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My First Experience With The So-Called “Cheater Ball”

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thZKOZDGTKWell, we’ve all read about, heard about and maybe even tried out the so-called “cheater ball,” the Polara golf ball.  Though we here at GolfStinks have already given both the positive as well as the negative effects the use of the ball could possibly have on the sport, we haven’t actually offered up our own experiences with the ball.  Well, this past weekend, I gave the Polara ball a real try for the first time, so I’ll be the first to share my opinion.

Prior to this past Saturday, my only experience with the Polara had been teeing off with one which was given to me on the last hole of a round by my playing partner, who had been using them all day.  I reluctantly agreed to try one out as I still had that “cheater ball” mentality in mind.  But curiosity had certainly gotten the best of me.  I proceeded to mis-hit the tee shot, only for it to somehow still land safely in the rough a couple hundred yards out.  So the question became…did I land safely in the rough rather than out of bounds because of the ball?  Or would I have been safe anyway?  Unfortunately, this is a question that still looms to this day.

So this past weekend, I played eighteen holes at a local course and decided to try the Polara out on half the round – regular balls on the front nine and Polara’s on the back.  Now I understand that by not playing the same holes, I can’t really make a fair comparison as far as the scores go.  But that’s not the comparison I’m really trying to make.  I want to find out if, quite simply, the ball is going to travel straighter as the claim states.  So, for the record, my score was four strokes lower on the back nine with the Polara than on the front with regular balls.  But for the real issue…

On the front nine, I felt like I played my typical game.  A few good shots, more not so good.  After the ninth hole, my score was just about what it normally is.  So I switched over to the Polara’s to start the tenth.  For about the first four or five holes, I didn’t see or feel much difference in my balls flight path, distance or otherwise.  However, by the second half of the back nine, I noticed a few of my shots were traveling pretty straight on clubs I normally tend to struggle with.  But again, for me anyway, this just opens up more questions – mainly, how do I know that if I hit that same shot with a regular ball, the result wouldn’t be the same?  So is it the ball?  Or is it the idea of the ball that’s giving me a more mental edge than a physical one?  And if it is more of a mental edge, then doesn’t that mean the ball is working, just in a different way?

As I said, my score did come down on the back nine, but would that have happened anyway with a regular ball?  I think another couple of rounds may be in order to try to get a more accurate assessment.  And next time I think I’ll try playing the same holes with the two different balls.  But in the meantime, I think I’ll plan on keeping the Polara’s in my bag and I will continue to use them.  Hey, just because they may not be legal on the PGA Tour doesn’t mean I can’t use them on my local muni.

More reviews to follow.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

How to Plant & Grow the Next Generation of Golfers

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Keep it simple when introducing golf (CC-PD-Mark)
Keep it simple when introducing golf (CC-PD-Mark)

It’s no secret the biggest issue in golf (perhaps second only to slow play) is cultivating young golfers who will continue to play as they grow up. Believe it or not, this is our responsibility as adults and parents. We must introduce the game to our children in a way that sticks with them.

For example, kids need activities they can emulate in the backyard. Think about baseball, football, soccer and basketball – all games you can play in some form right outside your back door. You can throw the football around; kick the soccer ball into a practice net; play a game of Wiffle Ball; even erect a 10-foot high net to shoot hoops. But golf? Virtually unheard of.

When I was a teen, I would go outside with my pitching wedge and a few plastic practice balls. I would setup targets around my yard and pitch to them. Sure, I guess you could say I was working on my short game, but it was more than that – I was also playing a game – a mini round if you will. Friends would come over and play my backyard “course” too – we even printed out scorecards to make it official. But how many kids do this? We recently reviewed the backyard golf game, Bonzi Golf – this is one game that can get kids into the spirit.

Another idea is to simply give them access to your clubs. Whenever I have my clubs in the living room, my son is all over them. He wants to learn about what they are and how to use them. He’s only 3, but the interest he had in my clubs prompted me to buy a real putter for kids his age. He now asks to practice putting in the house so he can play along with me.

And here’s a novel idea: Take them to the course with you! Bring them along on a nine-hole round at the local muni. Let them sit in the cart or walk along with you. Even let them take a couple shots (maybe a putt or two). But the point is to introduce them to the game while letting them observe you (someone they look up to) enjoying themselves golfing. Of course, this means you can’t let your emotions get the best of you – if you hit a poor shot, don’t show your frustration. Just go out and have fun and they’ll get the idea.

And on the shots you let them take, perhaps swap a regulation ball out for one more forgiving, like the Polara ball for instance (stay with me here). When I spoke to the CEO of Polara, he mentioned letting kids begin by hitting the Polara since it’s much more forgiving. But be transparent – tell your child this is a “special” ball for beginners. The theory is they won’t get as frustrated and will keep at the game long enough to get hooked. Then, they can switch to a regulation ball. The CEO likened it to training wheels on a bike (makes sense to me)!

But perhaps the most important way to get kids to like golf and stick with it is to not make it so complicated! Keep it simple by just teaching them the basic rules and etiquette. There is absolutely no need to hand them a rulebook – instead just go out and play a round with them and then give them the basics as you walk through the course. If you’ve taken them out with you before they are actually playing (as I mention above), then they will already have a decent understanding of the game.

