The Apple Watch Could Be the Wrist Companion Your Golf Game Needs
Announcing updates aimed at golfers as part of watchOS 10.
“Cars, watches and golf” is an oft-used phrase in the media industry, referencing the naturally adjacent lifestyles of said hobbies and interests. And while many of the top golfers in the world have deals with luxury Swiss watchmakers, today’s players are also looking for devices that give them an edge in performance. At least that’s what Apple is hoping to be the case with its latest watchOS 10 update for the Apple Watch. Combined with the device’s self-hosted features that benefit golfers – like 36 hour battery life and a super vibrant display that remains readable in bright sunlight – the new update allows third party apps to unlock brand new capabilities.
Chief among the offerings Apple thinks will resonate is Golfshot, an app that’s designed to help golfers work on their swing and track key statistics. High-frequency motion API, new for the watchOS 10 update, enable Golfshot to record the exact moment when the club meets the ball, while the Apple Watch sensors allow players to work on things such as rhythm, tempo, transition and wrist path. For the stats nerds out there, Golfshot also auto-tracks strokes gained, streamlining what used to be an arduous task.
“Leveraging the full capabilities of Apple Watch has always been a priority for Golfshot since our first Apple Watch release in 2015,” said Golfshot’s CGO Alex Flores. “Innovative features including Auto Shot Tracking and Swing ID — both powered by Apple Watch and sophisticated machine learning — truly help golfers improve their game by giving real-time, personalized data on the device that’s already with them.”
There are plenty of other golf-related apps available through the Apple Watch that appeal to players both experienced and novice like 18Birdies, which has one of the best GPS interfaces, or Arcoss, the official game tracker of the PGA TOUR.
