Accessory Review: BirdieBall, by Jeffrey Reed

Don’t be fooled by the BirdieBall’s appearance. Despite the fact this new product looks like a hollowed-out marshmallow, it’s a hit. In fact, the polymer cylinder is a great restricted-flight practice ball – it flies a maximum 65 yards with a driver, 40 yards with a 5-iron, and a minimum 25 yards – and it sounds and feels like a real ball at impact, not a marshmallow.

Founded in Golden, Colorado by the father and son team of Richard and John Breaker, BirdieBall is easy and fun to use, and a neat little substitute for a real driving range. In fact, there are some golf courses without practice facilities now using BirdieBall as a warm-up tool. I used the BirdieBall kit, complete with cambered, flexible polymer spring StrikePad and a dozen BirdieBalls, in my backyard. Luckily for me, I flew the cylinders over my wife’s tomato garden. Even with my first strike, the BirdieBall flew straight when I wanted it to, and it was surprisingly easy to draw and fade. It spun like a real golf ball, too.

When I swung down and through the StrikePad, it stimulated taking a divot without chewing up my lawn, and without damaging my clubs. This makes BirdieBall a versatile product, since it can be used in restricted areas including paved parking lots and even indoors, if your wife will let you. Just don’t break any windows.

For more information and pricing on this innovative product, visit www.birdieball.com.