Inside Golf Inc.

Fall 2013

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iG1308--proof2 8/28/13 7:28 AM Page 1 FROM THE FRINGE COMPILED BY iG EDITORS WHIFFING THE BALL JUST GOT A LOT HARDER FootGolf is a very addictive activity that combines the best of the popular sport of soccer with an elite sport like golf. The concept is basically no different than regular golf. Get the ball in the hole in the fewest strokes possible. The main differences are the cups (which are 21 inches in diameter), shorter holes (most people cannot kick a soccer ball further than 50 yards) and the lack of equipment needed (no need to carry around heavy golf clubs in FootGolf!). FootGolf originated in the Netherlands in 2009.There are now eight courses there and the game has now spread to over 16 countries throughout the world. The first World Cup kicked off in Hungary in 2012 Courses receive no damage as players wear cleatless shoes and there is no damage to the surface of the green as the cups are actually located on the approaches... dozens of yards away from the green. River Ridge is the first FootGolf course in California and has aligned itself with the American FootGolf League (AFGL), the governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States which has a full set of rules for the game. Ultimately, like golf, FootGolf success relies a lot on the short game. "Putting is still where you win and lose," says player Juan Fernandez. "You need to have the same read." For more info visit, footgolf.info GOLF HOVERCRAFT NOW IN USE "The Jetsons" scenario of an entire course including water hazards being your cart path has come true at the Windy Knoll Golf Club located 30 minutes from Columbus, Ohio. Made by Neoteric, a company that makes hovercraft for police and search and rescue, each Signature Series Hovercraft Golf Cart features a 65-horsepower engine capable of reaching speeds up to 50 mph, side-by-side seating for up to four passengers, a lift-up roof, room for two golf bags and sand bottles. They cost $58,000 apiece and the Ohio golf course purchased two of them. Pete Duffey is the managing director at Windy Knoll. IMAGE CREDIT/COURTESY: RIVER RIDGE GOLF COURSE New Meaning For The Term Foot Wedge BOTTOM RIGHT: LPGA HALL-OF-FAMER NANCY LOPEZ. TRIES OUT HOVERCART He says the hovercraft is worth the investment, "We wanted to be able to offer something no other course could... A way to further put Windy Knoll Golf Club on the map of public destination golf courses. It was an easy decision." These hovercraft first came to international attention when a video of Bubba Watson driving one went viral. Filip Przybysz, Neoteric Golf's director of marketing and communications, said the hovercrafts deliver a footprint pressure 33 times less than the human foot, or roughly the equivalent of a seagull standing on one leg. Windy Knoll Golf Club tries to keep its price under $40 on the weekend, which does include a "regular" cart. That price will go up to $160 when the round of golf includes said hovercraft. Duffey said the club is working with an attorney and its insurance company on liability issues, and that golfers using the craft will have to go through a half-hour presentation on how to drive it. 25

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