Bishop is Not Going Down Without a Fight

The PGA of America's Ted Bishop remains outspoken about his anti-anchoring stance

By Tim Rosaforte
Follow: @TimRosaforte
Photo by Montana Pritchard/PGA of America

May 6, 2013

The open comment period on the USGA and R&A's proposed anchoring ban may have officially closed at the end of March, but a month later the PGA of America's new president is still not going quietly.

Ted Bishop, the man -- or maverick -- who orchestrated Tom Watson as the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain and continues to push back against the anti-anchoring campaign by golf's ruling bodies is now questioning the Royal & Ancient's non-inclusiveness in its leadership role.

After being told by R&A chief executive Peter Dawson that it was not the PGA of America's responsibility to grow the game in America, Bishop, in both an interview and email exchange with Golf World, responded by questioning the R&A's male-only membership.

"I find that to be very curious and perplexing given the fact that the R&A has not been inclusive as evidenced by their unwillingness to accept women as members to the R&A," Bishop said. "This is a much different approach than we have taken in America."

And Bishop is taking a much different approach than past PGA presidents, being publicly candid -- and even outright critical -- of a fellow association leader. Yes, it has come to that in the anchoring crossfire.

Is this latest salvo the work of a shoot-from-the-hip rebel or the bold directness of a change agent? Maybe a little of both. Bishop says his stance against the anchoring ban is not a "personal mission," but comes with being the voice of his 27,000 members, after hearing from a portion of them in a straw poll in March at the PGA Conference of Leaders, where no one raised a hand to support the proposed ban. He admits "some have thought it inappropriate because few in my position have ever done that."

Bishop's R&A comments follow a testy meeting between Bishop and Dawson at the Masters that was first reported in Golf World (Behind Closed Doors, April 22). When Bishop made the point that the PGA of America was standing up for the "best interests of the amateur golfer," Dawson bristled and, according to Bishop, pointed a finger at him and said, "That's not your role."

Bishop tried to be diplomatic by saying to Dawson, "I hope you don't take this personally." According to Bishop, Dawson said he did take it personally, adding he felt like Bishop "and others in the U.S. grandstanded." And that by the PGA of America taking a position opposed to the rule-making bodies "set golf back." As reported in Golf World, Dawson told Bishop "irreparable damage had been done."

Bishop, general manager and director of golf at Legends GC in Franklin, Ind., said he kept his cool and told Dawson "frankly I don't see it that way." That night, at a reception at the club hosted by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, Dawson engaged Bishop in an exchange that was "more civil" than the one that morning in a room that included PGA Tour commissioner Finchem, PGA of America CEO Peter Bevacqua, USGA executive director Mike Davis and president Glen Nager.

"The PGA of America has gotten the impression from the R&A that we should have just accepted the proposed rule change and not issued any comments," Bishop said in his email. "Then why have a comment period at all? If you remember, Dawson stated on Nov. 28 that he doubted if any new evidence would surface during the comment period that would result in the ban on anchoring being dropped. That hardly set the stage for an 'open' comment period.'"

Bishop is proposing a compromise to the USGA that would make the ban a condition of competition. He says Davis and Nager have "openly welcomed" his comments and respected his position as leader of the largest working sports organization in the world. As it relates to the R&A, he is pitching a game of hardball that transcends the ruling bodies.

"In the end, I pass off the differences between the PGA of America and the R&A to be a result as the difference between our two cultures," Bishop said in his email. "Europeans have a tendency to accept the things that are imposed by their respective governments, while Americans will debate, argue and vote on issues. I think that is the fundamental premise that America was founded on."

As for the fundamental premise that the rules were made in St. Andrews, Scotland, and Far Hills, N.J., well, that is left for interpretation. If Ted Bishop is pushing for his organization to have more of a voice with the rules-makers, he has succeeded. The PGA of America's position on anchoring is certainly being heard.

