Kewl Tubes The Diane Gracely Story
There was a time when golf clubs were sold without a headcover that was a walking billboard for the manufacturer. Now a days when you walk out of the golf shop with your new Driver or Hybrid they come with a headcover that is branded for the manufacturer. These are a perfect beacon for someone to swipe your new stick and also don’t allow you to put your own personal stamp on your bag.
The old school guy in me has fallen head over heels for all things traditional in the game and there is nothing better than a set of KEWL TUBES custom knit headcovers. They are pure tradition and a staple in the bag of many professionals and golfers across the country.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Diane Gracely, president and CEO of Kewl Tubes to learn about her story as an entrepreneur and the successes Kewl Tubes has had since their inception in February 2006.
Diane Gracely is a practical woman who saw a need and had the guts and fortitude to do something about it. Guts and fortitude are two traits that Diane knows about. When she decided to take up the game of golf to spend more time with her husband she wanted to personalize her gear and get a knit headcover. In doing some research to find what she was looking for, she quickly realized that there was a big premium on knit headcovers. Being the practical person she is she took the bull by the horns and said I can knit my own.
What happened next is a great story. Friends and playing partners all liked the workmanship and style she put into her headcovers and they all wanted one. After knitting plenty for her friends, the light bulb went off and she was in business. So much so that she sold her current business to dedicate 100% of her efforts to KEWL TUBES.
The process of knitting a single headcover by hand takes 3 hours of uninterrupted handwork. As her business grew she knew in order to keep up with the demand she needed to become automated. Again, she set out to find a solution. After finding an early 1900’s hand cranked knitting machine on E-Bay she bid on it and won it. Ingenuity took over as her husband’s hands retrofitted the machine to produce perfect knitting for their headcovers.
Slowly she acquired 5 more machines each producing a different size headcover for drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. The hand cranked machines are antiques from an era gone by, but the attention to detail and end results are a work of art.
Sure she could get a new fancy machine that pounds out tons of production but she is sticking to quality and craftsmanship that her customers clamor for.
As with many small business there are struggles and endless hours and it can become a tiresome feat but add to that a hereditary disease and her story takes on a whole new perspective. Diane suffers from CMT, Charcot Marie Tooth, and in her own words she describes her story.
Charcot Marie Tooth has limited my ability to walk and stand. I had to have both of my feet reconstructed because the disease was deforming my feet as my life progressed. I had to resign from my full time job as an accounting rep for a local company because the surgeries and healing time was estimated to be 3 years.
I was raising a 2 year old son on my own. I had gone through a divorce. I knew I could not sit at home and do nothing. I needed money to pay bills and raise my son.
I bought a computer before having my first surgery so that I could teach myself more about the internet and learn about designing web sites, and starting and growing a business online while I was laid up.
I started a small business making laminated bookmarks for wedding favors, schools, book authors, baby showers, and other occasions and events. My business did very well since I had learned how to market it on the internet.
Then 8 years later, I met a man who changed my life, and I started a new business, KEWL TUBES golf club covers. The business took off immediately and I sold the bookmark business to another work at home mom.
To this day I continue to raise my son and grow my golf business. I’ve learned how to juggle everything to be able to be a successful business owner and still spend time with my son. PLUS raise awareness for this disease and hopefully encourage other men and women who have disabilities to start a business of their own and not to give up on life and dreams.
The game of golf is rich with stories of overcoming adversity and the strong will of individuals to persevere! I am proud to know Diane Gracely and the fact that she represents the American Dream of standing up for herself and digging in to fill a need in the golf industry is just wonderful.
For more information on Kewl Tubes visit http://shop.back9promotions.com/
1 Comment »
Tags: best golf equipment, headcover, Kewl Tubes, Knit Head Covers, pom pom headcovers
Posted in Balls & Accessories, Equipment, Rocket Rambler | 1 Comment »
FT-iZ & FT-iZ Tour Drivers
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Driver for 2010
Callaway Golf : FT-iZ & FT-iZ Tour Drivers
Overview – Callaway has done it AGAIN!
