Tech Gadgets That Enhance Your Golf Game
Technology is infused into almost every area of society. From food-ordering apps to autonomous accident avoidance systems in your car, we encounter digital tools and systems hundreds of times per day.
Technology has even made its way into the world of sports. Fitness trackers and heart-rate monitors are commonplace, and digital devices enhance pastimes like fishing, cycling, and adventure racing.
Professional athletes have state-of-the-art tools to help improve their performance in almost any sport. However, these tools don’t always make their way into the amateur ranks. Golf is one sport where tech gadgets can help recreational players and casual competitors gain an edge. Whether aiding in club selection, perfecting fairway play, tracking balls, or increasing comfort on the course, there are plenty of gadgets and advances that can improve your golf game.
Rangefinders
Rangefinders have applications in different fields, including aviation and the military. In golf, these devices measure the distance between the rangefinding device and another point on the course, such as the green or flag.
Accurate range can help with shot planning and selecting the right club for each shot. The devices are much more precise than the range markers on the side of the fairway.
Rangefinders use one of two technologies. GPS rangefinders rely on readings from satellites to measure distances. These systems require you to preload a map of the course on the device. Because the distances are measured from above, you don’t need a direct line of sight to get an accurate reading.
Laser rangefinders do require you to aim directly at the target. However, they offer more flexibility. You can get the distance to any part of the course by aiming the laser at it. This can be useful for more creative shots where you aren’t swinging directly for the pin.
Ultimately, the choice between a laser and a GPS rangefinder is a matter of personal preference.
Golf Watches
Golf watches have built-in GPS connections that allow you to estimate distances and see maps of preloaded courses. These are much easier to carry and use than purpose-made rangefinders or smartphone-based GPS apps.
These watches can also collect data from your rounds. You can track your ball and collect stats on the number of fairways and greens hit. Many models allow you to keep a digital scorecard. Advanced models may even help you measure slope and get terrain information based on preloaded maps of the course. Some models also include fitness and lifestyle features, which could be useful for players who make golf a part of their overall fitness regimens.
Swing Trainers
Professionals in golf — and other hitting sports like tennis and baseball — use state-of-the-art swing training software to ensure a smooth and accurate connection with the ball.
Swing trainers rely on sensors mounted on golf club-like sticks. The sensors measure the important practices impacting your golf swing. The glossary of golf swing variables includes the club path, speed, backswing (before you hit the ball), and follow-through (after you strike the ball). The devices can also offer insight into other areas that impact your swing, such as hand position and stance.
Today’s products rely on AI to instantly crunch all the data and give you pointers on how to improve your swing based on the analysis. You can then try to make improvements and use the devices to reassess.
While many products on the market have stand-alone devices that mimic golf clubs, a few have sensors that you can attach to your actual clubs. You can then see the results on a smartphone or computer.
Launch Monitors
AI-powered launch monitors collect data points around your swing and the actions of the ball after you hit it. These metrics include the angle of the club face, the ball’s spin, takeoff angle, and ball speed. Advanced tools also work for putting analysis.
Most devices use a combination of cameras and laser sensors, which you point at yourself and the ball while swinging to take the readings. Most connect to smartphones and have stands that allow you to place the sensors a few feet away. Some handheld monitors have their own screens that display data points.
The insights from these measurements can help you pinpoint problems with your swing and ball striking.
Portable Massagers
Most devices focus on collecting data or offering insights to help with swing improvement or strategy. Some devices focus on the physical aspects of the game.
For instance, handheld portable massagers can help alleviate muscle tightness on the course. Your muscles need to be loose to get a full range of motion while swinging. Tight or cramping muscles make your round uncomfortable, but they can also disrupt your swing and hurt your performance.
Portable massagers, also known as massage guns, weigh several pounds. They use battery power to vibrate or apply pressure to treat tight muscles or cramps. You can keep one in your bag to treat any discomfort that arises after you tee off.
Other Tech-Powered Innovations in Golf
Some tech gadgets can directly impact your golf game. Other advances allow companies to produce products that improve comfort and performance on the golf course. For instance, waterproof breathable membrane (WBM) technology helps create advanced rain gear that can help you stay on the course during a summer shower.
Meanwhile, so-called smart textiles can help retain body heat for better comfort on the fairway during early or late-season rounds.
Here are three of the most important textile advances that help keep you comfortable and playing your best regardless of the weather conditions.
Breathable Waterproof Materials
Today’s golf rain jackets use flexible, breathable, stretchable fabric like PERTEX. Unlike plastic or rubber-based rain gear, modern men’s and women’s waterproof jackets are more comfortable and won’t hamper your range of motion. You can continue your round in the rain as long there isn’t any lightning in the forecast.
Insulating Fabrics
Insulating clothing traps your body heat with tightly woven fabric. At the same time, these shirts, top layers, or pants wick moisture away from your skin to keep you from becoming wet and cold.
Shirts, pants, and insulated middle layers fit close to your body. The material is flexible, allowing a full range of motion, so you can stay warm without traditional bulky jackets. This apparel can help you get out on the course on colder days and play earlier or later in the season.
Lighter Golf Shirts
You can also use high-tech fabrics to stay cool on hot summer days on the course. Lightweight, breathable shirts, for instance, offer several important factors. The fabric is breathable, allowing air circulation around your body to increase cooling.
At the same time, the shirt’s UV protection properties keep your skin cool and protected from direct sunlight. These hot-weather shirts also have the same moisture-wicking properties as insulating fabrics. In this case, however, the goal is to keep your shirt from getting soaked through with sweat.
Summary
Whether you want to fine-tune your swing, always choose the best club, or track your performance, the right golf gadget can give you the support or insights you need to improve your game. You just need to make sure you find the right tools with the features necessary to improve your game.
If you are interested in finding other ways to enhnce your golf game, make sure to check out the article with Tips to Hit the Golf Ball Farther and How to get Better at Chipping.
