GMS to my friends.
Greg S – Grape View, Washington – Sent November 19th, 2009
Attended Phoenix location on November 16th to 18th, 2009
Also, lately we have been receiving emails and phone calls asking us if we can discount rates because other programs discounted and if we would match their price. And our answer is always – ‘There’s probably a reason they need to discount. It’s most likely because of the lack of Golfers seeking to come to see them because they don’t get recommendations from Golfers that have previously come to see them.’
There are many golf instruction programs out there. However, you’d be surprised how many of these programs don't have their own Instructors. They use subcontractors that they call on whenever they have someone sign up with them. For example: You decide to sign-up. They call an Instructor that works in the area as an Assistant Pro, Head Pro or Teaching Pro at a local golf course and ask them if they want to teach for a few days. They'll pay the Pro a little bit of money and they'll teach you. There is no quality control or training for the Instructors. It's just - "do you want to make a couple extra dollars teaching people we send to you?"
What are the names of these companies? I’m not going to write that here, however I can tell you that we know of 5 companies that do this and 3 of those companies actually try to be deceptive by going by a couple of different names. If you do a search on Google using the term Golf Schools – you’ll probably see 3 or 4 of these companies.
By comparison – at Golf Made Simple, Inc (our company) - all our Instructors are full time GMS Instructors. We recruit only PGA Professionals, that most likely came from high-end private country clubs. In addition to going through the PGA Professional training program, they also all go through the GMS 5 week training program (6 days a week for 9 hours a day) with our Lead Instructor before ever doing a class. We then continue their progress of becoming world class Instructors by having a daily morning telephone call with our Lead Instructor to speak about the Golfers that are coming to see us.
Which means going over your Registration Evaluation so that we can better help you. And then on the morning of Day 2 before you arrive - we speak with our Instructors to go over your results on Day 1 and how we can take you to the next level on Day 2. Then we do the same on Day 3.
How can you compare GMS with these other programs? Maybe that is why we unfortunately have to turn people away – yet these other programs are begging you to try them (because they need you) using a discount to lure Golfers.
The amount of emails we receive each year from Golfers that have come to GMS and are happy that they came to see us after experiencing disappointing instruction other places increases each year.
If you haven’t been to GMS – click here to see a sampling of how many Golfers improved in 2009
Regards,
Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life
------------------------------------------------------------------
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
• 3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
• 9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
• Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
• A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
• Instructor for Life Program
• The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
• 3-nights Accommodations
• 9-holes of Golf after class each day
• Lunch in the clubhouse each day
• And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!
GMS has locations in:
Florida: St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California: Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona: Phoenix
Europe: Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado: Denver
Virginia: Washington DC area
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"Is Your Golf Game In Season or Off Season"
Excerpted from GIW Issue 222 - December 19th, 2007
The Answer is - not the middle of July. The Question – When should you be practicing to get better so you play your best Golf in July? For many Golfers, the next few months are the time you should be working on your golf game to improve. Unfortunately, many Golfers in the US, Canada and Europe don’t use this time effectively.If you’re waiting for your season to start – you’re waiting too long. Players have two seasons – Off Season and The Season. Monkeys unfortunately have just one season – The Season.
Now this might not make much sense to a lot of Golfers because The Season is the only way they know how to do it. The frustrated Golfer is trying to improve too much at the same time that they’re trying to play. And because of this – more frustration is produced every year during The Season. Yet, even though this frustration is repeated yearly – the Monkey continues to ....
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
------------------------------------------------------------------
“I Should Have Made A Better Choice!”
(In the email below – we have intentionally xxxxxx out the name of the program that Richard attended)I am probably a poster boy for why you should attend one of your sessions.
I attended xxxxxx golf school this past winter. After changing my stance, grip, and golf swing over 3 days, I was left on my own to make the swing work. I e-mailed my instructor for assistance but never got a response from him.