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2013-05/gwar-ted-bishop-rosaforte-report-0506#ixzz2RyJYFTKv

Golf - It's Supposed to be Fun

Our friends at Bunkershot.com sat down with our CEO, Dr. Dave Felker, to discuss why Polara Golf is playing outside of the USGA rules and why everyone else should do the same.

It's golf. It's supposed to be fun!

 Original Article Posted on Bunkershot.com - By ED TRAVIS

Dave Felker of Polara Golf has strong feelings about golf, both as a game and as a business. But then again, he has a vested interest since his company makes balls and drivers and Felker’s company is different. Rather than living within the regulations laid down by the USGA his products do not conform to the Rules of Golf…on purpose.

In a wide ranging discussion Felker shared his thinking with me of not only why Polara plays outside the Rules but why he encourages others to do the same.

There’s no doubt, golf is in a curious situation; either the industry is faced with a wonderful opportunity to craft its future or it’s on the precipice, confronted with decisions that could cause immense damage.

We are talking of course about the United States Golf Associations decision to ban anchored putting-not long putters contrary to what many people say-but to ban any stroke that uses a part of the body other than the hands as a pivot point. The outcry that has developed in the recent months could have a serious impact on efforts to attract new golfers not because they all are giddy with the prospect of using a belly or broomstick putter but because golfers who play regularly are the way to bring new people into the game. If current golfers aren’t enthusiastically supporting golf because of restrictions (some might say artificial restrictions) placed on their equipment then it’s unlikely they will be enthusiastic in encouraging others to start.

Felker points out not only is the game where it is because of technology but that the USGA does not control how golfers golf, just what the rules are for “sanctioned events.” In everyday play golfers bend, ignore and even make a mockery of the Rules of Golf. Things such as carrying more clubs than the 14 club limit or the “I’ll just drop one here” method for an out of bounds or conceding putts in medal play or – well, you get the idea.

More tragically the majority don’t know what the rules are or don’t care they aren’t following them.

Felker said, “If you kicked everyone off the course who didn’t play by the USGA Rules you’d be losing 90% of the players.” A cynic might say that was an optimistic number but in any event the other huge problem no one talks about is the official USGA handicaps are calculated from the scores of rounds most likely played not strictly following the Rules.

“Golf is supposed to be fun,” Felker said and when the ruling body, “does things to make it less fun everybody loses.”

Specifically talking about the two types of Polara golf balls his company makes, “They help fix the hooks and slices the average golfer has because he doesn’t practice enough or take lessons to correct them. If he has the chance to hit the ball straighter in the fairway and knock it on the green more often he’s going to have more fun.”

The USGA doesn’t agree. It ruled the Polara balls are nonconforming to the Rules of Golf which to no one’s surprise put a real damper on sales. That however is changing as more golfers seem to be less concerned with the USGA rulings either through ignorance or a lack of respect for them based on the USGA’s history of being late in almost every instance of addressing the changes caused by better design, materials, engineering and manufacturing. Regulations restricting ball speed, clubhead size, shaft length, grooves, coefficient of restitution, the modulus of inertia, etc., have many wondering if the USGA hasn’t gone too far towards preserving traditions “For the good of the game,” at the expensive of “Golf is supposed to be fun.”

Felker concluded by asking, “What’s the difference if you have a driver that can be adjusted to cure hooks and slices and a ball that does the same thing?”

NOTE:
Polara Golf makes four models of the Polara Golf Ball each with a dimple pattern that is capable of reducing hooks and slices up to 75%. This is done by the dimples being shallower around the equator and deeper on each pole. By pointing the ball’s alignment arrow at the target, which positions the ball’s poles parallel to the ground, there is less lift and drag compared to a ball with a traditional dimple pattern. Lower lift and the preferred spin axis means there is less of a tendency for the ball to curve and that means less hooking or slicing.

