Is All This Golf Tech Good For US?

[deejaid 3,945]

I was just reading through the Cobra Connect Challenge thread and I got to wondering. Is all this technology good for us?

 

Now I agree that perimeter weighting, oversized drivers, and other equipment technology has made the game easier and more enjoyable for the average golfer. But I'm talking about this new era of the “wired” golfer, where clubs are now connected to mobile devices. Is this a positive or a negative?

 

I personally look at golf as a way to escape the everyday world, to unplug for a few hours, to stop looking at screens or hearing the “ding” of a notification.

 

Reading through the Connect Challenge thread I'm seeing posts about software glitches, software updates, battery life and many other problems that our common in our everyday lives, only now it's invading our golf clubs.

 

 

How do you guys feel about “wired” golf? Has technology gone too far that we can no longer enjoy a round of golf without data tracking every shot we take?

 

 

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[revkev 25,120]

What an interesting question! I hadn't thought of that. Golf is an escape for many.

 

I suppose it depends upon the person as to whether or not it's good, bad or neutral.

 

 

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[cnosil 24,335]

Interesting thought. I think it comes down to what you want to accomplish as a golfer. Do you just want to go out, enjoy being outside and enjoy the game. Or do you want to work on seriously improving your game.

[DPattGolf 1,733]

As someone who is trying to get as good as I can while also coaching others, I liked having the ability to be wired when I want. I like to think of it just as a tool. I don't always need the tool but there are times where the tool will help me out more than not having it at all.

[MDGolfHacker 7,657]

When I was first chosen for the Cobra Connect Challenge II, I was stoked and with a trip to Pinehurst coming up, was hoping I would get the Arccos sensors before then.  Well they didn't get there until after the trip and boy was that a blessing!  I was able to focus on my game, the beauty of the course, and fun with my close golfing buddies.  Played Talamore with nothing more than my Precision Pro NX7 Pro range finder and my clubs.  Walked Dormie with a caddie and just soaked the beauty of the course, the exhilaration of just focusing on my game and enjoying a good walk unspoiled. Played mid-south and Tobacco Road and just focused on the moment.  I guarantee you that if I had the Arccos 360 system with me, none of this would of happened.  I would of focused on getting the Arccos up and running and getting the data points for the review instead of what actually transpired.  I even told Joyzee10 when he went to Arizona and was also waiting for the Arccos 360 sensors, to not worry about it and focus on having fun out there and enjoying the game, the sensors will be waiting when he got back.

 

  So are we overconnected with these sensors and phones etc ?  Yes,  But, there is a time and place to use them.  They are a training aid so for those of us that need to figure out our weaknesses and build upon our strengths, the Arccos system is fantastic.  Just like in every other facet of life, we all need to unplug at times and get away from emails, phone calls, etc...

 

MDGolfHacker

[Joyzee10 823]

When I was first chosen for the Cobra Connect Challenge II, I was stoked and with a trip to Pinehurst coming up, was hoping I would get the Arccos sensors before then.  Well they didn't get there until after the trip and boy was that a blessing!  I was able to focus on my game, the beauty of the course, and fun with my close golfing buddies.  Played Talamore with nothing more than my Precision Pro NX7 Pro range finder and my clubs.  Walked Dormie with a caddie and just soaked the beauty of the course, the exhilaration of just focusing on my game and enjoying a good walk unspoiled. Played mid-south and Tobacco Road and just focused on the moment.  I guarantee you that if I had the Arccos 360 system with me, none of this would of happened.  I would of focused on getting the Arccos up and running and getting the data points for the review instead of what actually transpired.  I even told Joyzee10 when he went to Arizona and was also waiting for the Arccos 360 sensors, to not worry about it and focus on having fun out there and enjoying the game, the sensors will be waiting when he got back.

 

  So are we overconnected with these sensors and phones etc ?  Yes,  But, there is a time and place to use them.  They are a training aid so for those of us that need to figure out our weaknesses and build upon our strengths, the Arccos system is fantastic.  Just like in every other facet of life, we all need to unplug at times and get away from emails, phone calls, etc...

 

MDGolfHacker

You're right mate! It was good to just enjoy the game and the beautiful courses and not be pulled away by a shiny new toy. Also, with the wind we faced (and also the beers i drank...) the numbers would have been all over the place.

 

I was explaining the Arccos to my wife last night and how it all works - Data, distances, percentages, tracking etc and she just looks at me and says "Isn't that cheating?" lol Bless her

 

I am looking forward to using it as a learning device and also the accountability aspect of it. My game will now be available for people to see outside of my playing partners - I've been known to spray em, top em, hit em fat/thin and everything in between! My hope is the system along with the new clubs will teach me to be a smarter golfer. 

[TSauer 4,227]

It's great for all of those electronic geeks out there, like myself. It's not something that has to be used every round, but it's nice to be able to use it when you want. I also think it may help peak some interest in the younger generation and possibly get them interested in the game as well.

[jlukes 16,186]

It's the main reason, as much as a tech nerd as I am, I haven't jumped into to the shot tracking world yet. I kind of enjoy the escape from tech on the golf course and don't want to worry about forgetting to tag a shot or something

 

Once the technology gets more passive then I'll likely get on board, but no phone in the pocket for this guy so it's just not going to happen now

[Shankster 31,438]

This year I'm making it a goal to keep tech out of my game. Going on feel alone. I know my full 57° goes 95 yards. Work from there.

