Remember when golf used to be simple? You'd grab your clubs
and hit a golf ball down the fairway.
But that was before golf went high-tech. Nowadays, more and
more golfers are whipping out a handheld personal digital assistant
(PDA), global positioning system (GPS) or other gadget to obtain
diagrams of the course, distance measurements, pro tips, informa-
tion on wind velocity or elevation and maybe order a beer and
burger from the clubhouse's restaurant. Even the golf ball has
become complex, tweaked to allow golfers to hit the ball farther
with greater accuracy.
Such high-tech devices are promising to improve golfers'
games not to mention help some golf courses across the country
lure golfers to their courses with the latest technology, golf experts
say. Indeed, some golf courses are installing WiFi hotspots to help
golfers measure course distances and surf online for stock updates
and sports scores.
Companies are identifying golfers' needs and developing spe-
cific technology geared to improving the speed and precision of
their games, says Andy Brumer, author of "The Golf Revolution:
How Technology is Driving the Game" (TechTV, 2003).
GPS SYSTEMS: DIGITAL CADDY
Before, golfers needed a caddy to inform them about the
course, yardages, hazards and dangers to avoid. Now, a GPS can
tell you that.
And some golfers have found them useful in getting them to
the green faster and staying below par.
These GPS devices -- mostly found installed in golf carts at
high-end golf or resort courses -- boast high-resolution color mon-
itors that pinpoint distances to the hole. Many GPS devices also
can suggest game strategy and recommend which club the golfer
should use. Furthermore, GPS programs often allow golfers to
compare their games to other players', monitor the position of
other golfers on the course to determine when they should tee off,
and provide instant contact to the clubhouse in case of golf cart
troubles or a medical emergency.
"The graphics are continually getting better," Brumer says
about GPS monitors. Plus, they've been useful in improving
golfers' games and speeding up the game, he adds. That's because
precise information golfers need to set up the perfect shot is often
at their fingertips.
"[Golfers] can carry them around, get measurements of how
far their shot is, outlines of each hole with diagrams and suggested
course strategies," Brumer says. Some golf courses are also finding
these devices can be useful in gaining revenue by flashing advertis-
ing on the monitors.
Golfers can also turn their Smartphone or Palm Pilot into
their golf caddy. Software on such systems can be integrated with
GPS to provide golfers with scoring, course information and shot
tracking.
GOLF CLUBS
The golf club also continues to get technologically advanced.
Golfers may tap simulators to determine club movement, club
head speed, path and ball flight
in helping to take the guesswork
out of choosing the right club or
improving their swing.
Brumer says the sport is see-
ing more of these launch moni-
tors in club fitting and testing.
Launch monitors might use a
camera or digital method to
measure data when the golfer
hits a ball against a wall, which
can then be used to reveal such
items as the spin rate, speed and
direction of the ball, Brumer
says.
Some golfers may even be
able to put this technology right
into their club. For example,
one such product --
SmartSwing, developed by an
Austin, Texas-based golf systems
company -- allows golfers to
have a circuit embedded in their
club that collects information
on their swing while on the
course. The data is stored in the
club's memory and then later
can be downloaded into golfers'
computers to access a graphic of
their swing. It provides informa-
tion about the acceleration and rotation of the swing too.
Some products -- such as EDH Sport's FlightScope -- can
also trace or record the actual flight of the ball when it is struck.
These products track the ball and analyze the characteristics of the
ball's flight to help golfers find the club that produces the best shot
for them, Brumer says.
Along those same lines, some golfers are finding that using vir-
tual reality programs -- such as Virtually Perfect Golf -- may also
help improve their swings. Golfers wear a virtual reality head mon-
itor as they swing in a simulated environment. A virtual instructor
offers swing analysis, including errors in the swing and overlays the
golfer's swing with a model for comparison. It then guides golfers
on how to achieve the perfect swing.
Whether tapping virtual reality or accessing satellites for GPS,
golfers are finding many options in ball, club and system technolo-
gy to choose from in improving their game.
"There is always new technology being introduced," Brumer
says. Some golf experts predict that many of these devices will soon
become more prevalent among amateur golfers. Brumer expects
that launch monitors used for club fitting will especially grow in
popularity in the coming months.
"I think [golfers] will start to see it more at driving ranges," he
says, "and we're already seeing it at the big retailers."
K
C
M
Y
The Citizen. Auburn, New York
Sunday, April 29, 2007
E3
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315-986-4455
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F
INGER
L
AKES
Golf Guide
Y
OUR GUIDE TO THE AREA
'
S FINEST GOLF COURSES
.
Arnold Palmer Golf Driving Range
Gates Road, one mile east of city line off Route 5 (Grant
Ave.) 315-253-8072. Arnold Palmer hosts a golf driving
range and challenging miniature golf. Batting cages and the
new paint ball field are ready for action as well as an arcade.
Soft ice cream, hot dogs, and hamburgers are available at the
snack bar. We host birthday parties!