Their Advantage Driver is just coming to market and purposely was designed to be nonconforming to the Rules of Golf. The clubhead is 15cc larger than the 460cc USGA allowed maximum and the Advantage exceeds the face velocity limit as well. It has a very large sweet spot and the driver’s coefficient of restitution is higher than allowed. Each factor in the design contributes to produce added distance.

Maximize Your Distance with the Longest Driver in Golf

 

Kickstart Polara Golf's Heart.....

Help Polara Golf reach its goal and be the FIRST to own the LONGEST driver in golf.

We are giving the Kickstarter.com community an opportunity to purchase one of a kind packages that range from:

$10 - Par Package
Get your name proudly displayed on our website "Kickstarter Backers" page. Also receive one brand new Polara Golf cap signed by the inventor, Dr. Dave Felker.

$25 - Birdie Package
Receive a 2-sleeve combo-pack containing our Ultimate Straight and XD balls uniquely customized with the Kickstarter Logo. These balls are perfect to use with our Advantage Driver. Also get your name proudly displayed on our website Kickstarter Backers page, and receive a signed Polara Golf cap.

$99 - Eagle Package
You will receive our Master Trial Pack Dozen containing 1 sleeve of each of our 4 different balls - 12 balls in all. You will also receive a Polara Golf Glove signed by the inventor, Dr. Dave Felker. And of course you will receive special mention on the Kickstarter Backers page on our website.

$199 - Double Eagle Package
You will receive one of the very first Advantage Drivers. Your foursome will envy your monster drives! You will also receive our Master Trial Pack containing 1 sleeve of each of our 4 different balls - 12 balls in all. Find which ball works best with your new Advantage Driver.

$499 - Ace Package
You will receive two of the very first Advantage Drivers - one for you and another for a friend. You'll have fun competing to see who can hit the longest monster drive. You will also receive 4 dozen Polara golf balls, one dozen each of our 4 different models - Ultimate Straight, Ultimate Straight-XS, XD, and XDS. Enough balls for you and all of your golfing buddies for the summer. These balls are hard to lose because they fly straight!

$5000 - Golfer's Heaven Package
You will receive a round of golf for yourself and a friend at the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. Your foresome will also include the inventor, Dr. Dave Felker and a secret guest celebrity . You will also receive TWO of the very first Advantage Drivers as soon as they are available, so you can share with a friend! Also included is full round-trip airfare for you and a guest and one night's stay at the world famous Torrey Pines Inn.

The Advantage Driver is designed to go beyond the USGA limits and is geared towards recreational golfers looking for maximum distance.  The drivers are for everyone, whether you are a hard hitting golfer looking for extra yardage, a golfer looking to recapture the distance from years gone by or a Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball user looking to maximize your distance.

The Polara Golf Advantage Driver is designed for those golfers looking for maximum distance. Pairing it with our Ultimate Straight golf ball will give you the "perfect marriage" of a longer, straighter shot.

These Advantage Drivers are approved for recreational use.

Polara Golf Demo Days

Polara Golf’s NEW Advantage drivers are engineered to provide the maximum distance possible – they are limited only by the laws of physics!

Be among the first to try them!

The Polara Golf Advantage Drivers are for everyone, whether you are a hard hitting golfer looking for extra yardage, a golfer looking to recapture the distance from years gone by or a Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball user looking to maximize your distance.

The drivers are designed to launch the ball faster and higher than any other driver on the market.

We are inviting Polara Golf fans to take the “Polara Longer Drive Challenge” so they can experience greater driver distance. Here is how the Polara Longer Drive Challenge works:

1) Bring your own driver (BYOD)
2) Hit a couple balls with your driver
3) Hit a couple balls with several of the different Polara Golf Drivers (various loft drivers). Find the one that gives you the most distance.
4) If the Polara Golf driver did not help you hit the ball noticeably farther, then we will give you a free sleeve of Polara Golf balls.

If you really love one of our drivers, you will have the opportunity to pre-order a driver with the exact specifications you require.  Sorry, but left-handed drivers are not currently available.

