{ personal }

Callaway uPro Mac Problems

I decided not to renew my iGolf (now Bushnell) NEO subscription.  Thought it'd be $19.99 for the year but it's actually $39.99.  $40 ain't that much, but I hate that it doesn't work with my Mac, forcing me to go into work to download and sync courses.  Plus I wanted a more feature rich GPS.  The Callaway uPro seemed ideal.  Mac compatible, aerial photography, flyover videos...Not a big benefit at the local muni, but I imagine at new courses or courses with lots of trouble the satellite images and flyover videos would come in really handy.

Unfortunately, it did not work with my Mac (I'm running 10.5.8).  The uPro would say it's connected to the host but the USB drive (that's what the uPro basically is) doesn't mount.  I did get it to work with my Windows PC, but then it crashed after trying to sync about 10 courses.  PITA so I returned it.  But here's the email I just got from uPro support about the Mac issue in case anybody out there is having some problems.  Good luck, the uPro looks awesome, just wished it wasn't so buggy.

Here are some instructions on formatting your device and restoring the files to your microSD card.

1.       On the uPro, navigate to Format microSD in the Device Settings menu

2.       At the warning screen, hold the left arrow button for 5 seconds

3.       After the screen changes warning information, arrow to the left and select YES (highlighted selection will be lighter gray)

4.       Screen will show “Please Wait! Format In Progress…” for a few moments, then return to Device Settings

5.       Press the menu button twice to return to the main menu

6.       Connect your uPro to your MAC

7.       Open the uPro drive by double clicking it and verify it contains two folders: “course_data” and “system”

8.       Click on this link: https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=ZW9DcmxVMVhCMTVMWEE9PQ

9.       Click on Download and Save to your MAC (preferably the desktop)

10.   Open the Disk Image that has downloaded to your MAC

11.   Double click the restore file

12.   Click “Open” then click “Start”

This will complete after approximately 10-15 minutes.  Once complete, open the uPro drive on your desktop by double clicking it and double click the MacSync icon to synchronize the uPro to your MAC.

Preparing for TPC Stadium

Getting pretty excited and antsy about tomorrow's round at TPC Stadium at PGA West.  After checking in at the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn I stopped by practice area to work on the easiest shot in golf, the bunker shot.  Pete Dye is known for his creative (insane) bunkering so I figured I better learn how to play out of the sand.  Then I realize no practice centers have 40 feet deep bunkers for me to practice.  But it's the water holes that I'm really looking forward to.

Here's the signature 17th hole, known as Alcatraz.  The original one is at TPC Sawgrass, another Pete Dye monster, but this one is just as intimidating.  That little bunker in the front is an insult to injury.  Imagining thinking, "yes, I'm dry!" then seeing your ball land in that little bunker.  I might have to play from the tips on this hole to see how it feels to be at Q-School trying to earn your Card and seeing nothing but water.

The par-5 5th looks pretty interesting, a double dog-leg, double water hazard hole.  Least the bunkers don't look too bad.

Should be an interesting day tomorrow.