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| Media Contact: Mary Beth Lacy, Inc. PO Box 1405 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 ph: 760-346-6942 fax: 760-346-6971 email: mb@mblacy.com
March 21, 2008 - AboutGolf's New Patent Pending SimSurround™ Simulator Takes Indoor Golf Beyond the Next Level MAUMEE, OHIO-AboutGolf, the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, has once again propelled indoor golf into an unprecedented realm thanks to its groundbreaking SimSurround™ Simulator, which features patent-pending three-screen technology. This design technology provides nearly a 180 degree wrap-around image. More DetailsJanuary 15, 2008 - AboutGolf Introduces Radical New Technology at 2008 PGA Merchandise Show MAUMEE, OHIO-AboutGolf, the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, is introducing a plethora of groundbreaking technology at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, including the launches of the SimSurround simulator model and the 3Trak™ 3D launch engine. Both products have patents pending. AboutGolf-the fastest-growing private company in the golf industry, according to Inc. Magazine's 2007 list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in the United States-kicks off its 21st year in business with a showstopping technology display at the Orange County Convention Center that shows the company isn't resting on its laurels. "We will certainly make our presence known in Orlando," says AboutGolf's CEO Billl Bales. "Our SimSurround might provide the biggest visual and experiential splash during the show itself. SimSurround is our first 'show car.' It will definitely be something folks will talk about, and is definitely worthy of a 'best-of-show' consideration. But 3Trak is the biggest technological breakthrough I've ever been part of." Meanwhile, the 3Trak-AboutGolf's revolutionary vision-based ball and club tracking system and the newest launch engine to power its leading simulator line-is the first and only system to directly measure spin AND spin axis. The 3Trak vision system provides the world's most advanced and accurate ball and club-tracking data. 3Trak will formally start to ship April 1. 3Trak applies very advanced three-dimensional machine vision technology. Machine vision, also known as high-speed photography, is scientifically the highest standard in ball and club tracking. The basic 3D vision system applies three ultra-powerful "smart" cameras designed by AboutGolf. Each camera contains three cutting-edge processor cores as well as an amazing proprietary technique, "frame apportionment," to process up to nearly 2,000 frames per second virtually instantaneously. "I have had the opportunity over the past few years to work with virtually every launch monitor on the market," says Tony Nelson, president of Fairborn, Ohio-based Advanced Golf Solutions, LLC. Nelson was engaged by a major golf company to analyze launch monitors. "We have found some major deficiencies with each and every system. The problem is their ability to measure and calculate the backspin and side rotation of the golf ball. The new 3Trak System with its three-dimension photography has solved this problem. This system can precisely measure the true back spin, side spin and rifle spin of the ball. "The end result is amazing," Nelson adds. SimSurround provides a visual experience that must be seen to be believed. With patent-pending three-screen technology, the user is surrounded by the graphical display. Standing on the tee, the view of the course envelops the player, providing almost total immersion. AboutGolf's courses are all being upgraded to enhance the graphical experience, with three times the viewing area of the standard SE system. The feeling of open space much more realistically replicates the outdoor experience, however the Sim Surround can be configured to as little as eighteen feet in width. Train Strong, an Atlanta based fitness company, has contracted with AboutGolf to exclusively install SimSurround Simulators in its chain if indoor golf facilities. "We're excited to partner with AboutGolf to help launch Train Strong's Golf program in 2008," says Tim Miller, CEO of Train Strong (trainstrong.com), which was founded in 2005 to help people experience the pleasure of being fit. Miller has made a huge commitment to SimSurround because the newest of Train Strong's fitness programs, Train Strong Golf, utilizes advanced Personal Training techniques and indoor golf simulators to help golfers improve their games. Train Strong's first Indoor Facility opens in Atlanta this month. Also included among AboutGolf's new 2008 products are four additional innovative introductions that epitomize the company's 20 years of continual advances. --3Trak Launch: "Launch" will be 3Trak's entry into the launch monitor market. It will formally hit the market on May 1, but it will be demonstrated at the PGA Show via AboutGolf's simulators. The first release, referred to as "Launch A," will be for fixed indoor use. The second release, of "Launch B", will be for portable indoor/outdoor use. The list price for each will be $9,995, but it will be introduced in 2008 at a special "launch of Launch" price of $5,995. "I believe this will revolutionize launch monitor usage and totally shake up the market," Bales says. --AboutGolf TurboSim: "Turbo," which will begin shipping on May 1, will be privately demonstrated in AboutGolf's meeting room at the Orange County Convention Center. Turbo's configuration enables complete simulator functionality in just about any size space. If you can swing a club, you can configure Turbo, which will be powered by 3Trak. Turbo's demo version is 10 feet wide by 16 feet long, versus the company's normal system at 15 feet wide by 22 feet long. It will accommodate both left- and right-handed players, and has a unique design that makes it quite comfortable and robust-even at only 10 feet wide. "We feel this will double our potential residential market," Bales says, "and be powerful for commercial applications where space is an issue-especially overseas." --AG Balance CG Analysis System: This is the company's new force plate. It will be totally functional as an add-on to its simuators at the show, and it will be marketed starting this summer as a standalone system with all new software. --The 2008 AboutGolf SE Simulator: The SE is the company's 2008 standard model. AboutGolf releases a new version every year, like automobiles. The new SE shows many noteworthy refinements over the 2007 model. "The 2008 model is by far our best SE ever," Bales says. AboutGolf Simulators will occupy booth 4035 on the convention floor while AboutGolf Labs, occupying booth 983, will focus on the game improvement aspects of the simulators as well as present aG Balance and 3Trak Launch. "AboutGolf is obsessed with advancing simulator technology," Bales says, "and, as we celebrate twenty years in business in March we are advancing the science of simulation to an even higher level." AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio November 26, 2007 - AboutGolf Establishing Brand-New, State-Of-the-Art Facility in