To avail of a loan, it is necessary to look after the credit score as a low credit score can lead to roadblocks in availing a personal loan of their choice. Generally, many financial organizations do not give out any loans with a bad credit score because they fear they might default while paying the amount. This is where a lot of lenders come forth who give out personal loans to even those people with a bad credit score. These people twist the terms and conditions of lending to help those people who are in urgent need of lending money from those people who have a bad credit score. There are also many sites present through which these loans are rendered by just simply clicking on “check it out“. 

Some things that should be considered before taking any loan with a bad credit score:-

Loans that are taken despite bad credit can be helpful for many people during crucial times. But before applying for these loans one should keep in mind some of the important details –

• Explore Well – 

A loan with a bad credit score always comes with a higher interest rate. Many other processing fees are also included in the costs. These costs should be also looked into carefully and proper research should be also done before availing of the loan so that the benefits can be evaluated and compared with the other lenders present.

• Check Eligibility – 

The loans with bad credit can be only approved only after the fulfillment of all the eligibility conditions. If the various eligibility conditions are not fulfilled then the loan application might get rejected, which can lead to further damage to the credit score. 

• The Terms and Conditions should be understood properly – 

Understanding the terms and conditions of a personal loan with bad credit is necessary. As these personal loans have higher interest rates and there is a need to fulfill various clauses mentioned in the terms and conditions. One should look into every clause minutely so that later no complications have to be faced regarding any kind of hidden charges. 

• The Repayment Capacity should be considered – 

As the interest rate is high for loans with bad credit scores, therefore before availing of it one should see if they have the repayment capacity to pay the loan. If one does not evaluate the repayment capacity of their loans then it might lead to defaulting of the payments. And this might lead to a debt trap, which can decrease the credit score further. One should only take bad credit loans if they think themselves to be capable of repaying the EMIs. 

How do Avail loans with Bad Credit scores?

Availing of a loan with bad credit can be very difficult to acquire and takes a lot of effort and research to get a good deal. Thankfully it is not impossible to get hold of a loan. Below mentioned are some of the steps which help to avail such loans:-

• Know The Credit Score – 

In many places, a credit score of 750 is considered as good. A good credit score can help one to avail of a loan according to their choice. But before one avails a personal loan they look into their credit score. As if they have a bad credit score then they can look into those personal loans which are given for bad credit scores. The credit score should be also checked if the loan is availed online. 

• The Financial Standing should be also assessed –

One should make sure that there is no default while the repayment of loans, as loans acquired with bad credit scores after defaulting, can make the credit score reduce even more. A loan should be considered only when the financial condition of an individual is good so that they do not default any payment that can decrease the credit score further. 

Many other steps should be also looked into before availing of a loan with a bad credit score, like opting for secured loans, adding the names of co-applicants, checking eligibility, and many more. 

Take care of your cutlery and they will last a long time. It is necessary to correctly wash and hone them, and to put them carefully and safely – or else you’ll find that you’ll have to buy a new set once your knife becomes dull and rough. If you are wondering how to properly maintain your knife, we’ve got you covered. This article will guide you on maintaining your knofe set, allowing them to last you for a long time while being sharp and easy to use.

Can you put your knife in a dishwasher?

Although some companies say their cutlery is cleanable with a dishwasher, we always recommend hand washing to maintain their optimal condition. Instead of allowing knives to air dry, it is recommended to wash them in soap and warm water and afterwards clean them with something like a tea towel. Still, always verify dishwasher-safe statements before sticking your knives in a dishwasher.

Knife honing

A well sharpened knife is safer compared to dull knives. Dull or unsharpened blades take more power to cut, increasing the danger of sliding and injuring yourself. Here are many techniques for sharpening knives, ranging from specialized equipment to traditional stones:

Knife sharpening by hand

Start pulling your knife between the two revolving V-shaped spherical steels multiple times. The equipment used in manual knife sharpening is convenient to keep and even the most inexpensive technique of sharpening, but it can’t generate as sharp an edge as the other techniques.