Unfortunately, exposing our kids to golf is not exactly top of mind. We keep our clubs hidden-away in our garages or in the trunks of our cars. And when we do play a round, we tend to leave our children behind. Meanwhile, golf on TV is (let’s face it) boring and there’s no golf little league for them to partake in. So it’s no wonder golf is something we tend to discover later in life (if at all).

If you’re a parent and a golfer, it’s on you to introduce your child to the sport. Buy them a backyard golf game; or show them your clubs. Let them tag along on your next round and when they’re ready to swing on their own – go easy on them with the tips and rules and all that other stuff we tend to overdo when we introduce someone to the game. Heck – even buy them a golf video game if you think it would get them interested.

The reality is, golf isn’t going to grow itself. And kids aren’t just going to gravitate to it. The solution begins with you.

Why I Can’t Wait to Start “Cheating” at Golf!

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polara golf

I was reluctant. Even if you offered to pay me, I wouldn’t test out Polara Golf’s driver or golf balls. I had my standards and what I felt was outright cheating crossed the line.

Polara Golf doesn’t just sell illegal equipment (nonconforming drivers and balls that take away your hook or slice), but the company (at least in my mind at the time) was also sending the wrong message: That you have to cheat to enjoy golf. After all, the GolfStinks ethos is to enjoy golf in spite of your score. It doesn’t matter if you stink; what matters is you’re outdoors with good friends, playing the game you love.

So how is it that as I type this, I can’t wait to receive my box of Polara Golf balls in the mail? How is it that I am really excited to get out on the course and play a round with them?

Simply put:

“Because golf is more fun from the fairway.” – Dave Felker (CEO, Polara Golf)

I spoke with Mr. Felker for nearly an hour last week. Though my stance toward Polara had softened a bit leading up to our chat, I was still reluctant to actually use the equipment myself. But, I was willing to hear him out.

Mr. Felker, (who by the way has a PhD in engineering and was formerly the vice president of research and development for the company who makes Top Flite golf balls), argued some good points in favor of the average golfer using nonconforming equipment:

1. It’s not cheating if everyone knows.
I questioned Mr. Felker on that fine line between bending the rules and breaking them. For example, taking a Mulligan or awarding a gimme putt might be acceptable for most recreational golfers, but playing with illegal clubs and balls crosses the line for many. His response kicked it up a notch: He countered that the real cheater is the golfer who drops a ball to pretend he found his errant drive, or knowingly puts down 4 instead of 5 on his scorecard. However, playing with non-sanctioned equipment is only cheating if you don’t inform your playing partners ahead of time.

In fact, when Mr. Felker shows up at a tournament, he will tell them he has two handicaps: the first is when he plays with USGA-sanctioned equipment and the second is when he plays with Polara equipment. He then asks tournament organizers to decide which handicap they would like him to use – and they will most often choose the lower one (thus allowing him to use his nonconforming equipment).

2. The USGA rulebook isn’t for recreational golfers.
I mentioned in a post recently that there needed to be a simplified rulebook for casual golfers. Mr. Felker agrees and suggests that one of the rules in that simplified book allows for use of nonconforming equipment. He points to the USRGA rulebook (the United States Recreational Golf Association). The rulebook, co-written by Mr. Felker, is specifically for recreation play.

What Mr. Felker has done by creating the USRGA rulebook is provide justification for average golfers to use nonconforming equipment. Whereas the USGA rules are fine for specific tournament play (including the pro tours) and also from the standpoint of helping to identify the best golfers in the world, the USRGA rules are instead geared for the rest of us.

He told me a story where he was speaking about his products to several golfers at a trade show. Everyone was eager to try the Polara balls until one member of the audience asked if they conformed to the USGA rules. When he answered “no” the crowd’s anticipation turned to disappointment…Until, that is, Mr. Felker said: “But they do conform to the United States Recreational Golf Associations’ guidelines.” At which point the audience’s excitement returned. “People are looking for permission to use this equipment,” he told me.

3. It’s like training wheels for kids.
One thing that didn’t sit well with me was what type of message Polara sends to kids? Are we willing to teach golf newbies that the game is so hard, we have to cheat to enjoy it? But Mr. Felker provided a familiar analogy to address this issue: He likened someone learning golf using a Polara ball to someone learning how to ride a bike with training wheels – it highlights how much fun it could be instead of how difficult it can be.

In this regard, more children exposed to the activity will keep at it. And once they appreciate golf (while learning the proper grip, swing, etc.), you can take the “training wheels” off so that these kids can get a sense of where they stand in terms of competition (and then as they get older, let them decide on their own if they want to go back to nonconforming equipment).

4. Golf is more fun from the fairway.
Perhaps the most influential comment Mr. Felker made to me was that golf is simply more fun from the fairway. When I thought about that, this whole nonconforming equipment thing started to make sense – after all, how much more fun would it be if we average hacks weren’t always hitting out of the rough or out of the trees? How much more energy would we have over the last few holes? How much more time would there be to converse with our buddies (because we wouldn’t all be off in the woods somewhere looking for our drives)? It seems playing from the fairway (or at least much closer to it) can benefit more than just your handicap.