My issues are consistency and trying to make my new golf swing work. I spent most of the summer getting worse, not better. It was only at the end of the summer that I began to approach my old scores of low 90's when I hoped to be in the low 80's. Prior to golf school, I had a 16-17 handicap as strictly a weekend golfer. At my worst this summer, I was in the 110+ range and almost gave up golf for knitting.
My inconsistency is that sometimes I hook and sometimes I slice the ball- usually at an inappropriate time. I also seem to have one bad shot on many holes that turns a par into a bogey or a bogey into a double bogey. I feel that I have the ball striking ability to shoot in the mid to low 80's with a possible 79 every once and awhile. I had hoped that xxxxxx golf school would have gotten me there.
GMS was my second choice for golf school last year and I guess that I should have made a better choice and went to see you.
Richard V. – Sent November 23rd, 2009
Share Your Golf Made Simple Testimonials | Click Here
“I Will Be Recommending GMS To My Friends!”
I just wanted to send a note of thanks. I just returned yesterday from my 3 day session with James Rekart at your location in Arizona. I was very impressed with James knowledge and his professional methods of teaching. He broke things down so easily for me to understand, and the drills were wonderful and I know they will continue to help me in fine tuning my golf swing.I could tell that James had a genuine concern for my improvement in my golf game. Thank you again and I will be recommending GMS to my friends.
Greg S – Grape View, Washington – Sent November 19th, 2009
Attended Phoenix location on November 16th to 18th, 2009
Share Your Golf Made Simple Testimonials | Click Here
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Beware! Or Is It 'Be Wary'?
Unfortunately we had to turn away 6 different groups of Golfers last week because dates they were looking to come to see us weren’t available because there dates were sold-out. And that’s unfortunate because we’d love to help everyone with their golf game. However, we must respect that we limit each class to only 4 Golfers.Also, lately we have been receiving emails and phone calls asking us if we can discount rates because other programs discounted and if we would match their price. And our answer is always – ‘There’s probably a reason they need to discount. It’s most likely because of the lack of Golfers seeking to come to see them because they don’t get recommendations from Golfers that have previously come to see them.’
There are many golf instruction programs out there. However, you’d be surprised how many of these programs don't have their own Instructors. They use subcontractors that they call on whenever they have someone sign up with them. For example: You decide to sign-up. They call an Instructor that works in the area as an Assistant Pro, Head Pro or Teaching Pro at a local golf course and ask them if they want to teach for a few days. They'll pay the Pro a little bit of money and they'll teach you. There is no quality control or training for the Instructors. It's just - "do you want to make a couple extra dollars teaching people we send to you?"
What are the names of these companies? I’m not going to write that here, however I can tell you that we know of 5 companies that do this and 3 of those companies actually try to be deceptive by going by a couple of different names. If you do a search on Google using the term Golf Schools – you’ll probably see 3 or 4 of these companies.
By comparison – at Golf Made Simple, Inc (our company) - all our Instructors are full time GMS Instructors. We recruit only PGA Professionals, that most likely came from high-end private country clubs. In addition to going through the PGA Professional training program, they also all go through the GMS 5 week training program (6 days a week for 9 hours a day) with our Lead Instructor before ever doing a class. We then continue their progress of becoming world class Instructors by having a daily morning telephone call with our Lead Instructor to speak about the Golfers that are coming to see us.
Which means going over your Registration Evaluation so that we can better help you. And then on the morning of Day 2 before you arrive - we speak with our Instructors to go over your results on Day 1 and how we can take you to the next level on Day 2. Then we do the same on Day 3.
How can you compare GMS with these other programs? Maybe that is why we unfortunately have to turn people away – yet these other programs are begging you to try them (because they need you) using a discount to lure Golfers.
Regards,
Alex – Director, Golf Made Simple Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.
Contact info:
1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)
001.904.460.8355 (International)
Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
• 3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
• 9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
• Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
• A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
• Instructor for Life Program
• The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
• 3-nights Accommodations
• 9-holes of Golf after class each day
• Lunch in the clubhouse each day
• And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!
GMS has locations in:
Florida: St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California: Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona: Phoenix
Europe: Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado: Denver
Virginia: Washington DC area
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