Electric sharpening method

An electric sharpener uses round V-shaped steels similar to manual sharpeners, with the V-shaped steels having variable degrees of roughness. However, rather than pushing the knife on the steel, an electric knife sharpener buffs the knife with the revolving steels as you gently slide it over the V-shaped steels. It provides slightly less precision than a conventional sharpener and is often more costly, but it simplifies and speeds up honing.

Knife sharpening using whetstones

Sharpening stones or whetstones are recommended for more skilled cooks, who may expand their collection over time. Although the stones themselves are costly, generally around £30 to £500, they create the sharpest blades and eliminate the need for frequent sharpening. Honing stones are tiny rectangular stones measuring approximately 20cm × 8cm and varying in roughness. This may vary between 0 and 220 (extremely coarse) and 5000+ (very fine). For the majority of individuals, a single stone that features a grain size of 1000 paired with a stone that has a grain size of 3000 is sufficient.

Sharpening stones require practice to perfect since you must ensure that your knife is drawn over the stone at a specific angle; many scholars believe that 20 degrees angle is the correct one.

This is how to do it

To hone knives using whetstones, moisten the stones initially and maintain the moisture during the sharpening process. Run the knife blade over the whole body of the honing stone, beginning with the rough stone. Continue this procedure, substituting stones with lessening coarseness degrees.

People who follow cannabis-related news are presumably aware that delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychotropic molecule that some argue is lawful at the federal level due to loopholes, is the subject of considerable debate. However, if you’re unfamiliar to cannabis goods, you could find the process a little perplexing. Is delta-8 THC legal in the United States? What sets it apart from other THC strains? We’ll go through the possible impact of delta-8, as well as whether it’ll get you “high,” whether it’s legal, and what alternatives exist.

The FDA is concerned about the growing reservations about delta-8 THC products that are now available for purchase online and in stores. The FDA has not examined or cleared these medicines for use in any situation. Variations in product compositions and labeling, as well as additional cannabis and terpene levels and varying delta-8 THC concentrations, are all causes for worry. Moreover, many of these brands may plainly be branded as “hemp products,” which may distort the facts who identify “hemp” with “non-psychoactive.”

Moreover, the FDA is involved about the emergence of products containing delta-8 THC that are marketed for therapeutic or medical uses despite not having been endorsed by the FDA. Selling unregistered products with unsupported medicinal assertions is not only illegal, but it also puts customers at danger because these drugs have not yet been demonstrated to be efficacious. When patients and other buyers may utilize experimental medicines instead of licensed therapy to treat serious and even deadly conditions, this deceitful marketing of uncertain medications poses substantial public health issues.

There isn’t enough study on delta-8 to know how it differs from CBD and THC and whether it has significant benefit, but some evidence suggests it could help with anxiousness, chronic, pressure, and sadness. Delta 8 flower is naturally present in extremely small concentrations in cannabis plants. However, because concentrated concentrations of delta-8 can be synthesized in a lab from CBD, many CBD types of products now have significantly higher levels of delta-8 than what occurs naturally in raw extracts.

The position of a specific double bond within each molecule structure is the only chemical distinction between delta-8 and delta-9 THC. They are similar due to the location of the double bond, but delta-8 is not as effective as delta-9. While delta-8 THC is less common than delta-9, it is lawful in most jurisdictions since it is derived from a lawful cannabinoid known as “CBD.” Because delta-8 is derived from legalized marijuana products, most federal and state regulations allow stores to sell it.

Many CBD items are built from “hemp,” a legal variety of cannabis that may be obtained legally across the United States. Dispensaries do not necessarily require a prescription, even though they are used for therapeutic purposes. In most places, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase CBD and other sativa cannabis products. CBD-containing products may be purchased almost anywhere, from malls and medicine stores to gas pumps and online businesses. CBD is available in a variety of forms, including sweets, gummies, vapes, oils, pills, and topical ointments.

If you aren’t acquainted with the topic of nootropics, you’re in for a wild journey. Top nootropics are drugs that help improve brain function in various approaches. The kind of nootropic determines the portion of the mind that is stimulated. Such “smart boosters” are usually used to improve brain memory by activating it.

