Prazza® will create golf ball-finding revolution

Makers predict global increase in golf participation

Calling all golfers! Your life will never be the same again, after today’s unveiling of the Prazza®, which is set to rid the sport of one of its most annoying problems: the lost golf ball.

With an average of thirty minutes wasted looking for lost balls during each round of golf, and an estimated 500 million golf balls lost around the world each year, the Prazza® has the potential to revolutionise the sport – which is often criticised for taking too long to play.

Dutch firm Prazza Group today reveals its initial plans to retail the Prazza Golf Ball Finder system in the UK from November 2010, with a global roll-out in 2011.

The first items to go on sale are the £329 Prazza Golf Ball Finder set, which features a Prazza® Tracker handset and two Prazza® Golf Balls; and a sleeve of three Prazza® Golf Balls, available separately for £39.95.

The balls contain a micro-chip which uses active RFID technology to enable the Prazza® Tracker handset to locate the ball from up to 100 metres, even in the thickest rough.

“Who hasn’t been frustrated by golf balls which seemingly vanish into thin air?” said John van Driel, CEO of Prazza Group. “With Prazza®, the golfer avoids the embarrassment which – up until now – we all experience several times per round.

“Plus it’s expensive to always be losing golf balls – industry research has shown that the average golfer loses between four and five balls each time they play 18 holes.

“With Prazza®, golfers will play faster and they will score better. We believe they will also enjoy golf more, and beginners will learn the game more quickly – and with less fear.”

The hand-held Prazza® Tracker handset, which is roughly the same size as a smart phone, uses Active Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) to track the Prazza® ball. The handset bleeps (or vibrates in Mute mode) with increasing frequency as the golfer nears the ball, with a visual display to guide the golfer in the right direction.

The micro-chip in the Prazza® Golf Ball is activated when the golfer hits a shot. As the signal remains active for 30 minutes after each impact, the Prazza® ball and handset are in continuous contact with each other throughout a round of golf.

With a Prazza®, golfers can walk straight to their ball after every shot.

Visitors to the company’s website can see a “real time” demonstration of Prazza® in action, showing a golfer hitting his ball into thick woods, and retrieving it using the handset in an un-cut video clip. The video is also on YouTube.

“Being able to say that lost golf balls are now a thing of the past will have a huge effect on the amount of people who want to play the game,” said company President Jan de Waard. “We believe that our new Prazza® ball-finding technology will significantly increase the number of golfers around the world.

“Why? Because golf can be a very embarrassing sport for a beginner. Looking for your ball on most holes takes a long time, and holds other golfers up. Plus it is expensive to tee up with a brand new ball, only to see it disappear forever into the long grass or trees! With Prazza®, any golfer, of any standard, will play faster, and with more enjoyment.”

For more information, including the latest stockist details, see www.prazza.com.

John Van Driel, CEO
Jan De Waard, President
Email: support@prazza.com
Web: www.prazza.com

IMAGE: Prazza® Golf Ball Finder Set with Prazza® Handset and 2 Prazza® Golf Balls

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IMAGE: Prazza® Golf Ball Finder Handset

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IMAGE: Prazza® Golf Ball Finder 3 Prazza® Golf Balls Pack

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IMAGE: Prazza® Golf Ball Finder Hand-held

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Why does the world need a golf ball finder?

With ball-finding technology, the game of golf speeds up worldwide. Also, beginners can venture onto the fairways with more confidence.

How does the Prazza® system work?

The Prazza® golf ball contains an active RFID chip, which transmits a unique radio signal once per second, once activated. Before you tee off, you pair your Prazza® Tracker handset with your Prazza® golf ball. Thereafter, the handset will find the ball within 100m, depending on the local environment and weather conditions.

Why hasn’t there been an effective golf ball finder before?

Prazza® is the first company in the world to include Active RFID technology in the golf ball, which creates a practical solution to lost golf balls within a huge 100m+ range, depending on the local environment and weather conditions. Previous golf ball finders have only worked over a very short range, and have therefore not been widely used.

Can I play Prazza® in a competition (like a monthly medal)?

Prazza® cannot currently be used in competitions which are used to adjust handicaps. However it can be played in all forms of casual or friendly golf, and in any Society or Company golf day where the organisers agree to its use.

How good are the Prazza® golf balls?

Prazza® golf balls are high-performance distance golf balls with excellent spin control.

Can I buy the Prazza® balls with different distance / spin characteristics?

At present Prazza® is available in one version – Distance. Please watch this website for announcements regarding future versions.

Who are the people behind Prazza®?

The Prazza Group was established in 2008, to develop a range of Prazza® golfing telematics products. The management team has previous expertise in the field of tracking & tracing commercial vehicles. The Prazza® RFID Golf Ball Finder is the company’s first product in a range of golf telematic systems.

What do I do before I start my round?

1. Switch on your Prazza® Tracker handset
2. Activate the Prazza® ball by bouncing it once on a hard surface, or by tapping it
against your driver clubface
3. Press the button on the handset, and hold the ball within 10cm
4. The unit will beep when it has paired with the ball – this only takes a few seconds.
5. Tee off!

What happens next?

Your Prazza® Tracker handset will take you straight to your ball – just follow the arrow. As you approach your ball, the screen display will change, the unit will beep / vibrate with increasing frequency as you approach your ball.

After I have hit the ball, how long do I have to find it?

Your Prazza® ball transmits a signal for 30 minutes after it is struck.

How accurate is the Prazza® Tracker handset?

The Prazza® handset will get you to within 0.5m / 2 feet of your Prazza® golf ball.

How many Prazza® balls can you find with one handset?

The current model enables you to pair a single Prazza® ball per handset.

If more than one person in a group has a Prazza®, does performance suffer?

No, each Prazza® handset works on a unique frequency, so individual handset performance is not impaired by proximity to other Prazza® handsets.

Under what circumstances can the Prazza® Tracker handset not find a paired Prazza® ball?

1) If the ball is submerged in more than 8” of water;
2) If the Prazza® ball is more than 100m away from the handset.

Does Prazza® work in all weather?

Yes.

Can the handset find Prazza® balls in water?

Up to a depth of 8”, yes.

Can the handset find Prazza® balls in snow?

Up to a depth of 8”, yes.

What is the battery life in the Prazza® handset?

On average, at least three rounds of golf per recharge, although we recommend a full recharge after each round. As a power-saving measure, the handset switches itself off if it has not been used for 5 minutes.

What is the battery life in the micro-chip in the Prazza® ball?

The micro-chip battery will last for at least 120 18-hole rounds of golf.

What technology is in the Prazza® golf balls and Prazza® Tracker handset?

Active Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID).

Can I turn off the sound of the beeper in the handset?

Yes, you can use the handset in Vibration Mode by pressing the Mute button. Sound Mode can be toggled On / Off by pressing the Mute button. NB: the unit does not vibrate in Sound Mode, and makes no sound in Vibration Mode.