When it comes to gadgets that can help your golf game, it’s probably fair to say that the Apple Watch wouldn’t be that high up on the list of game-improving products. We dare say, for some people, it’s more of a nice thing to have, convenient for tracking how many steps you you’ve done, setting important reminders and sending the odd message.
Of course, some golfers will be well used to using one to help them get round the course in as few shots as possible. Various apps can turn the Apple Watch into a golf GPS, and we all know the benefits owning one of these can have for your game.
There have been a number of advancements in the GPS category in recent times, one of the most significant of which has been the ability for golfers to track every shot they hit.
This function means players can build up a database of their own statistics and identify where their strengths and weaknesses lie. In theory, if you know that you're pushing your mid irons or pulling your drives, for example, you can tailor your practice sessions and work with a PGA pro to make the necessary improvements.
Now, thanks to some very clever minds at Apple and Golfshot, performance analytics has just been taken to the next level.
Let’s talk tech.
The high-frequency motion API released in watchOS 10, which takes advantage of the latest accelerator and gyroscope in Apple Watch to detect rapid changes in velocity and acceleration, has allowed Golfshot to help users improve their golf swing.
Put more simply, with the Golfshot app it’s now possible to record the exact moment when the club meets the ball via its recently-launched Swing ID On-Range experience. Meanwhile, Apple Watch sensors provide a comprehensive analysis of the whole swing and allow players to work on rhythm, tempo, transition and wrist path.
In short, it’s as close as you can get to having your own TrackMan at the fraction of the cost. This will make your practice sessions infinitely more productive, giving you a far better chance to perform out on the golf course.
On the course, Golfshot also provides GPS distances, scoring, Auto Shot Tracking, swing analysis, and Auto Strokes Gained all on Apple Watch, so golfers can track every shot and see real-time distances to the green, hazards and targets on more than 46,000 courses across the world. Apple Watch also provides an automated data collection process so users can experience post-round flyover reviews and data analysis on iPhone to understand their game in more detail.
Having all these key swing metrics is one thing – being able to interpret what it all means is another. On top of that, if you come to the conclusion that your tempo is off, what can you do about it? As clever as this technology is, it’s not going to play a perfect shot for you.
This is not something that should replace your coach or stop you from having lessons. However, if you’re a serious golfer with a keen understanding of the game, the updated Apple Watch, in combination with what is one of the best golf apps on the market, has the potential to transform both your practice sessions and how you perform out on the course.
