Improve Your Golf Game with the Right Tech

You’ve probably heard of a fitness tracker or smartwatch, but did you know that some electronics brands now make smartwatches and handheld GPS devices for sports?

These golf smart devices come preloaded with worldwide course maps and information that will help you measure distances, anticipate hazards, and even track your swing when paired with club tracking sensors (often sold separately).

Pair them with your smartphone and participate in virtual tournaments and join leaderboards through your device. Even better, you can evaluate valuable data on your game, your tendencies, and your improvements. With this information, you’ll know what you want to work on for your next round of golf.

With a golf launch monitor, you can go even further by learning about any bad habits you might want to overcome. These powerful little pieces of tech are portable and can judge the ball speed, angle, backspin, and club speed within mere moments of recording your swing.

These high-tech devices were once solely available to professionals, but now you can find them for the ordinary golfer (though they are one of the pricier items in this guide). By using a launch monitor, you can learn a lot more about your specific stroke and where you need to adjust. Plus, you can send the data directly to your laptop to analyze it more thoroughly.

Best of all, you can use this golf equipment to practice while away from the golf course by enjoying simulated driving range programs or course experiences through software upgrades available with the device. Additionally, you will want to buy a hitting net to catch your balls if you are practicing off the course or with limited backyard space.

Aside from sports gear like a hitting net to contain flying golf balls, there are many things you can add to your arsenal of at-home practice equipment. If you want to take your experience to the next level, consider investing in a simulator system. This high-tech set consists of a hitting mat, hitting net, a projector (to create a visual for your simulated experience), and various launch measuring devices that analyze your stroke and the trajectory of your ball.

Many of these systems can create separate profiles for multiple people. This feature allows you to conduct virtual matches with real-life friends from the comfort of your home.

If that scenario sounds a little too high tech for your home set-up, you can simplify things by sticking to a practice mat for putting. Get a roll-up putting green for the basement or the rec room and prepare to show off your newly tuned skills when you get back on the real green.

Rangefinders are part of the camera lenses family and are used to determine the distance between you and your target. There are two main types of golf rangefinders: GPS and laser. GPS rangefinders rely on the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine distance, while laser rangefinders rely on – you guessed it – lasers.

Laser rangefinders are more accurate in the field, except in rainy or foggy conditions when visibility is poor. However, you still need steady hands and frequent measurements to optimize the use of laser rangefinders. For this reason, some people prefer to use the GPS rangefinders included in smartwatch and GPS devices. GPS rangefinders are only slightly less accurate, and they can be more convenient. This is because they continually calculate distance as you move while laser rangefinders require you to make manual calculations. Either type of rangefinder will greatly help you gauge your shots and anticipate the design of the golf course more accurately.