Bring your friends. We will also have Polara Golf balls to test.  Polara Golf’s self-correcting golf balls help golfers of all skill levels hit more fairways, speed up play, and score lower.

Upcoming Demo Days:

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 10am - 2pm
Coronado Municipal Golf Course - Ron's Pro Shop
2000 Visalia Row Coronado, CA 92118 - 619.435.3121 - www.golfcoronado.com

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - 10am - 2pm 
Arrowood Golf Course
5201 Village Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057 - 760.967.8400 - www.arrowoodgolf.com

Saturday, March 9, 2013 - 10 am – 2 pm
The Landings Golf Club of Clearwater
1875 Airport Drive Clearwater, FL 33765 - 727.447.5272 - www.thelandingsgc.com

Sunday, March 10, 2013 - 10am - 2pm
Sherman Hills Golf & Country Club
31200 Eagle Falls Drive, Brooksville, FL 34602 - 888.833.4887 - www.shermanhillsgolf.com

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 10am - 2pm
Tijeras Creek Golf Club
29082 Tijeras Creek, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA  92688 - 949.589.9793 - www.tijerascreek.com

Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 10 am – 2 pm
Tree Tops Golf
175 S. Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake, FL 32159 - 352. 259.2313 - www.golftreetops.com

Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 10am - 2pm
Cottonwood Golf Club
3121 Willow Glen Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019 - 619.442.9891 - www.cottonwoodgolf.com

Accuracy or distance: Which anti-slice golf ball is right for you?

Golf is a game of trade offs. Swing with power to get nearer to the hole and risk accuracy. Or swing with restraint to increase accuracy at the expense of distance?

Why not, then, play the ball that’s best suited to your game?

That’s the thinking behind Polara Golf’s XD ball. It’s not a replacement to popular, pioneering, and controversial Ultimate Straight™ ball. Rather, it's an evolution. 

“We debated a long time whether to introduce a 75% correcting ball first, knowing some people would have distance issues if they had low swing speeds or low loft drivers,” says Dave Felker, president of Polara Golf, “Or start with the 50% correction model, knowing it would have extra distance but not be as helpful for people with a terrible slice.”

Ultimately, the company chose to release the 75% correcting Ultimate Straight first, “so that nobody would question our claims,” Felker says. “We envisioned people saying ‘Wow, I hit every fairway!’ and this is happening.”

It certainly is. In addition to glowing reviews by The New York Times, Fox News, CNBC and others, the Ultimate Straight averages “four out of five star” user ratings on Amazon, with many of the minority negative reviews taking issue with the nonconforming nature of the ball and the lower trajectory used to maximize straightness, while still noting its straightness.

“With 75% slice correction, the Ultimate Straight virtually ensures you will be in the fairway every shot,” Felker says. “Now we are making sure that golfers with improved mechanics or lower swing speeds can remain on the fairway while achieving maximum distance. That’s the justification for the two- and three-piece Extra Distance golf balls.”

So which model of Polara’s self-correcting golf balls is right for you?

The quick and dirty is this: the Ultimate Straight Series works best for players with a terrible slice or those with a high swing speed (i.e. men that like to hit hard which increases the chances of recklessness which often results in more slice).

Conversely, the Extra Distance Series works best for men with a slower swing speed, women in general — since they don’t try to kill the ball as often as their counterparts — or anyone prone to minor slice rather than major.

As Felker explains, “Women rarely hit the 160 foot slices because they don’t hit hard enough to generate enough spin to generate enough lift to cause a terrible slice. So the XD or XDS is best for them.”

It’s not just for the ladies, though. “Men with a slow swing speed should also use the XD or XDS,” Felker adds. “This is because the Ultimate Straight will have too little lift for them to get distance, unless they use a high lofted club or three wood at all times.”

