Sweet Stuff
ProCheck
Everyone who plays golf enjoys hitting it as far as they can. While there are many factors that go into helping every player to maximize their own abilities in hitting the golf ball, one ingredient that is often overlooked today is golf ball compression.
While changes in modern ball and club technology have made compression an almost overlooked topic today, the amount of compression that a golf ball has still helps determine how far it will fly.
“A golf ball’s compression has a significant impact upon how far it will travel, with the golfer’s ultimate goal being to match ball compression with swing speed to achieve maximum distance. The correct compression causes the ball to have the optimum degree of flattening at impact to create a trampoline-like energy transfer and greater distance,” notes John Donahue, President of Golftek LLC, the company that manufactures ProCheck®, a hand-held device that can measure any golf ball’s compression in seconds.
Small enough to fit in an average golf bag, the ProCheck® has several noteworthy features that make it a valuable tool in evaluating golf balls and getting the right fit for each player. A chart comes with the unit that recommends the compression you should use to maximize results. Once you have tested several makes and models of balls to check their compression, you can use the chart to find your average driver distance and match that with the recommended compression that is displayed on the LED screen shown by the ProCheck® unit.
In addition, the unit can be used to check out those older balls in the bag to see if they still have any juice in them by checking the compression of the old balls with new ones to see if they have lost compression.
Most modern golf balls are essentially made of a rubber-like substance (elastomers) and the forces required to compress the ball can change over time or with temperature. ProCheck®’s accurate force measurement detects this change and displays this information to the golfer as bars on the LED screen.
Donahue designed the device after conversations with an avid golfer who complained that with the new, more durable covers, old tired balls still look like new, but their compression had changed. He suggested that the game needed such a device. The ProCheck® was issued a United States patent in May 2017 and rivals the top golf ball manufacturers’ highly sophisticated compression testing equipment. In laboratory tests, the ProCheck® produced the same compression measurements as a device costing tens of thousands of dollars that is commonly used in the industry.
ProCheck® measures the force over a selected time interval to get an accurate force value with a high speed micro-processor that captures the force for a tested golf ball, processes the information and displays an accurate reading of its compression to the user.
“Callaway has long understood that compression plays a key role in optimizing the performance and consistency of golfers. We at Callaway have tested the ProCheck® golf ball compression tester and found it to be an excellent tool for the consumer. Its readings can help golfers determine the right ball for their game,” stated Jason Finley, Director, Brand Management, Callaway Golf.
In a study of 250 players conducted by the Brand institute Inc., on behalf of ProCheck®, 90% of respondents indicated there is a need for a product to check ball compression.
Golfers with slower swing speeds (under 80mph) should use lower compression balls, while golfers with faster swing speeds (over 100mph) should use higher compression balls to achieve maximum distance.
More information is available at: www.procheckgolf.com
Swiftwick
Swiftwick, which has built a reputation over the past few years as one of the better sock choices for golfers, is celebrating its 10year anniversary in the compression-sock space by featuring a new 2018 Fall-Winter lineup that is built around the newly designed PURSUIT™ performance sock line.
Some of the new features include a new reinforced heel and toe, along with an extended heel pocket for better durability. Made with U.S.-sourced merino wool, the sock wicks moisture to keep you dry and comfortable year-round, and it combines its latest technology with a channeled upper for ventilation and breathability. A seamless toe eliminates friction in the toe box, and half-density weave in the
flex zones prevents bunching. The PURSUIT™ comes in six cuff heights with medium cushion and moderate compression, and is made for running, cycling, golfing and snow sports.
Made in the USA, Swiftwick’s signature olefin fiber requires less energy to produce than most synthetic fibers and their merino wool is sourced from the U.S. These socks are also incredibly durable, which reduces the need for consumption, and Swiftwick recycles scrap material into blankets for those in need. Most importantly, they’re incredibly comfortable, wicking sweat better than anything on the market.
These socks are designed to support the contours of the feet with no voids, bunching or blisters. All their performance socks are constructed with arch band support, breathable channels and y-heel contours that move with your foot.
Made of 74 percent Nylon, 23 percent Olefin and 3 percent Spandex, these socks have a light but snug feel that is important in preventing blisters. The chemical free wicking performs every time and delivers the ultimate dry-fit while the advanced knit patterns with structured Olefin and Merino Wool fibers pull sweat off the body and repel moisture.
Swiftwick also employs natural odor fighting technology that helps keep the socks fresher for a longer period. The extreme colorfastness of these socks derives from being “solution” dyed instead of chemically dyed. This process is also environmentally advantageous since it produces no waste.
In addition to playing golf, these socks are great for travel and many other activities since they help prevent swelling in feet and ankles while sitting or standing, either at work or for example on long airline flights, making them ideal for a number of people.
For more information on Swiftwick golf socks: www.swiftwick.com
Proven Insect Repellent
here are few things that are more bothersome—and sometimes dangerous-- when playing golf than biting insects. Mosquitos and ticks especially are annoying and can carry diseases that are especially dangerous to some segments of the population—such as older people.
Insect repellent can be as necessary on the golf course as sun screen, but, just like in the case of sun protection, using something with safe chemicals and avoiding toxins is the better way to go—not to mention a product that is easy to use and non-greasy.
A company called Provenâ Repellent has introduced a new range of health conscious and highly effective insect repellent sprays and lotions for those that spend a lot of time outdoors—especially those that play golf. The product line utilizes the active ingredient Saltidin (Picaridin), which is recommended by the EPA, Word Health Organization and CDC as an effective repellent against mosquitoborne illnesses. With a 20% concentration of Saltidin, Provenâ is more effective and longer-lasting than higher concentrations of DEET— but non-toxic. Made in the USA by EPA-approved factories, Provenâ provides 12-14 hours of protection against disease-carrying insects without the concern of harmful side effects.
Provenâ repellents have been tested to effectively repel mosquitos, ticks, black flies, biting flies, stable flies, ants, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and no-see-ums. Recently there has been warranted concern about certain varieties of ticks and mosquitos known to carry deadly and debilitating diseases. Provenâ repellents protect from species carrying Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Powassan Virus and tick-borne Encephalitis.
“We understand that many people prefer all-natural products when available. However, if they aren’t effective, the tendency is to return to DEET,” said Emily Dix, Operations Manager at Provenâ. “In the current environment, when insect-borne illnesses are on the rise, we wanted to come to the table with a truly effective repellent that was still mindful of health. Something we would want to put on our own bodies and our children’s. When we began developing Provenâ, we kept coming back to the idea of ‘worry-free outdoor enjoyment’. Remove the worry of disease, remove the worry of toxic exposure, remove the worry of being pestered and eaten by annoying insects, if nothing else. Enjoy the best parts of being outdoors. The testing and proven efficacy of these products are so solid, and we feel proud and excited to be able to offer this effective alternative to consumers.”
Available in odorless or gently scented formulas, Provenâ insect repellent sprays and lotions are sold at Meijer, Westlake Ace Hardware stores and select Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. The repellents can also be purchased online in a range of sizes—including handy travel sizes as well.
For more information, visit: https://provenrepellent.com