What will be the next breakthrough in golf?

[bobmac]

In my time playing golf we've had the introduction of metal woods, graphite shafts, long putters, hybrids, GPS, electric trolleys and most recently the white driver.

What do you think will be next or has it all now been done to death?
Apart from longer/straighter drivers/irons/balls, what do you think the manufacturers are dreaming up to part us from our hard earned?

 

[Alex1975]

I have to say I dont know, I will have a little think. It is not the end of the line though, I know that, I saw a list of patents that were put in place by the big manufactures the other day and there are plenty, including shafts that you could change the flex on.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I think the areas for development would be shafts and maybe the use of different alloys/composites for iron club heads. Whatever it is in due course we'll need a whole load more restrictions in the rules to stop it making the game too "easy".

 

[HRC99]

The V-Easy, definitely.

It's the future!

 

[Lawrence22]

3D GPS. You'll be able to see realistic contours on greens and fairways, using the same tech as that new nintendo hand held console.

 

[G_Mulligan]

3D GPS. You'll be able to see realistic contours on greens and fairways, using the same tech as that new nintendo hand held console.

That is a very good call.

 

[G_Mulligan]

Not that I use one but an electric trolley that follows a sensor in the players pocket would be pretty cool. So it just follows about two foot behind you. Bit of a problem on the green and during a shot but sure we could iron out those problems.

 

[beck9965]

Balls with traceable microchips so we can find them from the deep rough.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

The trolly that follows you around already exists.

Think the shafts are where we will see most improvment, think some manafcturer tried it a couple of years ago selling 3 different shafts that you could change yourself which i quite like the idea of.
Mike

 

[One Planer]

I'm going to say a single flex shaft.

Made from a composite that adjusts according to applied swing speed. It would allow the "whippyness" required for slower swingers, but also the stiffness for faster swingers.

 

[brendy]

We've had white hot putters, white headed drivers, now we have hackers in white trousers? what else could possibly happen? Hybrid 8 iron equivalent?
Ping sellling sets of irons that only comprise of two clubs?

 

[Mongoose]

Performance gains have pretty much been maxed as the clubs are on the edge of what is allowed by the USGA and R&A rules. Most of what we see now is gimmickry, such as the continued lengthening of driver shafts to claim extra distance and the novelty of being able to adjust it - no matter how much you twiddle with the controls it doesnt shorten the length of the shaft which is the main problem. Think we'll also see the continued jacking of iron lofts to yet again claim longer carry, but yet again, its a pretty artifical claim - make a 7I and call it an 8I, and now the 8I goes further.

I cant see any real breakthroughs on the horizon due to the rules on club design, doubtless there will be loads of claims of breakthroughs though!

 

[need_my_wedge]

Not that I use one but an electric trolley that follows a sensor in the players pocket would be pretty cool. So it just follows about two foot behind you. Bit of a problem on the green and during a shot but sure we could iron out those problems.

I thought there was already one of these?

I do remember playing Fukuchiyama Country Club near Kyoto back in '95. Our bags were loaded onto a trolley on a monorail that ran through the entire course. The trolley ran forwards/ backwards in line with a remote control that was attached top my friends belt. thought it was pretty impressive back then, but was more over awed with the travelators that took us over a couple of chasms between some greens and tees......

 

[AuburnWarrior]

3D GPS. You'll be able to see realistic contours on greens and fairways, using the same tech as that new nintendo hand held console.

That is a very good call.

Would that be allowed though? I don't think GPS devices can show gradients, etc.

I think the next advancement will be in trolleys and their capabilities. We now have a trolley with a UBS port, I reckon we'll see trollies with a refridgerated compartment and other 'aids' to assist your round of golf.

Perhaps microchipped clubs so that they can be tracked if they're stolen?

 

[chrisd]

Pings for the under 60's?




Chris

 

[Lawrence22]

3D GPS. You'll be able to see realistic contours on greens and fairways, using the same tech as that new nintendo hand held console.

That is a very good call.

Would that be allowed though? I don't think GPS devices can show gradients, etc.

I think the next advancement will be in trolleys and their capabilities. We now have a trolley with a UBS port, I reckon we'll see trollies with a refridgerated compartment and other 'aids' to assist your round of golf.

Perhaps microchipped clubs so that they can be tracked if they're stolen?

I see no reason why gps can't show gradients (if rules allow) My first GPS system on a PDA I had years ago gave very acurate altitudes.

 

[richart]

3D GPS. You'll be able to see realistic contours on greens and fairways, using the same tech as that new nintendo hand held console.

That is a very good call.

Would that be allowed though? I don't think GPS devices can show gradients, etc.

I think the next advancement will be in trolleys and their capabilities. We now have a trolley with a UBS port, I reckon we'll see trollies with a refridgerated compartment and other 'aids' to assist your round of golf.

Perhaps microchipped clubs so that they can be tracked if they're stolen?

A trolley with a nice comfortable seat, so you can relax whilst playing your 6 hour round.

 

[viscount17]

I'm going to say a single flex shaft.

Made from a composite that adjusts according to applied swing speed. It would allow the "whippyness" required for slower swingers, but also the stiffness for faster swingers.

good call, and I don't think it's too far off

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'm going to say a single flex shaft.

Made from a composite that adjusts according to applied swing speed. It would allow the "whippyness" required for slower swingers, but also the stiffness for faster swingers.

good call, and I don't think it's too far off

I don't see how that would help personally. There still wouldn't be any standards so every manufacturer would be different. All this would do is put more shafts on the market to confuse us consumers and we'd no doubt pay through the nose for it.

 

[One Planer]

I'm going to say a single flex shaft.

Made from a composite that adjusts according to applied swing speed. It would allow the "whippyness" required for slower swingers, but also the stiffness for faster swingers.

good call, and I don't think it's too far off

I don't see how that would help personally. There still wouldn't be any standards so every manufacturer would be different. All this would do is put more shafts on the market to confuse us consumers and we'd no doubt pay through the nose for it.

And having a white driver helps how exactly

Nah I didn't say it would help, just a possible break through.