Michigan MAUMEE, OHIO-AboutGolf-a 19-year-old golf company that has become the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology-has announced plans to expand its research-and-development efforts with the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, approximately 15 miles from its Maumee, Ohio world headquarters. AboutGolf Labs-founded in Spring 2007 as a spin-off consisting of what formerly was AboutGolf's Development Division-and its core staff of 12 engineers are currently based in its recently expanded 5,000-square-foot Maumee headquarters, which includes a 2,000-square-foot research lab. AboutGolf Labs expects to move into its new Michigan facility on October 31, 2008. AboutGolf recently was successful in securing zoning for a 10-acre tract it has purchased in Ottawa Lake, conveniently located at a major freeway exit. "The site is ideally located for us logistically, one minute off Exit 5 of U.S. 23 between our Maumee headquarters and Ann Arbor, Michigan, where many of our top tech folks reside," says AboutGolf CEO Bill Bales. The proximity to Ann Arbor is crucial, not only because several members of AboutGolf Labs' technical staff reside there, but also because of AboutGolf's long-term technology alliance with PlayData, LLC, a world leader in machine vision technology. Ann Arbor-home of the University of Michigan, one of the country's top five engineering schools-is a machine vision technology epicenter and also boasts some of the nation's most highly regarded engineering minds. "One would think Maumee, Ohio, is an odd location for a high-tech business like ours," Bales says, "but besides being the country's leading location for freight transportation, we're just up the street from [Ann Arbor], the absolute best place in the world for us to tap into the technology resources that fit our needs." The new AboutGolf Labs Research Campus will include at least two separate buildings, designed to resemble the iconic hilltop clubhouse at New York's famous Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The AboutGolf Labs facility will include both real and artificial teeing areas, a 350-yard driving range surrounded by towering oaks and other hardwoods, a putting green, and a tree-studded environment reminiscent of a fine country club. The new practice facility will replace AboutGolf's first permanent field-test lab it opened this spring at The Legacy Golf Club in Ottawa Lake. The current field-test lab features four heated indoor/outdoor hitting bays, as well as the usual outdoor practice range facilities. The lab is shared with the Clare Batista Academy, where daily users focus-test the latest AboutGolf technology. Clare Batista is a top 50 female instructor. AboutGolf has even commissioned a soon-to-be-revealed big name in the golf industry to produce two key pieces of test technology for its new facility-a unique ball cannon that can be calibrated to launch golf balls at precise velocity and spin rates with precise spin-axis settings, as well as what promises to be the world's most sophisticated and advanced club-swinging robot. "This will be our answer to 'Iron Byron,' but we might call it 'Titanium Tiger,' " Bales jokes. AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio. October 31, 2007 - TheNext500Years.com Launches As Unique Web-Based Commentary Publication MAUMEE, OHIO-AboutGolf®-a 19-year-old golf company that has become the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology-and its CEO, Bill Bales, have launched a unique golf commentary Web publication, TheNext500Years.com. The Website's primary mission is to speak to the golf establishment through essays, stories and editorials that openly discuss golf's challenges and what the game's future holds. "Some of these entries are very serious, some humorous, some cynical, some directly critical, always G rated, always with a point to make, and always from the heart" Bales says. "In some cases the presentations are made to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions, and in some cases opinions or conclusions are drawn for the reader. Some of the articles point out problems that we all need to ponder and some offer solutions." "With a growing list of worthy contributors we hope here to provide random but meaningful commentary on the game of golf, its future, and maybe a few attempts at insights into the game of life," stated Bales' in his maiden entry titled, appropriately, "The Next 500 Years". "Here's to hoping the next 500 years becomes the age of enlightenment in golf." Believing in and supporting the Web site's mission, numerous unpaid members of the golf media and other golf-industry types have already submitted contributions. There are neither advertising nor revenue sources on TheNext500Years.com, and AboutGolf conspicuously avoids promoting itself or its products. The site is not intended in any way to compete with for-profit golf publications. In fact, media members are encouraged to volunteer their views on the site, perhaps using it as a forum they might not have in their own regular outlets. "For anyone that has a passing interest in golf or is a part of the industry, regardless of their level of involvement, TheNext500Years.com is a must read," states Terry McAndrew, the Publisher of the well-known Web Street Golf Report and a weekly columnist on TheNext500Years. "The daily content is one of a kind." Some excerpts from the site: By McAndrew, Next500Year's business guru: "Demand outstrips supply and price is elevated, whereas supply outnumbers demand and prices need to correct in order to restore an imbalance. Management at Apple elected to get in front of this equation with its iPhone and the decision is already paying off. Apply this to tee times and see what the reaction is when consumers find out!" By Sheri Warren, providing a woman's view: "Don't assume that the lady calling in to set up a tee time will ever forget that you gave her a hard time about getting a decent time because you didn't want to have a foursome of women in amongst your male regulars - because believe me this lady WILL remember and will never play at your course again." By Ben Witter, providing the viewpoint of a PGA Professional: "Is the game of golf cool enough for the next generation to fall in love with it when this generation may already be sick of it? Could the threshold for success be so fine that the game of golf has already seen its finest day?" By Dave Lucas, host of The Capital Golf Weekly TV Show: "Bill Bales has always been one of the smartest people in the game, and as evidence he's given the rest of us a forum to debate what's right and wrong with the game we love. The Next 500 Years.com is thoughtful, challenging and provocative -- all at the same time. I love it." And by Bales, the cynic: "'It's not the gun, it's the gunner.' Do you believe that? Judging by our bleeding obsession with clubs I'm guessing not. Square heads, movable weights, boxer hybrid shaping, high modulus stabilization ribs, precision trimmer blades, color-safe bleach… Ugh." The site-which Bales promises will evolve over time and grow in sophistication as it finds its