PING is to collaborate with Arccos Golf to offer smart grip sensor technology on all its golf clubs through the company’s custom-order process.
The grips, which will be supplied exclusively by Golf Pride, are embedded with sensors that automatically record and analyse every shot taken during a round of golf when paired with the Arccos Caddie app.
“With our long-time focus on data collection and the ability to improve product performance and custom-fitting techniques through expert analysis of a golfer’s tendencies on the golf course, it’s a tremendous opportunity for us to join with Arccos to help bring more visibility to the benefits of playing ‘smart’ golf,” said PING President John K. Solheim.
He added: “Arccos pioneered the game-tracking category and are recognised as the clear leader when it comes to providing on-course ‘caddie advice’, performance tracking and post-round analysis. Now golfers can realise the benefits of the Arccos technology on PING clubs through our custom-order programme, which offers both the Smart Grip and Smart Sensor technologies.”
Sal Syed, Arccos CEO: “We are honoured to join forces with PING in furthering the promise of data for the everyday golfer. Our teams have a shared vision about the importance of on-course data, which through ShotLink has already made a massive impact on the PGA Tour. The benefits of this data span the golf equipment spectrum: from smarter club selection decisions in play, to a more intelligent custom-fitting experience by augmenting the data captured in a hitting bay.”
The agreement includes a 90-day free trial of the Arccos Caddie app, widely recognised as golf’s leading performance-tracking software application and the game’s first artificial-intelligence platform. To access the PING version of the Arccos Caddie app, golfers will need their entire set, including a putter, equipped with Smart Grips, Smart Sensors or a combination of both. After the free trial period, golfers can purchase a one-year subscription for $99.99 through Arccos.
“We’re very focused on helping golfers improve performance with every club in their bag,” added Solheim. “By equipping all their clubs with an Arccos Smart Grip or Smart Sensor, golfers can access valuable information relating to their performance before, during and after a round that will lead to lower scores and more enjoyment on the golf course. In addition to providing exact distances from any point on the golf course plus club recommendations, the app collects thousands of data points that can be analysed to uncover opportunities for further improvement through set makeup or other equipment refinements.”
Solheim sees the collaboration with Arccos as a natural extension of PING’s long-standing research into ball-flight tracking – first started by his grandfather, Karsten Solheim, back in the early 1970s with the invention of PING Man, the company’s robot.
“We’ve been tracking and studying ball-flight data since the early days of PING Man through a variety of methods,” said Solheim.
“We were the first golf company to purchase a TrackMan and now with Arccos, average golfers have access to data previously only available to tour professionals. The app collects true distances from actual shots hit on the course, tracking your best and average shots while being smart enough to ignore your extreme misses. This ‘intelligence’ leads to club recommendations that give you the best opportunity to play your best.”
Arccos Product Options
Smart Grip – Available exclusively in the Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet white (std.) and aqua sizes (-1/64″) installed on custom orders for Ping metal woods, irons and wedges. RRP: £10 each
Smart Sensor – Screws into the top of most grips and is used on all full-swing clubs. RRP: £10 each
Smart Sensor Putter – Designed specifically for PING putters and can be installed on adjustable or fixed-length steel shafts.
RRP: £10 each