GOLF NEWS

Alabama golf course reviews and news from the professional tours

The ClubGlider by Sun Mountain

What: ClubGlider from Sun Mountain

Web site: www.theclubglider.com

Where you can get it: Many golf retailers and online.

What it will cost you: $299.99

The facts: Bag features extra thick padding down the back and sides . . . zippered pockets are accessible from inside and outside . . . will handle tour staff bag and up to 50-inch putter . . . inside cinch straps secure the golf bag during transit . . . comes in four colors . . . was one of five finalists on Golf Channel's ''Fore Inventors Only'' . . . made by Sun Mountain, a longtime manufacturer of high-quality, lightweight golf bags.

What they say: ClubGlider eliminates your sore shoulders and back resulting from lugging golf clubs from the parking garage through the airport check-in counter and to the hotel. Upon check-in, the integrated set of legs with in-line caster wheels retracts into the bag making ClubGlider safe and secure for travel. At baggage claim simply extend the legs and glide to your destination.

What we say: We couldn't have said it any better. The ClubGlider does exactly what they say it does - it makes traveling with golf clubs easier.

Rating: Eagle. If you've ever had to lug one of those old-fashioned golf travel bags through an airport, you'll fall in love with the ClubGlider. Once you pop out the retractable legs, pulling the bag around is a breeze, and you don't have to worry about the bag falling over while you're pulling it. It is, quite possibly, the greatest invention ever for traveling golfers.

Ratings table
Eagle - A must-have as far as we're concerned.
Birdie - Serious golfers will want one.
Par - Perfect for the diehard golfer on your gift list.
Bogey - Don't bother.

Mountain View a lot of course for the price

COURSE INFO (Blue-Red)
Address: 3200 Mountain View Dr., Graysville
Phone: 205-674-8362
Web site: NA
Par: 35-36-71
Yardage: 4,789 to 6,195 yards
USGA course rating: 67.3 to 69.4
Slope rating: 108 to 120
Greens: Bermuda
Green fee: $30 Monday-Friday/$36 Saturday-Sunday
Date played: Oct. 10, 2008

Cypress Lakes a shot-maker's course

COURSE INFO
Address: 1311 E. Sixth St., Muscle Shoals
Phone: 256-386-7783
Web site: cypresslakescountryclub.com
Par: 36-35-71
Yardage: 5,031 to 6,523 yards
USGA course rating: 67.1 to 71.9
Slope rating: 123 to 133
Greens: Bentgrass
Green fee: $43 Monday-Friday/$49 Saturday-Sunday
Date played: Sept. 30, 2008

Eagle Point well worth the cost

COURSE INFO
Address: 4500 Eagle Point Dr., Birmingham
Phone: 205-991-9070
Web site: eaglepointgolfclub.com
Par: 35-36-71
Yardage: 4,639 to 6,493 yards
USGA course rating: 65.4 to 70.1
Slope rating: 104 to 119
Greens: Bentgrass
Green fee: $46 Monday-Friday/$56 Saturday-Sunday
Date played: September 24, 2008

State Park course still a good deal

COURSE INFO
Address: 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham
Phone: 205-620-2522
Par: 36-36-72
Yardage: 5,392 to 6,842
Web site: alapark.com/OakMountain/Golf/
USGA course rating: 64.8 to 71.7
Slope rating: 103 to 120
Greens: Bermuda
Green fee: $129 Monday-Thursday/$36.50 Friday-Sunday
Date played: Sept. 17, 2008

What: Sonocaddie XV2 Golf GPS

Web site: sonocaddie.com

Where you can get it: Selected Golfsmith stores and several online sites.

What it will cost you: $249-279

What they say: Do you ever misjudge distance only to find yourself in a hazard? Sonocaddie is here to help you avoid those hazards by helping you play smarter and manage the course better. Sonocaddie automatically calculates the distance up to any point on the course, allowing you to concentrate more on your next shot. Sonocaddie allows you to easily record your own GPS settings and upload them to the already extensive list on Sonocaddie's Web site, thus providing users with access to more and more golf courses worldwide.

