On course accessory…how’s that for a broad description?  For the purposes of my taxonomy, I’m defining it as any thing you might keep in your golf bag, that isn’t the bag itself, not a club or a ball, and doesn’t have anything to do with protecting yourself from the sun, or the rain (that comes later).  It’s without a doubt the most all-encompassing category I’m going to tackle, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had here. So rather than waste any more words on an introduction, I’m just going to get right to it.

On to the gear…

Teeing Off

It’s such a simple concept, you put a little stick-like thing in the ground, put your golf ball on it, and as long as that stick can hold your ball long enough for you to smack it with a golf club, you’re golden.  It is without a doubt the most basic piece of gear (in fact it barely qualifies as gear) that you’ll carry with you on a golf course.  For a good bit of golf’s history, the tee (at least not anything resembling what we use today) didn’t even exist.  So why, why I ask are there so many different tees on the market today, and just what the hell makes them so special?  The answer to the first question is simple.  There are so many different tees on the market because we by them.  Some of us, in fact will buy anything if we think there is the slightest possibility it can make our ball go so much as a foot farther.  As for what makes them special…let’s have a look.

Pride Professional OffSet Tee System

Pride, the maker of SoftSpikes has announced their new offset tee system.  Billed as the “most advanced tee system allowed by the USGA, the PTS offset tees are designed to promote a sweeping swing.  What’s unique about the Pride system is that the offset design actually allows the ball to sit behind the base of the tee.  The company claims that this improves the visibility of the ball and reduces drag at the point of contact, allowing the club to connect with the ball at maximum speed.  The result is, of course, more distance.

The color coded tees are available in lengths of 2¾ and 3½ inches, the “locater bar” helps to indicate how far the tee should be placed into the ground assuring consistent hight each and every time you tee the ball up.

More information is available from www.ptsoffset.com.

4 Yards More

The promise is right in the name.  Both robotic and field testing by actual humans has shown that the 4 Yards More tee increases distance off the tee by, you guessed it, 4 yards (actually a hair more than 4 yards).  The design, which incorporates a flexible, 6 pronged tip is ever-so-slightly reminiscent of the original Brush-T; although much more streamlined.

The 4 Yards More tee has a built-in height gauge which allows the tee to be set at the same depth every time.  The tip design reduces resistance and allows for better contact (ladies and gentlemen, I see a trend).  The company claims that the 4 Yards More tee is durable enough to last for over 100 drives, which is about 99 more than I get from my current wooden tees.  The company offers a money back guarantee, so if you’re only getting 2 or 3 yards more you can send your tees back for a full refund.

4 Yards More tees are available in heights of 1¾, 2¾, 3¼, and 4″ (the USGA limit).  More information can be found at www.4yardsmore.com.

Tomahawx Tees

A fairly new player in the tee game, Tomahawx, like the other tees on the list aims to increase distance by reducing resistance.  What’s unique about Tomahawx (other than the fact that they look like they could be dental implants) is that while other manufacturers are reinventing tees from the top down, Tomahawx is working from the ground up.

Instead of what I’ll call the pointy stick approach to securing the tee in the ground, the base, or stem of the Tomahawx tee features a tapered knife edge design which allows the tee to penetrate the ground much the same as any other tee.  What’s unique, however,  is that on impact, the  design allows the Tomahawx to rotate and fall forward (basically tip over); completely eliminating resistance at impact.

The Tomahawx tee is made from polycarbonate plastic and is guaranteed for life (pretty impressive for an item that retails for less than $5).  And for those who play in tournaments; yes, the Tomahawx are USGA conforming.  More information is available at www.tomahawx.com.  I encourage you to check the site out, there’s a lot of science there that goes well beyond the scope of this guide.

Evolve Vireo-S3

Taking things at least one step further than any of the other tees on this list, the Vireo-S3 from Evolve (makers of the popular Epoch tee)  is designed to be used in conjunction with the company’s Sweet Spot System.  The first thing you’ll notice about the new tee is that the S3 has 4 evenly spaced ovals on the stem.  While the markings alone could certainly be used as a gauge to ensure consistent tee height, that’s not quite good enough for the folks at Evolve.

Before you tee up with the environmentally friendly Vireo-S3 for the first time, hop over to the Sweet Spot Finder website, enter the specs of your driver, and the application will tell you precisely which oval-to-ground placement is optimal for your specific driver.  A golf tee backed by a comprehensive database of drivers;  man, the game really has gone high tech.  More information is available at www.evolvegolf.com.

