PRGR Red Eyes Pocket

PRGR launches Red Eyes Pocket. A small gadget allowing us to test speed. It has been developed as well for Baseball and Soccer.

Placing the gadget behind us, it takes the speed of the subject to test.In the case of golf it can show the head speed as ball speed. There are several options for settings, the ball speed mode, an impact mode and training mode.

It can be very usefull for training and check our performance knowing this important information about what is our speed in swing.

Performance Apparel

Technology is adavancing in any field to help us in our doings, improving the performance, doing it easier and more safe. In sports we can find all products which have been studied in depth and been designed for a better performance. From balls getting more spin, clubs hiting straighter to countless number of products.

Apparel as well has been studied in depth, helping us in our life, being hot when whether is cold, or dry when raining, etc. Companies spend a lot of money in the study and design of this performance apparel market. It is unbelievable to find products achieving incredible performance.

There are several brands developing this performance apparel. Some of them are:

Mizuno BioGear (japanese)

Mizuno Breath Thermo (japanese) Thermal technology.

Skins Presentation video is quite good.

Samurai Golf Balls

Yesterday I was in Shinjuku and jump into Victoria Golf Shop. Victoria is a chain of sport shops with dedicated departments, such as golf, outdoor, etc. The shop located in Shinjuku is a 7 floors building, with a lot of stuff to check.

I found balls with images of samurais from Sengoku Jidai. there are 12 different designs representing 12 famous Daimyo as Oda Nobunaga, Date Masamune etc..

Sets are 3 balls pack of just 1 Daimyo for 750jpy ( around 8,25usd) and dozen with all Daimyo for 3000jpy (around 33usd). Balls are from Srixon.

3D Television

The other day I was able to check a 3D TV in Yodobashi Camera. It was really increadible the images as go out from the screen. Ryo Ishikawa is sponsored by Panasonic and has filmed TV commercials of this fantastic TV. Just to see the US Open in 3D must be indeed something spectacular.

Here's one of the commercials.

Driving Ranges in Tokyo

Just to got to shot some balls in Tokyo, sometimes can be sort of a complicated matter. Even when there are so many places where you can shoot balls ( known as 練習場, renshuujou \ practice place) due to small place is hard to find driving ranges with over 100yards long.

So if you are willing to improve your long shots, or just to practice some ball effect, it can be very frustrating to hit the other side of the range.

However there are some huge drivings, with a lot of services and spots to hit long shots. One of the latest to be built it has been Tokyo Jumbo at Adachi ward, where besides the 250 yards range with spots in 3 stories, there are a golf shop, Cafe, Grill Dinning and of course lessons services. Prices are quite high, but cost per ball dependes of the story you shot, being more expensieve the spot on ground level and the cheaper the 3rd story spots. On weekends and holidays prices are higher than labour days being 20JPY/ball (about 0,22USD) on ground level and 14JPY/ball (about 0,16usd) on 3rd story. A fee must be added for every time you enter the range.

Another one big driving is Meijijingu Gaien , a sports and art complex located n Shinjuku ward.

In other hand some have difficult access if you are not having a car, so going to this places by train or subway can be a headache as usually are so crowded.

Expensive and Exclusive Scotty Cameron Putters

Today I went to search some information to the JGA (Japan Golf Association) in Kiyobashi, close to Nihonbashi in Tokyo. When returning i just jumped in into Takashimaya department stores to take a look and I stopped by the golf section. I was so surprised to find a showcase where it was some putters by Scotty Cameron. The surprising was not the putters in the showcase, though they look so great, it was the prices!! Prices were between 235.000 JPY (about 2.575 USD) and 3.875.000 JPY. (about 42.500 USD). As I did not have so many time I could not check them well.

But I could find after investigating japanese sites same models of Scotty Cameron used by Tiger Woods in past years as this putter of Tiger first PGA WIN in Las Vegas Invitational 1996. The price is 288.000 JPY (about 3.160 USD).

Magazines

It's amazing the quantity of publications which can be found in Japan. Any theme, hobby, news or anything you may be interested in it has publications. But not just a single magazine for every theme, there are a huge variety to choose so it is really strange not to find what you are looking for. Even inside same subject, for example women fashion, there are magazines aimed to different age range, for teenagers, for 20s years old woman, 30's,....

