Equipment
Bryson DeChambeau, Microsoft develop pressure-sensing grip
Bryson DeChambeau, in a very Bryson DeChambeau move, joined forces with Microsoft and Seattle-startup Sensoria to work on a prototype “smart grip.” The grip is designed to analyze pressure applied throughout the swing.
The grip’s eight embedded sensors return real-time pressure data. It’s funneled through the cloud via Microsoft Azure, which ”graphically renders pressure of the hands in relation to the golf grip,” Microsoft noted in a blog post.
“The data collected from Bryson over time will be analyzed during future phases of the project in a machine-learning environment to build new intelligent golf-data streams, helping him determine the right grip and club usage, swing speed, rhythm, plane, and other performance and swing-mechanics variables,” Microsoft added in the post.
And it seems Bryson DeChambeau wasn’t just some sort of guinea pig for Microsoft. Rather, Mike Downey, Principal Evangelist for Microsoft Sports Partnerships, discussed Bryson’s golf-related needs with the SMU alum. DeChambeau indicated that maintaining consistent grip pressure was important, and that there were no devices to measure the consistency of his pressure.
The smart grip Microsoft and Sensoria developed detects grip position and pressure levels throughout the swing, relaying data Microsoft Azure’s systems. That data was then rendered on a Microsoft Surface using XAMIL and Microsoft Visual Studio.
For the less technical among us, here’s what the rendering looked like.
And yes, the Smart Grips were built into DeChambeau’s existing JumboMax grips using a one inch square of embeddable microelectronics known as Sensoria Core.
Microsoft and the PGA Tour partnered in 2015 for a three-year deal, which saw Microsoft become the official operating system of the PGA Tour and its Surface tablets worked into the ShotLink shot tracking process.
Sensoria was founded in 2011 by former Microsoft employees. The Seattle-based company develops smart garments and IoE (Internet of Everything) wearable solutions.
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Equipment
From the Forums: How are you liking TaylorMade’s Qi10 fairway woods?
In our forums, our members have been discussing TaylorMade’s new Qi10 fairway woods. WRXer ‘ace036’ plans on testing them in the next few weeks, saying: “from how they look from address and frame the ball is much more appealing to my eye versus my current Paradym fairway woods.” And our members have been sharing their positive feedback in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- Edwardsr: “I got fit into the Qi10 core model with Ventus TR Black 8X and it’s absolutely amazing for me.During the fitting with my 12-15 swings with it, it was the most efficient combo I’ve ever tested, tons of 1.48 smash and 3 or 4 1.49 smash (which I don’t think I’ve ever gotten on 3 wood on a launch monitor).”
- MiloMalt: “No complaints and so far only high praise for my Qi10 Tour 3 and 5 wood. I’m getting great numbers and a nice penetrating ball flight with great height whereas with my old TSi2 4 wood it was spinny and ballooning and short because of that.”
- courcy75: “The Qi10 Tour 3 wood I just put in play has been outstanding for me. Finally found something I like as much as the 07 burner tp.”
Entire Thread: “From the Forums: How are you liking TaylorMade’s Qi10 fairway woods?”
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/26/24): Cobra Dark Speed X 7-wood
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Cobra Dark Speed X 7-wood.
From the seller: (@Rose Park): “Head only with headcover. $225 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Cobra Dark Speed X 7-wood
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Bettinardi launches first-generation CB24, MB24 irons
We spotted them on the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational; now they’re heading to retail. Bettinardi Golf today announced its first generation irons: Bettinardi CB24 and MB24 irons.
We’ve seen the veteran putter maker dabble in wedges in the past, but this is the first time Bob Bettinardi and company have set their sites on the widest portion of the golf bag.
“Since I founded the company, the focus has been on crafting the finest equipment in the golf industry for professionals and amateurs alike, and our putters have embodied that belief for 25 years,” said Bob Bettinardi, Founder and CEO of Bettinardi Golf. “I’ve always dreamed of expanding beyond the short game, and now that dream has become a reality. You can feel the decades of expertise and the years of research that went into each head, and we can’t wait to finally bring them to market.”
2024 Bettinardi irons: Key technology
One-piece co-forged solid body: Bettinardi co-forges the 1025 carbon steel chassis with the interior iron components in a bid to deliver superb feel and feedback.
Tri-material construction: Military-grade CMC (ceramic matrix composite) plus high-density tungsten plus forged carbon steel. Bettinardi has balanced these elements to deliver forgiveness in a forged iron and achieve desired weight profiles as well as consistency between irons.
Progressive CG: Bettinardi tweaks the positioning of tungsten and CMC elements in each iron. Accordingly, longer irons (lower CG) are easier to launch, and shorter irons (higher CG) deliver a more penetrating flight with controlled spin.
Bettinardi irons: Additional model details
Bettinardi MB24 irons: Bettinardi’s tour blade features a thin topline and muscleback design. Weighting and feel were the focus in these experts’ tools. The company incorporated its signature honeycomb milling on the rear of the club (and does the same in the cavity of the CB24).
Bettinardi CB24 irons: Bettinardi sought to unite classic design with modern engineering in its CB24 irons. Forged feel meets a progressive cavity with perimeter weighting. Easier launching and more forgiving than their MB24 brethren.