Finding Your Way (GPS & Rangefinders)

In the past few years we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of devices designed to help you better find your way around the golf course.  Rangefinders have been around for a while now, and yet even with something as relatively basic as a simple point and click distance finder, the manufacturers are continually finding ways to add new features to their devices.  GPS units too have found their way into a healthy percentage of golf bags as well.  What we’ve seen in the last couple of years is an evolution from very mundane black and white, etcha-sketchy type displays to, in some cases, full color satellite imagery.  Modern devices not only allow you to see how far to the pin (or the water hazard), but they allow you to calculate the distance to and from every point in between.  Let’s have a look at some of the options available for 2009.

uPro Golf GPS (now by Callaway)

Technically not new for 2009, the uPro was one of my favorite products to come out of last year.  It features satellite imagery with a video flyover of each hole (ProMode only).  As stunning as the visual features are, the coolest feature of the uPro is what the company calls AnyPoint technology.  In very simple terms, AnyPoint allows you to plan your next two shots at virtually the same time.  Here’s how it works:  Imaging the pin is 3o0 yards, your next shot will ideally leave you 120 to that pin.  By using AnyPoint, the uPro will calculate the distance from the pin to your desired landing area.  It will show you the location on the map, and give you the distances to the front and back of any hazards that happen to be in your way.  All of this happens through an amazingly intuitive interface, so best of all,  it won’t encourage slow play.   It’s an absolutely fantastic device.

uPlayTech, the makers of uPro were recently acquired by Callaway.  My guess is I’ll be talking about the next generation of Callaway uPro in 2010, if not sooner.  More information can be found at www.uprogps.com.

OnPar GPS by Savant

Let me start with one simple statement: The OnPar GPS is the iPhone of the golf GPS world.  Think on that for a minute.

What do I mean by that?  Not only are we talking about a complete touch-screen interface, but we’re also talking about a feature set that is so robust, I feel like Savant might be short-changing their device by labeling it as a GPS.  Quite frankly, something along the lines of “satellite-based course and statistical golf management system” might begin to better explain the devices capabilities.  Better yet, let’s just stick with GPS.

The aforementioned touch-screen allows you touch anywhere on the map and have the device show you both the distance from where you are to that spot as well as from that spot to the green (sound familiar?).   Fairways, rough, bunkers, and water hazards; it works for all points on the golf course.  The OnPar also sports a feature called OnMark which allows you to save a spot – any spot on the golf course for later reference.  Imagine on a given hole (say a long par 5), you always want to take your approach shot from the same spot – 120 yards from the center of the green.  With OnMark, you can stand on that spot one time, save your location.  Each and every subsequent time you play that hole, you’ll know exactly how far away you are from that ideal spot.  I want this!

If that was all the OnPar did, it would still be a solid offering, but the OnPar also tracks your key performance stats.  Hole by hole, individual course, and overall performance, the OnPar helps you better understand your game.  Like a video game (original Nintendo golf, or more modern Tiger Woods), the OnPar will even provide club recommendations based on your previously calculated average distances.  You may think you hit pitching wedge 150, but the OnPar knows the truth, and it isn’t afraid to tell you.   All of this information is available through the touch screen.  Have I mentioned the touch screen?

Like an iPhone, the OnPar is think and sleek.  It has dimpled edges for improved grip, and rounded corners so that it can more easily slide in out of your pocket.  There are no membership/subscription fees, nor are there any pesky course download fees.   I’m going to be all over this device so you can expect to find more information about the OnPar here as the details emerge.  For now, more information is available at www.onpargps.com

Bushnell Tour V2 Slope Edition Rangefinder

For those who prefer a rangefinder to a GPS unit, Bushnell recently released the new V2 Slope Edition Rangefinder.  The new V2 is the first vertically configured rangefinder to feature Bushnell’s PinSeeker technology.  PinSeeker is Bushnell’s trademarked way of letting you know that the devices has a built-in inclinometer which provides the golfer with a compensated distance based upon the degree of incline or decline.  In plain English; 150 yards won’t play like 150 yards if it’s straight up hill.  The V2 Slope Edition does that math for you, and quickly lets you know that 150 straight up hill will play more like 170.  About the only thing it can’t account for is the wind.

