By Hershel Sarbin and Jim Brown
Golf After 50 Editors
It's time to review a couple of new products on the market that have a special appeal to senior golfers. Golf After 50 doesn't endorse products, but we can bring them to your attention and let you decide if they are worth an investment.
The Cold One
Senior golfers know the importance of applying ice or cold packs after a round to sore muscles and joints. The Cold One (www.coldoneinc.com or 503.961.4641) is a product marketed by Rick Kellso and ColdOne, Inc. We've seen and used scores of hot and cold-devices, but this one offers some unique features. The quality of materials and construction is clearly above the rest -- as is the price.
The Cold One is a collection of thick, high-quality, refreezable wraps designed separately for shoulder, knee, ankle/foot, elbow, back, forearm, and wrist, plus a universal "ice blanket" that straps onto the desired area. All of the models are stretchable and washable, and they can be applied directly to the skin, which is something you can't do with many other wraps. The product for the shoulder is particularly effective because its Velcro straps follow the contour of the shoulder joint and provide compression as well as cold therapy. According to Kellso, baseball and softball players are ready-made customers, but senior golfers may want to check it out.
The Cold One is a high end product. Prices range from $25 for the wrist wrap to $125 for the shoulder product, and all prices include UPS ground freight to destinations in the U.S. Golf After 50 editors have tried all of them. They fit snugly and stay cold for longer than the 20-30 minute period recommended by most sports medicine physicians, therapists, and trainers.
Eyeline Putting System
Mike Perpich, one of the country's top teaching professionals and a frequent contributor to Golf After 50, has teamed with Eyeline Golf (www.eyelinegolf.com or 1.800.969.3764) to produce the Eyeline Putting System. It is a training device to support the "inside and up" theory of putting and consists two snap-on rails (one straight, one angled at 18 degrees toward the golfer) and a thin, mirrored base that has an open-ended groove. The slanted rail, which can also be used on the practice green, allows the putter to travel along the plane, keeping the face square to the hole. "Our goal," says Perpich, "is to show people that the best way to putt is on a slanted plane."
The ball is placed at the closed end of a horse shoe-shaped groove. When it is putted, the ball travels out, through the open end marked by two tees, and toward the hole. The idea is for the putter to ride the rail in a perfect putting plane. The purpose of the mirror base is to align your head directly over the ball and to check the alignment of your shoulders. When lined up properly, the tops of both shoulders are visible in the mirror. The Putting Alignment System costs $59.99.
Again, we're not selling, just telling. Let us know about your favorite golf products and we may (not a guarantee) consider them for review as well. Contact Jim at golfafter50@mindspring.com or Hershel at Hershels@aol.com.
©2004 Hershel Sarbin Associates