Pricing, specs, availability
- Price: $1,600/set
- Pre-order: March 26
- At dealers/Studio B: April 5 (internationally late April)
CB24 irons will be available in left-handed models as well, which will ship in late June. Bettinardi will offer a range of shaft and grip options.
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Pingback: Golf Grip Pressure Guide - Get The Proper Grip Pressure Today - (MUST READ Before You Buy)
Jim
Dec 3, 2016 at 12:38 am
I would rather have immediate feedback. If I’m griping too tight the grip should say “ouch or you are squeezing me too tight”. Seriously if I could feel a click when squeezing too tight that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Many times I catch myself holding on way too tight. Out.
Grizz01
Nov 28, 2016 at 3:18 pm
This is really getting stupid.
Harry
Nov 28, 2016 at 1:35 pm
The tech is cool, but Bryson should let someone else figure out what small changes affect before it hurts his game.
Mr. Wedge
Nov 28, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Technology can be an invaluable tool. But sometimes it just goes overboard. This is one of those times.
Jeff
Nov 28, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I think it would be great to have the ability to understand your grip pressure on your good shots and on your poor shots. No different than video. As visual creatures, we give lots of credence to things we can see, and we discount the things we can not see. This is why high speed video is so helpful to understanding how great players hit the ball. Having insight into non-visible aspects of the swing, like grip pressure and weight distribution is necessary to truly understand the golf swing.
This could be very helpful in the short game, where feel is easier for average players to describe.
Also, the data is transferred via XAML – not XAIML – https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc295302.aspx
HarlyD
Nov 26, 2016 at 11:04 pm
Get a load of dat bat handle on his driver! Looks like a Louisville Slugger. What, 18 wraps of tape, or what?! Sheesh. Ain’t no feel in that thing!
Craig
Nov 28, 2016 at 1:24 am
Jumbomax XL grips
Guia
Nov 26, 2016 at 6:43 pm
This young man is trying his best to become a Robot.
Petewc
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:08 pm
He better start winning with these ideas or no one will care. Need results
M Smizzle
Nov 26, 2016 at 2:18 pm
It’s not about winning….
It’s about selling
Mike
Nov 26, 2016 at 12:41 pm
That’s pretty cool. They could put accelerometers in there as well to get tempo data. Very cool tech in my opinion
Mark
Nov 26, 2016 at 6:10 am
Dear Lord this man is danger of complete IT overload. Golf is a game of variables not computer readouts. Feel, natural ability and imagination are major elements. How did Snead, Hogan, Arnie, Jack etc ever get the ball in the air without all this tech? Talent perhaps?
Desmond
Nov 26, 2016 at 11:19 am
We are in an age of data – some always thirst for more. It may not directly help us, but some frontiersmen will use this to gather data that denies or confirm the validity of constant grip pressure, and we will learn. I’d just rather learn a swing. This data “stuff” is interesting, but I’d rather read the results of the study and apply rather than be the tester.
Boobsy McKiss
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:24 am
Unfortunately it is the future. We’re going to have sensors in our socks, shoes, underwear, shirt, hat, sunglasses, grips, shafts and clubheads. Even in our home everything is going to be connected to apps and databases, such as our refrigerator, light systems, toasters, oven, every water faucet in our house, walls (yes, walls), etc. Every moment in our lives is going to be recorded somehow, and that information is either going to be stored on Azure (Microsoft), AWS (Amazon), GCP (Google), or IBM Cloud. Sad but true. I have to agree with the Alfredo. We are on the edge of a major information overload in not just golf, but everything in our lives. Do we really need to pressure sensitive grips to enjoy the game?
Alfredo Smith
Nov 25, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Information overload. Simple is more. See target, aim at target, hit ball to target…
M Smizzle
Nov 25, 2016 at 12:43 pm
This could be a game changer. Bryson is a winner!
Desmond
Nov 25, 2016 at 11:34 am
I think Bryson will get an argument about constant grip pressure and its importance – some think it’s best to increase pressure throughout the swing.
In the late 90’s, I had a training aid with a sensor in the grip that beeped when pressure was too high — the forerunner …. I put this in the same eBay bin as well as the Hat that beeped when your head moved – that was a decent idea that did not take off.
M Smizzle
Nov 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Takes a pretty sorry person to get on golfwrx and just be a complete downer
Desmond
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:55 am
Lighten up, Francis, and see a shrink. You’ve got issues.
John
Nov 26, 2016 at 1:07 pm
This whole generation of “be positive” about everything has absolutely zero critical analysis abilit, they just accept everything
Degrees
Nov 28, 2016 at 11:57 am
You do realize this is not the “millennial” to be calling out for having “zero critical analysis abilit[y]” because he has a FRIGGING PHYSICS DEGREE, but sure, old man, from your La-Z-Boy, let’s yukk it up about these damn kids and their lack of critical thinking skills, when you have a young kid LITERALLY using his science degree to run an EXPERIMENT on a HYPOTHESIS he has.
I can’t understand why GolfWRX STILL allows anonymous internet comments in this, the Golden Age of the Troll, when most everyone compelled to post something reveals themselves as a COMPLETE NINCOMPOOP.
Feel the Bern
Nov 25, 2016 at 10:54 am
This is the future.