For car drivers who are golfers and have trouble carting their clubs around, a product that hooks up to the back of their car is about to be launched. The AutoLinx product can also be used by anyone who wants to take their golf clubs with them for a golfing holiday abroad.
It's being marketed by a Bray, Co Wicklow-based company, Partner Golf, which has the franchise rights for Europe for this innovative US-made product. According to the company, Ireland has the highest per capita number of golfers in Europe.
The company was set up two years ago to develop a device that does away with the need for golfers to bend while playing a round. The three partners behind the venture are John Broome, John Brennan and George Balmer.
They found the AutoLinx product, which was developed by American Ron Hesmer, when they went to a big golf exhibition in Orlando, Florida, in January last year, in search of new products. Partner Golf promptly got the franchise for Europe. The units are being launched in Ireland and Britain, and Partner Golf also has its sights set on mainland Europe.
AutoLinx, which has been adapted for European use, has worldwide patent and design protection.
John Broome says that there's nothing on the market that comes close to the AutoLinx concept or its versatility. The AutoLinx product comes in two formats. One is designed to fit behind an existing tow ball on a car; the golfer simply puts his or her bag of clubs into the AutoLinx unit, wheels the unit to the car, drops it into the mount and drives off.
The second format is for car drivers who don't want to have a tow bar on their car. The socket is hidden behind the rear valance of the car, and the hidden mounting system plugs and unplugs by pushing a button. Whichever system is chosen, the box has built-in wheels, so that it can be used if the golfer is flying abroad. The golf carrier is airline compliant.
John Broome says that the system means that car drivers can now carry two sets of clubs and two trollies with any type of vehicle. For two-seater sports cars, it's especially useful. He adds that the system is simple to use, and extremely robust. Each unit holds a full set of clubs, bag and all, and using it frees the boot for other luggage.
John Broome adds that driving round Ireland with the trial units, he's had a fantastic reaction, even being flagged down on motorways and asked where he'd got them. He adds that there's been considerable interest in the product from the motor trade here in Ireland, as well as in Britain.
Prices for the AutoLinx with built-on mounting system for tow balls start at €465, while the dearest AutoLinx, using the hidden mounting system, costs €1,020. Sterling prices range from £325 to £715.
It will be on sale here, available from Partner Golf in Bray, from Trading Post at Punch's Cross in Limerick and Williams Motors in the Galway shopping centre, Galway. A full list of distributors will be posted on the AutoLinx website shortly: www.autolinx.net