Golf is played around the world. However, its popularity is enormous in certain countries. Canada is one such country where people are obsessed about the sport. If they are not actually playing it, then they are probably enjoying the spectacle of golf through best sportsbook Canada.
Impact of Technology on Golf
Technology has made a huge impact on the golf game. Game improvement irons and smart golf balls are not an uncommon sight now, but none of these existed a few decades ago.
The earliest golf equipment were made of wood and they were made by the players themselves. However, they were of low quality and so golfers started seeking out craftsmen for preparing these equipment. The use of wood for making ‘longnoses’, fairway clubs and spoons continued until 1750 when the club heads were made out of iron.
In the 1870s, factories became involved in the production of these sport gears on a mass level. Golf’s popularity took off in the 1900s as companies started introducing different designs. The sport also witnessed some legislation in 1925. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews legalised the use of steel shafted clubs while they also brought a 14-club rule, which allowed players to carry only 14 clubs.
Nowadays, the use of metal for golf equipment is in vogue. While the popularity of custom-made golf clubs is also increasing, which cannot be purchased from any store but is especially made for each golfer.
Golf as we know it today
Technological advancements have brought plenty of conveniences for golfers and superintendents. Professional golfers are always looking to improve their game, and that’s how they stay competitive. They also turn towards technology to find out which of their skills need more polishing.
Golf carts with GPS or a satellite-based Global Positioning system is a godsend for players. They show an overview of every hole so the golfers find the next hole easily and how to play the shot.
The sensors on the golf carts can tell us the distance from the tee to the ball. The players can also employ swing sensors, which are attached to the gloves or clubs, to determine swing speed, tempo and angle. This information is helpful in improving their game.
There are also several applications which are very helpful for golfers in this regard. These apps are used in recording and analysing data. Sensors are attached to the clubs and they send data to the apps which then provide valuable guidance on how players can take their game to the next level. Not only that, they take into account weather and wind speed, while data are also collected about how a golfer grips the club and how his/her stance is.
The skill of a golfer is pivotal to scoring an ace. But there are other factors too that we need to take into account. And that brings us to aerodynamic optimization, which is important to scoring an ace. It has been observed that smooth balls don’t travel further than the ones with dimples. Golf balls which feature dimples optimize aerodynamics.
The Wilson Ultra 500 distance golf balls are thought to have the most symmetrical ball surface available. It is said that it sustains initial velocity longer and produces the most stable ball flight for great accuracy and distance. The ball which features dimples optimizes aerodynamics. The large dimples serve to increase the lift and reduce drag, while the small dimples prevent excessive lift.
Nowadays, smart balls such as the GEN il and GENiUS Balls have also been introduced in the market. These amazing golf balls contain an embedded sensor as well as an MCU for sending data to a smartphone. They can measure total distance, backspin and initial ball speed.
Managing the golf courses is not an easy task but things have become more manageable with technology, which is what everyone wants to talk about these days. Using remote sensors, superintendents can receive reports of soil moisture, temperature and salt concentration, etc. within a matter of minutes. Not only that, they can also assess the condition of the golf course, monitor the irrigation system and track labour and inventory.
