So I’m hitting balls into the simulator at Dick’s Sporting Goods a few months ago, trying to find a new driver (see story HERE). Anyway, the pro helping me (yes, Dick’s hires PGA pros for their golf department) is named Ralph.
Ralph is a down-to-earth kinda guy and is completely amused that I write for a blog called Golf Stinks. After a few minutes of chatting, he begins telling me about an idea for an app he has – one where he can be (sort of) on the course giving advice to thousands of golfers all over the world at the same time.
This idea intrigued me and I told Ralph he should get busy developing said app. He agreed, I purchased my new driver and went on my merry way. Of course, I completely forgot about Ralph’s app idea – until about two weeks later when I received an email from Ralph explaining he had gotten a developer and Golf Pro To Go was about to become reality.
You’ve gotta hand it to old Ralphie-boy. Not many people would be inspired by talking to someone who claims they stink at golf, but it appears I had some effect on Ralph to realize his dream app – and he didn’t waste any time getting started.
Fast forward just a few short months and the Golf Pro To Go app is developed and on the iPhone app store – ripe for downloading at just $0.99 cents (Droid version is in development). But how does it work? Here’s the deal: Golf Pro To Go asks you a series of questions, which, when answered, will explain exactly how you should play whatever shot you’re faced with.
Let’s say you’re on the tee with the wind blowing right-to-left. There’s a water hazard on the left side of the fairway and grass conditions are wet. A few taps taking less than 30 seconds will give you a text-book approach to hitting your shot: “Tee up on the left side of the tee box and aim down the right center. The right to left wind will push the ball left. With trouble to the left, choose your target far enough right to allow for the wind. Wet conditions will eliminate roll.”
More complex shots are also covered (e.g. if the ball is above or below your feet or what the specific slope of the terrain is). You can also save shots – so, like me, when you’re faced with the same approach (side-hill lie, from the rough) again on the next hole, you can easily tap right over and get a refresher on how to play from that position.
Sounds simple enough, but with golf, sometimes all you need is to regroup and refocus, and Golf Pro To Go helps you to do just that. Ralph is still tweaking some things though – there’s no putting, chipping or trap play included in this version, but he assures me they’re working on it for future versions. But for a buck, you really can’t go wrong – it’s worth the dollar alone just to give you a chance to breath and mentally prepare – all just by tapping through the shot you’re faced with before you actually take it.
As a thank you for inspiring him to develop his idea into a reality, Ralph has agreed to give five Golf Stinks readers the app for free! Just email us HERE – first 5 to do so win!
Next time you might just want to post the email instead of a link. I don’t use iMail (I’m on a mac and that link auto launches it).
Anyway here’s to hoping I win a free app. Keep up the posting. Love the blog.
Hey anonymous – email to info@golfstinks.com
My first thought, this sounds like a marvelous idea if your goal is to make everyone behind you have a 5.5 hour round.
Scenario:
– Get to the ball.
– Assess the lie, distance and hazards.
– Get out your cell phone and have a 30 second “chat” with your pro.
– Evaluate the advice.
– Reassess your options.
– Select a club.
– Begin pre-shot routine.
I can honestly appreciate Ralph’s entrepreneurship, but the golfer isn’t going to use it in a vacuum. I can only imagine the joy I’ll experience if I’m behind a foursome where each has one of these.
When I first read this blog I was intrigued by the app. So I decided to spend a buck and check it out. It is freezing here so I couldn’t take it out on the course. So, I decided to fire up Tiger Woods Golf on PS3 and check it out. The game had some limitations, but it gave me a good feel for the app. I have been searching for a way to lower my scoring and I can’t wait to use this out on the real course. Granted at first it was slow because I didn’t know the app, but by the time I used it for just 9 holes on Tiger woods golf I knew the app and was able to use it quickly. I found it had some great insight and learned alot. I rarely write reviews etc, but I had to disagree with the previous comment. It would take about 30-40 seconds to get the shot. About the same time it would take other golfers in your group to find, analyze, and hit their shots. I’d spend 40 seconds to mentally prepare for a shot.