The facts: Sonocaddie, will tell you how far you hit your last shot, at the touch of a button. ... Its fully functioning scorecard feature allows you to replace your paper scorecard and track your game improvement. ... You have free access to more than 15,000 golf courses worldwide. ... You also get free GPS service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What we say: The Sonocaddie is an excellent tool for golfers of all abilities. You have the yardage to the center of the green from everywhere on the course - in the palm of your hand. It's very similar to other GPS systems, offering many of the same features, but one plus on Sonocaddie's side is free downloads. Once you've purchased the unit, you can make all the downloads you want at no cost. Many other GPS systems require a monthly or yearly fee.

Rating: Eagle. Not having to walk off yardage or search for an elusive sprinkler head to tell you your distances should shave several minutes off your round. That's a winner in my book.

Ratings table
Eagle - A must-have as far as we're concerned.
Birdie - Serious golfers will want one.
Par - Perfect for the diehard golfer on your gift list.
Bogey - Don't bother.

What: Bionic golf gloves

Web site: www.bionicgloves.com/

Where you can get it: Most golf retailers and online.

What it will cost you: $24.95 for a single Classic design; $49.95 for a pair of Silver Series gloves, designed for golfers with arthritis

What they say: Anatomical relief pads help prevent the clubface from twisting at the moment of contact and increase swing speed, resulting in longer distance and improved accuracy. ... Motion zones over the knuckles and web zones between the fingers promote natural movement and help hands ''breathe.'' ... Bionic lasts up to four times longer than conventional golf gloves.

The facts: The Bionic glove was designed by Dr. Jim Kleinert, a nationally renowned orthopedic surgeon and graduate of the University of Louisville and the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. ... The company also makes gloves for gardening, fitness, equestrian, driving, tennis and motorcycle riding.

What we say: I have to be honest here. I don't wear a glove that often - only when it's impossible to keep my hand dry and only then when I'm hitting driver. But as far as golf gloves go, this is easily my favorite. The pads between knuckles help me grip the club with a relaxed left hand. And I've found the glove to be quite durable and effective in even the sweatiest of conditions.

Rating: Birdie. Bionic might not be the household name in the glove world that FootJoy is, but it should be. I would recommend the glove to anyone who plays golf - and especially to those with arthritic pain.

Ratings table
Eagle - A must-have as far as we're concerned.
Birdie - Serious golfers will want one.
Par - Perfect for the diehard golfer on your gift list.
Bogey - Don't bother.

What: Epoch tees

Epoch tees come in three sizes.

Web site: evolvegolf.com

Where you can get it: Various retail stores and online.

What it will cost you: $2.99-6.99 (SRP).

What they say: The Epoch has been scientifically proven via a series of rigorous independent robotic tests combined with extensive player testing to provide improvements of up to 12 yards in distance and 9 yards of accuracy.

The facts: Four of the top-10 finishers at the 2008 U.S. Open used the Epoch tee. ... According to Evolve Golf, the Epoch tee has been used by 101 winners on a major tour - 27 wins on the PGA Tour - since its 2004 debut. ... The tee is made entirely from recycled and renewable materials, and the mower-friendly design lasts 10 times longer than a wooden tee. ... The tees come in three sizes - 3 1/4 inches, 2 3/4 inches and 1 1/2 inches. The 1 1/2 inch tee is designed specifically for fairway woods, irons and hybrids.

What we say: It's difficult to say I've gained 12 yards of distance or 9 yards of accuracy, but I have noticed some difference when using the Epoch tee. The main advantage I find is they're nearly impossible to break. I've broken one in the two months I've used them - using one of the longer tees with an iron.

Rating: Birdie. Granted, it's just a tee. But if professional golfers are using it, it has to be a good tee, right? They don't cost all that much, so decide for yourself.

Ratings table
Eagle - A must-have as far as we're concerned.
Birdie - Serious golfers will want one.
Par - Perfect for the diehard golfer on your gift list.
Bogey - Don't bother.