Eastern Golf TV Research team was very pleasantly surprise with the latest addition into the ever competitive Driver Sales world. Callaway and their outstanding enginnerring team went back to the drawing board and designed and entirely new driver, yet still capitalizing on some of their existing technology. The aerodynamic shape with it’s Polar Weighting (See our Translation) moves the weight into two different directions… The Dr. Hyde and Mr. Jeckel of Drivers… Not only is this driver Very Long… It is Very Straight. It’s easy to see why the Big Easy, Ernie Els has won two events in 2010 playing with this driver. If it’s good enough for the World #1, yes no Tiger Woods, but Phil Mickelson… you may want to consider this for your bag. As always Eastern Golf TV always recommends that you see your local PGA Professional to get the best recommendation on loft, length and shaft flex.
Inside the Club:
Polar Weighting Utilizes a heavy face and a heavy in-line power source in the rear, localizing weight at the front and back of the driver to provide stability, consistency, incredible feel and increased linear acceleration of the ball
Eastern Golf TV Translation - The clubface and rear of the club are slightly heavier thus generating more stable impact which translates into less twisting and strike more center thus translating into distance.
Chemically Milled Hyperbolic Face Generates Callaway’s most consistently high ball speeds ever by using a chemical reduction process to selectively remove unwanted material for precision thickness control
Aerodynamic Body Design reduces drag for higher impact speeds and produces Callaway’s most efficient high inertia clubhead ever.
Fusion® Technology exploits extreme weight placement for the optimal combination of performance, feel and looks.
Aldila VooDoo Shafts are engineered as the ideal complement to the FT-iZ Drivers.
Tags: callaway golf, Drivers, Equipment
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Women’s Diablo Edge Fairway Woods
Overview – Callaway Diablo Edge Fairway Wood – prepare to launch!
Callaway new Diablo Edge Line extends into the Fairway woods… Overall the Eastern Golf Research Team was impressed with the Diablo Edge clubs. The group felt as if Callaway successfully addressed the alignment concern from past generations. Additionally they were fond of the new overall design that in many cases produced shots on average 10-12 yards longer than the original Big Bertha Diablo®. The ultra-thin VFT face (see EGTV translation) creates hotter ball speeds for longer, more consistent distance. The clubs also feature the highest MOI ever in a Callaway fairway wood for improved accuracy. Women’s Diablo Edge Fairway Woods feature proven Callaway core technologies and possess the deepest CG ever in a Callaway fairway wood, producing long, high trajectories.
Inside the Club:
Ultra-Thin VFT Face Creates hotter ball speeds across the entire face for longer, more consistent shots.
Eastern Golf TV Translation – Thin to win is the name of the game in clubface technology. When the face is extremely thin it translates into a super fast return of the ball taking off the clubface.
Extreme Perimeter Weighting Callaway’s highest MOI ever in a fairway wood dramatically improves accuracy.
Center of Gravity Optimization Women’s models feature the deepest center of gravity of any fairway wood Callaway has ever made for high trajectories.
Looks and Performance for Every Player Women’s models have sleek, progressive head shapes and proven Callaway core technologies.
Tags: callaway golf, Fairway woods, women's golf equipment
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Callaway Golf : Diablo Edge Hybrid
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Hybrid for 2010
Callaway Golf : Diablo Edge Hybrid
Overview – Callaway Diablo Edge Hybrid – Beauty with a punch!
Our Eastern Golf TV Research test group fell in love with this hybrid… they all wanted to have it go play their rounds. Incredibly forgiving was the reoccurring theme that we heard over and over. This club is made to replace your long irons forever. The Vertical CG Optimization (See Translation) uses a 30% thinner crown to help lower the center of gravity, and place it in-line where most golfers commonly strike the ball. The sole design and offset clubhead promotes the high handicap players to square the face at impact thus hitting more on the center of face translating to longer and straighter shots… Never fear… Mr. low handicap golfer, there is a tour model… and for this PGA Professional it is a gem to have in the bag.
Inside the Club:
Vertical CG Optimization By using a 30% thinner crown, it allows for a lower center of gravity that’s in-line with where most amateurs strike the ball on the clubface to promote high, strong trajectories that fly farther and land softer.
Eastern Golf TV Translation – The thinnest face wins the game… it allows for the ball to jump off the face allowing Callaway to lower the center of gravity or contact point = more yards with straighter results
Unique Sole Design Creates efficient impact with the face to maximize distance, consistency and accuracy from a variety of turf conditions.
VFT® Technology Generates high ball speeds across the entire face for hotter, more consistent distance.
Offset Hosel Assists in squaring the clubface at impact while providing a look at address that boosts confidence. Tour models have less offset to enhance workability.
