Latest useless and expensive golf gadget: the Segway

Back when I used to write for a high-tech magazine, a guy named Dean Kamen came up with a pre-release, promotional campaign that had the high-tech industry abuzz.

He had invented something so huge, so momentous, it would change the world forever. The buildup was incredible. It turns out, his earth-shattering invention was … the Segway.

It was supposed to revolutionize the “personal transportation industry.”

Guess what? It didn’t.

I’ve seen a few in the years since, but it’s hardly taken over the world. It’s a cool, little “self-balancing” scooter, but the price is prohibitive and it’s just not that practical.

Now, they’re turning to the golf market, maybe because the world at large has pretty much ignored the Segway and because golfers are suckers for gadgets. The Ritz Carlton in Naples is having an “unveiling” Nov. 6 of the “Segway x2 Golf Personal Transporter.” It’s supposed to be an “invigorating and fun way to travel the course.”

Let me tell you about the most invigorating and fun way to travel a golf course: your own two feet. Unless you just HAVE to spend money on the latest, expensive toy.