Artificial intelligence enters the fairway: Everyday golfers now benefiting from tech once reserved for the pros
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way golf is played – helping players navigate courses with data-driven precision and AI-powered caddies becoming increasingly accessible. Here’s how.
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Artificial intelligence is teeing off on traditional sport, no longer confined to boardrooms or elite athletes as it’s now within reach for everyday players.
In golf, that shift is already underway with a new app called GOLF.AI, which is helping amateur and junior players take a more strategic approach to the game, offering insights on club choice, shot direction, and distance — effectively functioning as a virtual caddie in your pocket.
Artificial intelligence has been used in sport for years across the country as well as for over a decade by the Australian Institute of Sport, but author and futurist Ross Dawson claims the base of technology “has moved so drastically” that it is now seeping into everyday sport
“It’s always been in the domain of professional sports but now for non professionals, they have access to tools which can very readily give them access to extraordinarily good insights and input,” he said.
“This can really help them take their performance to the next level.”
According to Dawson, apps like GOLF.AI only scratch the surface of what artificial intelligence can provide when it comes to providing “extraordinary fine grained detail.”
“We are able to look at what ways in which we move our bodies that create the best outcomes, which could be in golf, tennis, rugby or skiing,” he said.
“It could provide direct feedback on conditions, your history as a golfer, your handicaps, range, distance and even do competitive position.”
Ten-year-old Harry, one of the app’s youngest users, has already seen results after just one month.
“I’ve definitely been getting to the holes quicker,” he said.
“Because I know what club I can use and how far away I am from the hole.”
Clive Mayhew, CEO of GOLF.AI, says the goal is to make advanced tools accessible to the everyday golfer.
“For golfers with a 15 handicap, we save them on average six shots per round when playing a course they’ve never played before,” he said.
Mr Mayhew attributed his passion for nurturing junior golf talent like the recently successful Grace Kim, as one of the reasons he created GOLF.AI.
“A win like hers is exactly the kind of outcome we want to see more of and it’s what drives me to invest and build tools like Golf. AI, so the next generation of Aussie golfers have every advantage to compete on the world stage”
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Originally published as Artificial intelligence enters the fairway: Everyday golfers now benefiting from tech once reserved for the pros
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