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Top Golf Gadgets: Are You Ready for the Season?

Apr 23, 2014 11:27PM ● By Erin Frisch

Are you an avid golfer, or maybe just getting started? Either way, you’re probably looking to improve your game this season. There are a lot of new gadgets on the market designed to help! Check out several of them below.

GolfSense. The GolfSense is a BlueTooth sensor that clips to your golf glove and connects to an app on your Apple or Android phone or tablet. For each swing, you can see a 3D image that shows many details, such as over- or underswings, positioning over the ball, tempo problems, club posture, and wrist twist. The rendering is based on the movement of the sensor, and there is no video recording. Get instant feedback via the app about your club speed, hand speed, club and hand plane, hip rotation, and SwingScore (which you can use to see how close you are to achieving the goals you set for yourself). The GolfSense is feather light, attaches to any glove (right or left), and has a rechargeable battery that lasts about five hours per charge.

TaylorMade R1 Driver. The R1 driver by TaylorMade comes with a pretty hefty price tag ($400). But before you decide the R1 driver is too expensive, consider that it’s like purchasing several different clubs in one. It’s fully adjustable, allowing you to choose from five face-angle positions to help you square the face to the ball at impact; 12 loft-sleeve settings between 8° and 12°; and it has two ways to position the movable Shot-Shape weights to promote a straight flight or a distance-enhancing draw. You can use this driver to create the precise combination of settings to get the most out of every drive.

Select Putter Line. The Scotty Cameron Select putter line by Titleist features adjustable weights positioned in the toe and heel areas of the sole that can be swapped out by fitters to optimize your swing. The Select “Squareback” and “Fastback” putters each have an aluminum sole plate that pops through the flange to offer golfers a unique alignment aid that simplifies the entire aiming process. The aluminum sole plates shave approximately 30 grams of weight from the center of the sole, allowing it to be added back in the form of thicker faces and cavities to improve sound, feel, and performance.

Garmin Approach S2. The Approach S2 is a stylish (choose from a variety of colorful bands) and comfortable GPS golf watch with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that gives the precise yardage to the front, back, and middle of greens. The S2 is designed to help you find your place on each hole and estimate shot distances. It also has a course odometer, measures layup and dogleg distances, and includes a digital scorecard. It has over 30,000 preloaded course maps from around the world, with course updates added up to four times a year and available for free download. It is durable and water resistant to 10 m and has a rechargeable lithium battery. Use this watch to help choose your clubs based on yardage to your target.

FootJoy D.N.A. Shoe. The D.N.A. is a smooth, sleek blend of a classic-looking golf shoe and a more modern athletic style. It is available in a variety of colors with the choice of classic lacing or FootJoy’s BOA lacing system (which costs just a bit more). These shoes are made of lightweight, durable leather featuring two-year waterproof protection. The Fine Tuned Foam foot bed and SnugFit tongue allow the shoe to conform to your foot for the best fit, comfort, and support. These features minimize any “breaking-in” period that you might be used to with other golf shoes. These shoes are comfortable enough to walk 18 holes in, and then wear for a round of drinks after you finish up on the course, as well as functional enough to give you the lightweight stability you need during your swings.

EA Sports Tiger Woods 14. It may sound silly that a video game could help you prepare for golf season, but with the Xbox 360 version and the Kinect motion-tracking system, you can use it to improve your swing. Use your actual golf clubs, and swing in front of the television and motion sensor. The game tracks around 1,000 data points including your posture, head movement, and swing plane. This technology allows you to analyze and improve your game in the comfort of your own home.

What gadgets and techniques do you use to prepare for golf season and improve your game from year to year? Share with us below in the comments!

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