Prescribed nootropics are stimulant-like medicines. They can alleviate the signs of medical diseases such as ADHD, narcolepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. Nootropics are non-prescribed drugs that can improve brain efficiency or concentration, like caffeine & creatine. These do not offer treatment, but they might influence cognition, memories, or other brain abilities.

Nootropic types

There are several different forms of nootropics available, both prescribed and over-the-counter.

• Caffeine

Caffeine is the most well-known and extensively used nootropic. Everybody has heard of caffeine and probably tried it. Caffeine is consumed as coffee or tea as well as serves various functions.

• L-theanine

It is another organic chemical found in several teas. The more famous and influential teas are black & green tea. However, L-theanine is not widely used by tea drinkers. That is why the business offers it as a supplement. It is easy to digest without drinking it in such a manner. L-theanine is a naturally occurring chemical that aids in the growth of alpha rhythms in human brains.

• Racetams

Except for the other compounds in this category, racetams are synthetic rather than organic. They are, nevertheless, completely harmless and could be beneficial to your mind. Racetams improve the function of the transmitters in minds. However, because it is such an important topic, different forms of racetams concentrate on specific issues.

• Fatty Acids Omega-3

Fish contains omega-3, which is highly beneficial to our health. Most individuals don’t realize that they often benefit our mental wellness. Omega-3, which is derived through fish oil, aids in the development of our brain architecture. This refers to our brain cells. Consuming fish at least once every week will provide you with your daily dose of omega-3.

Are Nootropics Harmful?

Nootropics are harmless as long as you choose a high-quality product free of dangerous ingredients, so it’s critical to know where you’re getting it.

Research investigations by world-renowned scientists have revealed that brilliant medications have incredibly low toxic consequences. Unlike synthetic chemicals developed in labs, natural (ayurvedic) nootropics have been shown to improve brain functioning and make the brain healthy – yet another reason to pay attention!

Nootropics: What Are the Risks?

The following is a collection of possible risks linked with nootropics.

1. According to brain imaging, some nootropics can change how the mind operates. Several researchers even hypothesize that nootropic use may cause some areas to shrink or enlarge.
2. Various experts have equated nicotine use to other cognitive enhancers, implying that long-term persistent use may result in cognitive deficiencies.
3. This is not prevalent among all nootropics; however, expansionary nootropics require you to remain aware at all hours, maybe harm your physical health.

Pests are creatures, plants, or animals that cause a nuisance or harm to human beings. Despite their disadvantages, some pests are beneficial in many ways. For example, bees pollinate flowers and crops, which is beneficial for humans because they produce food and honey. Some pests can be highly harmful such as cockroaches which transmit diseases and make homes dirty. Some pests, such as mosquitoes, can spread diseases like the West Nile Virus.

Some pests are native, which means they are a part of the ecosystem, and because they are native, you cannot eliminate them quickly. However, some pests are invasive, which means they have been introduced to a place and have disrupted the environment by taking over food sources or spreading diseases. Invasive species such as zebra mussels, Asian carp, and Burmese pythons have overrun their habitats, making it difficult for native species to thrive in those places.

While the winter and the holidays have brought a period of respite for many of you, now is not the time to slay off on your home cleaning regimen. Instead, the spring season is coming up soon, and you want to be as prepared as possible for bugs and pests that come out in droves during this time. So what can you do to have Termite & Pest Control over your homes? Here are five top tips.

1. Become Aware of What Kind of Pest Problem You May Have

Different pests need different methods to be exterminated. First, you’ll want to figure out what kind of bug you’re dealing with; not all of them can be killed off the same way. You’ll want to talk with a professional first and foremost; they can tell you exactly what method will work best for your home and your problem.

2. Create A Treatment Plan

So now that you know where your problem may lie, you need to figure out how much time and money you can commit to getting rid of it. Take the time to create a treatment plan, and determine what needs to be done and when; it’s best to take notes during this process so that you have everything documented while seeking assistance.