It's so obviously interests change as people grow up. A young boy in his early 20's has not the same interests than a guy in his middle 30's.

In case of golf we found as well a lot of magazines where choosing the ones which catch our attentions and interests. The world know magazine Golf Digest has several publications, including, weekly and monthly issues.

Golf Digest offers too a publication calles "Choice" focus on to a public who searchs for Stylish, fashion, gear, literature, history, etc. It's such like a gathering of several interests, such like fussioning some magazines as for example Esquire, Travel, and others and get the magazine projected to world of Golf. Indeed I find this a great way to make a nice magazine.

Nobuo Serizawa

Nobuo Serizawa is one of the golf gurus in Japan. Born in Shizuoka in 1959, He started to play golf when he was 18 years old, and became Pro on 1982. Serizawa counts with 5 Japan Tour victories.

He has appeared in some TV programs for teaching and has his own TV program, TEAM SERIZAWA, where with members fo the team, some Pro golfers and others amateurs, play in several courses and teach lessons as strategy to follow and play on the course at the same time that course is being shown.

You can follow his blog here. (Of course is full-writted in Japanese). For fully career stats click here.

Japan Golf Tour

Golf season in Japan have just started, today Japan tour begins with The Token Homemate Cup tournament.

Tournament is held at Token Tado Country Club in Nagoya with prize amount of 130 million yens (1.4 million dollars). The Tour has a schedule of 25 tournaments, finishing in first week of December. Scores, stats, and more can be found into Japan Golf Tour site.

Pearly Gates

Pearly Gates is a brand making golf apparel and accessories from the large group Sanei International Co Ltd. It was launched in 1989 with and exclusive contract with Professional Golfer Nobuo Serizawa to endorse the Pearly Gates brand.Pearly Gates is a casual sport apparel style with trendy designs. You can check their collection at the Pearly Gates Site. It has about 100 stores all over Japan. Currently one of the most famous Pro golfers is Momoko Ueda, having her own style line into the brand.

Perfect golf day

Due my injury which has taken me away from golf courses for 5 months, last 2 month without being able to walk, I started to think about how a perfect golf days would be. So I will write about those days. Days which after returning home it makes you feel so full and gratifying day.

As any beginning of a golf day, it stars for playing a course, and now just for my injury I've decided some closer. Wakasu Golf Links , located in a projection into Tokyo Bay, it makes a course with nice views to the sea as well as to the city of Tokyo.

After finish the firsts 9, will take the lunch at the club restaurant, where it can be found a wide variety of menus, Tempura, Sushi, Soba etc.. After lunch, we will head to finish the other 9 holes. Just keeping attention to the out of bounds, so the ball may becomes food for fishes.

Having finished the round (and of course thinking we did a good score, as this is also why it is called "perfect golf day") we will head to the baths to relax for a while and get ready to leave from the club.

This time I feel like to go to Ginza, a district very famous for luxury shopping area, having luxury brands own boutiques where you can find exclusive models only sold for Japanese market.

Just ready for the dinner and comment our golf day, this time I would like to enjoy a good sushi restaurant, to taste delicious Sashimi of Tuna, accompanied with a Cava (Spanish White Sparkling wine), a bottle of Agusti Torello Kripta, the top cava of Agusti Torello winery, commercialized in a bottle with oval shape, making reference to amphoras, where in the old cultures of Mediterraneo used to keep the wine.

This would be indeed a perfect golf day!

Final Round Masters 2010

Masters 2010 came to its end with an splendid Phil Mickelson getting his 3rd green Jacket.
He played so consistent all rounds, but a hole who rocketed him was indeed Hole 13, where he got 6 under during the tournament, hitting 2 eagles and 2 birdies. Public really enjoyed,as Mickelson is unique to get to spectators through his game and behavior. It was so emotive to see at the end of the tournament how he hugged his wife Amy.

K.J. Choi made a good round but after bogeying the 13th his play was getting lack of the "force" of his round start. Getting a T4 with 11 under.

Tiger Woods started round with 3 over in the first 5 holes. Even with his capacity of recovery, which didn't appear as expected, could finish the round with 3 under tied 4 position with K.J. Choi.

Two incredible rounds of Anthony Kim and Nick Watney scoring 65 were remarkable this Sunday as well.

