Technology in Golf Balls

[flgolf]

With the way everything is going some buddies and I have been talking about the likelihood of seeing more and more digital technology making its way into golf. I've heard that there are some companies working on golf balls that will be able to sync with your smartphone (bluetooth or something I don't know?) and be able to provide data. I can see how location features would be useful and apparently it is possible but they are trying to have it be like a whole data thing where you will be able to analyze data from the ball on your phone. Haven't heard anything first hand and I would be curious if anyone knows more about this or if it's been discussed in other threads on here. What does everyone thing about this? is it good or something that is better left alone. I figured they'd be gimmicky like those baseballs with the speed device in them that always break but from what I understand the technology is already here where they can work much better. Anyway just thought I'd see what everyone thinks or has heard about this.

[Club Rat]

I know OnCore is in the process / development of a ball with a smart core.
Also, I believe Top Golf uses a ball which has similar functions.

Quote

OnCore Genius Golf Ball

With the Caliber, OnCore figured out how to make a playable golf ball with a hollow metal core. Now they're using the core of the ball for something else: analytics. The OnCore Genius Golf Ball has GPS and other sensors inside that let you track time and distance of roll and carry, ball velocity, amount of draw or fade, angle of decent, spin rate, and maximum height right from your phone as you're playing. As an added bonus, it also tells you where it is, so you can reclaim those precious minutes spent searching for errant drives.

 

[flgolf]

48 minutes ago, Club Rat said:

I know OnCore is in the process / development of a ball with a smart core.
Also, I believe Top Golf uses a ball which has similar functions.

 

I looked through OnCore's website and some articles about the genius ball, very interesting, seems like its well developed. I think top golf just uses a radio frequency identification chip in the ball so its passive and has to go through the receivers to be recorded. 

[iacas]

I don't think that putting a lot of technology into a golf ball itself is going to be the answer, ever. You can lose golf balls. Scuff them. Etc.

[Patch]

My opinion on technology and golf is that eventually technology will change the game of golf as we know it today. 

We already have a controlled explosion club available, to shoot balls with, that does not require any swing training. Still in its infancy, we can play computer generated golf. A "smart" golf ball is not that far fetched.

Tracking a ball, with our phones seems like a logical, next step.