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Tags: callaway golf, golf equipment, Hybrids
Posted in Hybrids | No Comments »
Callaway Golf: Diablo Edge Iron
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Game Improvement Iron for 2010
Callaway Golf: Diablo Edge Iron
Overview – Callaway Diablo Edge Iron – A Classic with Modern Appeal!
The Hogan Edge Iron Lives on!!! Many of the Eastern Golf TV Research Team played with the Hogan Edge Irons and were thrilled to with Callaway when they launched the Diablo Edge Irons. Maybe it was the fond memories as our mid to higher handicap players thoroughly enjoyed the Edge irons. Callaway design and created an extremely low center of gravity which enhanced the sweet spot thus translating into fewer misses. Kudos to Callaway for reintroducing a classic with modern appeal…
Inside the Club:
Maximized Distance A lower, deeper CG is designed to make the sweet spot more accessible at lower impact locations. This generates longer, more consistent distance and improves accuracy for more greens in regulation.
Smooth Turf Interaction The Solid Impact Sole is designed to mitigate the effects of heavy and thin shots and improve the impact location on the face for greater distance.
Enhanced Feel and Performance Callaway Golf core technologies like VFT®, S2H2®, a 360-Degree Undercut Channel and Modified Tru-Bore® work together to maximize distance, feel and playability.
Tags: callaway golf, game improvement, golf equipment, Irons
Posted in Irons | 1 Comment »
Callaway Golf: Jaws X-Series
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Wedge for 2010
Callaway Golf: Jaws X-Series
Overview – Callaway Jaws X-Series – Another Roger Cleveland Masterpiece
When master craftsman Roger Cleveland joined Callaway several years ago, Callaway’s best wedge was the S2H2 wedge with a hickory shaft…wow have times changed. In a short time Roger Cleveland has made Callaway a leader in wedge design and technology. The Jaws wedge incorporate Callaway’s famous Mack Daddy Grooves which generates outstanding spin for the shortest shots and incredible control around the green. Jaws are constructed with soft 1020 carbon steel using a Triple Net Forging process that creates digitally precise consistency and astonishing feel. Every model features the versatile C-Grind Sole, allowing golfers to hit a wide variety of greenside shots. Each model is available in two finishes, Soft Milky Chrome or Dark Vintage, as well as steel or graphite shafts.
Inside the Club:
Mack Daddy® Grooves, these grooves provide the maximum conforming depth and width, these grooves provide the utmost amount of spin and contro
C-Grind® Sole, this Tour design relieves the heel, toe and trailing edge, resulting in a ‘C’ shape on the sole. The shape, plus a tighter heel-toe radius and proper bounce, improves turf interaction and enables golfers to lay the face open while keeping the leading edge down.
Forged 1020 Carbon Steel Construction, provides soft feel and better feedback around the greens. The Triple Net Forging process produces incredible consistency in construction.
Finish and Shaft Options, each wedge is available in either the Soft Milky Chrome or Dark Vintage finish, as well as steel or graphite shafts.
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Tags: callaway golf, golf equipment, Wedges
Posted in Wedges | No Comments »
Odyssey Golf: Back Stryke Putters
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Putter for 2010
Odyssey Golf: Back Stryke Putters
Overview – Callaway Back Stryke Putters – A two ball putter with a press!
Imagine a putter so revolutionary that it improves your stroke. Imagine a putter that puts your mind at ease. Imagine a putter that will change the way people think about putting forever. Welcome to a better engineered putting stroke. Forward Press Stabilization promotes an ascending stroke into the ball, quickly imparting true, forward roll. The unique shaft position creates a stable, straight line with the lead arm so your wrists are far less likely to break down during the stroke. Visible Face Alignment allows you to clearly see if the face is square to the target line without the shaft impeding your line of sight, providing an unprecedented visual aid to line up putts and significantly improve accuracy. The firmer and stiffer White Ice insert is fine-tuned to enhance sound, responsiveness, resiliency and consistency. A.R.T (Advanced Roll Technology) uses multi-material construction for a low, deep CG to promote truer roll.
Inside the Club:
Visible Face Alignment Allows you to clearly see if the face is square to the target line without the shaft impeding your line of sight, providing an unprecedented visual aid to line up putts.
Forward Press Stabilization Hands forward position promotes an ascending stroke into the ball, imparting topspin faster for truer roll. The shaft position creates a stable, straight line with the lead arm so the wrists are less likely to break down during the stroke.