3. Clean Up Your Surroundings

You want to ensure that as much of the standing water as possible is eliminated. Standing water is a breeding ground for many pests, and by eliminating it, you can reduce the risk of your having a problem, to begin with. Pests love moist areas, so you want to get rid of all standing water as part of the first step of your treatment plan. Pesticides and other chemicals will not be effective if all of the standing water is still present, so take precautionary measures to ensure that the problem is dealt with properly at its source.

4. Set Aside a Budget and Stick to It

It may seem like the most challenging tip here, but this step is essential for ensuring that you are not unrealistically going about pest control. You’ll want to make sure that you set aside a realistic budget for the measures you take to kill off any pests. A lot goes into pest extermination, and many of the methods are expensive, so it’s crucial that you take this step seriously and don’t underestimate your costs.

5. Watch Out for Your Health

It may seem odd to worry about, but some people are more sensitive to pesticides than others. If you happen to be one of these individuals, you’ll want to make sure that you’re paying particular attention to what’s in your home and how safe it is. You must do the best job possible in making sure your family stays healthy; if they get sick, they’ll need medical attention, which will cost money.

Though these tips may seem overwhelming, you must take them seriously. Pest control is not to be taken lightly, so you need to dedicate yourself to this process. Many of the steps are easy, but some are a bit more difficult; when taking action in any area, you must put in the time and effort to see that your home is bug-free and pest-free.

Golf is a very popular sport for seniors for many reasons. One of the main reasons is that it is one of the few sports they can still play at their age. So to help out the senior golfers, I have put together a few golf tips for seniors to help them get the most out of the game of golf.

Golf Tips For Seniors

Tip #1: Improve Strength And Flexibility

Senior golfers don’t have the bodies and health that they used to in their youth. Preventing injuries is very important if they want to play more than one or two rounds of golf per year. This is why exercises and stretching that are specifically designed for injury prevention are critical for senior golfers. Here are a few important examples

#1: Torso Rotations –

Sit upright in a stationary chair with your back against the back of the chair. Hold the back of the chair and rotate your body to one side as far as you can and hold yourself in that position for at least 20 seconds (do not over-strain).

Repeat the same process on the other side. Do 10 reps on each side. You should feel a good stretch in your back and other torso muscles which are the same muscles used when swinging a golf club.

This is a great stretch to perform daily to increase your flexibility, but it is also a great stretch to use just before going out golfing to get you loosened up.

#2: Side-Lying Leg Circles –

Hips are a very important joint to take care of as you age and golf can be very rough on your hips. For this reason seniors really need to build muscle and increase their flexibility in their hips.

To perform side-lying leg circles, lie on one side with your bottom arm bent under your head for support. Your top arm should be in front of you with your hand on the ground to support your body and for better balance.

Slowly lift your top leg upward as far as you can while still maintaining pelvic stability. Move that leg in small circles 10 times one way, and then 10 times the other way. Switch legs and repeat. Do a couple sets with each leg.

Make sure your core is tight throughout the exercise to help stabilize your core and to keep tension off of your shoulders and neck.

#3: Use A Training Aid –

The best training aid for all ages that I have found is the Orange Whip Swing Trainer. This aid is designed for improved strength and flexibility, among other things. It’s patented counterweight system increases your flexibility and strengthens the exact muscles you need to swing your golf club. This all improves your range of motion which in turn will help prevent injuries.

Other benefits you will get out of the Orange Whip Swing Trainer are improved balance, rhythm and tempo. So not only will it improve your strength and flexibility to prevent injuries, it will actually help improve your overall swing.

Like stretching, it is a good idea to use this training aid every day to get the benefits from it, but it is also a great tool to use just before you swing your actual clubs on the course. Like a baseball player swinging a heavy bat while on deck, this aid can be used to loosen up the exact muscles needed when swinging your club, and can increase your club speed.

Tip 2: Learn “Senior” Swing Techniques

As we get older and our muscles start to lessen, seniors must learn to swing the golf club differently. They can’t just rely on the same muscles and mobility that they had in their youth.

Some of the best training seniors can receive is training developed specifically for seniors. One of the best programs out there that is designed for seniors came from Alex Fortey of The Eagle Golf Group and is called The Simple Senior Swing System.

