Technology has become one of the most important areas of golf advancement over the past twenty years. Since the dawn of metal woods and composite shafts, golf continues to push the boundaries of technological advancement to improve golf swings, lower scores and help golfers enjoy the game more.
Here are only a few of the more popular uses of technology for today’s avid golfer.
Launch Monitors
Obviously one of the most important technological pieces of golf equipment is the use of Trackman and Flightscope to record, clubhead speed, spin rate and launch angle, which is then used to provide a wealth of data to both confuse and help golfers. 
Triangulating these three factors and recording the data from an individual’s swing, club fitters can dial in the proper, clubhead, shaft and even the correct golf ball for every unique golf swing.
Both Trackman and Flightscope evolved from radar technology that accurately guides missiles in the defense industry.
Flightscope produces 3D Doppler Ball Tracking Monitors, Golf Radars and Launch Monitors that record 27 points of data to help analyze any swing.
World No. 1 ranked golfer, Dustin Johnson, credits his use of Trackman in helping dial in his wedges to precise distances, allowing him to average more greens in regulation, improve his proximity to the hole numbers, which resulted in more birdies.
If you think spending $30,000 on your own personal Trackman unit is a bit steep, Trackman is now available for the average golfer. Carl’s Golfland in Detroit, Michigan recently opened the first Trackman Range, giving even average golfers access to this technology. Five Trackman monitors provide all the data golfers needs to dial in each club and find the perfect mix of club and ball to lower scores and increase the fun factor on the course.
GEARS
Golf Evaluation and Research System (GEARS) uses monitors placed on key parts of the body to create an avatar on a computer screen that accurately recreates you individual swing. Using various lines and angle relationships, trained golf instructors can then correct your swing positions to help you develop a proper swing.
There are several technological systems available to break down a golf swing to provide video analysis, but I have personally seen the results of using the GEARS analysis at Boyne Resort’s Training Facility and it was definitely eye opening.
V1 Video Instruction
V1 was founded in 1995 and is a leader in video swing analysis software, delivering game improvement instruction by connecting golf professionals and golfers via their computer or smartphone.
V1 pioneered video instruction along with integrated telestration and voiceover. The company has delivered over three million internet video lessons conducted by more than 6,000 PGA golf professionals, including many Top 100 instructors.
In both 2016 and 2017 Golf Digest ranked V1 the No. 1 Video Analysis Software in its category.
Club & Ball Fitting
Earlier we mentioned the use Trackman and Flightscope to help analyze a golf swing. This technology has also created the largest boom for golf professionals over the last decade, performing club and ball fittings.
Most local teaching professionals are using technology to collect data so that they can accurately recommend the correct head, shaft and golf ball for each individual golfer. Golf swings are like snowflakes, each one is different, but modern technology provides the hard data that allows every fitter or instructor to help a golfer maximize his or her equipment.
With cost for a new set of golf clubs $2,000-$9,000, depending on the brand, it only makes sense to use available technology to assure you make the right choice.
Club Champion 
Club Champion has become the largest retail premium golf club fitter in the United States offering the finest technology for custom fitting. Club Champion’s fitter have over 15,000 club components from which to choose. Once the correct match is made for your swing, Club Champion can create that exact club for you.
Word of caution:
Not everyone, who professes to be an expert club fitter truly is. They may have a certificate that says they attended or passed a training, but like everything else, club fitters vary by degree. It may take one or two tries to find the right one for you. Ask your pro or a qualified golf professional, who they might recommend to receive a proper club fitting.
Golf Simulators:
Golf simulators have also been one of the most rapidly growing segments of the golf technology business. Several companies can sell and install simulators, whether for retail or personal in-home usage.
In addition to providing a way to play golf, even if the conditions outside are less than perfect, a golf simulator can also be used as a training aid. Swing speed, spin rate and launch angle are recorded from the laser readers and allow golfers the opportunity to practice even if there is two feet of snow on the ground outside. In Toledo alone, there are over 22 golf simulators available for retail use in the winter. Skin games, scramble events and closest-to-the-pin contests are held, just like at the course in the summer months.
Plus, golfers can play big name courses, like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and others without spending a dime on travel.
Want a golf simulator in your home? Here are three companies that produce golf simulators for commercial or personal use.
Optishot
Want a golf simulator in your home? Optishot, a Michigan-based company, has just the thing for you.
Optishot’s ‘Golf-In-A-Box’ comes with everything necessary to install your very own award-winning golf simulator. With 15 world renowned courses included, it creates a realistic 3D environment and the ability for up to 4 players to compete.
aboutGolf
AboutGolf simulators are produced in Toledo, Ohio and are one of the leading golf simulators in the industry.
Their new 180 degree curved screen and ability to link to other locations, provide not only a great teaching opportunity, but also provides a means to compete with other golfers across the nation or the world.
Ace Indoor
Ace Indoor golf uses the truGolf platform and can be custom fitted to any retail function or installed for personal home use. Over 80 courses can be dialed up for play or the practice range feature provides the data to analyze your swing at home.
Ace Indoor also provides custom installation for large corporate meetings or trade shows.
Final Thoughts
As you can see technology has become one of the most important segments in the golf industry. As systems become more available additional uses are constantly being found to create more golf data and help analyze each golf swing.
Like it or not Technology is here to stay.
