Electronic Arts has launched a new iPhone application, Tee Shot Live, an interactive tool for real-life golfers.

The application allows users to track their real-life golf performance and get round-changing course information. Tee Shot Live is currently available for $0.99 for the first week only before the application shoots up to its regular $9.99 price point.

?We have a lot of folks who aren?t just into video game golf,? said Craig Evans, director of marketing at EA Sports, Orlando, Fl. ?This is an extension and what we can do is allow them to take experiences from the app to the golf course."

EA Sports is a division of Electronic Arts, an interactive entertainment software company. Its titles include the Madden NFL football franchise, NBA Live and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.

EA Sports has created an information-sharing community within the Tee Shot Live application.

The application was created to help golfers get an edge on their competition. Users can upload content from more than 9,000 real-world community-maintained golf courses, track their scores and calculate handicaps.

Using the iPhone?s GPS capabilities, Tee Shot Live lets users view their current location, with information from Google Maps to display approximately where each shot will land.

The application provides information on equipment and shot history information, letting golfers better assess their shot distance and the right club, as if users have a personal caddy at their fingertips for every shot.

When off the golf course, users will be able to access the Tee Shot Live Web site at http://www.teeshotlive.ea.com. The site lets users store and share statistics and scorecards, organize custom groups and events, create virtual tournaments and upload, review and compare various equipment and gear with their friends and the community.

Currently, the application is being promoted via banner ads on the Web as well as within EA?s network of titles and properties.

Mr. Evans said that the application was designed to create challenges in the player community, especially for players that love the sport and playing it virtually.

?We are extending our brand in a new segment, if you will,? Mr. Evans said. ?Some guys don?t touch lot of crossovers, but we see a high percentage playing golf, or playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour.

?Mobile is huge for us, we have a whole division and all they do is mobile games for the iPhone or any other platform,? he said. ?We see it as natural extension for users to play games and experience content on the go at all times.

?It?s absolutely paramount to our overall strategy, mobile is a great marketing vehicle.?