Camillus Country Club
Camillus Country Club, located on Bennett's Corner Road
in Camillus, is an 18 hole course open to the public. Camil-
lus accepts Mastercard, Visa and American Express. Visit us
online at www.camillus.com.
Cato Golf Club
11181 State Rt. 34, Cato, NY 315-626-2291. Open at 7am -
7 days a week. Cato is a 9 hole. daily fee golf course, open to
the public. We are conveniently located between Syracuse,
Oswego, and Auburn; just far enough outside the cities to
avoid the long wait at the tee. Quality greens have been a
course signature for many years; smooth, true, and fast
describes the putting surface at Cato Golf Club.
Cranebrook Golf Course
Located at the corner of Canoga & Turnpike Road, Auburn -
315-252-7887, is an 18 hole, par 70 course. State of the art
computerized irrigation system allows greens, tees and fair-
ways to be in superior condition all season. The clubhouse
offers: beverages, snacks, hamburgers, power cart rentals,
basic pro shop. Cranebrook offers uncompromised quality at
an affordable fee.
Dutch Hollow Country Club
1839 Benson Rd., Auburn, NY 13021
ProShop 315-784-5052
www.golfteacher.com for more info
The golf course measures 6,500 yards from the blue tees and
plays to a par 71, with a slope rating of 120. With an irriga-
tion system covering each green, tee, and fairway, the course
is maintained at a very high standard of quality and provides
an enjoyable test for every level of golfing skill.
Fillmore Golf Club
Located off Rt. 38, Tollgate Hill Rd., Locke, NY. 315-497-
3145. This course offers a spectacular view of the valley, and
the local area is equally beautiful because it was carved out
by a glacier. Pro Shop, power carts, driving range, restaurant
and bar. Open Golf and Semi Private. Providing the area with
challenging golf for over 40 years.
Highland Park Golf Club
3068 Franklin St. Rd., 315-252-4993. Semi-private. High-
land Park is honored to have had several world-renowned golf
course architects, A.W. Tillinghast and Geoffrey S. Cornish
take credit for renovations and additions throughout our
nearly 80 year history. Highland Park's front side went
through a massive sand bunker renovation project that was
designed by Barry Jordan. Highland offers a challenging Par
71 6,163 yards. Pro: Steve Spinney, Call for tee times.
Hillendale Golf Club
Hillendale is an 18 hole award winning public golf facility
located in beautiful Ithaca NY. Complete with a restaurant,
bar, putting green, practice facility and three sets of tees this
course measures 6,004 yards and plays to a par 70. Open 7
days a week, call for tee times. Lessons are available for indi-
viduals and groups. We have a meeting room available and a
private deck for group BBQ.
Indian Head Golf Course
Open to the public, this beautiful course is centrally located
on Rt. 5 & 20 between Auburn and Seneca Falls. Featuring a
weekday special for $14.50 for 9 holes and a cart, Indian
Head also has a large practice area. For more information or
tee time, call 315-253-6812.
Lakeview Golf & Country Club
Located just south of Auburn on Rt. 38A, 1/2 mile past
Emerson Park A public, 18 hole course in the heart of the
Fingerlakes overlooking Owasco Lake, measuring 6300 yards
and plays to a par 71. We offer complete clubhouse facilities,
bar & restaurant, practice range, chipping & putting greens
and new riding carts. Fully stocked Pro Shop owned & oper-
ated by Keith "Jackson" Thomas. He is holding a 5 week
Junior Golf Program and is available for lessons. Pro Shop
(315) 253-3152 Clubhouse (315) 253-0359
Meadowbrook Golf Club
A 9 hole golf course. Although only 2,800 yards in length, it
is much more difficult by water on 7 of the 9 holes. The
course has a full irrigation system and is plush all year long.
A joy to play. Ball Road, Weedsport, 315-834-9358.
Pearl Lakes Golf Course & Driving
Range
1441 Old Seneca Turnpike, Skaneateles, NY. 315-685-6799,
9 hole executive course. Par 29, 1,526 yards. This executive
course has water hazards (nine ponds) coming into play on
nine holes. The fairways are hilly and were designed to play
through the wetlands. The entire course was cut out of the
forest, so you can expect tree-lined fairways.
Ravenwood Golf Club
Rochester's newest tradition in golf excellence features an 18
hole championship layout with five sets of tees to challenge
every level of golfer, a state of the art practice facility, and full
service golf shop. Selected by Golf Digest as #5 Best New
Upscale Public golf course in America. The impeccably mani-
cured golf course, premium clubhouse facility and service-ori-
ented staff will be the hallmarks of your next golf outing at
Ravenwood.
Silver Creek Golf Course
Here is what Sport's Illustrated's golfcourse.com says about
Silver Creek Golf Course, an 18-hole public course in Water-
loo: "This course's back nine plays at a championship level
where a good score can be obtained through solid course
management." Located on 1790 E River Rd, Waterloo. Call
539-8076 for information.
Golf Technology Becomes Par for the Course
