Inventions Narrowed to Top 10

On the fifth episode of Fore Inventors Only, 18 inventions faced the scrutiny of field testing, vying for five coveted spots to advance to the semifinals of the competition. Standing in their way were three former contestants from The Big Break reality series who put the inventions to the test and provided feedback to the judges: Kim Lewellen (The Big Break V:Hawaii and The Big Break VII: Reunion), Bart Lower (The Big Break II: Las Vegas and The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe) and Mark Farnham (The Big Break I and The Big Break VII:Reunion).

Im really excited to be here and see if some of these inventions can actually fix my game, said Farnham prior to the start of field testing.

During the course of the show, the 18 inventions were narrowed to eight, where further questions ensued from the judges. When all was said and done, five inventions passed the scrutiny of field testing. They will join the five already through to the semis, keeping the inventors dreams alive that they will be chosen as the next big idea in golf.

Ten inventions in all will advance to the semifinals beginning Aug. 21. The five inventions that advanced on Tuesday include:

Shaft Skinz: A form of shrink wrap that fits around the shaft of a golf club to add color and graphics. Inventor: Martin Greeves, Dromore, Northern Ireland.

Gyro Swing: A swing training aid that utilizes a gyroscope motor attached to the end of a club shaft that automatically places the club on plane. Inventor: Larry Kelly, Brighton, Mich.

Hill Shot Golf Trainer: A sloped hitting tee used for practicing uphill, downhill and side hill lies. Inventor: Brandi and Larry Koch, Prospect, Ky.

Club Glider: A golf travel bag that integrates extendable legs with caster wheels, making the bag easy to push or pull. The wheels fold back into a locked position for easy travel. Inventor: Gary Sherrell, Maple Valley, Wash.

Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine: A portable putter training aid that guides the user through proper path, face, angle and pendulum swing of the putter. Inventor: Dean Thompson, Boise, Idaho.

They will join the five inventions below that advanced to semifinals during the July 31 episode:

Pro Play Golf Performance System: A small digital recording device that can be used on the golf course to record golf swings for instant feedback. Inventors: Marcus Bohn, Chandler, Ariz., and Tim Kipley, McKinney, Texas

Clean and Drop Club Cleaning Towel: A three-in-one golf towel that cleans and dries golf balls and clubs. Inventors: David Cotton and Vincent Brookins, Cleveland, Ohio.

Strike N Swipe: Reusable impact tape for golf clubs. The impact tape resets when golfers run their fingers over it after hitting a golf shot. Inventor: Victor Camaj, Highland, Mich.

Club Caddie: A clip that resembles a clothes pin that attaches to a golf club around the green allowing it to become free-standing in an upright position. Inventor: David Jones, Martinez, Ga.

Power Stance: A multi-faceted golf training aid consisting of a foot-retaining head and platform, formed from high density plastic into one unit. Inventor: Joe Pagano, Rochester, N.Y.

Several of the inventions from Tuesdays episode wowed the judges, most notably Kellys Gyro Swing invention. Lewellen first thought the invention looked like a fishing rod, but once she tried out the invention, she was sold.

When you put it in your hands, ultimately you feel something different, so it definitely had the wow effect, said Lewellen, currently head golf coach for the University of Virginia womens golf team. I love it.

On Tuesday, Aug. 21, the 10 semifinalists will meet with expert pitch master and original television host of the Home Shopping Network, Bob Circosta, and celebrity sales trainer Chelsea Scott. Circosta and Scott will coach the inventors on how to effectively pitch their products to the consumers before visiting a Golfsmith store to present their products to customers.

Immediately following the Aug. 28 episode where the five finalists will be revealed, voting will begin via text messaging and online voting through the Fore Inventors Only Web site, www.GolfChannel.com/foreinventors, at 11:01 p.m. ET.

Voting will continue for one week, leading up to the live season finale from the GOLF CHANNEL studios in Orlando on Sept. 4 at 10 p.m. ET. Voting will close after the third segment of the finale, with the winner announced at the end of the show. The winner will receive shelf space at golf retailer, Golfsmith, for one year; a fully-developed infomercial and $50,000 worth of commercial and promotional air time on the GOLF CHANNEL.

Fore Inventors Only scoured the country interviewing and auditioning more than 1,000 inventors to find the cast who will compete in the series. The judges are tasked with critiquing and paring down the 103 inventors to five finalists during the series, while uncovering inventions from brilliant to ludicrous along the way. Ultimately, viewers will cast their votes to determine the winner on the series live season finale on Sept. 4.

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