[Flipper554 881]

I was just reading through the Cobra Connect Challenge thread and I got to wondering. Is all this technology good for us?

Now I agree that perimeter weighting, oversized drivers, and other equipment technology has made the game easier and more enjoyable for the average golfer. But I'm talking about this new era of the “wired” golfer, where clubs are now connected to mobile devices. Is this a positive or a negative?

I personally look at golf as a way to escape the everyday world, to unplug for a few hours, to stop looking at screens or hearing the “ding” of a notification.

Reading through the Connect Challenge thread I'm seeing posts about software glitches, software updates, battery life and many other problems that our common in our everyday lives, only now it's invading our golf clubs.

How do you guys feel about “wired” golf? Has technology gone too far that we can no longer enjoy a round of golf without data tracking every shot we take?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not into the whole game tracking stuff yet but I think it gives another picture of the state of your game. How long before you can sit back and watch your last round of golf?

[ole gray 17,605]

I'm not a tech/gadget kind of guy.   I see the purpose and it's fine and dandy for those who use it however I'll pass. 

[Wedgie 5,189]

Having the tech myself I find it has been a distraction as I play. If the tech always worked as advertised I'm sure I'd love it. But until it does I have gone back to just enjoying the game and not worrying about if it picked up each shot or not.

 

 

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[yungkory 10,950]

I'm a stats nerd so I like it, but not if it means I need to have my phone in my pocket. Not because I enjoy being disconnected while I'm playing, I just don't want to have it in my pocket. Tech puts food on the table and golf clubs in my bag, so I have a different appreciation for it. It also enables me to leave the office at 2pm to go play golf, so I have an even deeper appreciation for it.

[PlaidJacket 7,737]

Most of It's not for me. And I've tried some of it.

Couple of years ago I jumped on the Golf Game thing and hated it. Granted I was a very early adopter of the "technology" and it was major buggy. I ditched it. I've heard it's gotten better. Anyway... overall I'm just not interested it messing with a phone or some other intrusive device while I play. I currently have a Cobra Connect grip I got with a shaft purchase. I've never used it and probably won't.

 

Yes... I use a LRF and a GPS unit which might be a little much for some. But it works for me and my game and I suppose that's all that matters.

Woops; almost forgot... I use a golf gambling app too.

[Rtracymog 829]

I don't have any sensors on my clubs, but I need my garmin gps when I play. I find that so many courses are mis-marked and I play from some other fairways often and need that to give me how far I have.

 

 

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[yungkory 10,950]

I don't have any sensors on my clubs, but I need my garmin gps when I play. I find that so many courses are mis-marked and I play from some other fairways often and need that to give me how far I have.

 

 

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I hear you on that one, but hopefully not much more when the new boomstick comes in

[Rtracymog 829]

I hear you on that one, but hopefully not much more when the new boomstick comes in

Long and wrong lol It's not always me though. I don't usually play with scratch golfers so they are making me drive over there anyway

 

 

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[PMookie 16,989]

I have a Swingbyte and a Blast Motion sensor... That's a LOT of info to deal with. Pretty much, it's too much information!!! Paralysis by analysis. The only way to use it all is to have a coach make suggestions based upon it.

 

 

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[JohnSmalls 6,761]

Also being a tech nerd, I am on the fence.  Golf is an escape, but it's also a challenge that I want to get better.  I keep record of my stats on my scorecards so overall I would really enjoy having accurate and insanely detailed stats.  However, the question comes down to do I really need that much info (it is really awesome tech)?  Or more realistically, do I want to relive the nightmare of how many balls I s****ed into the rough?

[HardcoreLooper 5,533]

I've been in IT for over 20 years, and I currently work for a fairly large software company (Red Hat). So take that into account with what I write.

 

I'm obsessed with data, and I want to get better and get the most out of the game I have. That being said, the holy grail for me is to not interact with anything more technical than my laser rangefinder during my round.

 

I spent last year bouncing back and forth among the following:

- GolfPad, marking each shot on my phone.

- GolfPad, using a Pebble smartwatch.

- Recording every shot I hit (club and yardage) with an online database I created, then loading this data into a strokes gained spreadsheet.

 

I hated all three methods.

 

I hated pulling my phone out of my pocket for every shot, and I hated changing my preshot routine to mark the shot. Then I hated going back in and recording the club after each shot.

 

I hated wearing a watch (I never wear watches), and I hated changing my preshot routine to play with my watch. I also hated it when the watch would not sync with the app.

 

I hated recording every shot I hit into my phone.

 

I hated everything I was doing. But I loved the data. So I put up with it. And I got my handicap as low as it's been since high school. I knew what I needed to practice; I knew what shots I should avoid hitting. So I put up with the hassle.

 

I have only one round with the Arccos in the books, but so far, I love it. Sticking the phone in my left pocket is not ideal, but it's a compromise I'm willing to make, considering that I don't need to touch the phone at all during the round. I can make any edits that I need to make when I'm looking at my stats afterward. It really does get out of your way, unless you want to use the GPS, Arccos Caddie, etc.

 

Unless I go out on tour, I'm not going to get stats like this without some sort of compromise. Arccos is the compromise I'm willing to make.