Ikeda Yuta finished positioned at 29 with a round of 1 under. He played very consistent during all tournament. Maintaining this game surely we will see him to achieve some tour win.

3rd Round Masters 2010

Of British army ahead in leaderboard just one ship remain on top. Lee Westwood. With around of 68 he is still settled into 1st position.

Ian Poulter had not a good day, having a weak driver, not hitting fairways, and double bogey in 12th hole was the "bummer" as he personally twitted.

But player who was really on fire was Phill Mickelson, who finish with a 5 under, doing eagles in 2 consecutive holes13th and 14th, and birdieing the next hole.

Tiger Woods keeps maintaining the game with a round of 70. Still have so many chances, being 4 strokes from leader Westwood, it would be not so strange to see reduced this advantage in early holes, and getting into the struggle the green jacket.

Ikeda Yuta maintained a correct round finishing at par, and keeping the 3+ for T31.

Just only one round to see who will wear the green jacket!

2nd round Masters 2010

This round was tougher than first day. England is controlling the leaderboard with Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, tied 1 with 8 under.

Ryo Ishikawa, out of expectation for all Japan, missed the cut for consecutive year. Last hole bogey took him out to follow for the weekend.

Shingo Katayama it seems was not done since the beginning of tournament, missed the cut with 8 over.
Ikeda Yuta is the only japanese to keep for the weekend. So many mistakes to finish the day scoring 77 with 2 painful holes of Double and Triple bogey.

Tiger Woods is swinging well, and leaderboard shows it in a T3 position, he is indeed still the man to beat , even after his absence these months from the tour.

Phil Mickelson really feel comfortable at Augusta, finishing usually in Top 10 and tied 3 with 6 under.
Fread Couples could not repeat yesterday's round. "I needed to be at 5, 6 under, to be realistic, I'm not out of it, but 75 is not a great score" He said. He falls to T9 3 under as same as T. Watson who keep us surprised.

First round of Masters 2010

Masters already began and brought us some nice surprises besides the greatest show everybody was expecting.

Brief highlights of Japanese players:

-Ryo Ishikawa: Positioned T32 at PAR. Started the round with Birdies at 1st and 2nd hole, but next to holes were bogeyed. Got another 3 birdies at 8th,9th and 15th.

-Ikeda Yuta: Great round on his first Masters. Played very solid. Positioned T17 with 2 under. Birdied 6th, 13th, 15th and 16th. Nice shot on 16th par3.

-Shingo Katayama: did not find his game in this first round. Fell down to +4 and finally could steal a shot birdieing 15th hole. Positioned T63 wuth 3 over.

Surprising Tom Watson being 2nd tied with Mickelson, K.J. Choi, Lee Westwood and Y.E. Yang with a rounds of 67. But first position was for other veteran, Fred Couples, scoring the lowest in his Masters tournaments, got 6 under.

Tiger Woods' back to the game was not a deception. Expectation was granted with those magical shots which he only can achieve. Positioned at T7 with 4 under.

Ikeda Yuta (池田勇太）

Other great player in Japan is Ikeda Yuta, who was 2nd in money leaderboards. In official World Golf ranking is positioned in 40th, being the japanese player in higher position.

His profile:

Home Town: Chiba

Date of Birth: 1985, December 22th

Turned Pro: 2008

Sponsors: Tourstage (Bridgeston Golf)

What's in his bag:

Driver: Tourstage X-Drive 703

Woods: Tourstage X-Drive 701, 3w

Utility: Srixon Ad Hybrid 16#, 19#

Irons: Tourstage X-blade 703 Limited

Wedge: Tourstage X-Wedge 101 HB 52#, Titleist Vokey SpinMilled Series 58#

Putter: Tourstage M1P

Ball: Tourstage X01B+

Shingo Katayama (片山晋呉)

Shingo Katayama is another great Japanese player. He ended in 4 position in last year's Masters. Shingo Katayama is quite recognized for his "unique" style clothing. Actually he is in 79 position of World Ranking.

His profile:

Home Town: Chikusei, Ibaraki pref.

Date of birth: 1973, January 31st.

