Father’s Day is quickly approaching. From GPS apps that run on your smartphone, to the ability to track your shots the way PGA Tour pros do, technology is influencing the way we enjoy the sport, so give Dad something he’ll be excited to unwrap this Father’s Day with the latest tech gear at Golf Town.
Puma Soundchuck Mini Speaker
Increasingly golf courses are accepting of players bringing a soundtrack to their game, so if Dad is the type that likes to listen to the latest tunes while zipping around the course in a cart, the Puma Soundchuck Mini Speaker is just the ticket. The Soundchuck allows you to listen to songs while on the course, connecting effortlessly through your phone’s Bluetooth. With a durable silicone exterior, and a clip to make it easy to hang, plus more than six hours of battery life, the Soundchuck will keep the beat through every round.
Arccos Golf
With partnerships with Microsoft and Cobra, Arccos has set out to revolutionize the data golfers receive about every shot. The company’s screw-in sensors connect with your smartphone to kick out data on each shot you make during a round, allowing you to determine your shortcomings and schedule your practice sessions accordingly. Recently the company announced an upgrade to its Caddie system (now Caddie 2.0), allowing it to provide better advice to golfers on the course. The current Arccos database includes more than 100 million shots over a million rounds of golf. If data and sports are Dad’s thing, consider Arccos.
Garmin GPS Watches
Getting the right distance is an often-overlooked part of playing your best golf. Fairway markers and sprinkler heads are almost never accurate, and you’re not just looking for the number to the centre of the green. Garmin’s best offers every golfer the opportunity to know exact distances, just like the pros. Preloaded with over 40,000 courses worldwide, Garmin’s devices are ready to play when you are.
The Approach X10 is a simple, straight-forward golf watch. The lightweight band features a crisp touch screen showing you yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as to the hazards and doglegs. You can even manually adjust the pin to match that day’s location. The X10 is perfect for the golfer who wants the most useful information on their wrist at all times.
If Dad prefers a handheld device, then consider the G30. It’s has a small, 2.3-inch colour screen that shows distances to greens, hazards and other key parts of the course. The green view allows you to put the pin in the correct position for the day, improving accuracy.
If Dad is into multiple sports, then the VivoActive 3 is for him, This smartwatch allows you to personalize the watch face, and comes preloaded with GPS and indoor sports apps, ranging from yoga to swimming. This watch works as a GPS on the golf course, but also monitors your fitness and provides notifications.
Bushnell Pro X2 and Tour V4 Shift
A leader in both the GPS and laser range finder space, Bushnell’s latest—like the Tour V4 Shift and Pro X2—combine the perfect combination of size, speed, and accuracy, while also incorporating the company’s JOLT function, as well as calculating slope into the yardage. You’ll find tour pros all over the PGA Tour using Bushnell during practice rounds, so you know they offer the precision demanded by the best in the game.
Game Golf Live GPS Tracking System
Launched a few years back with the backing of U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, Game Golf Live allows you to capture your stats in real time by connecting the Game Golf sensors to your clubs. The new Game Golf allows you to connect to your phone on the course, or leave it in the clubhouse and sync the sensors after the round. With a powerful GPS-enabled rangefinder to give you great accuracy and yardages, as well as geo-fenced tee boxes, fairways and bunkers on more than 33,000 courses, Game Golf brings big data to Dad’s game.
Zepp Golf 2 Swing Analyzer
A leader in the golf sensor space, Zepp’s Golf 2 Swing Analyzer is straight-forward and quite simple, so even the not-so-tech-savvy Dad should be able to benefit from it. Just attach the sensor to your glove and link it with your smartphone. From there, the sensor will provide significant detail on each swing you make, giving you 3D swing analysis, allowing you to practice more efficiently and work on the elements that will make your game better. There are even personalized video training programs with instructors from the PGA and LPGA Tours designed to help you take the information Zepp provides and put it into practice.