Technology has been steadily helping golfers improve their game and offering new ways to play since the turn of the century. Today, a wide range of golf gadgets are available, and golfers no longer need to visit a golf course to play a round, as they can instead play Indoor Golf. The development and widespread use of smartphones and smartwatches ushered in the next level of technology that has helped players improve every aspect of their game, from their swing to their course management. We are now moving into the next phase of golf technology through the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). Despite the technology being in the early stages of its full potential, it is being implemented into golf and is helping players both on the course and off it.  

AI in Golf

AI has many applications in golf for the players, the course owners, and the sport’s biggest brands. Golfers are increasingly using AI for next-level club fittings that can accurately recommend the exact club they need based on their swing data and video footage. Another example of how technology is being used is in the creation of clubs. Callaway’s Epic Flash drivers and fairway woods were created using data from a supercomputer that developed the optimal clubface technology. At a broader level, many golf courses now use AI chatbots to interact with players to book tee times and answer questions. With AI being implemented at every level, it is clear that it is here to stay. For the average golfer, though, the potential of an AI caddie is the most exciting development.

What is an AI Caddie?

AI caddies either come as an application or a wearable device, often both, to provide optimal support to golfers of every level. The two main ways that an AI caddie can help a golfer are through swing analysis and acting as a virtual caddie on a golf course.

Swing Analysis

Even though they are called caddies, the AI effectively acts as a personal trainer. An AI caddie is able to monitor your performance using a camera or tracking sensor in order to provide instant feedback on how to improve your golf swing. A good AI application will monitor every aspect of your swing, from the starting position to the follow-through, and provide detailed feedback on each area. Alongside providing insight on where to improve, some AI caddies can use the data gathered from several sessions to create a practice plan unique to you.

Virtual Caddie

AI golf caddies are revolutionizing how golfers tackle a course by providing hole analysis and club recommendations that were once only available to those who could afford a top caddie. If the AI application has the golf course in its database, it can provide a detailed map of each hole and show the optimal route to the green. It will also provide accurate yardage for hazards and dog ears, as well as information on wind speed and direction. This gives golfers a complete overview of a course only the best human caddies can provide. The virtual caddie will also remember your strokes for each hole and which club you used, allowing you to retrospectively go back over the hole and find areas of improvement.

Advantages of an AI Caddie

The AI caddie has democratized the access to data that was once only reserved for professional golfers and those who could afford the best coaches. Golfers of all levels can get accurate insights and recommendations without spending huge amounts on training sessions or hiring caddies. This has made individual improvement much easier as golfers can take the AI caddie with them to every practice session or course. Most golfers only take a limited number of lessons before striking out on their own due to financial or time constraints. An AI caddie is a personal coach in their pocket and is a minimal investment compared to regularly hiring a pro for lessons. Removing much of the guesswork on the golf course will also allow players to improve their overall game, especially if they play independently.

Disadvantages of an AI Caddie

The feedback from an AI caddie is excellent for showing you what is wrong and where you need to improve, but it can’t match an actual human trainer for showing you how to improve. The amount of data an AI caddie can produce can easily be overwhelming and difficult for an amateur player to implement into their practice sessions. A pro can make recommendations and then teach you how to implement them by correcting your swing. They will also be able to communicate better the best ways to work on different aspects of your swing, taking into consideration age, height, and mobility. Golf is fundamentally a very human endeavor, testing a player’s physical and mental capabilities. Constantly relying on artificial advice could stagnate the development of a natural instinct for the sport.

Whether you agree with it or not, AI is fast becoming an important part of golf. It can help golfers improve their swing and help them get around the course much easier. Despite this, golf will always be a human sport because as advanced as the tech will get, it can’t take the swing for you.