Ball marks and fairway divots are big problems for most courses requiring many man hours to repair. More often than not, they are left to heal naturally degrading the condition of greens and fairways. Recently, a south Florida golf course community found a solution and simply took matters into their own hands. It came in the form of a gift to their members. They purchased a product called the Fix With Mix® by Starting Time to solve the fairway problem. In fact, they bought more than 800 of them and gave them to their members. The Fix with Mix is a durable sand and seed dispenser that conveniently attaches to the bag or golf cart. The second problem is simply solved by another product called the Fix-Master®. It is a unique and very effective ball mark repair tool that eliminates golfers from bending over, while doing a perfect repair. The Result: Greens are healthier and blemish free, and the divots on the fairways are significantly improved without dedicating countless course maintenance hours.
Hugh Penton, President of Starting Time, comments: ” It’s kind of funny because we certainly developed both of these products to make it easier for golfers to do their part. It just never occurred to me to have the courses or communities buy for their members. What a brilliant idea! I personally got frustrated at the courses and players for not simply repairing their own damage to the course. I wanted to make it easier for players by providing a product that is easy to carry and use. This product really is a must for courses serious about maintenance. Golfers like using the Fix-Master because you repair while standing, which not only improves the course, it also reduces maintenance cost for the club.”
In a test report, dated April 20 2007, the independent golf testing agency, GolfTest USA has published their Summary Report on the effectiveness of the Fix-Master divot tool.
This test was made to determine how the Fix-Master compared with the standard two-prong divot tool in repairing ball marks on golf greens. Two different types of greens were chosen for the tests and photographs of the “before and after” were taken in order to verify the results. Findings on the tests were conclusive. Fix-Master was superior to the standard divot tool. The full report can be seen at the website of GolfTest USA or by clicking on www.startingtimegolf.com/test.
Hugh Penton verifies the results of similar tests performed by Starting Time in the development of the Fix-Master. The added benefit is that many golfers are not well trained in proper ball mark repair with the two pronged divot tool, which results in an even worse repair as the grass roots are pried loose in the “repair” process. What is even more important, and is covered in the Golf Test report, is because the Fix-Master is so easy to use, with no need to even bend over, this could result in more ball marks being repaired. Poorly maintained greens are one of most golfers’ largest complaints.
Hugh Penton, President of Starting Time, comments: ” I believe using the Fix-Master is an important development for golf courses. It is simple: More golfers will repair additional marks, leaving the greens in perfect putting condition. It is so easy and efficient to repair a mark while standing, that golfers who will often repair only their own mark only part of the time, will repair three or four with the Fix-Master. Golfers just hold their putter head, stand over the mark and jab the ground a few times. It is actually rather addictive. It is a habit with me at this point, and I repair a lot of extra marks.” Penton adds, “a few golfers armed with the Fix-Master will repair more marks than five times as many with a traditional tool. By having the Fix-Master fastened to the end of the golfer’s putter, it makes it unnecessary to even bend over to make the repair of the ball mark. This is a great benefit to all golfers, particularly those with stiff or sore backs. The prongs are designed to take the work out of the ball mark repair. A golf course with a few of the Fix-Master faithful, can look forward to significantly healthier greens.”
The Fix with Mix is not a new idea. There are many other dispensers out there. The truth is the Fix with Mix is more versatile in being easy to fill and doesn’t only fit in a specific mount like most. You can hang it on the cart, put it in a cup holder or hang it on your bag. If you have to buy one for 800 residents, it has to be a design that works for all 800.
Fix-Masters are priced at $6.95 each, and the Fix with Mix sells for $9.95. The Fix-Master can be custom imprinted on the ball marker which is included with the divot tool for a small amount more, according to Penton. This makes their use as a medium to logo the courses name for promotional events or for sale.
Samples of the Fix-Master and Fix with Mix are available upon request.
Contact:
Hugh Penton, President
Starting Time
606 Cassidy St., Ste. C
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 800-851-5442
Fax: 760-721-8861
Info@startingtimegolf.com or go to the official website: www.startingtimegolf.com
