GPS powerhouse, Garmin, has made waves through the golf industry of late, releasing three hi-tech GPS monitors specific to the sport. A smart watch, a swing sensor and a pocket-sized tracker make up the three devices. The swing sensor is brand new to the company, while the smart watch and handheld tracker are both upgrades of previous models.
Approach S20
Garmin’s Approach S20 is a smart watch that comes with over 40,000 preloaded golf courses from around the world and a new AutoShot feature that records the location and distance of every shot automatically before uploading the data to Garmin Connect. On top of these golfing features, the watch will also track daily activity and provide smartphone notifications.
“With the S20, we’re excited to announce a new entry-level golf with distances to hazards,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales, according to the press release. “With a stylish look, the new AutoShot feature, TruSwing compatibility and activity tracking, the Approach S20 takes golfers seamlessly from the links to everyday life.”
The watch can get up to 15 hours of battery life or 8 weeks in watch mode while just using activity tracking and has a 5 ATM water rating.
Announcing the Approach S20 GPS golf watch with courses, activity tracking & notifications. https://t.co/aIYbVn1Y64 pic.twitter.com/ndtS5LVRfM
— Garmin (@Garmin) January 26, 2016
Approach G10
Garmin’s Approach G10 is a pocket-sized GPS, handheld device that will provide golfers with useful information like yardage, hazards and can even show the outline of the green, having the same 40,000 courses preloaded as the Approach S20. The device acts as a digital scorecard, capturing a range of statistics like fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. All data is uploaded to a compatible smartphone with Garmin Connect. The device also has a convenient built in clip, making it easy to clip onto a belt, collar or pocket.
“We’re excited to offer our golf customers a new, take-anywhere device,” said Bartel. “The Approach G10 offers golfers the data they need at a great value. It’s totally versatile with a clip-on design, so it gives golfers an advantage on the course, no matter where in the world they play.”
The device can last up to 15 hours on GPS mode, meaning that it can bet through multiple rounds of golf without a charge. It also boasts an IPX-7 water rating to withstand the elements of a day on the course.
Introducing the Approach G10, a pocket-sized golf GPS device that fits almost anywhere. https://t.co/CyhG5N9uMt pic.twitter.com/GSi8ZqK9i9
— Garmin (@Garmin) January 26, 2016
TruSwing
Garmin’s TruSwing is its first ever swing sensory device, and comes in the form of a small, lightweight device that attaches to a golf club anywhere below the grip. The TruSwing can sync wirelessly with any of Garmin’s Approach devices so that golfers can get instant feedback from their swings.
There are a number of complex metrics that the TruSwing uses that are converted into easy-to-understand statistics for users to read. To display ball flight, the device calculates club path, face angle and shaft angle to display trajectory, the device calculates shaft lean and face angle; and to display how far the ball goes, the device calculates the swing speed with where the ball is hit on the club face.
“We’re thrilled to bring a club sensor to our Approach customers with TruSwing,” said Bartel, according to BusinessWire. “With feedback that can instantly be sent to the user’s wrist and detailed information like 3D animation available in Garmin Connect, TruSwing gives golfers a unique training experience unlike anything else that’s on the market. It provides golfers the information they need to improve their swing within seconds; it’s almost like having their own personal golf pro available 24/7.”
The device can get up to 12 hours of battery life on one charge, with an IPx-7 water rating.
Introducing TruSwing- our first golf club sensor accessory to measure swing metrics. https://t.co/KZtNYgeIoR pic.twitter.com/nMzEZ0f5y0
— Garmin (@Garmin) January 26, 2016
Looking Forward
Garmin as a company began way back in 1989, but was vastly different to what it is now. The company initially began designing GPS technology for aircraft and it wasn’t until the early 2000s that they begun exploring personal GPS trackers. Now, in 2016, the company has made its presence felt in almost every code of sport, whether it is hiking, cycling, swimming or team sports. Their current goal is to continue to expand their outdoor activity segment in any way possible.
Targeting golf is an educated decision as the sport boasts extremely high numbers both in recreational and competitive areas all around the world; a sport that definitely hasn’t been flooded with wearable technology, certainly not in comparison to other sports.