Remember when we used to play golf with pebbles and wooden clubs? Of course not, but that’s what the sport was like when it first began in Scotland in the 1400’s.
Today, you can buy high-tech clubs with adjustable loft, face, and shape, GPS watches that tell you exactly how far away from the hole you are, and sensors that map your swing.
Relatively speaking, the way we play golf and the way we solve problems with technology today is new. But, with all these new pieces of golf technology, it’s even easier to help players, new and veteran, improve their golf game.
To help you improve your game, we’ve compiled a list of golf electronics that can help you improve your game.
Typical Golf Problems
For this purpose, let’s say golf problems tend to fall into one of three categories: swing, distance, and grip.
Swing
Swing problems are far and away the hardest problem golfers have because there are so many types of swing problems. When you swing a golf club, so many muscle groups have to coordinate to result in the golf ball going as far, high, and straight as you want it to.
While you can easily find guides to fixing different swing problems in magazines, the best way to nowadays are video tutorials and lessons. Check out Adam Young’s The Strike Plan for a 17 Video Series on the proper golf swing!
Distance
Not being able to visualize distance and adjust your power to how far you want the ball to go is a common issue and is something that requires a bit of coaching to fix.
You might also face challenges where your swing is not powerful enough to get your ball far enough down the fairway. This simply takes practice and strength exercises but can be fixed in the interim with a stronger golf club to make up the difference.
Grip
Your grip on the club has a heavy influence on your swing and how the golf ball will go down the range. As with swing problems, you can find plenty of published articles on how to adjust your grip to improve your golf game.
The other grip to consider is your grip on the ground. Having traction on the ground can help you make faster movements when you strike the ball. Over recent years, there have been many traction improvements in golf shoes which allow the wearer to rotate and lift off the ground when he wants.
Golf Technology to Improve Your Game
Swing Analyzer
Most golf sources agree that the Zepp Golf 3D training system provides the best value for your money. It’s an easy-to-use device with a simple user interface.
The sensor clips onto the back of your golf club and continuously links to your phone (iOS or Android) over bluetooth. With each swing, the Zepp records hundreds of data points like club head speed, tempo, and swing plane.
After each swing, the app provides a 3D rendering of your swing and points out areas where you can improve. You can even compare your swing to those of professional golfers.
Here are some other swing analyzers to consider, or buy the Zepp Swing Analyzer on Amazon!
Swing Coach App
If you want a bit more instruction on your swing, try a golf coaching app.
V1 Golf allows you to take videos of yourself doing different swings. The app then points out areas where there are inconsistencies or where you could improve.
For a bit more coaching, you can send the videos to one of the thousands of golf professionals who are available on the app. Download it on IOS!
GPS Watch
GPS watches only recently entered the golf technology space. Runners have used them to track their speed over distance for years, and now golfers can use them to determine the distance to the green.
There are plenty of sleek options on the market, but Garmin has the most reliable lineup of golf watches. The Garmin Approach series and S40 series offer a variety of styles and price ranges, but both series offer real time distance to the hole and thousands of pre-loaded courses.
Be sure to read our reviews of golf GPS watches.
Range Finder
GPS watches might not be for everyone, but it’s still useful to know how far away you are from certain landmarks on the golf course.
The Leupold RX-1300 is a rangefinder with all the bells and whistles. It’s drop-proof, waterproof, and ridiculously accurate. Simply look through the viewfinder and use the laser pointer to mark your target, then the rangefinder tells you how far away it is.
Using a rangefinder can help you learn how to adjust your power for different distances.
Spiked Shoes
As we mentioned, spiked shoes give you more traction which helps you put more power behind your swing.
Adidas has been in the golf shoe game for many years, and their products never fail to impress their users. Their power brand Boa Boost has been a long standing go-to for players, and their new release has only improved upon last year’s model.
The shoes are waterproof, easily adjustable, and offer great mid-sole and lateral support.
Before buying spiked shoes, check with your regular course to ensure they allow spiked shoes.
Club Upgrade
Club upgrades should be dictated by where you’re experiencing problems in your golf game. Highly adjustable clubs can help if you tend to hit left and other clubs can help you improve speed.
The Callaway Epic Driver is as high tech as you can get. The club tapped into research from Boeing to develop the “energy lensing” concept which causes the majority of the impact to be taken by the face of the club.
Because the club can take on more impact, you get more ball speed and greater distance from the tee. It’s ultralight and a great investment for anyone looking to get greater ball speed and distance.
Connected Video Game
For those of you who think about your golf game constantly, consider getting the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2014 game from EA. The game works with XBOX Kinect and PlayStation Move to analyze your posture, head movement, and swing plane.
You get to see the whole picture of your swing without needing to leave your living room. The epitome of golf technology.
Harnessing Golf Technology
While some may yearn for the days where golf was a simpler sport, others embrace the many advances in golf technology to help them improve their game.
Not all these technologies will make sense for you and your game, but they’re worth checking out.
For updates on newly available golf technology, check back with our blog regularly.
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