Dad loves golf and buys practice nets to hit balls into in the backyard. He stores nets in the garage, and his 2-year-old son finds their anchoring pegs, which he uses to scratch the length of Mom’s new car. Mom spares son’s life, but forbids Dad from using golf practice nets.
You may think this was the end of Dad’s practicing days at home. But, working without a net, John Girifalco of Wilmington, Del., was forced to come up with an alternative method of refining his swing in the backyard. So he invented Rope-It, a golf ball on a bungee cord. This low-tech, low-cost practice aid is surprisingly useful, allowing you to see the trajectory of your shot within a 20- to 30-yard range.
Among all the high-tech gadgetry at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show, the Rope-It held its own. Now, the job of taking it to a wider audience is in the hands of Louis Girifalco, the inventor’s son, a budding entrepreneur who has outgrown his car-scratching days. Based on their research, he and partner Marc Reda think they can sell a million units. Even Mom is back on board—as a marketing assistant. $25, theropeit.com.
