Golf as we know it has come an awful long way since its inception in the 15th century. It’s not just in the present day that the sport has modernised itself. It has evolved at pace through the generations, while retaining its true essence and magic. That’s why millions still follow and play golf around the world today and why the see the appeal of the huge merger between LIV and PGA Golf.
A prime example of innovation in golf — long before the state-of-the-art enhancements seen in the present day — is the wooden “long noses” historically used for driving off the tee and even hitting from fairways. These were eventually replaced by iron club heads in the late 19th century.
The role technology plays in every aspect of golf today
It’s fair to say that technology and data analysis is now involved at every level of an elite golfer’s game. Whether it’s discovering any deficiencies in their swing, course strategy or club selection, technology is empowering golfers to hone every element of their game like never before. Let’s look in more detail at some of the hardware and software that elite golfers lean on to take their skillsets to even greater heights.
One of the most prominent systems in professional golf has been the ShotLink ball tracking software. This piece of kit has been utilized on the PGA Tour for two decades now and continues to evolve. ShotLink is used by television broadcasters as well as the golfers themselves to get under the skin of the data round-by-round. More recent advancements to ShotLink has enabled a laser map of every professional course, making it easier for golfers to pinpoint their distance to the green. ShotLink also allows golfers to use historical data to determine shot averages, like the average distance taken from fairway to green.
Golfers can also get an accurate and engage representation of their ball striking from the tee using real-time high-resolution cameras like the GC2 Smart Camera System from Foresight Sports. Positioned adjacent to the tee, it can correctly calculate data on the ball launch and the general performance of the club used. Whether it’s the spin or speed of the ball, the launch angle, its peak height or the amount of bounce and roll, this system can greatly enhance a golfer’s technique.
Even club-level golfers have been able to harness the benefits of technology to add an extra dimension to their game. The Hole19 application is one of several popular mobile apps for golfers and can be paired with Apple smart watches and utilises GPS technology to provide accurate yardages, shot tracking and other in-game statistics to add an extra dimension to the weekly round.
Golf isn’t the only sport to benefit from game-changing tech
Technology has redefined so many competitive sports and games in recent times. In professional football, the addition of video assistant referees (VAR) has given on-field referees additional pairs of eyes to ensure they make the right decisions mid-game. Football has also embraced goal-line technology, giving referees confirmation on their wrist watches when the ball crosses the line to award a goal.
The goal-line technology in football is powered by Hawk-Eye, which has been one of the pioneers of game-changing technology in elite-level sport. Hawk-Eye has been adopted by ATP and WTA tennis circuits, ensuring consistency in on-court decisions such as line calls and double faults. It’s also relied upon heavily in cricket, allowing batting and bowling teams to review on-field decisions by umpires using ball tracking software.
Technology has even infiltrated into popular card games like poker. Today’s online poker players now lean on data to make informed decisions in the same way that data application is shaping on-course decisions for golfers. Data-driven technologies can be used to track a poker player’s results over the long-term, which can help to pinpoint leaks within a player’s gameplay. It could be failing to raise enough in late position or playing too many hands in early position. Whatever it is, this technology can be used to enhance a player’s gameplay and potential profitability. Poker tracking software can also gauge a player’s average win rate or loss rate at each level to confirm when the time is right to move up or down limits in cash games or tournaments.
What does the future hold for golf tech?
Given the speed with which technology has changed the way elite golfers analyse their game, it’s hard to anticipate which direction advancements will go next. There are numerous areas ripe for enhancement though. Not least in the design and development of golf clubs, which will surely become lighter for more efficient swings. Golf balls could soon become “smart”, ensuring the irritation of the lost ball is banished to the history books for good.
Golf is a sport for traditionalists and purists. That has long been its appeal. Few sports have managed to retain the essence of their games quite like golf, and even with high-tech advancements it’s likely this will only serve to provide a more superior and immersive on-course experience in the years ahead.