With this system, age does not affect your swing and claims that it can add up to 70 yards of “straight as an arrow” distance off of the tee. Your swing will be so relaxed, limber and pain free that you will feel just as good after 18 holes as you did when you woke up that morning.

The great part about this system is that you do not have to rebuild your swing, spend money on new equipment, and works even if you are lacking in strength, flexibility and are plagued by pain and ailments.

The system is only $39, downloads right to your computer so you don’t have to wait for it and comes with a 60 day risk free guarantee so there really is nothing to lose. For more information click here: The Simple Senior Swing System.

Tip 3: Change Out Some Equipment

Many golfers get attached to their favorite equipment and don’t even want to think about changing as they age. Unfortunately for them, equipment that is optimal for younger golfers might not bethe best equipment for older golfers.

Equipment companies specifically design equipment to taylor them to specific skill sets, meaning that there are golf clubs and balls designed specifically for seniors. Examples of the differences are:

-Drivers, like the Cobra F9 Speedback Driver, have less drag and larger sweet spots making them more forgiving

-Increased (larger) grip on clubs, giving the senior a better feel for the club and allowing his grip to loosen a bit so it is not as hard on the fingers. It also helps absorb the shock of impact better, which means less stress for golfers with weaker hands.

-Light weight clubs make them easier for seniors to swing with more velocity

-Irons with deep cavities for increased accuracy

Change With The Times

The hardest thing for a senior to admit is that he or she is a senior. Once you can come to terms with that, change is inevitable. You just can’t play golf the same way you used to and still be effective.

You need to continually be working on your strength and flexibility in order for you to play well and prevent injuries, learn a “senior” swing so you can still hit the ball far without as much effort, and it really helps to get equipment that is specifically designed for seniors.

If you’re a senior and are really serious about and love the game of golf, implement these tips and you will have a very long and productive golf game.

In an ironic twist of what some are calling damage control public relations, Coca-Cola’s latest campaign is not about selling sodas–it’s about fighting obesity.

In the first commercial of the campaign, called “Coming Together,” Coca-Cola says that it would “like people to come together on something that concerns us all: obesity.”

More commercials from the campaign are set to follow on television starting this week.

Soda: the kiss of death?

Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), says that soda is one of the number one culprits of obesity in the country. But Coca-Cola is singing a different tune, pointing out that 180 of its beverages are low- and no-calorie drinks.

The campaign’s core message is that “all calories count” and that “if you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you’ll gain weight.”

CSPI, on the other hand, believes the campaign is just “a damage control exercise” and not a valuable or meaningful push from Coca-Cola toward ending obesity.

Moderation, please

According to Jacobson, soda isn’t inherently bad, but moderation must be exercised–a trait that doesn’t seem to come easily to Americans.

“We don’t want to wipe out soft drinks. But we would like to see soft drinks return to the dietary role they played in the ’50s, which was occasionally, and small portions, (as a) special treat. Now, people are guzzling huge containers of soda every day of their lives, practically.”

Coca-Cola has also decided to add calorie counts to the front of soda labels, making it easy for consumers to know what they’re drinking. And the company’s spokesperson Ben Scheidler said they’re dedicated to educating people about “energy balance.”

“We’ve never been more committed to doing our part to help address the issue of obesity,” Scheidler said.

Playing golf is not as easy as it looks. You can’t just pick up some clubs and go out on the course without any practice or training or you are going to be in for a world of embarrassment. And even if you have gone to the driving range a few times, it is a lot different when you are out on the golf course ready to hit your ball, all by yourself, with everyone watching you. If you hit the ball at all you should consider yourself lucky.

It doesn’t help that every club you pick up out of your bag has to be swung differently. Are you teeing off, driving the ball for distance, chipping high and far, chipping short, or putting? All of these have different stances, ways to hold the club, swings, etc. So to help out all of you “newbies”, I’m going to teach you about driving a golf ball for beginners and how to do it consistently so at least you can get out of the tee box.

