Technology Twists the Game of Golf

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The grass is turning green, the trees are sprouting, and the flowers are blooming. This can only mean one thing; it is golf season in the Finger Lakes. Golf is a sport like no other, combining relaxation with competition. Golf is a true ladies and gentleman's game where players rule themselves. But golf has come a long way in the past few years with new and improving technology. Technology has taken the game of golf to new levels.

"Golf is a game rich in history and tradition," stated Mike Roeder, General Manager, Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor. "Technology has actually created a little controversy in the game, as traditionalists believe that technology is actually changing too fast and helping the player to much. Because the technology in equipment has changed the way golf courses are being designed has also evolved to compensate for better equipment. Golf courses tend to be a little longer in length and now require better shots to score well to compensate for better equipment."

Greg Mulhern, Director of Golf and Instruction, Bristol Harbour Golf Resort said, "Technology has affected equipment with lighter weight/better fitting equipment which allows the players a chance at hitting shots further and straighter. Unfortunately technology does not make it easier for the most part on actually getting the ball in the hole on the putting green."

Golf has hit an all-time high and looks to be on the rise. Technology has played a key role in the sport's growth. Equipment has improved, as well as course design. Everything in golf has been updated within the last ten years.

"Equipment technology has helped more average players play better, which in turn allows them to enjoy the game more. It has also made it possible for more new players to enjoy the game because getting started with better equipment makes the experience a little easier," said Roeder.

Golf clubs have improved in distance and accuracy, and balls have better accuracy. With these such improvements in the player's game, courses must change to make the game more difficult for the player. This means more bunkers, longer courses, and bigger hazards.

"Golf was a great sport before technology and will continue to be even if they put limits on the technology in clubs and balls," said Mulhern. "Certainly technology has made the game more enjoyable for the average player and allowed tougher conditioning of courses for the better players. Technology has allowed for better conditioning of the golf course which makes the courses much faster and in some instances harder to play."

Golf is a game for all ages and people of all skill levels and courses are trying to make golf more user friendly. Today it is not just in the clubs; it is in the golf carts, and pro-shops. "At Bristol Harbour we have added GPS technology on course to increase speed of play and offer better experience for customer," stated Mulhern.

Dave Damaske, General Manager, Parkview Fairways Golf Club in Victor, stated, "Half of your business is the golf course, but if you don't have the products the people want your course will not be successful."

Roeder agreed, "A full service golf shop definitely enhances the experience at a golf course. It shows the customer that you can provide the necessary equipment to play the game." The technology improvement even includes tracking golfer stats. Computers can track how often a player plays. Gone are the days of waiting at the first tee for an hour; just a few clicks on the computer, and an internet tee time can be set-up.