Turned Pro: 1995

Sponsors: Onoff, Dance with Dragon, Asics

What's in his bag:

Driver: Onoff Driver

Woods: Onoff Fairway Arms plus 5W, 7W

Utility: Onoff Fairway Wings 24#, 27#

Irons: Onoff Iron Plus Prototype 6~9

Wedges: Onoff S-Forged Prototype 46#, 53#, 59#

Putter: Rossa Monza Spider

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Play groups Masters 2010

Group parings are out for this Masters 2010. Here groups with Japanese and Spanish players.

- Group 10. 9:29: Dustin Johnson / Oliver Wilson / Alvaro Quiros

- Group 13. 10:13: Ernie Els / Ryo Ishikawa / Anthony Kim

- Group 27 12:58: Fred Couples / Sergio Garcia / Shingo Katayama

- Group 28 13:09: Miguel Angel Jimenez / Eduardo Molinari / Lucas Glover

- Group 30 13:31: Yuta Ikeda / Ian Poulter / Steve Stricker

And Tiger Woods is in Group 31 at 13:42 with K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar. You can check all pairings in Masters official site

In Japan Masters will be broadcasted by TBS Channel.

Show is close to begin!!

Momoko Ueda (桃子上田)

Momoko Ueda is one of the most famous lady's golfer in Japan. She became a star in 2007, winning 5 tournaments and finishing at the top of money leaders.

Here some details of her profile:

Home town: Kumamoto

Date of birth: 1986, June 15th

Turned Pro: August 2005

Sponsors: Sony, Callaway, Pearly Gates....

What's in her bag:

Driver: Callaway FT-5
Woods: Callaway X Fairway woods, 3w,5w,7w,9w
Irons: Callaway X Tour 5~PW
Wedges: Callaway X Tour Vintage 52, Callaway X Forged New Vintage 58
Putter: Callaway Tri Hot 3#
Ball: Callaway Tour iX


Momoko Ueda's swing

Lost Balls

Photographer Charles Lindsay shows us golf through his work from another view. This Book is full of amazing pictures about incredible moments in golf in a funny way. Indeed a book so interesting and amazing for all those who loves golf.

Here a sample photograph from the book. You can check another ones in Lost Balls site.

Epon Golf

Epon Golf manufactures high quality clubs and some accessories. Having a great experience into club makers, Epon golf combines the craftsmanship, the technology and stylish designs for their products. Not all these 3 factors geta long well at the same time, but Epon Golf have achieve the manufacturing containing those factors with absolutely mastery.

My current iron set is the AF-Tour model and I must said that I love the feeling of the clubs.

It's quite impressive how Epon have achieve a high forgiveness into a blades. Design of the clubs are really beautiful as well.

Epon golf manufactures clubs for all levels, so any player can find a club which adapts its game.

Epon Golf factory and headquarters are located in Niigata prefecture, Tusbame-Sanjo City, where includes a big store to purchase their products, so if you are by the area, it's worth just to stop by and take a look. Even if you became member you can have big discounts and be invited to Epon sponsored tournaments.

Golf Shrine

There's a shrine in Tokyo (Ootori Sinto Shrine, 鷲神社) for those who want to ask God to improve their golf game. There's a service to take your golf balls to the Shrine and a priest "bless" them. Of course under payment of a fee.

Besides that blessing service we can find several charms which will help us to hit longer, straighter and even a "hole-in-one" charm, so for those that we have not achieve any hole in one, for just 2,000jpy (22USD), is a easy way to get more chances. (you may get that BMW for only the price of a meal..)

Golfdigest Japan has published twice about this temple so maybe it must be some trustworhty

Shrine is located at Taitoku 3-18-7 Senzoku, Tokyo

Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course (太平洋クラブ 御殿場コース)

Taiheiyo Club Gotemba course, located in the prefecture of Shizuoka, is one of the best 100 courses in all over the world. It was rated by US GolfDigest as the number 2 of Japan's courses. It lays on foothill of Mount Fuji and with its great forest is indeed an amazing scenario to enjoy and play golf. It hosted EMC World Golf Championship in early 2000's.
Green fee is over 30,000jpy (320USD) on labour days and over 40,000jpy (425USD) on weekends, play is always with caddy. As a private club to play requires invitation from a member of the club.

Taiheiyo Club Golf&Resorts holds a large number of courses and associates in all over Japan and offers high quality services. Also has golf academy where it offers lessons in several cities.