balance-is predicated on the fact that the first 500 years in golf's history have provided golfers with a lot from which they should be able to draw conclusions about how to improve and grow the game. "We hope the dialogue offered in TheNext500Years.com will prompt golfers, and the industry, to seriously think about ways we all can make the game of golf even better for the next 500 years," Bales says. October 08, 2007 - AboutGolf's® Indoor Simulators Add The Old Course at St. Andrews MAUMEE, OHIO-AboutGolf Simulators has added the venerable Old Course at St. Andrews-as well as St. Andrews' New Course and Jubilee Course-to the company's existing line of fully three-dimensional courses. AboutGolf Labs, the R&D arm of AboutGolf, has replicated the three St. Andrews courses to a far greater degree of accuracy than any prior reproduction. AboutGolf has licensed the rights to the St. Andrews courses from St. Andrews Links Limited, a company incorporated in St. Andrews, Scotland. The St. Andrews Courses are owned by St. Andrews Links Limited. "A tremendous amount of time and effort was expended by our engineers to develop the incredible detail of three of the courses at St. Andrews, including the Old Course, probably the world's most famous golf course," says Bill Bales, AboutGolf's CEO "The net result is an incredibly realistic experience for those who have never been fortunate enough to have actually played the Old Course, as well as for golfers who have played there. Green contours are accurate within two inches, and even the outlying areas of the course are accurate within 6 inches. Every one of the surrounding buildings has been accurately reproduced in full 3D detail." Created by nature in the 15th century, the Old Course is the world's oldest golf course, giving St. Andrews the distinction of being the birthplace of the game. The world's most famous course-where every great golfer in history has played, except for Ben Hogan, whose only Open Championship appearance resulted in a win at Carnoustie in 1953-held its first Open Championship in 1873 and 27th in 2005, giving it more Opens than any other course. St. Andrews' New Course opened in 1895 and the Jubilee opened in 1897. Both courses are held in high regard by locals and visitors alike. Each of the golf holes used in the St. Andrews courses' software was professionally photographed from every angle. AboutGolf re-created every fine detail so the end result is a near-exact replica of the each hole and the surrounding vistas-including stunningly accurate architectural detail of buildings in the Auld Grey Toon, such as the legendary Rusacks Hotel and Old Course Hotel, located alongside the Old Course's 18th and 17th fairways, respectively. Making the experience of playing golf at St. Andrews on an AboutGolf simulator so realistic is the company's new 3D/Etm, higher-than-high-def graphics engine, which enables correct collisions with trees, terrain, rocks and other objects. The only way to ensure every shot's accurate flight and placement are AboutGolf's unparalleled 3D-rendered graphics, which enable trees, grass and flags to blow in the wind; for clouds to change shape and move by; birds to fly overhead; terrain to reveal humps and hollows; shadows to be cast on the landscape; tee signs to be read; weather conditions to vary; and reflective waves to roll onto shore. Earlier this year, golfers got a sneak peek at the debut of a special software version of the Old Course that was created by AboutGolf for the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge, which gave average golfers the unique opportunity to try and better some of Nicklaus' greatest shots in major competition on AboutGolf's simulators. In London, where the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge was held prior to the British Open, competitors tried to best the Golden Bear's drive on the 18th hole at St. Andrews' Old Course in the 1970 British Open. AboutGolf released its groundbreaking indoor golf simulator in 2003, and today the company is the leading software producer for indoor golf launch monitors and swing simulators, both nationally and internationally. AboutGolf-which has earned a strong reputation for innovation and technology-is an 18-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that's a subsidiary of Friendly Software. AboutGolf ®has produced Greg Normal Ultimate Challenge Golf, Microsoft Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most widely-distributed golf simulation. August 23, 2007 - AboutGolf Fastest Growing Golf Company On 2007 Inc. 500 List MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf, a 19-year-old golf company that has become the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, was the highest ranked golf company on the 2007 Inc. 500 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. The Inc. 500 list—an industry benchmark since its inception in 1982—is featured in Inc. Magazine’s September issue, which went on sale at newsstands on August 23 and will be posted online August 27. AboutGolf was 252nd overall, and 6th among Computer and Electronics companies. Making the Inc. 500 list of the most dynamic private companies in the United States distinguishes AboutGolf from the rest of the pack, putting it in very special company. Many entrepreneurial companies—including the likes of Microsoft, Timberland and Domino’s Pizza—were recognized by the Inc. 500 long before they became household names, according to John Koten, Editor in Chief and CEO of Mansueto Ventures, Inc. Magazine’s parent company. “Familiar as we are with the many challenges associated with building and operating a business,” Koten says, “all of us at Inc. are keenly aware what a tremendous achievement a spot on our list represents.” “We’re extremely grateful to Inc. Magazine for sponsoring the Inc. 500,” says Bill Bales, AboutGolf CEO. “It gives private companies a way of being recognized nationally for their success. We hope to sustain our growth and make the list again.” AboutGolf only reports parent company sales, but when its foreign partner sales are included, AboutGolf’s revenue growth would have been rated as much greater under Inc 500 measurement parameters. “Because of our strong commitment to R&D, our technology has led our industry since our inception. Judging by our sales growth, the marketplace has thankfully been very receptive, “ says Bales. “We continue to increase our focus and R&D budget on new products and technology to improve clubfitting, teaching and self-analysis, as well as the experience of playing indoor golf.” AboutGolf’s growing international outreach includes affiliates throughout Europe, Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. In some version or another, AboutGolf software is available in English, French, Czech, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese and Korean. August 10, 2007 - AboutGolf® Simulators Playing ‘Major’ Role In the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf, a 19-year-old golf company that has become the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, is playing a "major" role this summer in Royal Bank of