Driving the ball off of the tee is a crucial part of your game. If you do not hit a good tee shot to begin the hole, then your score will start shooting up faster than you can yell, “FORE!” So read on and master this part of the game before anything else.

Without A Good Stance, You Are Doomed From The Start

Before you can have that amazing feeling that hitting a long shot straight down the fairway can give you, you must start with the basics. And the most basic part of driving the ball is your stance. For a good stance you must start with aligning yourself based on where you want the ball to land.

Start with setting your feet about shoulder-length apart with your body weight on the balls of your feet, evenly distributed over both feet and your knees slightly bent. Position your body so you are aligned with a target down the fairway where you want your ball to land. The ball should be lined up with the heel of your left foot for right-handed golfers and the heel of your right foot for left-handed golfers. Imagine an invisible line between the ball and your front heel.

The next important part of the stance is your upper body positioning. Your back should be in a straight line and you should bend at the hips. If doing this correctly, your butt should be sticking out slightly (just picture doing the hokey pokey). As for your arms, they should form a “V” shape and the butt of your club should angle slightly toward your front hip. This is all going to feel awkward at first, but the more you do it the more natural it will feel.

Proper Grip – Don’t Strangle The Club

The way you grip the club is also very important. Many people feel that the harder they squeeze the club, the farther your shot will go. In fact, it is just the opposite. You should hold it with a very relaxed grip at the end of the club so the club will turn over easily in your hand.

To help the club turn over easily, grip the club with your left-hand first (for righties, opposite for lefties) with your thumb on top. Do the same with your other hand, thumb on top of the club, and place your left pinkie finger between your index finger and middle finger of the left-hand (again, opposite for lefties).

Baby’s Got Back Swing

When you start your back swing, shift your weight back along with it. This will help build momentum and create more power on your swing.

Take your time on your back swing, the faster your back swing the more it will take you out of alignment. Proper alignment is more important than power!

In a sweeping arc motion, bring the club back until it is behind your head. Your front arm should remain straight throughout the entire process.

At this point take a slight pause at the top of your back swing before you start your downswing.

The Downswing – Where The Magic Happens

Even if every other part of the swing is perfect up to this point, if you lose your concentration now you could still end up in the woods or the bottom of the pond. This is the part of the swing where you make contact with the ball so this is the most exciting part, but also the easiest part to speed through.

Start your downswing calmly and speed up the club as it approaches the ball. Best case scenario is that the club is still accelerating when it hits the ball. This should be done in one fluid movement utilizing your entire body which will give you the power you need.

One More Tip For The Perfect Drive

The last tip to remember seems like the most simple, but can easily be forgotten. It is the same tip that can be heard in a lot of other sports like baseball, football, basketball, etc. And that tip is to always keep your eye on the ball. During the entire process you must keep your head down and your eye on the ball. Now, you can look up at your target while you are getting in your stance and preparing to swing, but once you are ready to swing your head MUST stay down. You can’t hit what you can’t see.

When you take a great swing you are going to be in a hurry to see how far and how straight the ball is going. This makes it easy to pull your head up early. Make sure you tell yourself before each and every swing to keep your head down all the way through the swing.

Time To Celebrate

If this whole process is followed perfectly, then you will be looking at a great tee shot straight down the fairway and will be ready and willing to start bragging to your golf partners. Unfortunately it is not that easy. Those are a lot of steps to remember each and every time, which is what makes golf such a difficult sport.

So as a beginner do not get discouraged when you are not hitting the ball very well. Go to the driving range as much as you can and continually practice your swing over and over again until your muscle memory takes over. At that point you won’t have to think so much. Instead you can just enjoy the game of golf like it was intended.

Yes, believe it or not, it’s true. Diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes, it can not dogs. Come about 1 in 500 dogs may be suffering from this disease. The races will most tend to be diagnosed with diabetes, are the German Shepherd, Schnauzer, Beagle, Poodle, Golden Retriever, and Keeshond. The disease usually occurs in middle-aged dogs between the ages 6 to 9 years. Most dogs are affected by type 1 diabetes, a disease where the body no insulin at all. Symptoms of research are alcohol abuse, bulimia, frequent urination, dehydration and weight loss possible or weight gain. If you’re one of these symptoms in your dog, take him to a veterinarian for examination.