To give a specific example, let’s say “terrible slice” is 100 feet or more off the centerline. Keep in mind fairways range from 90–135 wide. So when armed with an Ultimate Straight ball, said “terrible slicer” would reduce their slice to only 25 feet off the centerline, “in the fairway for sure,” Felker says.

On the other hand, the XD’s 50% correction of a 100 foot slice would still make a shot vulnerable to the rough on narrower fairways, since 50 feet off the centerline would put you in the tall stuff.

“So if you hit a big slice, and your aim is off just a little from the centerline, you are definitely going to be in the rough,” Felker says. “Even with 50% correction. Hence, the original Ultimate Straight works best in this scenario.”

Conversely, if your slice is less than 100 feet wide — light hitters and players with better mechanics — the Extra Distance is preferred since it mitigates the risk of missing the fairway while increasing loft and distance.

Given the range of fairway widths, “some people play both golf balls,” Felker says. “On tight fairways, they choose the Ultimate Straight and on broad par fives, the go with Extra Distance.”

Another thing to consider when selecting a Polara accuracy golf ball is that both models have an “Extra Spin” variant. How do you know which is right for you? In short, “Extra Spin” models are best for those who value a softer feel and greater stopping power.

“We developed the regular and extra spin versions from the start,” Felker explains. “Making the ball extra spin requires an extra cover layer, which means higher costs. Some golfers do not want to pay 40¢ more per ball for extra spin, which is why we offer both variants.”

Whether you choose the greater loft of Extra Distance, the proven straightness of the Ultimate Straight, or Extra Spin, you’ll more than double your chances of hitting the fairway in lieu of traditional balls, Felker says.

It’ll also help you play faster, lose fewer golf balls, and have more fun.

Science fair winner “confirms proposed effects” of Polara Golf balls

When I was 10, I built a lame baking soda and vinegar volcano for my science fair. I lost.

As for Ethan Cossu of Florida, he built a sweet modified skeet shooter last year to independently test the advertized effects of Polara’s anti-slice golf balls. (No, we didn’t put him up to it. It was all Ethan’s doing, for reals.)

His methodology was so good, in fact, he took first place at the Saint Charles Borromeo School Science Fair. After countless hours, more than 30 trials on a local football field, and a standardized swing apparatus, Ethan concluded, “The Polara golf ball with its unique asymmetric dimple pattern allows for less slice on the ball when struck, while only slightly affecting the distance traveled.”

Said Ethan after his scientific victory: “I would like to thank my mom and dad for helping me with this project, the Charlotte High School for allowing me to perform my experiments on their football field, and Jeff Burroughs and Mark Wysocki who helped me adapt the skeet shooter to strike golf balls consistently.”

When alerting us of his son’s accomplishment, Ethan’s dad wrote via email, “I wanted to inform you that our findings completely agreed with yours. We had an incredible fun time with this project. Thanks for a great golf ball and great time.”

Kids these days.

Congratulations, Ethan—keep up the hard work! (Oh, the places you’ll go).

UPDATES FROM THE PGA SHOW

Dr. Dave Felker, Polara CEO and Inventor speaks at the PGA Media Day 

The Polara Golf team presented the revolutionary anti-slice golf balls to the country's top media representatives at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. Dave Felker, CEO of Polara Golf, also introduced the new Polara Golf Wedges that are scheduled for release this spring as well as the launch of the new Recreational Golf Association of America.

The wedges are sure to please Polara Golf advocates. The clubs feature a corrugated grooved plate placed behind the face plate that will create 35% higher backspin, resulting in more green-stopping power. Now the average golfer has more opportunity to perform on a whole new level. "The new wedges and the RGAA were received very well," shares Felker.

Felker's team hosted the Polara Triple Challenge where the media demoed Polara Golf's line of products including the anti-slice balls, new drivers and the new wedges on the range. About half of the media played the ball in the on-course scramble, creating a buzz for more information on the equipment. Polara Golf's good at brewing up buzz – especially where tradition is deep and non-conforming is still breaking through as an industry term.