Scotland’s RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge.RBS purchased AboutGolf simulators and a special version of AboutGolf’s simulator software to give golf fans in key financial centers in the United States and United Kingdom a chance to celebrate this year’s major championships with the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge. The multi-stop challenge was designed to identify the golfers who can most closely replicate three of the greatest shots hit by Jack Nicklaus—RBS’ most visible spokesman and the all-time leader in professional major-championship victories (18)—in the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship. "Professional golf revolves around the major championships, and it’s a real feather in our cap that our golf simulators and special software are playing such a big part in the very popular RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge," says Bill Bales, AboutGolf’s CEO. The final live RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge competition using AboutGolf’s state-of-the art golf simulator is taking place August 6-10 in Philadelphia. So far, the live U.S. Open RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge took place at Pittsburgh’s Four Gateway Plaza on June 11-15 and the British Open competition was held at London’s Broadgate Arena on July 16-20. Nicklaus appeared in person at the London event on July 19. Golfers at the Pittsburgh event tried to duplicate Nicklaus’ shot at the par-3 17th hole in the 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, while the London competitors tried to better the Golden Bear’s drive on the 18th hole at St. Andrews in the 1970 British Open. Golfers participating at the Philadelphia event will try to top Nicklaus’ shot at the "Monster" par-5 16th hole at Firestone in the 1975 PGA Championship. The RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge has given average golfers the unique opportunity to try and better some of Nicklaus’ greatest shots in major competition on AboutGolf’s simulators, which create graphically-unparalleled golfing experiences at more than 30 world-famous venues, including Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Caso de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog. The special software version AboutGolf created for the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge also includes St. Andrews’ Old Course and Firestone Country Club. Golfers participating at each of the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge events receive three attempts on the AboutGolf simulator to replicate Nicklaus’ shot for that particular major. Each location’s winner earns the ultimate prize of a round of golf at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla.—Nicklaus’ home club and one he founded—plus a custom-fit set of Nicklaus Golf Equipment Company clubs. Golfers unable to participate in the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge at the live U.S. and British Open venues participated in an online version of the game, and the same will hold true during the PGA Championship, for the chance to win signed Nicklaus memorabilia and equipment. Those over 18 years of age who can actually participate at the Philadelphia RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge—like those who competed in Pittsburgh and London—will be able to warm up by hitting balls into RBS inflatable golf nets and receive a free 10-minute lesson from a PGA professional. They will then see the Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge golf simulator recreate Nicklaus’ 16th-hole shot at Firestone in the 1975 PGA Championship, then hear a personal challenge message from the Golden Bear. Participants will be given three attempts—the average time takes about five minutes per participant—using Nicklaus Golf Equipment clubs to hit an actual golf ball down the virtual hole and land their ball closest to Nicklaus’ actual shot (marked by a Golden Bear logo) displayed on the AboutGolf simulator. The contestant most closely replicating Nicklaus’ shot wins the round of golf at The Bear’s Club and the custom-fit Nicklaus Golf Equipment clubs. Each of the golf holes used in the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge was photographed from numerous different angles. AboutGolf’s software developed the simulation process by focusing on re-creating every fine detail so the end result is a near-exact replica of the hole—including incredibly accurate architectural detail of buildings, such as the Rusacks Hotel, that run alongside the Old Course’s 18th fairway. "The RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge has really stimulated a lot of interest with golf fans around the world for the first two competitions," Bales says, "and it has really exposed AboutGolf and our technology to many more avid golfers who now know what our simulators can do. That added visibility can only help us going forward." AboutGolf released its groundbreaking indoor golf simulator in 2003, and today the company is the leading software producer for indoor golf launch monitors and swing simulators, both nationally and internationally. Besides creating the graphically-unparalleled golf experiences at world-famous venues such as the ones featured in the RBS Jack Nicklaus Majors Challenge, the AboutGolf simulators also offer other features that help lower the handicaps of golfers and improve the bottom lines of off-course retailers and green-grass professionals. In fact, more than 50 percent of AboutGolf’s sales are to major retail stores who use the company’s simulators for club fitting or teaching, and AboutGolf owns a majority of the current North American golf retail-store simulator market. The company’s next-generation simulator is also the ultimate game-improvement device, enabling golf instructors to perform more paid fittings and lessons per month because of multiple simulators in each location, plus the ability to perform them indoors when the weather outside is inclement. The simulator is the ultimate location to conduct lessons—it’s very private, there’s maximum data feedback, the ability to locate cameras, see monitor displays (no sun glare), no wind, ideal temperature, humidity and no rain. And the indoor simulator allows golf professionals to earn lesson income at night, on rainy days and throughout winter. Members or customers can use the simulators as the ultimate game-improvement tool through the ability to react to accurate shot-by-shot data. AboutGolf’s DataTrac system enables players to save the data from every shot to a personal web page for later review and comparison with past sessions. And state-of-the-art video features enable users to control up to four cameras and view up to three swing angles at once, after every shot. The Royal Bank of Scotland, founded in 1727, is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group consists of a number of brands worldwide, including Corporate Markets, Citizens Financial Group, RBS Insurance, Retail Banking, Retail-Direct Channels, Ulster Bank Group and Wealth Management. AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio. June 