Hooked on Golf Blog iOS App Released
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, June 7th, 2017
Categories: Apps • Miscellaneous • Site News
Tags: Golf Blog • HOG App
Categories: Apps • Miscellaneous • Site News
Tags: Golf Blog • HOG App
I’m thrilled to announce the Hooked on Golf Blog iOS app has been approved and is now available for download in the Apple iTunes store! Now you can keep up to date with all of the incredible, brilliant, and entertaining content from this blog without having to use your computer or an internet browser. Just boot up the app on your mobile device and enjoy.
The HOG app was designed to be very user friendly and easy to use on a smartphone. The blog’s key content categories are quickly and easily accessed with as little as ONE finger tap! The app connects directly to the blog and gets any fresh content so you won’t miss one of the day’s many new TaylorMade driver announcements.
Back in 2004 Hooked on Golf Blog was a pioneer. There were only a couple of other golf blogs at the time. I’m proud and happy to blaze a new trail in golf blogging once again with what I believe is the first golf blog mobile app in existence. I may not be able to golf like I used to (more on that shortly) but I can sure code like mad.
Not an iOS user and wondering about alternate platforms? The other major platform version is in review now and will be released shortly. I will make another announcement on that.
FORE!
HOG iOS App Submitted to Apple iTunes Store
I’m thrilled to announce that this morning I submitted the new Hooked on Golf Blog iOS mobile app to the Apple iTunes store. This free app delivers all the HOG content to your mobile device in an easy to navigate and very clean format for mobile. New content is automatically updated; fetched directly from the blog’s database.
By day I’m a web developer and I’ve been doing a lot of learning of technologies and programming languages that are “device agnostic.” This allows me to port the code to web, desktop, iOS, Android and even Windows Phone (if I wanted to, but I don’t). I’ve spent tons of hours learning and working hard on this app and bringing together the engine of this site, WordPress in the form of a mobile app.
The app is awaiting “approval” at the moment. This process can take a few days up to a week or so. When the app is available (and confirmed working LOL) I’ll be making lots of announcements here and on all the HOG social networks!
HOG (other platform) Coming Soon
I’m still finishing off the process of creating the HOG (other platform) app. I hope to submit that to the (other platform) Store this evening. An announcement will follow.
FORE!
Bushnell Golf Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder Review
Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, June 4th, 2017
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Bushnell Golf
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Bushnell Golf
On the 15th hole of the City Amateur tournament this weekend two players were using their lasers to get a yardage. It’s a long downhill par-3. “248,” the one player said to the other after 10-15 seconds of shooting. “Yup that’s what I got,” the other player replied. Seemed off to me but they both shot it. Player one then proceeded to knock his shot over the green. I got out my Bushnell Pro X2 laser and shot it at 228. The green slants toward the tee uphill, and the flag was on the front. I suspect each of those two guys was aiming at the flag, but their lasers were reading the back of the green and not the pin. My X2 locked onto the pin instantly. That’s a great example of my X2 story. It locks on so quickly and accurately.
Bushnell Golf Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder
Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder Features
- Pinseeker technology locks onto pin quickly
- Jolt – the unit vibrates when the pin is locked
- Slope-Switch Technology – turn slope on or off easily without changing physical hardware
- Rubber Armored Metal Housing
- IPX7 Fully Waterproof
- Accurate to a 1/2 yard
- Ranges 5-1,300 Yds; 450+ Yds to a Flag
- Dual Display Technology – red or standard black LED
- 6X Magnification
- 2nd Generation E.S.P.
- Fast Focus System
- Stable-Grip Technology
- Small!
- Solid carrying case which mounts on a golf bag easily
- Two year warranty
On The Course
As I mentioned above, this laser is super-quick. I’ve used at least a dozen varying laser rangefinders and the X2 locks onto the pin faster than any of them. I prefer to use the red LED display, part of the DDT (dual display technology). The red is very easy to red and vibrant.
Being somewhat of a rules stickler, I’ve never used slope on any lasers in the past. During some non-tournament rounds on my very hilly home course I decided to try out the slope. For years I’ve calculated yardages by experience and feel. The slope in the Pro X2 shows the estimated yardage the shot would play if it was flat. For instance, the par-3 6th at my home course is 186 but quite a bit downhill. The slope rating in the X2 made it pretty clear why I’ve often hit my shots too far. I’ve calculated the downhill as 10 yards, so playing to 176 but according to the X2 it plays as 170, about another half club.
The slope switch on this unit is quite convenient. Unlike the previous slope model Bushnell, there’s no taking off a plate to change the slope. That was somewhat inconvenient and the plates could be easy to lose.
