Technology continues to find ways of helping golfers play better through delivering more and more information. Three companies new products are perfect examples of that.
“Over time, it delivers a profile of your shots and can advise you where and when to hit the big stick. It’s almost like having a caddie in your pocket.”
Cobra launched the first smart driver, the F7, that tracks your play off the tee. In addition to great design and features in the clubhead, the F7 has a chip embedded in the grip that syncs to your smart phone. Through an app that players download, information on your drives is recorded telling you such details as how long you just hit it and whether it went left or right. Over time, it delivers a profile of your shots and can advise you where and when to hit the big stick. It’s almost like having a caddie in your pocket.
Cobra president Bob Philion said they hope to eventually have the Arccos-powered system in every club, although there are a few technological hurdles to overcome before that’s possible. For now, the driver details will give players lots of feedback.
“The new Approach X40 is a wearable device that is the perfect mix of golf and fitness.”
Another big story came from Garmin, which continues to deliver great GPS devices that give precise yardage to players. The new Approach X40 is a wearable device that is the perfect mix of golf and fitness. This slim band provides yardages on more than 30,000 courses and also tracks your heart rate, all in a clear display. It can send you smart notifications from your phone and it can even offer you an analysis of your round when you finish. It’s good looking, slim and lightweight so you’ll never even know you have it on as you play.
For those who prefer a handheld unit, the Bushnell V4 is a popular choice. A number of models feature Jolt technology, which vibrates the unit when it locks on to the flag. Another unit has the Slope feature, which adjusts the distance based on the elevation, giving golfers a perfect distance. It can be turned on or off, making it legal for tournament play under the Rules of Golf.