6, 2007 - Goal of AboutGolf’s® ‘Family of Essential Brands’ Is to Improve Golfers’ Games MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf and its newly formed AboutGolf Labs division have made it their mission to help golfers improve their games with the golf industry’s most advanced technology ever created.AboutGolf, along with AboutGolf Labs—the company’s internal development group—is joined by several internal “ERPs,” or Extension Research Projects, around the world. All are focused on creating technological products and initiatives to be categorized as members of “AboutGolf’s Family of Essential Brands.” AboutGolf believes that golf’s 500-year history has seen very little progress in any of the three foundational areas of golf performance or game improvement: teaching, club fitting and self-analysis. To that end, AboutGolf and AboutGolf Labs constantly strive to give golfers the most up-to-date technology in order to help improve their games. “AboutGolf is a small company and we don’t want to give anyone the impression we arrogantly think we know more than anyone else,” says AboutGolf CEO Bill Bales. “In fact, quite the contrary is true. We know less than many, but we do have a lot of questions and a scientific background that we feel will help us perhaps not only find some answers, but also find some essential new questions. “But we’re golfers, too,” Bales adds, “and as golfers we have a right to be frustrated with the fact lessons don’t seem to help us get better, that the new clubs we buy off the rack don’t help and that the more we practice, the more we become resigned to never get better.” To that end, AboutGolf has some ideas and some very focused initiatives that it believes address some of the problems. Below Bales outlines those problems regarding the key game-improvement areas of teaching, club fitting and self-analysis, then offers his ideas and AboutGolf Labs’ development plan designed to help solve these problems. TEACHING Problem: “Only around 10 percent of all golfers take lessons, and not very often. Few enjoy the lessons, and even fewer improve because of the lessons. Lessons can often be painful experiences where the common belief is ‘you’ve got to get worse before you get better.’ This is not the fault of the teacher. It’s the fault of the lesson culture.” AboutGolf Labs’ development plan: “AboutGolf feels that, by continuing to develop and improve technological tools, a growing positive impact will be made. The keys to teaching technology are to provide accurate ball, club and swing data via various forms of measurement, including simple tools like video, ways to enable the teacher to manage data simply and effectively, and intuitive software to help the pro discern valuable information from this data. Next, the teacher needs tools that enable him or her to prolong the lesson experience through the independent practice sessions that follow the actual lesson—tools that continue to monitor the student after the teacher has left, and to gradually—iteratively and responsively—enforce the teacher’s points--the golf equivalent of ‘gentle dentistry.’ ” CLUBFITTING Problem: “A very low percentage of clubs are fit at all, and most of those that are fit are fit improperly. But a well-fit set of clubs can do more for your golf game than most golfers can possibly imagine. The large OEMs would like to custom fit every golfer. They know as well as anyone how important this is. But they can’t figure out how to do it without completely changing their distribution system.” AboutGolf Labs’ development plan: “If the major OEMs are going to change their system of selling off-the-rack clubs they’ll need extremely functional and efficient technology to enable a golfer to get properly fit. The distribution system will still need to change, but that’s a reality the OEMs are going to have to face. Meanwhile, we must produce technology to make it easier and faster to get the right clubs in the hands of each individual golfer.” SELF-ANALYSIS Problem: “The old adage about ‘practicing your bad habits’ really does apply. It’s almost impossible for a typical golfer to feel when he or she makes a proper swing. Plus, if your clubs don’t fit properly, the proper swing will not get optimum results. In practice we all spend more time building flawed motor programs (ingraining incorrect motions) than we do helping ourselves. Dave Pelz put it best when he said, 'Practice makes permanent.'” AboutGolf Labs’ development plan: “The key to effective self-analysis is real time data, the information data can discern, and virtual instruction produced from quality content, coupled with artificial intelligence. We've seen amazing things happen when a player can react shot by shot to accurate real time data.” The bottom line, Bales says, is AboutGolf has initiatives it hopes will provide a powerful, positive impact on the game. “At least, that’s the goal that motivates and drives us,” Bales says. “At the end of the day we’re just lovers of the game wanting to make a contribution.” AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio. APRIL 18, 2007 - AboutGolf® Announces Founding of AboutGolf Labs MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf Limited—the golf industry’s leader in advanced game-improvement technology—announces it is taking its research and development to the next level with the founding of AboutGolf Labs. AboutGolf Labs is a spin-off subsidiary of AboutGolf Limited—the world’s No. 1 producer of indoor simulators —consisting of what formerly was AboutGolf’s Development Division.Dr. Frank Engel will provide technical oversight in an advisory capacity to AboutGolf Labs. Dr. Engel is President of AboutGolf’s parent company, Friendly Software, and a co-founder of AboutGolf. He holds a Ph.D in Math from Yale University and was the Founder/CEO of Inter-National Research Corporation, a software technology company he sold to Northrop-Grumman. Dr. Engel has been the USGA Handicap Research Team’s chief mathematician for over 27 years and was the Slope System’s mathematical architect.AboutGolf Labs will be directed by Chief Technical Officer Kristy Smith, who has been AboutGolf’s Director of Development for 10 years. Derek Smith, Kristy’s husband, is AboutGolf Labs’ Director of Development. Both hold B.S. degrees from the University of Michigan and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.