Golf GPS specialist SkyCaddie has welcomed a survey by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) which shows that the benefits of Distance Measuring Devices (DMDs) go well beyond the provision of an accurate yardage.
The survey, which reveals that over two thirds of Core Golfers in the NGF’s panel use DMD devices or Apps during the majority of their rounds, is published online in the November 2014 NGF ‘Dashboard’ report. It shows that golfers who use a DMD for yardages and club selection also derive clear psychological and performance benefits when on the golf course.
Crucially, almost 80% of golfers report increased ‘shot confidence’ while using a DMD. This creates a more committed golf swing, with the naturally-positive effect on the shot outcome shown in a related statistic – namely, that 39% of golfers say they have carded lower scores while using a DMD.
Unsurprisingly, over one third of DMD users in the survey also report an increase in their enjoyment of golf, directly attributed to the use of a DMD in their golf game.
And another key additional benefit of DMD usage, revealed by the NGF survey, is increased speed of play. 52% of golfers reported that their round of golf is faster when DMDs are being used properly.
“We welcome this report, which validates what SkyGolf has been saying for over a decade” said Jacqui Surman, SkyCaddie Vice President of International Sales & Marketing. “Namely, that a large number of golfers have more fun, and play with more confidence, knowing that they have a good yardage.
“We have always said that SkyCaddie golfers score better, play faster and enjoy the game more, because they have the high-quality yardage information which Tour players get. This is confirmation that DMDs boost golf’s enjoyment factor, which is good news for the sport.”
Parent company SkyGolf pioneered the use of GPS technology for golfers more than ten years ago, and has mapped over 35,000 golf courses worldwide on foot using professional survey-grade GPS equipment.
“We are often criticised by competitor brands for charging an annual membership fee to access our frequently-updated course maps” said Surman. “But our status as golf’s longest-standing and most-trusted DMD brand proves that golfers worldwide recognise that, in life, you get what you pay for. In our case, for some of our high-end products and services, this means paying a small subscription fee which helps us to produce golf course maps which are unmatched in accuracy. This, in turn, gives SkyCaddie customers that sense of added enjoyment and shot confidence which is revealed in the NGF report.
“Golfers understand that our mapping processes are inherently better than the rest, which is why they buy a SkyCaddie rather than a me-too brand”.
SkyCaddie has recently released its latest range of category-leading devices for the UK and Ireland market, including new flagship the TOUCH handset (RRP £329.95), the versatile and award-winning new SkyCaddie LINX watch-style GPS device (RRP £199.95), and the pocket-sized AIRE II handset (RRP £129.95).
National Golf Foundation www.ngf.org
SkyCaddie www.skygolf.com