Nitrogen-charged performance with Air Force One Irons

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The name of the game in golf is to hit the ball more accurately and further. The reality is most recreational golfers who play occasionally want that distance, but won’t put in the time to practice to get tour-level precision.

Enter the Air Force One APX Game Improvement Iron set. Before you determine anything that says game improvement can’t apply to you, take note that many tour players don’t play with blade irons, they have some cavity back irons as even they don’t hit it precise all the time. Even more true with the Champions and the LPGA tours, and they are pretty good golfers.

Nitrogen-charged club heads give more zing!
Nitrogen-charged club heads give more zing!

Now add the interesting technology of these clubs – thin faces where the club is charged with nitrogen gas, so the ball gets extra zing. Nitrogen is used in shock absorbers because the gas molecules are very stable and predictable. So, inject a certain amount of gas combined with the face dimensions and you get a predictable spring-like golf ball launch.

Originally a part of Powebilt Golf, Air Force One is now a stand-alone company focusing on its proprietary technology as of the start of 2016.

Golfers need different qualities based upon the length of the shot required, so the AFX club sets have three different club head configurations within the set. The two longest clubs, the 3-4 Nitrogen Charged hybrids, feature 17-4 stainless steel heads that are internally pressurized with Nitrogen.

The 5-7-irons utilize a Nitrogen Charged, 431 Stainless Steel clubhead, each being hollow inside — delivering power and a solid feel. The oversized clubface and heads have a progressive offset that aids getting the ball airborne easier, and that appears to be a good idea when you are trying to hit the green from 180 yards away.

Shots close in can use a little zing combined with accuracy, so the Nitrogen souped up 8-PW irons feature an oversized face, progressive offset and an undercut cavity back to aid in getting the ball up and airborne.

Now, the superb part. These are very reasonable for what you get in the dollar versus technology department. $499 for a complete set, and there are some custom options within that ordering process plus a 30-day performance guaranty. And shipping is included. Don’t expect to see these at the two biggest box golf stores anytime soon. When you work on commission, then a $499 set of irons is not as attractive to sell to the customer versus the average of $799.

Additionally, their drivers using the same nitrogen technology come up high on the playability list over the last three years as well. For the purist concerned about the rules, these clubs are USGA legal.

So the bottom line is you get some fascinating technology that has been proven in other industries, why not golf?

 

Checked Luggage That Works!

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Checked luggage is a maze of options, and it is hard to pick the right companion for that golf bag or travel in general.

Checked luggage has a large price range, from $150 to $2,000 per piece. Do you get what you pay for? That is difficult to say, as most luggage companies do not support side-by-side comparisons, they simply rely on Internet ratings or sales information at luggage stores.

To sort through the claims, we performed a comparison test of four different pieces of luggage in the checked luggage category. They were packed, secured, locked, entered and exited from the car, and rolled extensively in directional treks. That is what the bag has to do on a trip, so we gave them a test drive.

Bags were selected after viewing and discussions with retailers, Internet ratings and talking to travelers. Moreover, without their knowledge, we compared not only different types but also different price points. Moreover, we found some unique bags for unique travels in the process. Here is how each one fared in our assessment.

The Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD is great combo of rolling and packing options.
The Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD is great combo of rolling and packing options.

The Eagle Creek Tarmac 25 AWD is the optimal size everyday bag for a week or less. It is durable, extremely easy to grab and roll. It expands a good deal more to 15% additional capacity when needed. The polycarbonate shell is combined with their Bi-tech fabrics, so it is combination of a rigid frame with soft-side materials. The interior also works well with their proprietary small bag system an added feature if you like to pack that way. Added features like a coat keeper and a piggy bag clip for securing another bag make this a feature-laden carrier.

The Pivotal Soft Case is easy to roll due to length and the pivoting top.
The Pivotal Soft Case is easy to roll due to length and the pivoting top.

Duffle bags are resurging in the last few years, but protection is lacking and rolling is difficult. However, if your travels are recreational in nature, the Pivotal Soft Case Gear Bag is the answer. The rugged frame and bottom protect more delicate items while clothes and other soft goods can be placed just about anywhere using the internal support system. Convenient straps and handles make this easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The Pivotal handle, an award-winning design that allows easy direction changes, in combination with the longer length makes rolling the bag a breeze. There are only two wheels in the bag, yet there is a bumper system that enables the bag to sit upright.

Lojel Kozmos Spinner
The Lojel Kozmos protects your valuables, yet unlike other hard sidders has a nice divider system to keep the contents tidy!

Hard-sided luggage is now a viable lightweight option, and Lojel has impacted the market in Asia and Europe and is gaining market share in the U.S. For the week or longer trip, the Lojel 29 inch Kozmos Magnesium, a hard-sided spinner, offers plenty of room and contents protection. The construction combines advanced aluminum, mesh, and polycarbonate to reduce weight. The interior divider system separates items unlike many hard-sided carriers with no internal separation. The nifty built-in lock & latch system simplifies security and is TSA approved. Colors include aluminum, gold or black finish.

Transport Case
The Pivotal Transport Case is the ideal carrier for serious camera or recreational items.

Carrying work or heavy recreational items need extra protection. For photography, fishing, hiking or other bigger gear, then the Pivotal Transport Case is the semi-trailer truck of luggage. The case comes in In 41 and 44-inch lengths, so expect extra expense for an oversize item, yet for people who travel with this type of gear the protection is worth it. This bag combines the hard-shell case with extra external nylon straps for security and compartment dividers to keep goods secure. Rolling is easy with the two large wheels combined with the Pivotal, rotating handle.
PivotalTop

 

Big Island Chocolate Festival

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When you think of the Big Island of Hawai’i, you think of coffee. A different bean is taking hold in the largest agricultural district in Hawai’i and it’s chocolate.

 

Most people don’t need much of a reason to head to the Big Island, yet the 5th annual Big Island Chocolate Festival sweetens the reasons. If you love chocolate, then heading to the Kohala Coast May 13-14 will give you seminars and activities rich in the taste of chocolate.

 

This year’s festival will be extra hot as the festival coincides with the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Centennial. Culinary displays will be judged on how they best depict the event theme that includes the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Expect an anything-goes chocolate interpretation of biology, geology, and culture that defines the 333,086-acre national park.

 

And if that wasn’t enough focus on the lava of the cacao, culinary creations will also be jockeying for awards in many categories judged by a celebrity chefs including “best” bonbon, savory, bean-to-bar, plated dessert and Hawaiian cacao. Attendees can get in on the voting by casting a ballot for two People’s Choice Awards: Best Savory and Best Sweet. Also included in the two-day event are wines, handcrafted beers, chocolate body painting and continuous entertainment.

 

The two-day chocolate event features a cacao plantation tour at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, a college culinary competition and various public foodie and agriculture-themed seminars.

 

On Saturday, May 14 the event blasts off with a bevy of sweet and tasty culinary stations presented by top isle chefs, chocolatiers, and confectioners. Get upwardly mobile with the gala, including reserved table seating, chocolate inspired dishes paired with specialty wines.

 

While you can stay anywhere on the Kohala Coast, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is the host hotel, so special rates are in effect for attendees. You get a classic Hawaiian resort experience with golf, beaches and all you can do on the Big Island. Plus, two days of chocolate. Now that is a sweet vacation option.

 

The Festival

Big Island Chocolate Festival

Festival Schedule

Ticket Information

 

Home Base

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Hapuna Prince Golf Course

Mauna Kea Golf Course

 

Activities

Volcanoes National Park

Natural Energy Lab

Hapuna Beach State Park

Kona Brewing Company