“Our R&D for golf technology has quadrupled in the last three years, and it has spread out around the country and the world,” says AboutGolf CEO Bill Bales. “As serious as we are about golf-technology research, we felt it was time to give AboutGolf Labs a true identity.” AboutGolf Labs’ core staff of 12 engineers is based in its newly expanded, 5,000-square-foot Maumee, Ohio headquarters, which includes a 2,000-square-foot research lab. AboutGolf will open its first permanent field-test lab this spring at The Legacy Golf Club in Ottawa Lake, Mich. This field-test lab will feature four heated indoor/outdoor hitting bays, as well as the usual outdoor practice range facilities. The lab will be shared with the Claire Batista Academy, where daily users will focus-test the latest AboutGolf technology. Claire Batista is a top 50 female instructor. AboutGolf Labs also has a research office in Beijing, China, with 16 full-time developers. In addition to its two internal development teams, AboutGolf has several of what it calls “ERPs,” or Extension Research Projects, around the world. These ERPs form the basis for what will in the future be a series of announcements pertaining to products and initiatives to be categorized as members of “AboutGolf’s Family of Essential Brands.”AboutGolf Labs’ motto is “Technological foundations for the next 500 years.” While golf experienced its first 500 years of evolution through the end of the 20th century, AboutGolf is determined to heavily impact golf's evolution in its second 500 years, Bales says.In fact, Bales says, other than with equipment, the golf industry has manifested very few true scientific breakthroughs in the area of game-improvement technology. Furthermore, he adds, today’s equipment technology is more promotional than functional. Much of what has been touted as the industry’s current “breakthrough” technology is actually either antiquated or simplistic, which is why AboutGolf Labs looks to make a difference in the industry. “For 500 years people have been playing golf, and other than beginners, very few ever seem to improve,” Bales says. “We think that’s a significant statistical trend worthy of consideration.” AboutGolf Labs’ objective is to start with a clean sheet of paper and figure out through technology what can be done to enable golfers to truly improve. AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio. April 2, 2007 - AboutGolf’s® Rapid Growth Continues As 2006 Sales Double MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf is coming off a very strong year of growth in which the company’s sales rose more than 100 percent over 2005 to $9.1 million and profits increased five-fold. AboutGolf’s growth in the past four years has been quite impressive. Since 2003, the company’s approximate sales figures have jumped from $900,000 to $2.8 million in 2004, to $4.5 million in 2005 and to $9.1 million last year. AboutGolf only reports parent company sales, but when its foreign partner sales are included, the Maumee, Ohio-based company’s 2006 total revenue was approximately $12 million. For instance, AboutGolf’s sales in Europe were close to $2 million, more than three times what the parent reported. AboutGolf Europe aggregates non-proprietary system parts locally and handles all the distribution and installation chores. At retail, AboutGolf Limited’s worldwide simulator sales were approximately $12 to $13 million. “We like to think that the technology we have developed, and continue to develop, is second to none. Judging by our sales growth, the marketplace has thankfully been very receptive”, says Bill Bales, AboutGolf CEO. “As we continue to develop new technology for the improvement of clubfitting, teaching and self-analysis, we feel strongly that our revenues will continue their rapid growth.” In fact, AboutGolf Limited’s goal is to hit $20 million by 2009, but sales growth could be even greater with AboutGolf’s most recent—but not yet formally announced—initiative to gradually launch what the company will call its “family of essential brands.” AboutGolf’s growing international outreach includes affiliates throughout Europe and in Russia, South Africa, Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. AboutGolf software is available in English, French, Czech, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese and Korean .AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, the most recent Bud Chapman’s Infamous 18 PC Game, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio.
MAUMEE, OHIO—AboutGolf—No. 1 in worldwide golf-simulator sales less than four years since installing its first simulator in Golf Galaxy in Akron, Ohio—is riding a wave of success as it heads to Orlando, Fla., for this month’s PGA Merchandise Show. To that end, the company’s breakthrough technologies being demonstrated in Orlando include two noteworthy developments from its Simulator division—Kudu Power and the 3D/E™ graphics engine. Both represent very key competitive advantages for About Golf. Kudu Power is a sensor upgrade option that, when added to the AboutGolf simulator, delivers the Holy Grail of simulators—directly measured spin. Its unprecedented level of club data also allows Kudu Power to take clubfitting, teaching and self-analysis to new levels, demonstrating how serious AboutGolf is about its dominant position in the simulator market. “Kudu Power is an added sensor that substantially augments the capabilities of our system,” says Bill Bales, AboutGolf’s president and CEO. The Kudu technology is engineered by EDH, AboutGolf's key partner from South Africa. PGA Tour Superstore is adding Kudu Power to every simulator in all of its stores, with AboutGolf giving PGA Tour Superstore an exclusive for Kudu Power for big-box retailers until Sept. 1, 2007. The 3D/E graphics engine is a major upgrade to AboutGolf’s proprietary graphics software, allowing the company to expand its lead in the simulator market. This “higher-than-high-def” upgrade takes graphics to unprecedented levels. Three-dimensional rendered graphics are the only way to ensure the accurate flight and placement of every shot. The 3D/E graphics engine enables trees, grass and flags to blow in the wind, for clouds to change shape and move by, birds to fly overhead and waves to roll onto the shore. AboutGolf’s Lab Technologies unit will also be very busy in Orlando, featuring its groundbreaking Kudu II, WeightTrac force plate and PuttTrac putting analyzer in AboutGolf's Launch Monitors booth on the show floor. Lab Technologies will place its 2007 focus on the new Kudu II launch monitor. Kudu II can track a golf ball for up to 230 yards outdoors (an advanced trajectory model calculates the rest of the flight) and with as little as 12 feet of ball flight in an indoor setting. The minimum of 14 feet of ball flight in the AboutGolf Simulator provides an ideal indoor environment for measuring spin using a patented designed ball with tour-ball qualities. Comparisons of other golf balls can be used so a recommendation can be made to golfers about their optimal ball type based upon swing and club data. PGA Tour Superstore is installing 46 Kudus in its existing stores and in pioneering practice bays in their new Dallas stores, while Henry-Griffitts has purchased 10 Kudus for the company’s key clubfitting agents and its research-and-development department. “In my opinion, Kudu is the most accurate and easiest launch monitor to use that I’ve seen in the marketplace for obtaining the essential data for clubfitting and teaching,” says Billy McDonald, Henry-Griffitts’ chairman. The WeightTrac system (MSRP $4,000) is a force plate to which are mounted four load-bearing sensor cells connected to the software program. Each cell records downward force or weight independently. A key interface screen in the software provides a moving graph, or “snake", that moves with the