Tech teachings

What it’s told us about golfers Golf in 2017 is bursting at the seams with tech. Everything, from shoes to drivers, balls and putters can now be analysed on a machine to help improve a golfer’s performance. With so much data out there – data we simply didn’t have access to a few years ago – we thought it was time to show some of the most impressive stats that tech has recently revealed...

13,000 steps

The number of steps golfers take when playing an average round (walking); over six miles. For those using a buggy it drops to 6,000 steps.

295cc

The size Ping’s G30 driver would need to be shrunk down to be as quick through the air as their aerodynamic new G400.

0.0005 seconds

The amount of time a 10-foot putt stays in contact with the face (about half a millisecond). Because a putter has loft a 10-footer is “lifted” into the air for about its first four inches; it then skids for about 12 inches before starting its roll.

40%

A recent Swedish study found mortality rates dropped 40% for those who play golf on a regular basis, which equates to an extra five years of life expectancy.

720

Number of frames per second Ping’s Enzo motion capture cameras grab on everything from drag to shaft torque. Hollywood films are usually captured at between 100-200fps.

1442 calories

The amount of calories walking and carrying your golf clubs will burn in a round; more than you’d burn in a 30-minute gym session. Typically, you’d find 180 calories in a pint of beer and 341 in a bacon sandwich, so long as you don’t over-indulge you’ll be in calorie credit!

16

Many of the latest wedges (especially higher lofts) have an extra groove, which comes directly from a launch monitor. More grooves mean more spin on shorter shots, but we’d never have known if we couldn’t measure spin.

69%

The percentage of UK golfers who use electric trolleys. The DMD market’s split 75%-25% in favour of GPS over rangefinders. With 80% of the British population owning a smartphone it’s no surprise Motocaddy has used the GPS built into your phone to power its new S5 Connect.

2.270

The number of strokes DJ gains on the field every round he plays. Strokes gained is a relatively new way of comparing players within a field. The PGA Tour’s top five is made up by Fowler (2.12), Rahm (1.98), Spieth (1.87) and Tyrrell Hatton (1.864).

181 mph

Rory Mcilroy’s ball speed off his Taylormade M2 driver. His spin is 2,119rpm, and he carries drives 316 yards, which run out to 339. That’s 50mph quicker and 111 yards further than the average UK golfer. Eeek!

15

The numer of hours of vigorous exercise world No.1 Dustin Johnson does every week. He works out twice a day, with three days a week spent on power training, and a further three spent on “neurological training” which targets specific muscles. His coach reckons the exercise has upped club speed by 2mph and smash factor by 5%.