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Big Max releases two new golf bags
B
ig Max is preparing to keep golfers out for longer in Britain’s unpredictable climate with its latest golf bag technology. With new bags in both cart and stand options and a new
technology that keeps a golfers gear dry and the weight of the bags down, Big Max is a brand determined to stay the course. Winner of the Golf Europe trade award for
innovation, the iDry Aqua Lite (pictured) stand bag from Big Max is completely waterproof as the name suggests. Seam sealed with waterproof zips, the iDry Aqua Lite will keep golfer’s gear dry whatever the British weather can throw at it. The bag comes complete with a 14 way divider top, seven pockets and glove, towel and umbrella holders. Completing the collection, the Dri-Lite Cart bag from
Big Max follows hot on the heels of its award-winning cousin. Nine large pockets, each with waterproof zips provide ample storage in this waterproof stand bag. A 14 way divider top provides separation for
every club while towel, glove, umbrella, tee, pencil and scorecard holders keep everything else in an easily accessible place.
www.bigmaxgolf.com
Focusing on the decline in golf club membership – down by over 15% since 2007/08 for those playing golf once a month – the strategy identified financial outlay as a key barrier to membership. Membership fee financing specialist, Fairway Credit, believes the answer to tackling this problem is making annual fees affordable, rather than encouraging ‘day’ visitors. But it also acknowledges that some clubs
may be uncertain about the future of offering monthly instalments for fees following the arrival of a new regulator – the FCA – on 1st April 2014. “It has been estimated that around 1 million
golfers play at least once a month – but are not members of a club,” explained Roger Brown, head of new markets, Fairway Credit. “We believe this is a huge missed opportunity for clubs – if they can offer potential members an alternative to paying out annual fees. However it is important to recognise that any clubs offering fees payment by instalments must ensure they comply with the consumer credit rules under the new regulator.” Fairway Credit is urging golf clubs to review
the current financing options offered to members to ensure they don’t fall foul of the new FCA regulation.
Are club falling foul of Regulation? A
t the beginning of this year, England Golf published the third draſt of its strategic framework.
“Some golf clubs may have ‘in-house’
instalments schemes that possibly don’t fully comply with the new FCA regulations,” added Roger Brown. “For many clubs, becoming authorised isn’t a viable proposition, but equally not being compliant isn’t an option either. “We believe that the best route for promoting
instalment facilities in golf clubs is to be authorised for credit broking, however we recognise the need to offer a solution for everyone. We have that now and look forward to welcoming more and more clubs into the Fairway Credit family.” The new Fairway Credit ‘non-promoted’
finance product enables clubs to receive fees in full up front as well as view member accounts online. Importantly it also removes the administrative burden from clubs in arranging the credit facility. “With upfront costs a major barrier to golf
club membership, we can ease the burden on potential members by offering a simple, cost- effective and convenient way of paying for membership on a monthly basis through our credit facilities,” said Brown. “Over 100 clubs have already signed up to
our scheme which also helps with membership retention. Once a member is signed up, in subsequent years, the process gets easier as there is no need to sign any renewal forms.”
www.premium-credit.co.uk/golf
SkyPro grooving your putts
N
ow, golfers who own SkyCaddie’s SkyPro swing analyser can groove their putting stroke too, with the announcement that
SkyGolf has launched a revised SkyPro App for Spring 2014, with a new Putting Analysis feature and redesigned user interface. For the first time iPad owners also get their
own version of the SkyPro App, with a new iPad- native version now available to download. The new Putting Analysis feature on the
SkyPro App is a free additional feature which en- ables golfers to perfect their putting stroke and lower their scores by providing feedback about club face position, stroke length, tempo and much more. Other new content on the SkyPro App in-
cludes video tips on each full swing checkpoint, from leading instructors including teacher Hank Haney and 2012 Teacher of the Year Michael Breed. In addition, the new user interface is eas- ier, faster and more intuitive than the original SkyPro App, enhancing the learning experience for golfers of all levels. “SkyPro is revolutionising the way teachers
help golfers to learn and improve,” said Haney. “With the addition of the putting analysis feature, golfers can work on their entire game from tee to green, learning to build good habits during every practice session, not just when they’re working with their teacher. It’s such an effective teaching and practicing tool, that I believe every golfer should be using it if they are serious about im- proving their game”. “One of the greatest advantages of SkyPro is
that it's easy to practice anywhere, anytime”, said Jacqui Surman, Vice President International sales and marketing, SkyGolf. “Golfers can use any club to groove their swing or putting stroke at home, on the range, or the practice green all year long, rain or shine.”
www.golfskypro.com SGBGOLF 33
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