So now I wait with great anticipation for my nonconforming golf balls to arrive at my doorstep. It’s funny that I’ve made a complete one-eighty. As I mentioned, I was already softening a bit to Polara in regards to others using their equipment. But now Mr. Felker has not only convinced me, but has me excited to try it for myself.

Will I switch completely to the Polara ball? I have to admit that notion has crossed my mind. I guess it depends on how effective the ball is at keeping me in the fairway (and ultimately, if I’m having more fun on the course because of it). Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I plan on playing a few rounds with the Polara golf ball and sharing my experience on this blog.

Stay tuned…

Golf Shopping on the Toilet

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So I received my Heartland America catalog in the mail recently. You know, the magazine that sells all the infomercial stuff that sounds like a good idea at 3AM?

It’s basically the SkyMall catalog for people on a budget – but not as cool. And while I have never placed an order with Heartland America, it makes things move along a bit quicker while I’m on the porcelain throne.

power bilt driver

Anyway, as I was flipping through the catalog the other day, I noticed there were a few choice golf items to be had at discount prices! Items from popular name brands like Nike and Adidas Golf you won’t find. But you will find…

On page 10, right below the lizard- and eel-skin dress shoes and just to the left of the geriatric walker on wheels (complete with storage basket under the seat), you’ll find an amazing deal on a 460cc head driver!

Just $39.99 each and from a respected company like PowerBilt to boot! According to the product description, the company was (incredibly) overstocked on these babies and now they can be yours on the cheap! Sorry – no lefties.

Moving along to Page 39, to the right of the “Gold Digger” metal detector and below the leather belt with concealed weapon gun holster, is another fine gem from PowerBilt: The One Putt belly putter!

power bilt belly putter

The caption says it all:

Belly putters are so effective, there’s talk that someday they’ll be illegal for tournament play – Don’t miss you chance to play this! [“someday” – I love that!]

Touting “unbelievable savings” (and the unfortunate luck of being a tad tardy) this belly putter (now completely illegal) can be yours for only $29.99! Don’t wait – buy now!

polara golf

Finally, on page 15 – opposite the page with the 5-in-1 inflatable lounge chair and a few pages before the fanny pack that also “packs heat” is our favorite illegal golf ball – the Polara!

For just $24.99 a dozen, you can now cheat your way to a better score and none of your sucker golf buddies will be the wiser! Say goodbye to that slice, hook and any respectability you might have because you’re playing for keeps cheats now!

In all seriousness though, I think I might order the gauge that tells me when the propane in my grill is about to run out (page 11). I really could have used that last Fourth of July! Enjoy the holiday everyone!

USGA Rules are more what you’d call "Guidelines"

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Does it really matter what type of putter recreational golfers use?
Does it really matter what type of putter non-pro golfers use?

I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean – the part where they are talking about the “Pirate Code Book” and Barbossa says: “…the Code is more what you call guidelines than actual rules.” You know, this makes a lot of sense when you apply it to the rules of golf too.

Think about it – the vast majority of golf rounds played in the world bend the rules in some way, shape or form. Don’t believe me? Ever take a “gimmie” putt? How about a mulligan? Ever drop a ball in the fairway instead of going back to the tee to re-hit? In fact, the rule book is packed with crazy rules we probably don’t even know about!

Let me state this for the record: The USGA rules are only taken seriously when money is on the line (or during amateur competitive play). Most other times, the rules are treated more as guidelines – and these guidelines become more liberal the less serious the player or foursome is.

For example, some players accept mulligans, while others don’t. But a non-mulligan foursome may allow gimmie putts (within a certain distance of course). In other instances (especially on a muni course) it’s simply poor etiquette to go all the way back to the tee to re-hit – instead you just drop a ball and move on (completely illegal of course, but who really throws a fit over this if money isn’t on the line)?

So it’s with a chuckle in my belly (pardon the pun) that I approach the proposed 14-1b rule (the belly putter rule). I can’t believe golfers are so outspoken over this issue! Some people are outraged at the new rule, while others have already begun calling golfers still using the putter cheaters (we addressed that HERE).

Perhaps the most comical rant I read about this was from the inventor of the Polara golf ball (AKA the cheater’s ball), who actually issued a press release sharply criticizing the proposed rule!

So my question is this: Why are we, as recreational golfers, going through such lengths to complain about a rule we can just choose to ignore? Sure the tour players should have a say and, according to the proposed rule, they will. But as for the rest of us – who gives a crap?

Will the golfing gods swoop down and confiscate your clubs? Will they ban you from stepping foot on a tee box? This is completely absurd. You know what level of rule-bending you will tolerate and you’ve accepted playing the game that way – be it allowing gimmies or mulligans or even so far as using an illegal ball or putter. The choice (as non-tour members) has always been ours. We choose to accept the rule book as either scripture or mere guidelines.

Let the pro-tours and governing bodies sort this one out. Whatever their decision, I’ll consider the rules and decide for myself – after all, I golf for fun.

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