With CenterCup’s newly released PDA Caddy , exact distance to the target is now one less thing to worry about. As of Jan. 1, 2006, the USGA will now permit distance-measuring devices for use in tournaments at the discretion of the organizers.
All of this bodes well for the amateur golfer. This development now enables golfers of all skill levels to have many of the tools used by the pro’s to improve their game. Tournament organizers are expected to readily approve the use of GPS and other distance measuring devices as it is expected to speed up play.
Just as technology has had a major impact on game improvement performance of equipment, it is now being used to improve other aspects of the game. Scoring and shot tracking software that runs on a personal, handheld PDA has been introduced in recent years by Intelligolf (www.pdacaddy.com/intelligolf.html) and StarCaddy (www.pdacaddy.com/starcaddy.html) with imbedded GPS capabilities. PDA manufacturers Palm, Dell, BlackBerry, HP and Samsung use Bluetooth technology that when paired with a wireless GPS receiver, allows golfers to receive precise distance information.
Jim Plewa, avid golfer and President of CenterCup LLC says, “My Bluetooth equipped PDA loaded with shot tracking, scoring and imbedded GPS software is like having a personal caddy that remembers everything. It tells me the exact distance to the hole, and even has my notes and clubs used from previous rounds. I’ve lowered my handicap by 5 strokes.”
As these devices go from occasional use to integral on every shot, the issue becomes where is a handy spot to put it. Thus, the introduction of the PDA Caddy™ (www.pdacaddy.com) for golfers. This device is a PDA holder that cradles a PDA so it can be securely attached under the scorecard clip on a golf cart. The PDA Caddy™ brings all of the technological elements together enabling the golfer to access scoring, shot tracking and GPS distances where this technology is most useful – front and center on the steering wheel of the golf cart.
Now that GPS devices have been approved by the USGA, most courses are expected to be mapped whereby distance points are identified and course coordinates are made available for download to any golfers leveraging this technology. This is expected to speed up play, make the game even more enjoyable, and provide another tool for better scoring by the amateur golfer.