Artificial Intelligence – Revolutionising Golf in Real-Time
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has been a major talking point in the tech industry in recent years. This trend has extended to the golfing world, with more manufacturers leveraging A.I. for golf club design, statistical analysis, and now, video coaching tools. This article explores how A.I. has been integrated into launch monitors and how this innovative technology can maximise your potential.
The Advent of A.I. in Golf
The growing market for advanced technology in golf has led to significant advancements in the industry. Predictive modelling, advanced swing analysis, and A.I.-driven coaching tools have become increasingly prevalent. This development is most evident in Trackman, the industry’s leading launch monitor manufacturer. Utilising these tools can elevate coaching to new heights, with a personal assistant working in the background to simplify swing improvement.
TRACEY – Trackman’s A.I. Swing Coach
One of the pioneering A.I. systems is Tracey, developed by Trackman in 2021. Tracey is powered by a neural network that analyses players’ swings to identify their weaknesses. Once activated, Tracey examines dispersion patterns, ball speeds, impact location, and other essential metrics to understand a student’s strengths and weaknesses.
After collecting the required amount of data (typically between 8 and 20 shots), Tracey identifies an area of the swing that needs improvement. For example, if a student consistently pushes the ball right and occasionally squares their club face sufficiently for a straight shot, Tracey will analyse the data. It might find that the student swings 2 degrees inside, has proficient control of their low point and angle of attack, and achieves consistent ball speed, indicating consistent impact location. This allows Tracey to pinpoint the weak point: face angle control.
With this information, the student can begin a focused practice session with only face angle as the presented data point. An ideal range of between -2 degrees closed and 0 degrees is provided for the student to aim for, while maintaining the rest of their swing. This targeted approach simplifies the path to a better swing with Tracey’s assistance.
Motion Analysis
Trackman’s latest innovation, AI Motion Analysis, is now integrated into the Shot Analysis system. This tool uses artificial intelligence to revolutionise the analysis of golf swing dynamics, providing comprehensive insights into swing mechanics. It enhances the understanding of every motion’s intricacy for both seasoned golfers and beginners.
AI Motion Analysis works seamlessly with both TM4 and TM iO systems, offering detailed scrutiny of both static and dynamic aspects of the golf swing. This integration allows golfers to gain a deeper understanding of their swing mechanics and even compare their swings to top players using the TM Tour Pro Library.
Predictive Modelling
A common question about the accuracy of radar systems in indoor golf is how they track the golf ball without seeing the full ball flight. Trackman addresses this question using A.I. and a library of over 1 billion shots.
By leveraging A.I., Trackman can apply the lessons learned from extensive testing to accurately predict the outcome of a shot without needing to see the entire shot. This ensures minimal differences in measurement between indoor and outdoor settings, allowing units like the Trackman 4 to provide equally impressive swing analysis both on a driving range and in a simulator.
In conclusion, the integration of A.I. into golf coaching tools represents a significant leap forward for the sport. Innovations like Tracey and AI Motion Analysis are transforming how golfers and coaches approach swing improvement, offering more precise and effective methods for enhancing performance.