Additional features include 5x magnification, In-View LCD Display, Adjustable eyepiece, Multi-coated optics, Built-in tripod mount, and an included 3-volt battery.

Bushnell’s 2009 product catalog also includes the Yardage Pro GPS.  While it doesn’t have a touch screen like the OnPar, or video FlyOvers like the uPro, it does provide a no nonsense display of the distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.  As far as GPS technology is concerned, it doesn’t get any simpler, and for many, that’s ideal.

More information on both products is available at www.bushnell.com.

Cleaning Up

The numbers of on-course cleaning products are clearly on the rise.  If you want to clean your spikes, your clubs, your ball, whatever; if you want it clean, somebody’s got a product that can do it.  Chances are that same product is going to clip to your bag as well.   Last season I reviewed two products that have become favorites of mine, the Ball-Brite (a ball washer in the form of a neoprene pouch), and FiZ (foaming club cleanser with built in scrub brush).  You’ll never find me on the course without both attached to my bag, but they’re not the only cleaning products on the market, so I thought it would be interesting to look at a couple of alternatives.

The Twister

There are several reason why on-course ball washers aren’t always the best solution for keeping your golf ball clean.  Sometimes they’re bone dry.  Sometimes they smell like raw sewage.  And pretty much all of the time, you won’t find one anywhere near the green.  After dealing with the problem for years (like we all have), the last straw for Alfonso Dowe, the inventor of the Twister, came after losing a grudge match because of an unseen clump of grass on his ball.

Now I honestly have no idea what Alfonso had riding on that match.  Maybe it was $100, maybe bragging rights, maybe just pride.  Whatever he lost that day, however, was enough to set him to work developing a portable ball cleaner that would be lightweight and durable; and more importantly keep his golf balls spotless.  And so the Twister was born.

Using the Twister is quick and simple.  Unscrew the top of the Twister, drop in your ball, secure the cap, shake it (to distribute your cleaning solution), twist and turn to let the bristles go to work removing the dirt, grass, and grime from your ball.  If only it could refinish scuff marks.

The Twister is made from a durable plastic, is leak proof, and of course, it clips to your golf bag.  More information is available at www.thetwistercleaner.com.

Aqua Caddy

As if trying to find a ball washer when you need one wasn’t difficult enough, try finding something to wash your 9-iron after you’ve just chunked a 40 yard shot.  That’s exactly where the Aqua Caddy comes in.  Portable and soft-sided, the Aqua Caddy clips to your bag providing you with the ability to clean your clubs after each and every shot.

Before you begin your round simply unscrew the bladder from the lid and fill it with the requisite amount of water.  Secure it the bladder back to the lid and your good to go.  When you’ve got a dirty club, flip open the snap-tight lid, stick your club head in, and use your hands to work the exterior of the bladder.  The agitating mesh on the inside of the bladder will scrape away all the gunk and debris from your clubhead.  If there’s anything left, use the nylon bristles at the opening of the Aqua Caddy to scrape of whatever the mesh missed.  When the round is over, dump the water, flip the bladder inside out and leave it try so that it’s ready to go for you next round.

The Aqua Caddy is a simple and inexpensive solution to a problem just about all of us (especially those of us who tend to hit the ball fat) deal with all the time.  More information is available at  www.theaquacaddy.com.

Sudz N Bubbles “In the Rough” Soap

Technically it’s not an on-course accessory, but I can’t think of a better way for an avid golfer to clean up after around than with the “In the Rough” soap from Sudz N Bubbles.

Made from approximately 4oz. of unscented glycerin soap, In the Rough is wrapped around an actual golf ball.  Use it, or simply display it, Sudz N Bubbles has created the perfect bathroom accent for avid golfer.

More information is available at www.sudznbubbles.com

And Now for Something Completely Different…

Sometimes a product just doesn’t fit anywhere else.

Macho Balls Ball Sack

If you’re in the market for a slightly more irreverent way to tote your balls around the golf course, look no further than Macho Balls.  Featuring a…well…distinctive look, Macho Balls provides alternative storage for your…balls.  The attractive sack attaches to your bag and keeps your balls clean and dry.

The Macho Balls website contains some guidelines for caring for your balls.  Tips include:

• Show your balls to your friends and family
• If you have dirty balls, scrub, but not too hard
• If you bust a ball see a pro as soon as possible

There’s plenty more where that came from.  Visit www.machoballs.com for more information.