Data is imperative in sport but one sport relies on it more than most, golf is a game of extremely fine margins and mistakes are inevitable. The tasks pros are challenged with is to keep those mistakes as small as possible, data helps with this more than anything.
With the introduction of simulated environments and ball tracking technology, the data and statistics available to golfers at the most elite level as well as the average player is incredible and extremely helpful to improve your game.
“Data captured is now so accurate, tournament players have it in their homes and they use it constantly with their coaches, not all players want the data but the coaches do. A lot of players use their traditional practice methods but the coaches will be analysing the data. Goal setting for players is based almost entirely on the data points they can achieve”
Scott Margetts is capitalising on this wave of technology hitting the world of golf, he set up The Golf Rooms, a variety of indoor simulators in Cheltenham, that make high level data more accessible to the wider golf community.
“With centres like The Golf Rooms, golfs changed massively, we’ve got access now to play proper golf in a simulated environment without having to abide by courses stuffy rules. You can come along with no dress code, you can borrow clubs, you can have some drinks and enjoy company”
Margetts is a PGA professional with a wealth of experience in the elite game and is a huge advocate for the development and innovation of technology within golf. He’s credited the use of simulators to the rapid improvement he’s seen over the last two years allowing him to reach the final stages of the British Open qualifiers on two occasions.
“I qualified twice, once at St Andrews and once at Royal Troon, I got massively humbled in the final stages but that’s the nature of golf, I was punching out of my league but it was a good experience.”
One of golfs top players, Bryson Dechambeau has relied heavily on data collection and brings a mini simulator to every range/course he plays on. He’s documented his experimental approach to the game on his YouTube channel, his unorthodox methods seems to be working as he currently holds the longest average drive in the elite game.
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