The size of this unit is great. It easily fits in the palm of my hand. The technology is getting better, allowing for smaller devices. In the old days the Pinseeker models were obnoxiously large.
The Jolt feature is one I’ve grown to depend on. When the unit is locked onto the pin, it gives a quick buzz or vibration.
I’ve played in several rain storms with the X2, a couple quite heavy. No issues at all so the waterproofing works well.
Conclusion
The Bushnell Pro X2 is an industry leader without a doubt. The features, technology, and performance are unmatched. That performance and quality comes with a sticker price of $499 which is well worth it in my opinion. There are definitely less expensive options out there, if you like hitting your 248 yard club for shots that are 228.
2017 RCK Salt Lake City Amateur Round One
It’s 6:43am Sunday the 4th of June. I tee off in about 2.5 hours for round two of the RCK Salt Lake City Amateur tournament. This is the tournament that’s most important to me each year. It’s an extremely well run tournament which is gross-only, and the format eliminates sandbaggers. The golf course, Bonneville, is always setup and manicured extremely well.
This season I’ve pretty much lost my iron game. I’ve been hitting sometimes as little as two greens in regulation for 18 holes, which is not where a supposed 3 handicap should be. Combine that with my short game struggles and it’s hard to score, though my putting is excellent. If I couldn’t putt I’d be shooting 95 instead of 85. I should be scoring 75, according to my handicap. I haven’t sniffed a mid-70’s round since last year.
So I came into yesterday with a small bit of hope and mostly low expectations. I started out less nervous than normal because of the low expectations. I kept it together on the front for eight holes with a couple of birdie chances that barely missed. Through eight holes I was +1 and began to think that I actually had it together. Then came the nerves.
The golf gods are funny like that. They allow you to have hope so they can crush it. My hope was crushed on the par-3 9th, rated as one of the toughest par-3’s in Utah. I pulled my 7-iron left and it hit the cart path, bouncing way up into deep fescue. I found 12 balls in that fescue, none of which were mine. My provisional tee shot missed the green and I ended up making a 6.
The back nine was a case of my typical round this year. Miss greens in regulation (missed 7 of 9), then struggle to get up and down to save par. The two holes I managed to hit in regulation were pars. My putting for the day was 1.78 per hole with no 3-putts. That’s a feat when they have the greens setup so bloody fast. But great putting can only go so far when you miss 12 of 18 greens in regulation and don’t chip well. I did make a couple of good chips like on 17, where my ball literally had a piece of sod stuck to it. I guess I chip better when my ball has gunk stuck to it.
On the back nine I started to have those thoughts like I did last year. The frustration and realization that playing to the level I desire may not happen again. It certainly won’t happen with my schedule of late, 27 holes of golf per week. When I was down to scratch I was playing 5x/week. That frustration and realization made me think that 2017 might be the last year I play golf.
Fist round score: 82.
Today I will give it my best once again. In A-Flight, handicaps 2-6, I can perhaps break into the prize money with a round in the low-mid 70’s. Haven’t done it in eight months, but that’s the goal.
Emoji Poop Driver Head Cover
Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, June 1st, 2017
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Emoji • golf head cover
Categories: Golf Accessories • Golf For Women • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Emoji • golf head cover
I’ve tested out many golf head covers from classy high end ones like Sumi-G to inexpensive Chinese made pho leather ones like Craftsman Head Covers. Until now none has really been a match for my game. I’ve finally paired up my driver head cover to my play, like a wine aficionado pairs up a fine Italian red with baked ziti. Say hello to Emoji Poop driver head cover.
Features
- Fits all modern drivers up to 460cc
- Thick padding in the head area protects club
- Looks like a happy, smiling pile of poop
On The Course
My driving has been damn good of late. I’m hitting 80-90% of my fairways. No, I do not wish to talk about my iron game. My short game hasn’t been great either. But when I get to my golf bag and feel sorry for myself after making another bogey, I’m instantly entertained by that smiling pile of poop. The poop helps bring things into perspective.
My 460cc driver fits easily. Putting it on and taking it off is no problem. I find myself rotating the poop while walking the course, you know, to make sure it is right side up.
Conclusion
This is a terrific golf novelty gift at less than $20 on Amazon. I’ve finally found a match for my golf game in my poop head cover.
Father’s Day is coming up. This would make dad’s day great. To seal the deal, the Emoji Poop driver cover registers the maximum available on the Hooked on Golf Blog Give-a-Shit-O-Meter.
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