Star Trek

Tee Time  





In space, no one can hear you scream about your tee shot.

There won¿t be a green, sand traps, or even a hole ¿ still, the International Space Station could be turned into a driving range this summer if plans to hit a golf ball into space go ahead.

Cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov, who took over command of the space station in April, hopes to hit the gold-plated ball during a spacewalk in August if NASA approves the idea.

The ball would be equipped with a tracking device and could remain in orbit for several years. Because of zero gravity, the drive will put most professional golfers¿ best shots to shame distance-wise.

The idea is a publicity stunt for Toronto-based golf club manufacturer Element 21.

The company¿s CEO and president Nataliya Hearn convince Vinogradov to use their gold-plated six-iron for the shot. The company uses a rare metal known as scandium in their clubs ¿ it¿s lighter and stronger than titanium, which is used by most other companies in the industry.

Scandium is the 21st element on the periodic table ¿ hence the name Element 21. It was also used, appropriately enough, in the building of the International Space Station.

NASA officials met recently to discuss the safety of the stunt, which has already been approved by the Russian space agency. They¿re concerned about a bad slice or hook sending the ball flying into the spacecraft.

"Being a golfer, I'm interested in it, too," said Kirk Shireman, NASA's space station deputy program manager.

"But we're absolutely going to make sure it's a safe thing to do before we execute it."

If Vinogradov does go ahead with the shot, his form won¿t be PGA Tour-quality. He¿ll have to make it with one hand because his suit is too baggy to be able to use both. Also, a special tee was made that would spiral around the ball to keep it in place in the zero-gravity conditions.

"Golf is not a Russian game at all," said Hearn. "It probably would have been easier for Pavel to hit with a hockey stick."

Element 21 paid the Russian space agency to be able to participate in the stunt, saying it wants to publicize its new line of clubs as well as commemorate the 35th anniversary of the time astronaut Alan Shepard hit golf balls on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission.