The post Callaway continues investment in Entertainment Golf, this time in Five Iron appeared first on Golf.

The post Callaway continues investment in Entertainment Golf, this time in Five Iron appeared first on Golf.

Nothing in golf has quite revolutionized the game publicly than the sector of Entertainment Golf. Don’t know what that is? It’s the corner of the golf world where TopGolf lives. Where Popstroke earns its revenue. Where the social aspects of bowling mesh with the gentleman’s game of golf. 

The simulator golf world is smack dab in the center of Entertainment Golf, and one of the successful branches of simulator golf is a brand called Five Iron Golf.

The upstart company that launched just four years ago in Manhattan has spread to seven cities and 10 locations around the world, and just this week secured a $30 million investment from golf-behemoth Callaway. Not much detail about the investment was shared, but CEO Chip Brewer did hint at some aspects of it in the press release. 

News

“Five Iron Golf has built a strong brand and leadership position in the evolving indoor golf market by creating technology-driven, eye-catching venues appealing to avid golfers, pure entertainment seekers, and everyone in between,” Brewer said. “This innovative business aligns with Callaway’s belief that the future of golf will be more accessible and inclusive. The partnership includes a non-exclusive marketing agreement that provides Callaway the ability to continue to develop relationships with golfers wherever they engage with the sport and a valuable opportunity for strategic collaboration that will benefit both brands.”

That last line is an important one. Callaway has made continuous strides in recent years investing in brands like the aforementioned TopGolf where Callaway can continually be inserted “wherever [golfers] engage with the sport.” Want rental clubs at Five Iron? Callaway’s nicest and newest equipment will be part of the offerings. And perhaps much more than that. 

At its core, Five Iron Golf was launched as a simulator bay- and instruction-focused business, but it now also doubles as an engaging events space with club-fittings, adult leagues and memberships. In addition to the 10 worldwide locations already established by Five Iron, seven more are on the way, including on in downtown Chicago and another in Seattle.

As for Callaway, this is just the latest investment that company has made in golf brands it sees potential in. Other brands like OGIO, Odyssey and TravisMathew are included under Callaway umbrella.

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The post Ready to splurge? Here’s how to get a world-class golf simulator in your home appeared first on Golf.

The post Ready to splurge? Here’s how to get a world-class golf simulator in your home appeared first on Golf.

As the temperatures continue to drop and daylight gets shorter, it can only mean one thing — winter is coming. And while that might be great news for some, for golfers this is a dreaded part of the year as the sticks head to the closet and we long for the first hint of spring so we can do it all over again.

But winter doesn’t have to spell doom and gloom for your golf game. In fact, winter could become your favorite season if you play your cards right. With a simulator from Rain or Shine Golf, you can practice all through the winter and get your game ready for peak form in 2021.

Uneekor QED SwingBay Golf Simulator Package

The Uneekor QED Ignite SwingBay Golf Simulator Package is an elite simulator studio. This package includes a Uneekor QED simulator, projector, ceiling mount and mat. Everything you need to practice & play like a pro anytime you want!

Buy Now from rainorshinegolf.com

With the Uneekor QED SwingBay Golf Simulator Package, you’ll get everything you need to turn your extra space into a top-of-the-line practice facility. The package includes a simulator enclosure, projector, ceiling mount and golf mat, all at a price point that is surprisingly affordable.

This setup gives accurate feedback up to 435 yards, so unless you hit it like Bryson, it should be all you need to accurately gauge your game, all without ever leaving the house. All you need is a space 9 feet high by 12 feet wide by 15 feet deep, and you can take your game around the world.

Once you get set up with Rain or Shine, winter might not be so bad after all.

The post Ready to splurge? Here’s how to get a world-class golf simulator in your home appeared first on Golf.

The post 8 things I’m doing to keep my game sharp this offseason appeared first on Golf.

The post 8 things I’m doing to keep my game sharp this offseason appeared first on Golf.

Make no mistake about it, it’s not easy to get good at golf. In fact, it’s generally pretty hard to get good at golf.

But it seems the getting good is all anyone is particularly concerned with. How to lose nine strokes here, gain a straighter drive there. Sure, that’s great information, but there’s never much conversation about preserving your game. How to stay good.

In fact, there’s so little conversation about it, I found myself wondering what might happen to my game during the forthcoming winter months. After a summer filled with lessons and practice, I recently dropped my scores into the 80s for the first time. That’s not easy! When I walk onto the first tee in March 2021, I want to be the golfer who putted out on the 18th green in October 2020 and not back to my old 90s-shooting ways.

