Top 10 - Golf Technologies
The past 20 years have seen technology change the way we play the game of golf. It began with titanium drivers and graphite shafts, and has been constantly evolving ever since.
Currently club technology has begun to level off, but there are so many other wonderful technological tools that can be used to improve one’s golf experience - both on, and away, from the course. Unfortunately, most golfers are simply not taking advantage of them.
Described below are ten leading tools available to golfers of all levels and abilities. For those products which are costly, a more affordable (while still effective) option has been provided.
Game Golf - A wonderful tool which allows you to track your statistics while you play. See how your stats compare to your peers, and even the professionals we enjoy watching on a weekly basis. “GAME GOLF gives you a revolutionary way to track your shot performance. Shot by shot, it records all your stats so you can visualize your game like never before and enjoy it on a whole new level. Don’t just view how you did on your scorecard. Gain the insights you need to start shaving strokes off your golf game.” (Game Golf)
TLink - Promoted as the lightest GPS device on the market, TLink is also the only fully customizable GPS device available today. With their latest release, introducing stat tracking (including score, putts, fairways hit and greens in regulation), TLink is quickly becoming the 'fitbit' of the golf industry.
“TLink is a lightweight Bluetooth Device that pairs with your smartphone to give you accurate front, middle, and back yardages to the green. It is also works as a pedometer, tracking your steps, calories, and distance walked on the course. With over 30,000+ courses worldwide, TLink has you covered no matter where you play.” (TLink)
RoboGolfPro - “RoboGolfPro lets the trainer show the golfer the actual perfect ergonomic, efficient and physically correct golf swing for your ability and physique. RoboGolfPro is the only machine in existence that takes your club and physically guides you through a perfect swing.
Up until now golfers have had to rely on feedback by a coach, video analysis, or funny looking swing contraptions. There was no way for a golf coach to have the ability to record your swing, then make corrections to it in the computer, and finally give you your swing back in the form of a robot-assisted swing.
You hold onto your club, and the robot guides you through the corrected swing each time a little faster. As you try to fall back on old habits, the robot resists and forces you to follow each component of your golf swing perfectly.” (RoboGolfPro)
Explanar Swing Trainer - A terrific alternative to the RoboGolfPro. Will save you thousands of dollars, while providing a similar experience. “The Explanar golf training aid can be set to your optimum golf swing plane using the adjustable hoop and the Plane Sensor. By moving the Power Roller around the Explanar, you mimic your optimum swing plane. With practice, the movement of this perfect golf swing is then memorized by your muscles and will be re-enacted on the golf course. The Explanar is a kinaesthetic golf training aid that aims to teach your muscles how to perform the perfect golf swing. The Explanar allows you to stop thinking about your golf swing so you can start to feel it instead.
The Explanar golf training aid will guide your muscles into moving along your optimum golf swing plane, and the re-enactment of this movement on the golf course will enable you to play longer, straighter, and more consistent shots. This improvement in the accuracy and power of your shot will then act to reduce your handicap.
By using the Explanar for about 10 minutes a day, you will see a dramatic improvement in your core stability and an increased level of rotation, all of which are integral to adding control to your golf swing and improving accuracy.” (Explanar)
Trackman - The most sophisticated swing tracking software on the market. Our suite of Performance Enhancing Software has been developed in close collaboration with the world’s leading coaches and players.
Furthermore, the powerful combination of data, video, and overlay graphics has become an indispensable power feature that speeds up the learning curve of any player.
Add loads of up-to-date tour player swing video plus data and you have the most sophisticated toolbox available to unleash potential.You also have access to TrackMan’s exclusive tour stats from both the PGA and LPGA Tours.” (Trackman)
Swing Caddie SC200 - Once again, a very suitable alternative that will save you thousands of dollars. “The Swing Caddie provides players with swing speed, ball speed, smash factor and carry distance for each shot. These are the major factors which shed light on how efficient your swing is as a whole. In order to develop an efficient golf swing, a player must be making consistently solid contact with the golf ball (smash factor) and doing so with as much speed through the hitting zone as they can while staying in proper balance (swing speed, ball speed). These are factors to focus on if you want to hit consistent golf shots which have consistent carry distances. The Swing Caddie provides you with immediate feedback for each golf swing so that you can track your current abilities, as well as your improvement in the areas mentioned. It enhances your practice sessions and prevents against simply sitting on the range and beating balls, hoping that you may eventually improve.” (Eat Sleep Golf)
Voice Caddy VC300 - “Designed to clip to the brim of your hat, this tool will state front, middle and back of green yardages from whatever your location is on the golf course. Many similar products provide a visual of the distance that you have in for each approach shot, but the Voice Caddie 300 actually reads the distance to you.” (Eat Sleep Golf)
Bushnell Tour X Rangefinder -The most advanced yardage measurement rangefinder to date. “Slope Technology when you want it, tournament legal when you need it.
A Tour X exclusive, Exchange Technology lets you use our patented Slope Technology when the red faceplate is installed and functions as a USGA conforming device when the black faceplate is installed.
Dual Display Technology allows the user to easily toggle between the bright red Vivid Display or sharp black display based on lighting conditions or personal preference.
PinSeeker with JOLT provides the golfer with short vibrating pulses to give a tactile confirmation that the laser has locked onto the flag. Jolt Technology removes all doubt. Feel the exact distance... feel the JOLT!” (Bushnell)
V1 Golf Swing Analysis - “Capture, compare and improve your golf swing on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. Record and analyze your swing or compare it side-by-side to V1 Golf’s library of Tour Professionals.
The V1 Golf app also includes a facility directory containing many PGA professionals who you can send a swing to and receive a professional swing analysis. V1 Golf includes a free personal online locker from V1 and features a suite of drawing tools, video trim and playback options, game improvement drills and more! On the practice range or on the course, V1 Golf is fun, easy-to-use and the perfect app to improve your game!” (V1 Golf)
GolfNow - “Founded in 2001, GolfNow is the leading provider of online tee times, golf course technology, and service solutions. Trusted by more than 2 million registered golfers and thousands of golf courses worldwide, GolfNow is dedicated to growing the game of golf for players of all ages and skill levels by keeping them connected any time of day to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, email and mobile apps for iPhone and Android—even when the course is closed.
GolfNow operates in more than 16 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., offering tee times at more than 6,000 courses and best-in-class technology solutions to more than 9,000 course partners. GolfNow is headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and is affiliated with Golf Channel, a multimedia golf entertainment and services company and member of the NBC Sports Group.” (GolfNow)
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly 'Top 10' series. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.
Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.
