iGolf tees off on iPhone

This free app is one of those fantastic and fun ideas that becomes expensive and regrettable when it goes wrong, so caution is advised when reading this news item.

iGolf makes fascinating, dynamic use of the iPhone's accelerometer by using it to measure the quality of your golf swing. It monitors the back swing, arc and power; launching a ball (with full sound effects) as it reaches the bottom, then reports on the distance achieved. Essentially, as the App Store blurb says, it's like having a driving range in your pocket.

Undeniably useful for the hands of a keen golfer looking to refine their technique, with just one small, potential technical glitch: a good swing offers the perfect opportunity to throw your expensive handset at the wall, a friend or out of the window. But, with all due care, attention, and non-sweaty palms, iGolf might just squeeze those few extra yards from your drive.

Let's just hope it doesn't prompt Apple to start supplying the iPhone with a big, fat, condom-looking 'safety jacket' like Nintendo did with the Wii controllers, though.