Inspector Gadgets
Lessons, shmessons… spend lots of money on the latest equipment an have a blast playing

By David Cooper

I’ve been told by several CPGA pros not to buy new clubs to improve my score. “Take lessons instead to improve your game,” they say. “Practice the short game,” others add. “You take more strokes with your putter than any other club.”

Yeah, yeah. Everyone knows the pros are right. But their way is simply not as much fun. My preference? I try to buy a golf game like everyone else. With that in mind, here’s a look at some golf toys I’ve tried in the past year. They won’t necessarily lower your score, but they’ll raise the entertainment value of your game.

RADAR LOVE

The RadarGolf System works. Each RadarGolf ball contains a microchip that relays the signal emitted by the RadarGolf transmitter. Can’t see your ball in the long grass? No problem. Turn on the sender and just walk toward the area where you think the ball should be.

You’ll need to be within about 35 feet to get a signal. You’ll also need a thick skin; people will make fun of you when you use it. But nothing I’ve tried works better. I played several dozen rounds last year with just nine balls. The only ones I lost were non-swimmers. RadarGolf comes with a dozen balls for about $200 (U.S.) plus delivery. And it helps your score: find three balls that otherwise would have been lost and you’ve saved three strokes. Additional balls are $40 (U.S.) a dozen, but they last.