Putting

Here’s how I’m planning to do it, and how you can do it too.

8 ways I’m staying sharp this winter

1. I’m going to continue receiving lessons: It’s not exactly rocket science — the more you practice, the better you’re going to get. But given the current environment, I’m going to opt for a slightly different course of action to my offseason training. Rather than work with an in-person swing coach, I’m going to take the virtual lesson track through the Skillest app. While I’ll still have to find time to swing a club, I’m hopeful that a slightly more relaxed (and affordable) approach to my swing training will give me more opportunities to work on my game.

2. Good weather days are still golf days: In the past, I’d throw the bag in the garage for the winter and take it back out in the spring. Not this winter. Any time the temperature climbs into the 50s, I’ll find an excuse to climb out onto the course with it. I’ve always preferred playing on empty tracks, anyway.

3. Quality time at the simulator: Sure, in the summer months, Topgolf is a great way to spend time with your buddies. But what about in the winter? Pool some cash together with your boys and rent out a swing simulator for a few hours. Figure out if there’s a policy about bringing alcohol with you, and bang, you’ve got a night out planned. Plus, it’ll give you an excuse to get a few hours worth of swings in. Did somebody say win-win?

4. Bringing my putter into the (home) office: We’re fortunate at GOLF.com to be working from home for the time being. While I miss my coworkers dearly, I’m glad I won’t have to bring my putter all the way into Manhattan to work on my stroke throughout the workday. It’s time to tighten up that putting stroke, and with the holidays around the corner, I know just how to do it…

5. Investing in swing aids: Maybe it’s time to bolster your swing speed, or your putting stroke, or your short game. Or all of the above! There are SO many good swing aids on the market, and many of the best are simpler than you’d think. If you’re not sure where to start, alignment sticks are a must for any golfer, and played a major role in fixing my setup.

6. Learn the nuances of my new clubs: Between the range and the simulator, I’ll figure to have plenty of time swinging my new clubs. And that’s good news, because a full-bag fitting at True Spec Golf over the summer left me with a brand-new set of sticks far different from the off-the-rack gamers I’d played for my entire life. Even if it’s just by relearning my setup from my front lawn (or living room), I’m hoping the time away from the course will give me an adequate adjustment period before it’s time to start recording scores.

7. Planning my next golf trip: Just because it’s the offseason doesn’t mean you can’t dream about golf! Why not take the time to plan a golf buddies trip? Cabot, Bandon, Pinehurst, what about Montana? There are so many good golf trips out there, now it’s just time to pick the one that works best for me and my buddies.

8. Fine-tuning my fitness: One of my favorite traditions in professional sports comes at the beginning of each new season. Somehow, everybody lost 10 pounds of fat and gained 15 of muscle, everyone is in the “best shape of their life.” Well, for this golf season, I actually want to get in the best shape of my life. But that doesn’t mean channeling my inner-Bryson and adding weight (I mean, theoretically it could, but that seems like a lot of work). No, I want to focus on improving my flexibility and mobility. On stretching frequently, and keeping my core strong. On doing all those little injury-prevention drills. Why? Because once the 2021 season begins, there’s nothing slowing down my game.

The post 8 things I’m doing to keep my game sharp this offseason appeared first on Golf.

The post How It Works: With this Flightscope simulator, you can tee it up at the world’s best courses appeared first on Golf.

The post How It Works: With this Flightscope simulator, you can tee it up at the world’s best courses appeared first on Golf.

We aren’t quite in The Matrix, but golfers everywhere are wondering, What’s so bad about simulated experiences? Keeping your game locked-in while you’re locked inside can prove to be more work than it’s worth. That is, unless you’ve got your very own launch monitor. Suddenly, from the comfort of your living room, garage or basement, you can tee it up at Pine Valley, Pebble Beach or Augusta National (or any number of spots on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses list).

Ownership of one of these high-tech setups used to be reserved for pros and those willing to take out a second mortgage on their house. But with FlightScope’s Mevo+ ($2,000) and others like it, you can have a professional in-home setup for a fraction of the cost.

It’s time to discover the beauty of the great indoors (and drop your handicap in the process). Here’s how. 

Gear

The post How It Works: With this Flightscope simulator, you can tee it up at the world’s best courses appeared first on Golf.