Arccos Caddie — golf’s first artificial intelligence-based platform — has implemented a number of new features, including a “Plays Like” feature that precisely calculates real-time yardages factoring in the wind speed, wind direction and elevation before a user’s shot.
This program adds to the already available functionalities of the Arccos Caddie system, which is powered by the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and is a feature within the Arccos 360 app. Arccos Caddie uses objective data on both live weather conditions and previously recorded shots on a given golf course to provide precise, emotionless advice — serving as a virtual caddie, as the namesake goes — to golfers who subscribe to the application.
“On the PGA Tour, a player and his caddie discuss the impact of wind and elevation before nearly every shot. What they’re factoring is the human equivalent of a ‘Plays Like’ distance,” Arccos Golf CEO Sal Syed said in a statement. “Because only about 3 percent of amateur golfers have access to a caddie, we’re working with Microsoft to democratize that experience. Arccos Caddie leverages the power of AI to help any golfer Go Beyond Guesswork and have even more confidence in their club selection.”
Arccos stresses the egalitarian nature of their program — it can be used across all spectrums of golfing ability.
“Arccos users improved their handicap by an average of 2.77 strokes in 2016. The majority of them did that without the advice of an expert caddie,” Syed added. “Arccos Caddie will help every player save even more strokes each round by providing the type of insights and advice previously available only to PGA TOUR pros.”