The veterinarian will confirm the completeness of testing blood and serum chemistry and urinarlysis to see if your pet has diabetes. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, it is not the end of the world. Diabetes can be controlled with a high fiber, medium-carbohydrate diet and insulin injections. You can easily learn how to give daily insulin injections for your dog, and if you and the dog used to it, it becomes a daily routine. It is very important to diagnose and begin treatment for diabetes in the early stages of the disease.

In doing so may cause complications such as blindness and nerve damage. Untreated diabetes can be life threatening. Think about the symptoms and make sure that your beloved dog at least an annual physical examination by a trained veterinarian. A healthy, happy dog is a loyal, faithful friend and companion. You and your dog will not earn less!

In addition to writing Donna has many other interests, was one of them a deep and abiding love for animals. She is also interested in antiques and marble contemporary art glass.

The golfing public knows the Augusta National Golf Club has the reputation of being a stodgy, behind-the-times country club among the non-golfing public. That may be due to the club being ran by business-like old gentlemen, but it’s certainly getting further and further from the truth, at least with respect to technology.

Tech Shots

At least part of this year’s broadcast will be in 3-D. High-Def and 3-D together could be nice, but that remains to be seen. Immediately provable, at least for iPhone owners, is The Masters Tournament iPhone app.

At the moment, as the tournament is still a few weeks away, only last year’s tournament is available, but there’s enough to demonstrate the most of the Masters application’s functions.

Live Video

Historically, the Masters limited viewers to watching play on limited holes. That has changed in recent years, but working fans still can’t squeeze in much of the live tournament during working hours. Live video through the Masters app can change that, quite possibly to the dismay of many employers.

Fans will be able to see live coverage of Amen Corner (holes 11, 12 and 13), featured group pairings, and holes 15 and 16. Potentially best of all Master app users, what is called “Masters Extra,” an extra hour of additional Masters coverage not available anywhere else. It isn’t known what type of coverage that will be, whether tournament play, player interviews or something else, but any coverage will be a nice bonus.

Live Radio?

Yes, live radio. iPhone app users can plug in the headphones and listen to a live broadcast of the Masters. The radio broadcast begins at 2:00 p.m. Eastern each day of the tournament and remains on air until the conclusion of the day’s play.

Leader Board, News and Photos

With the possible exception of having an updated leader board at the fingertips, finding each of these is, well, it would be hard not to find them. Masters news and photos can be found everywhere from Ask.com to Yahoo! and all points in between. Having all three together, though, is certainly a positive.

Pre-tournament news is already being updated with some regularity, but the photos are limited to stock photos related to news, last years tournament, and popular photos from years gone by. Again, that will most certainly change in the days leading up to April 8-11.

The Course

The Masters iPhone app displays a table containing hole numbers, an artists rendering of each hole that rivals photo quality, par for each hole, and hole yardages. Touch a cell within the table and to see a detailed description of the selected hole. Touch “Watch the Flyover Video” and see a short video flyover of the hole.

Other Pros and Cons

Fans of the Masters know the feeling. The one that comes back every year when television commercials begin promoting and sports channels start talking about the tournament, accompanied by images from the beautiful old course. The Masters app has captured that same essence. Open the app and from the easily navigable home page it feels like the Masters time of year.

Some of the functions, such as course flyovers and course map, have episodes where they’re not useable. In nearly three weeks of review, those problems have only lately arisen, and it isn’t known whether they are related to the application or to some other technical glitch. Since the Masters is getting closer, the problems could be related to updates in preparation for peak usage.

The only consistent negative has been the quality of the video in hole flyovers. The videos appeared grainy, especially when compared to the quality of the rest of the application.

The Masters Golf Tournament iPhone application, available free for both iPhone and iPod Touch, should be a great competitor for the large sports applications. It surpasses in design and functionality most of the others. It simply gives off that Masters vibe, which means a lot.