The PGA has signed a new agreement with leading technology innovator GAME GOLF which is aimed at revolutionising the way golfers learn and play the game.
Under the arrangement, GAME GOLF will become a PGA Official Supplier as they look to launch the product to PGA Professionals and amateur and club golfers in the UK and Ireland.
GAME GOLF is a wearable device and integrated software platform which tracks and captures real performance data and displays rounds of golf in a dynamic and socially driven interface.
Born in Ireland, the US-based technology company already enjoys a partnership with the PGA of America, which has identified GAME GOLF as having the potential to serve as the next generation of teaching application for PGA Professionals.
Users simply wear a small wearable data-collecting sensor clipped on the belt — or at the hip on a skirt. Before hitting each shot on the course, the golfer taps the sensor with the end of the club where a sensor has been inserted into the grip.
Using GPS technology, motion sensors and near-field communication technology, a connection is made between the device and the sensors, allowing it to record each shot and the club used.
At the conclusion of the round, the golfer connects the wearable sensor to the computer to transfer the data. That data is combined with the map of the course and the golfer’s GPS position for each shot to track shot location and distance. The golfer’s actual performance data can be viewed on an iPhone, iPad and any computer; meaning golfers can share their round with their coach, colleagues and friends.
Robert Maxfield, joint chief operating officer of The PGA, said: “The resulting information, which shows each shot and distance with each club, tracked over multiple rounds, is valuable to golfers and PGA teaching pros alike.
“The PGA and its members in their daily coaching utilise many of the latest technologies to help golfers continue to improve and we’re delighted to have such an exciting and innovative company as GAME GOLF join the PGA Official Supplier programme.”
In addition to enabling golfers to view their game, GAME GOLF features a social media hub where players can share their round, compare it to others, and virtually compete with friends or colleagues across the country and around the world.
John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF, commented: “We’re delighted to announce this landmark partnership with The PGA. GAME GOLF will revolutionise the game by changing the way we socialise about golf and reveal how we are actually playing the game. Much like the introduction of plastic cleats changed the culture of the game, we are doing the same by making golf more social and bringing a golfer’s data to life.”
Among the PGA Tour professionals working with GAME GOLF to develop the product are 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood and, most recently, 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk. McDowell has been testing and providing feedback on the product for the last two years.
Graeme McDowell said: ““The GAME GOLF platform is right at the cutting edge of data capture. It amazes me just how great the feedback is from it. I can share my rounds of golf all over the world via Twitter and Facebook and there’s nothing quite like that in golf today.”
Lee Westwood added: “It’s a great way to capture the game you’ve just played. You can see through the data where you can improve your game and, with golf being a game of such fine margins, just improving slightly in certain areas can mean saving one or two shots a round.”
GAME GOLF www.gamegolf.com