Imagine you are an amateur golfer. You enjoy playing the game and you are a decent player. You buy new clubs and new equipment and now you are hitting the ball farther than ever before. The new technology in the clubs are causing you to play better golf. Golf is a constantly changing sport because of these new technologies. From equipment like clubs and different balls, to swing trainers and simulators. Golf has come a long way since it was created, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Changes in Clubs and Balls
Golf clubs have changed in many ways throughout the years. A few decades ago, golf club heads were made out of wood. Now they are made out of different metals and graphite. This change has played a crucial role in how far the ball flies and how light the clubs are to swing. A statement from Katie Connelly, a researcher from UW-Madison, explains that “Today, manufacturers extrude the steel shaft to make the walls thinner, while using stronger materials to make the shafts lighter. A lighter shaft means a faster swing, and more energy transferred to the ball” (Connelly). This is a huge advancement from the wooden clubs because the new clubs are so much lighter and easier to swing. My dad Craig Bernstein, an amateur golfer, just recently purchased a brand new Cobra Darkspeed Max driver. When asked about it he explained, “The new driver is definitely making an impact on my game”. “I could only drive the ball about 160 yards with my old driver, and now I average about 220 yards”. Connelly explains, “Titanium is so light that other, heavier metals such as tungsten or brass must be added to the irons to give them the right weight. Golf club manufacturers take advantage of this by carefully positioning the additional metals at the center of gravity where they feel it will be the most beneficial during the swing” (Connelly). These changes to golf clubs changed the way we play golf. Craig states that, “My new driver is easier to swing and I have been playing better than I ever have”. I also recently purchased a new driver myself. I bought a Callaway Paradym AI Smoke. I have used it a lot recently and it has caused me to hit the ball straighter and farther than I have before. This new driver technology was just recently discovered within the last 10 years. Golfers should be excited for new technologies that have yet to be discovered in the upcoming years.
How technology has impacted the game
New technology is helping players improve their golf scores in many ways. An example of this is swing trainers. A quote from an article written by the United States Golf Association (USGA) explains that, “Sensor technology has helped golfers in a variety of ways. Distance-measuring lasers instantly inform golfers of the distance required for any shot with a simple point and click. Golfers can also use swing sensors as teaching aids. Swing sensors can attach to gloves or clubs and measure swing speed, tempo, and angle” (USGA). These swing trainers can help players improve their swing and ultimately become a better golfer. New technology is especially helpful in aiding in how golfers practice. In the Midwest, you can only golf during the spring and summer months because of the snow and harsh conditions. Now, with advancements in technology, golfers can play indoors and year-round with simulators. Simulators work by using many different technologies to analyze your shots. Rapsodo Golf, a golf simulator engineering company says that, “Golf simulators may use sensors in the hitting mat, infrared lasers, cameras, or even Doppler radar to collect data. Depending on how the golf simulator measures data points, golf launch monitors may also be involved”. I use simulators pretty often myself. There is a place in Stevens Point called FORE INDR GLF where you can rent simulators to use. I used them a lot in the winter and playing year-round kept my skills sharp and helped me play better in the spring season. New technology is shaping the way players can practice and helping golf become a more popular sport amongst newer generations.
How technology affects golf courses
New golf technology doesn’t just affect the players; it also affects the course. The USGA explains that, “Over the past five years alone, the golf course maintenance industry has seen extraordinary advances in chemical application technology, improving the accuracy and precision of product application while helping managers gather and interpret valuable data” (USGA). This is an important change because it can help the grounds crew better maintain their courses and make them enjoyable for people to play. Another reason that the technology is helpful to the golf courses is that it can reduce some of the physical labor that course keepers need to do. The USGA says, ”GPS-guided sprayers allow superintendents to accurately apply fertilizers and pesticides to selected areas with sub-inch accuracy. This specialized spray equipment has the potential to reduce costs and improve results by preventing overlaps and skips that occur even with the most experienced applicators” (USGA). This is extremely helpful because it can reduce the time that courses need to take to make sure their course is in perfect condition and keep it open longer and don’t need to spend as much time preparing the course for the golfers to play on.
Technology has had a huge impact on the game of golf in the last decade. For example, In the past 5 years alone I have purchased 6 new clubs and a range finder. The new advancements in technology have made a big impact on my golf game and I believe that new technologies will keep being discovered. Golf is one of the fastest growing sports among younger generations and I believe it is because of the advancements in technology. Golf will be a forever changing sport with more advancements coming every year.