Stroke Balance A putter balanced on the axis of the putting stroke promotes a fluid, stable stroke path that’s more consistent, accurate and leads to better distance control.
White Ice Insert The multi-layer insert has been fine-tuned to enhance sound, responsiveness, resiliency and consistency. The inner core is 19% firmer to enhance the feel and 92% stiffer for better resiliency, leading to consistent distance control.
A.R.T (Advanced Roll Technology) The multi-material construction results in a low, deep CG for better, truer roll.
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Tags: calllaway golf, odyseey golf, Putters
Posted in Putters | 1 Comment »
Kewl Tubes The Diane Gracely Story
There was a time when golf clubs were sold without a headcover that was a walking billboard for the manufacturer. Now a days when you walk out of the golf shop with your new Driver or Hybrid they come with a headcover that is branded for the manufacturer. These are a perfect beacon for someone to swipe your new stick and also don’t allow you to put your own personal stamp on your bag.
The old school guy in me has fallen head over heels for all things traditional in the game and there is nothing better than a set of KEWL TUBES custom knit headcovers. They are pure tradition and a staple in the bag of many professionals and golfers across the country.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Diane Gracely, president and CEO of Kewl Tubes to learn about her story as an entrepreneur and the successes Kewl Tubes has had since their inception in February 2006.
Diane Gracely is a practical woman who saw a need and had the guts and fortitude to do something about it. Guts and fortitude are two traits that Diane knows about. When she decided to take up the game of golf to spend more time with her husband she wanted to personalize her gear and get a knit headcover. In doing some research to find what she was looking for, she quickly realized that there was a big premium on knit headcovers. Being the practical person she is she took the bull by the horns and said I can knit my own.
What happened next is a great story. Friends and playing partners all liked the workmanship and style she put into her headcovers and they all wanted one. After knitting plenty for her friends, the light bulb went off and she was in business. So much so that she sold her current business to dedicate 100% of her efforts to KEWL TUBES.
The process of knitting a single headcover by hand takes 3 hours of uninterrupted handwork. As her business grew she knew in order to keep up with the demand she needed to become automated. Again, she set out to find a solution. After finding an early 1900’s hand cranked knitting machine on E-Bay she bid on it and won it. Ingenuity took over as her husband’s hands retrofitted the machine to produce perfect knitting for their headcovers.
Slowly she acquired 5 more machines each producing a different size headcover for drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. The hand cranked machines are antiques from an era gone by, but the attention to detail and end results are a work of art.
Sure she could get a new fancy machine that pounds out tons of production but she is sticking to quality and craftsmanship that her customers clamor for.
As with many small business there are struggles and endless hours and it can become a tiresome feat but add to that a hereditary disease and her story takes on a whole new perspective. Diane suffers from CMT, Charcot Marie Tooth, and in her own words she describes her story.
Charcot Marie Tooth has limited my ability to walk and stand. I had to have both of my feet reconstructed because the disease was deforming my feet as my life progressed. I had to resign from my full time job as an accounting rep for a local company because the surgeries and healing time was estimated to be 3 years.
I was raising a 2 year old son on my own. I had gone through a divorce. I knew I could not sit at home and do nothing. I needed money to pay bills and raise my son.
I bought a computer before having my first surgery so that I could teach myself more about the internet and learn about designing web sites, and starting and growing a business online while I was laid up.
I started a small business making laminated bookmarks for wedding favors, schools, book authors, baby showers, and other occasions and events. My business did very well since I had learned how to market it on the internet.
Then 8 years later, I met a man who changed my life, and I started a new business, KEWL TUBES golf club covers. The business took off immediately and I sold the bookmark business to another work at home mom.
To this day I continue to raise my son and grow my golf business. I’ve learned how to juggle everything to be able to be a successful business owner and still spend time with my son. PLUS raise awareness for this disease and hopefully encourage other men and women who have disabilities to start a business of their own and not to give up on life and dreams.
The game of golf is rich with stories of overcoming adversity and the strong will of individuals to persevere! I am proud to know Diane Gracely and the fact that she represents the American Dream of standing up for herself and digging in to fill a need in the golf industry is just wonderful.
For more information on Kewl Tubes visit http://shop.back9promotions.com/
1 Comment »Tags: best golf equipment, headcover, Kewl Tubes, Knit Head Covers, pom pom headcovers
Posted in Balls & Accessories, Equipment, Rocket Rambler | 1 Comment »
Golf Bags
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