WAM Golf

Game-Changing Golf Technologies for the Ball, Club & Swing

The spirit of golf hasn't changed since the 1400s, yet the golf club has evolved incredibly, thanks to new materials and innovative technologies. The golf ball is also being revolutionized, and today's players can practice swing perfection with the assistance of cutting-edge designs and high-tech gadgets. Below is a glance at how technology continues to improve the sport of golf.

Ball

Golf enthusiasts were elated after news that OnCore's Evo Ball was recently approved by USGA and conforms to the Rules of Golf, according to Golf Getaways. OnCore's introduction of the Evo Ball into the golf community opens doors for new approaches to golf ball construction and the ability to tailor balls to meet various skill levels. Designed with a rigid, hollow metal core, the OnCore ball enhances the golfing experience and performance.

Clubs & Drivers

Who would win in a tournament between legendary golf champion Bobby Jones and today's most successful golfer Tiger Woods? Despite impeccable skill and remarkable talent, the title for golf master could come down to their respective tools. In the 1930s, rubber balls and hickory drivers were the foundations of a golfer's game. Golfing equipment has advanced as technologies have advanced, and the hickory driver lacks in comparison to the modern club.

PGA.com's Craig Sager visited a liquor store workshop in Selma, Ala., to learn about master club designer Tad Moore's perfectly crafted hickory golf club. Crafted with flexible wood and expertise, the strong hickory club with low torque still fell short to Nike Golf's metal club. Segar met with Tom Tites, Nike Golf's director of product creation, to experience the "Oven," where Nike cooks up new ideas for research and development that make the game of golf more fun and athletic. Cad Manager Tyrone Northcut creates digital club models to simulate specifications. For example, developers learn about center of gravity and inertia without having to build prototypes.

Nike also uses an electro-server to test swings and a series of doplar radars to watch the performance of the ball. Testing modern golfing equipment using advanced technologies provides data such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and landing angle. After testing a modern club, the tech-designed club was incomparably better than a retro hickory club.

Swing

Along with a superior-crafted club, perfect technique helps a golfer move from amateur to pro. Attach an app to your club to access swing data on a smartphone via Bluetooth. Compete in golf tournaments right on Pebble Beach via an HD golf simulator and a fast Internet connection.

• GolfTEC: Helps build golfing skills and techniques with Personal Club Fitting designed to improve swing and playing preferences using motion measurement and digital video; GolfTEC's CaddyMaster, g-SWING and g-PUTT systems also help with player improvement
• Swing Byte: Empowers the golf game by recording and analyzing swings using real-time data; app attaches to club, connects to smartphone and displays club speed, acceleration and angle as well as static and dynamic loft
• HD Golf Simulators: Simulates world-renowned golf courses using state-of-the-art image processing software, high-res digital images and geophysical data; provides shot analysis and swing dynamics

About the Author:

Gayle Allen

Gayle blogs about new technology when she is not watching her favorite sci-fi series.

Tee off in tropical climates this winter: out-of-season golfing trips

Bitterly cold and blustery conditions across the UK during the winter months can spell the end of the golfing season, but by booking a break at a golfing resort you may be able to save your clubs from hibernation for a little longer. This article details a few popular world golf destinations, with complimentary or unending golfing conditions for out-of-season UK golfers to take advantage of.

The Caribbean

A tropical climate and rich culture attracts visitors from all over the globe, but one gem in the Caribbean crown is the golfing facilities. Beautiful surroundings and breath-taking vistas make the Caribbean a dream destination for anyone desperate to take their driver to greener pastures, and there are several specific resorts that stand head and shoulder above the rest.

Grenadine Estate course courtesy of canouan.com/golf

The Grenadine Estate 18 hole golf course in Canouan with a par of 72 is a main attraction for people who visit this area of The Grenadines, and rises from sea level to the edge of an extinct volcano at 840ft. Green fees start at $175, and equipment and golf carts are available to hire on site. The Green Monkey course in Barbados is also hailed as another of the best Caribbean courses, and was created by design legend Tom Fazio. The exposed rock of the old quarry that the course was carved from creates a great contrast against the lush, rolling greens of the course.

The best time to visit is between winter and spring, as even during our colder months temperatures can still reach around 30C. You will want to avoid the rainy season which starts in May, and the storm season that often brings hurricanes between September and November. 

South Africa

The mountainous scenery and plentiful wildlife are often given as reasons for tourists to visit South Africa, but golfing is too. The country is home to some of the most luscious lawns in the country as well as an ideal climate for golfers – so much so that the country is home to 450 golf clubs.

Considered one of the best golf club resorts for holidaymakers looking to improve their handicap, Leopard Creek is set on the edge of the Kruger National Park, meaning that encounters with wildlife can be quite common. Although Leopard Creek is a members-only eclub, concessions can be granted to those staying at some of the on-site lodges. Non-member guests will only be granted to play on this famous course during the week, where green fees start at $2,100.

Leopard Creek courtesy of leopardcreek.co.za

The warmest time to visit South Africa is during January, when the mid-morning temperatures reach around 30C. The summer months of June-August usually receive the most of the annual rainfall. 

Australia

The temperate climate, the laid back attitude and lack of a language barrier attracts countless tourists to Australia, and those looking to race through a few rounds of golf won’t be hard-pushed to find somewhere to swing their club Down Under. With a whopping 1,800 golf courses in the country, and 10% of the adult population partaking in the sport, golf is clearly a popular pastime that visitors can also take advantage of.

17th hole at Bonville Golf course courtesy of bonvillegolf.com.au/

Bonville Golf Resort is located in New South Wales on the Coffs Coast, and is approximately 6 hours north of Sydney. There are 7 direct flights a day from Sydney to Coffs Coast, making it easily accessible to holidaymakers. There are many golfing options for those visiting the Bonville Golf Resort, including game choices and equipment options.

In this area, there are rare and brief cold snaps, with warm and mild weather almost all year round. This is great for sun-seeking golfers looking to escape drizzly Great Britain, as the best time to visit may be during the winter months. Otherwise visiting during summer means you may be faced with stifling temperatures of up to 38C.

For more information and inspiration please visit Online Golf’s handy out-of-season golf holiday guide.

*Article contributed by Maria Bain.