student’s body during the swing. This reveals the body’s center-of-gravity patterns which can be related to actual fade, straight, or draw shot types. WeightTrac allows students to practice a prescribed center of gravity movement through visual or auditory feedback, making it an invaluable training device. “WeightTrac is the single-most useful training tool since the development of video 20 years ago,” says Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 PGA Teacher of the Year. In fact, PGA Tour Superstore purchased all of AboutGolf’s initial WeightTrac inventory for its Atlanta-area stores, integrating WeightTrac into all of its AboutGolf teaching simulators. “The seamless integration of WeightTrac will allow the instructor to record and collect center-of-gravity movement data of a student without the student’s knowledge,” Winger says. “This type of data collection eliminates the statistical deviation that can be caused by a student being extra nervous in performing for the instructor.” The PuttTrac putting analyzer (MSRP: $1,500) consists of a putting analyzer board and software package. One good putt is all that is necessary for calibration. The student’s stroke is read by PuttTrac for squareness of the putter face at impact, acceleration, velocity, and clubhead direction. In 10 strokes enough data is captured and presented so golfers know their putters’ swing characteristics. The updated version of AboutGolf’s iS system will also be presented in the AboutGolf Launch Monitors booth at the PGA Merchandise Show. The solutions integrated into the iS Simulator and iS Performance Bay include WeightTrac, PuttTrac, AboutGolf's proprietary VideoTrac camera system and video analysis software, AboutGolf's DataTrac online data-tracking ASP, Kudu, and AboutGolf's WorldPlay online event ASP for entertainment and creative practice. AboutGolf is a new type of golf company, responding to the golf market’s desire for advanced game-improvement technology. With its roots deep in golf-simulation software, and having established itself with the world’s top-selling indoor golf simulator, AboutGolf is focused on the development of advanced software and hardware technology for game improvement. In addition to the products mentioned above, AboutGolf has in the works SwingSync video self-analysis software, SwingTrac 3D motion capture system, and the aG Perform responsive learning system. But while these individual components are all very unique and powerful, the sum of the parts is far greater. Applying AboutGolf’s iS software—think of it as a Windows-type operating system for AboutGolf's game improvement products—can provide information never before available by enabling the correlation of data from multiple sources. AboutGolf is a 19-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company which has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. AboutGolf has produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world’s most-widely-distributed golf simulation, and now is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology. AboutGolf is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio.
Infamous 18 also includes two additional golf courses—Teeth of the Dog and The Myrtle Beach Tour—plus the Infamous 18 screensaver. And for online enthusiasts, the Infamous 18 Tour offers online tournaments, and closest-to-the-pin and long-drive contests. “Computer golf games have been stagnating for over 10 years,” says Bill Bales, AboutGolf’s CEO. “Where other golf games have gotten obsessed with player expressions and crowds whose body movement follows the ball, our focus has been to deliver a more fulfilling experience in actually playing the game. The spectacular scenery and graphics of the Infamous 18 course, coupled with our extremely accurate shot physics, to me provides a much better user experience.” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 6, 2006 - Golf Galaxy™ Chooses AboutGolf Simulators MAUMEE, OHIO—Golf Galaxy—one of the world’s largest golf retailers—is using Ohio-based AboutGolf ® indoor golf simulators as Golf Galaxy’s exclusive game-improvement golf simulator technology. Golf Galaxy, which opened its first store in 1997, now has 61 stores in 24 states, each averaging 17,000 square feet in size. Golf Galaxy is a first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art interactive golf retailer, and part of that experience includes the use of AboutGolf’s indoor golf simulators at all of its newest locations nationwide. Golf Galaxy prides itself on its world-class selection of brand-name golf equipment, golf apparel, golf accessories and golf gifts for golfers of all ages and abilities. “Golf Galaxy is an ideal location to utilize the benefits of our simulator technology,” says Bill Bales, CEO of AboutGolf. “We are indeed thrilled that AboutGolf’s simulators are a key component of the Golf Galaxy interactive consumer experience, and are proud of our relationship with such an outstanding company run by such outstanding individuals.” The AboutGolf indoor simulator combines AboutGolf’s industry leading PC golf simulation software technology with groundbreaking technology developed in partnership with EDH Sport. This collaboration is constantly re-writing the indoor golf standards. “Because AboutGolf’s unparalleled technology is the best in the world, we felt we had no choice but to partner with them by making their indoor golf simulators an exclusive part of our stores nationwide,” says Ron Hornbaker, Golf Galaxy’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations. AboutGolf’s indoor golf simulators have been installed in all new Golf Galaxy locations since February 2003 for club fitting and testing. The unparalleled accuracy and extensive software fitting and data tools have aided Golf Galaxy’s club sales efforts. . AboutGolf—which has earned a strong reputation for innovation and technology—is an 18-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that’s a subsidiary of Friendly Software. AboutGolf has produced Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf, Microsoft Golf and World Tours, which is the world’s most widely distributed golf simulation. AboutGolf® is a registered trademark of AboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio. For more information and product images contact: Mary Beth Lacy at mb@mblacy.com or Phone: 760-202-1181. AboutGolf Ltd. 1628 Henthorne Drive Suite 200 Maumee, OH 43537 Phone: 419-868-6091 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 8, 2006 - Parmasters Golf Training Centers Choose AboutGolf Simulators MAUMEE, OHIO — Parmasters Golf Training Centers—the world’s first year-round state-of-the-art indoor golf training center franchise that literally guarantees results—has chosen Ohio-based About Golf’s indoor golf simulators as Parmasters’ exclusive game-improvement golf simulator technology. Parmasters Golf Training Centers are the ultimate golf training and practice facility, and following five years of research and development, Parmasters Golf Training Centers has just opened its first location, in Memphis, Tennessee. The semi-private golf training