Review of the Fifth Episode of “Fore Inventors Only” on The Golf Channel – A Few Disappointments
38 inventions have advanced to the field testing stage… 18 are field tested in this episode… 8 advance to an odd intermediary stage… finally, 5 of the 18 are selected to go forward. The end result… the 10 finalists.
Three former Big Break contestants performed the field tests (Kim, Mark L, and Mark F). First, let’s look at a rundown of the 18 products that were field tested in this episode.
1) Light It Up Golf Training Mat (rectangular cloud of light)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… “I like the instant information.” “I feel like I have to hit it thin.” “Didn’t quite get the wow factor.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I question whether it works, but even if it did… is there really a market for this? It looks rather expensive.
2) Trunk Chair
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “An OK product.” “Definitely not a great product.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Ridiculous.
3) The Pillar Tall Shoe Spike (keeps weight on the inside)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… “It was a very simple concept.” “I think it is working”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I like this invention and would buy it.
4) Sidekick Putter
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “The idea itself makes a lot of sense.” “I think it could be a big game improvement tool for a lot of people.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: It would be worth a try. It looks like the inventor has a couple of patents on the product. Check out USPN 6663499 and USPN 7232379.
5) Ego Personal Putting Coach (eliminate that wristy putting stroke)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “Easily adjustable.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I wouldn’t use it.
6) Shaft Skinz
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “The ultimate in visual noise.” “I didn’t think it was very easy.” “Very Cool.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: It takes 5-7 minutes per club! No thanks. Although, I could see kids enjoying this product.
7) Chipinator
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… “Fun.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: It would be fun for the backyard, but didn’t look as if it would work if your grass was even just a little long.
8) Perfect Putt String Drill Cup Insert
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “So easy and so quick.” “I am pretty darn impressed.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I like it.
9) HillShot Golf
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… “I am concerned about how many people would actually buy it.” “I liked HillShot golf a lot.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Simply not a consumer product. Well, HillShot Golf does have a patent, but it is a DESIGN patent. Click here to check it out. Check out the following UTILITY patents on similar concepts… such as USPN 6921342, USPN 6663498, USPN 5944615, USPN 4279420, and several others… Design patents can be powerful tools, however I don’t think that the HillShot design patent will do much to keep competing products out of the market.
10) Golf Shoe with Integrated Bristles
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “Didn’t really work that well.” “I don’t see it as something very functional.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I like it.
11) Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark…”I really like the Z-Factor.” “This is a smart product.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I like it. A real product and a real patent! Check out USPN 6893356.
12) Tour Axis Training Aide (headcover under the arm training drill)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… (not a single memorable comment)
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Not bad.
13) True Ympact – limits lateral movement in swing through impact
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “I felt like it was a straight jacket.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: No thanks.
14) Swing Sensor
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “It wouldn’t be the type of thing that I would see and say I got to have that.” “It has some merit.” “Needs more work.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: I agree with Mark, it looks like it still needs a lot of work.
15) Sink It Clip-On Putter Training Device
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “It is immediate feedback.” “It is easy to use.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Nice, simple, and cheap.
16) GyroSwing
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Kim… “It is cool.” “A tool that I would use.” “I love it.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Interesting idea, but has this already been patented? Check out USPN 6530845.
17) Bunker Buddy (clip-on rake)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “Neat idea.” “Can I see a half-hour infomercial on the Bunker Buddy… probably not.” “I would not wear the holster.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: No thanks.
18) Club Glider (travel bag with roller legs)
Big Break Contestant’s Comments: Mark… “Very cool.” “It is born out of a need.”
Ramblings of The IP Golf Guy: Great.
As I mentioned in my last review, determining the best invention may be the polar opposite in determining the most commercially successful invention. What is the goal of the show? Is it to find the next golf product that sells a lot, or is it to find the best invention in terms of ingenuity rather than sales? It seems like the judges waffle back and forth on this issue.
I would bet that GolfSmith knows their goal. Wouldn’t they want the product with the largest potential market? Would GolfSmith rather occupy shelf-space with a really great training aide that appeals to the 5% of the golfing market that actually practices, or perhaps a product that is not quite as creative but one that would be considered by a much larger percentage of the golfing market? (I still contend that at least 80% of weekly golfers do not purchase training aides or travel cases… but we all have bags, towels, hats, etc.)
Taking the GolfSmith perspective even further… do they really want exclusive rights to a product that cannot be protected? If the product can’t be protected, what is going to keep Edwin Watts (and every other competitor of GolfSmith) from launching an identical product under a different name? If I were an executive at Edwin Watts I would say “thank you GolfSmith for promoting these products… creating a buzz around them… and since they aren’t protectable, I will quietly create my own identical brand of product and have it on the shelves within a week.”
After the “field testing,” the panel narrowed this episode’s field to the following 8 inventions:
1. Ego Personal Putting Coach
2. Perfect Putt
3. GyroSwing
4. Sink It Clip-On Putter Training Device
5. Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine
6. Club Glider Travel Bag
7. Shaft Skinz (shaft decoration)
8. HillShot Golf
I can’t believe that “The Pillar” and the “Golf Shoe with Integrated Bristles” didn’t at least make it to this stage.
Next, the panel made a second cut to 5 inventions. The final 5 survivors are (in the order listed on the show… no particular significance):
1. Club Glider Travel Bag
2. Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine
3. HillShot Golf
4. Shaft Skinz (shaft decoration)
5. GyroSwing
Now, wearing my imaginary GolfSmith salesman hat… how do I size up these inventions?
a. Club Glider: Great invention. It takes up a lot of space and has a limited market, but this one will sell. Good choice.
b. Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine: Great invention that is patented, but with a steep $300 price tag… what are the potential sales? I believe most golfers are more likely to buy two new putters than a $300 practice aide.
c. HillShot Golf: Takes up too much space and the potential market is tiny. Competitors could knock these off in a heartbeat. The judges missed the mark on this one!
d. Shaft Skinz (shaft decoration): A cool novelty product that doesn’t take up much space and will probably sell for at least 6-12 months based on the popularity of the show.
e. GyroSwing: Probably one of the best training aides on the show, but how much will this retail for? Additionally, is there any chance we may be sued by patent owners with patents covering similar products?
Still in my GolfSmith salesman hat… The judges should have let the Perfect Putt device move to the next round instead of HillShot Golf. After all, Perfect Putt is inexpensive, small, and a great impulse purchase product. Additionally, as much as I think the Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine is a great invention, the Sink It Clip-On Putter Training Device should have occupied that spot simply from a potential sales perspective (another great impulse purchase product).
Personally, of the final 5 from this episode I would only purchase the Club Glider, although I would love to try the Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine and the GyroSwing (just wouldn’t pay for them).
I can’t wait for the next episode.
David Dawsey – Protecting Golf Inventions
PS – check out my review of the first episode here, the second episode here, the third episode here, and the fourth episode here.
PPS – now the disclaimer… the opinions above are not legal opinions and are not supported by any research!