5 Recent golf technology innovations

Tiger Woods, 15-time Major champion once said "No matter how good you get, you can always get better". These words of wisdom from emphasise the perpetual pursuit of excellence in the game of golf. Even at the pinnacle of his career, Woods revealed that he could count on one hand the number of "perfect shots" he made in a year.

Every golfer, regardless of skill level, encounters challenges on the course. According to Golf Digest and Arccos, golfers miss the mark within the "80-yard window" (equivalent to the size of a football field) more than 12 percent of the time. How you respond to these setbacks and manage your expectations is what truly matters.

While Woods made it seem effortless, achieving the title of World No.1 requires countless hours of dedication, practice, and unwavering effort. Many amateur players want to reach the level of mastery that Woods displayed in his prime and this is why many players search for expert help.

For those who prefer a different route, there is technology. Golf has witnessed a surge of innovative solutions and practical gadgets designed to assist players of all skill levels. From advanced swing analysis systems to smart goggles capable of reading greens, numerous inventions aim to simplify the game, contributing to the growth of the multi-billion pound golf industry year after year.

Here are five of the latest golf innovations that have the potential to enhance your game and reduce a few strokes from your next round.

You may have heard the golf cliché "drives for show, putts for dough." It is, of course, 100 per cent true. You can be the longest hitter at your club, but it counts for little if your putting is woeful and you can’t get the ball in the hole.

The German company PuttView has come up with a brilliant invention that is guaranteed to help even the most nervous putter. Their augmented reality glasses visualise the path and aiming lines on greens so that golfers read putts and gauge speed better. The glasses are only training aids and cost a cool $15,000, but they are a pioneering invention that could be the difference between holing a six-footer for par, or three-stabbing from four feet.

The problem with most driving ranges is that practice mats are always flat. They bear little resemblance to a real course with its undulations, elevation changes, and wonky lies. Following on from its Green Stage putting aid, Zen has launched its new Swing Stage which takes indoor practice to a whole new level.

The product provides a multitude of adjustable playing surfaces to mimic those on an actual course. Swing Stage is aimed at golf academies, golf retail stores, indoor simulator venues, and even homes (if you have the room) so golfers are ready and prepared for their next uneven lie.

Judging distances to flags with the naked eye can seem impossible, even with the help of yardage markers around a course. It’s the reason rangefinders were invented so that players no longer had to "guess" how far it was to the hole.

Precision Pro has expanded this idea with its first customisable distance-measuring technology—the NX10. Removable side plates and face plates are available in a vast range of designs and styles so golfers can add their personal touch to one of golf’s most frequently used innovations. Not surprisingly John Daly, one of golf’s most colourful characters, is a fan.

When teeing off, every golfer has the ideal ball height that suits their swing the best. Inconsistent ball height equals inconsistency off the tee, wayward drives, and higher scores.

The Power Tee system automatically tees up your practice balls to deliver more consistency for players of all abilities. There are 40 different tee heights, so users will always be able to find one they are most comfortable with. The US company claims its equipment is used to tee up six million practice balls worldwide every day. Also, the automatic feature not only saves you from bending over between swings, but it also means more balls are being hit every practice session.

Putting is referred to as a "game within a game," due to its complexity and nuances. Generally speaking, all amateur golfers would welcome help on the putting green. It’s where rounds—and tournaments—are often won or lost.

OnCore Golf’s ingenious i-Roll ball is stuffed with technology so it can wirelessly track a ball’s velocity, spin rate, distance, and location. As well as putting feedback, it also automates scoring and captures vital data that could be useful for club fitting and professional coaching. OnCore plan to release the i-Roll this summer, and the New York-based company is also in the process of developing a data-tracking, microchipped "Genius Ball" that uses smart electronics to feedback key information to the user.