center features 25,000 square feet of golf training facilities—including AboutGolf simulators—a large short-game area, bunkers, fluency bays, golf-fitness equipment and much more. “Parmasters’ visionary approach to indoor golf training is not only the ideal venue for our simulator technology, but will make a powerful contribution to the growth of golf and in increasing the golfer’s enjoyment of the sport,” says Bill Bales, CEO of AboutGolf. “We believe Parmasters has an extremely solid business model and unlimited potential, and we’re thrilled that AboutGolf’s indoor golf simulators will be a key component of the Parmasters experience going forward.” The AboutGolf indoor simulators use the latest in sensor technology and golf-software design. Parmasters realizes that any effort to accurately replicate the game of golf indoors must feature intricate technology and focused technologists with a thirst for continual improvement. Enter AboutGolf’s indoor golf simulator, which is the collaboration of two seminal golf-technology companies—AboutGolf and EDH Sport—who are constantly re-writing the indoor-golf standards. “It was really an obvious choice to use AboutGolf’s indoor golf simulators in our Parmasters Golf Training Centers,” says Tom Matzen, Parmasters’ president, CEO and co-founder. “AboutGolf’s incredibly accurate technology is second to none, and we decided at the outset that we will spare no expense in making our Parmasters Golf Training Centers the world’s finest, most state-of-the-art training center franchise.” Parmasters will utilize the AboutGolf indoor golf simulators for club fitting, teaching, league play and social rounds, and Parmasters’ members can use the simulators to play more than 30 fully three-dimensional, real-time courses, including Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Caso de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog. AboutGolf’s Sim Sensor applies patented 3D phased-array microwave technology that operates at 7,000 cycles per second, providing an amazingly accurate tracking view of the ball during its entire flight. AboutGolf’s physicists continue to perfect algorithms that translate the Sim Sensor’s tracking data into accurate shot results, including precise collisions with 3D trees, rocks, cart paths, sloped lies and all types of terrain.. The Sim Sensor, once properly calibrated, needs little or no ongoing adjustment. AboutGolf’s unparalleled graphics feature greater resolution and detail than other golf simulators, including highly-detailed terrain, reflective water, varying weather conditions, tee signs that can be read, and moving clouds, grass and flags that blow in the direction and intensity of the wind.. Only AboutGolf’s simulators provide a fully 3D-rendered environment, critical to realistic play. Perfected through more than 10 million competitive rounds with its World Tours PC golf simulation, AboutGolf’s complete online facility for tournament and event play is a value-add to all Parmasters’ clients. Closet-to-the-pin and long drive contests have proven to be hugely addictive, and tournaments encourage repeat play. Results and leaderboards are tracked automatically and can be viewed with any internet-capable computer. DataTrac will enable users to log in at the beginning of each simulator session and have all their activity tracked and ported to their personal website.. Users can visit their sites to analyze stats, review practice data, get instructional tips based on their practice sessions and replay their best shots. AboutGolf—which has earned a strong reputation for innovation and technology—is an 18-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that’s a subsidiary of Friendly Software. AboutGolf has produced Greg Norman Ultimate Challege Golf, Microsoft Golf and World Tours, which is the world’s most widely-distributed golf simulation. Parmasters Golf Training Centers are fun, climate-controlled indoor facilities where members can enjoy numerous amenities, including AboutGolf’s simulators, driving bays, undulating putting greens and bunkers. Most importantly, Parmasters takes it a step further by demystifying the golf swing with a golf training system that guarantees a 25 percent handicap reduction using the proven sports technology, Straight-Line Golf™, developed by Scott Hazledine, a Class A PGA professional and Parmasters’ co-founder. For more information and product images contact Mary Beth Lacy at mb@mblacy..com or 760-202-1181. PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE ADDS TWO ABOUTGOLF SIMULATORS TO ATLANTA AREA STORE ROSWELL, Georgia (May 11, 2005). The PGA TOUR Superstore, a revolutionary 65,000 square foot destination golf store which opened March 17 in Roswell, Georgia, has just added two AboutGolf Simulators-taking its total to eight. Having opened with an unprecedented six simulators for club fitting and teaching, the store's initial success has necessitated adding two more. "We certainly thought six simulators would be enough, but store traffic has been very heavy and the AboutGolf Simulators have been an even greater draw than we had anticipated", states Bill Baraban, Director of Teaching and Club Fitting and a PGA Master Professional whose Masters thesis was in Club Fitting. "The AboutGolf Simulator is definitely the best tool available for fitting clubs indoors, and its visual realism makes it a very strong draw." AboutGolf launched its simulator product in early 2003. Their simulator has since become the best selling simulator to large golf retailers who need an inviting and accurate environment to fit clubs. "We continue to strive to not only produce the best indoor golf experience, but to provide the most accurate data and the best tools for indoor club fitting", states Bill Bales, CEO and founder of AboutGolf. The simulator market is taking notice. AboutGolf's sales quadrupled in 2004, and AboutGolf sales will more than double over 2004 this year. Bales projects that sales will continue rapid growth for the next several years via international expansion and the increase in the overall market made possible by the groundbreaking accuracy and functionality of AboutGolf's technology. The two Martin's PGA TOUR Superstores in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina also utilize AboutGolf Simulators. The Roswell store is the third in a planned national expansion of the PGA TOUR Superstore concept. For more information,
see: www.pgatoursuperstore.com or www.aboutgolf.com . Maumee, Ohio (January 22, 2005) - AboutGolf, producer of the AboutGolf Simulator, will introduce three new online components at the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show January 27-30 in Orlando, Florida. AboutGolf, a leading golf simulation technology company, will demonstrate WorldPlay, a comprehensive online event facility; DataTrac, a personalized online data tracking service; and AdKit, a simulator advergaming tool. WorldPlay is an advanced derivative of AboutGolf's World Tours online facility that has been in commercial use for over three years. Over ten million competitive rounds have been played on World Tours, which has over |
