Is Golf a Sport?

So, many of you know that you enjoy the 3.5 - 5 hours that you spend on the golf course, some daily, others weekly, and even others only monthly. But, did you know that playing 18 holes constitutes as a sport, based on the caloric expenditure that you put forth as you chase your balls from the tee box up to the green?

Sports scientists that pondered this question over their 19th hole cocktails completed a few studies, crunched many numbers and came up with the following.

• Golfers expend (on average) 411 calories during a round in which they ride in a cart. They also walk approximately 1/2 mile over 18 holes.
• Golfers expend (on average) 613 calories if they walk 18 holes while using a caddy.
• Golfers expend (on average) a whopping 721 calories during a round when they walk and carry their clubs! They also walk 2.5 miles over the course of 18 holes!

So, let's say, on average, a golfer walks 36 holes at his or her club of choice - we recommend a Canongate Golf Club, of course, as there would be plenty of variety and courses to choose from - he or she would burn approximately 2,884 calories a week. This is enough to improve his or her health by lowering the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Reason enough to tee it up, if you ask us!

This is not to say, however, that you are going to get more physically fit by simply playing a few rounds a week. For that, you should probably keep your gym membership. And, while we may not like running on the treadmill or spending a few hours a week in the weight room, it has been proven that those efforts may pay off with a lower score when you finally make it to the course!

Happy, and healthy golfing!

Jack Nicklaus recognized for Charitable Work

Jack Nicklaus will receive the Charlie Bartlett Award, given by the Golf Writers Association of American.

In addition to winning 18 major championships and designing 271 courses worldwide that are currently open for play, Jack Nicklaus is being honored for four decades of charitable work. The Charlie Bartlett Award is given to a professional golfer for his or her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society.

Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, started Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which provides pediatric health care services in a five-country area of South Florida.

Nicklaus has been doing charitable works since the beginning of his professional career in 1962. In addition to the Health Care Foundation, he is also responsible for The Memorial Tournament, founded in 1976, which supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, along with other charitable organizations in his native state.
He also supports such diverse causes as

• The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis
• The Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund
• The Everglades Foundation
• The American Cancer Society
• The American Heart Association
• The Robert T. Jones, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Fund.

As a national chair of The First Tee, Nicklaus has twice spoken before Congress on the character-building virtues of golf, and, in conjunction with the PGA of America, he created a program which has provided close to $2 million in grants to support instruction at over 160 First Tee facilities.

Former Bartlett winners include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, the Louisiana trio of Hal Sutton, David Toms and Kelly Gibson, Val Skinner, Betsy King, Tom Watson, Payne Stewart, Tom Lehman, Arnold Palmer, Kenny Perry, Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, Patty Berg and Andy North.

Have to say, way to go Jack - thanks for all you do!

Technological Improvements will Improve your Golf Game

Revolutionary Color Touch Screen GPS Rangefinder Introduced

What is next in the world of golf and technology? Savant GPS, LLC is changing the game for golfers who are willing to learn some new technology. In early February, Savant will launch OnPar, a revolutionary touch screen GPS rangefinder, which will allow golfers to touch anywhere on the screen (and the course) to see both distances to that point, as well as the green. This is not the kind of GPS device that Courses are going to be purchasing for their carts - it's much too personalized!

This product will essentially be like having a personal caddy, for the one time price of purchasing the device. There are no membership or course map fees. If this product works as it is supposed to, this could totally change the way that amatuers and weekend warriors play golf! What do you guys think about this new technology? Are you going to buy it now, or will you wait to see what your buddies think?

HOUSTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Savant GPS, LLC will unveil OnPar, its revolutionary new touch screen GPS rangefinder, at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. OnPar is the first hand held color touch screen GPS rangefinder designed specifically to provide golfers the ultimate user experience. It's like having a professional caddy at your fingertips.

OnPar is the first GPS rangefinder with a dynamic hole layout display and GPS positioning that provides instant distances to anywhere and remaining distance to the green, personalized club averages, and simple score and shot tracking. And, it does it all with true one-touch operation.

OnPar incorporates traditional golf information, the latest GPS technology, rich graphics, and a number of unique features that truly help golfers manage their game. OnPar's 3.5" high resolution touch screen display makes it easy to read, even in direct sunlight. All these features combined create a unique GPS rangefinder that is unequaled in golf.

Brian York, OnPar President and CEO stated, "We took a fresh approach to golf GPS rangefinders, incorporating intuitive touch screen technology and unrivaled useful features to elevate the user experience."