Equipment
Arccos: The real time shot-tracking system for your phone
Professional golfers have all kinds of systems and tools for tracking their performance so they can identify their strengths and weaknesses and work on improvements. For the amateur golfer, there really was no such tool a few months ago. First came Game Golf’s introduction of a shot-tracking system, and it appears that there could be several companies competing for market share in that space.
One newcomer is Arccos, a Stamford, Connecticut-based company founded in 2012 that created a GPS golf shot tracking system that automatically tracks your round and gives real-time feedback as you make your way around the course.
[quote_box_center]“If you want to get better, you need to know what to work on to improve,” said Sal Syed, who co-founded the company with friend Ammad Faisal. “Arccos is revealing your game to you, so you can see what to do to refine your game. If you just love golf, now you can track all your rounds in one place, share your stats and connect to other golfers: all without having to do anything differently.”[/quote_box_center]
While tracking golf stats is certainly not a new thing, having the ability to do it instantly and automatically is something that up to now wasn’t possible. That’s what makes Arccos unique; its real-time tracking system enables golfers to get immediate data and feedback right out on the course.
[quote_box_center]”Arccos is also the only system that is fully automatic; no need for additional devices or additional actions,” said Syed. “Once the sensors are on your clubs, all you need to do is swing and Arccos will track everything automatically. And with our Tour Analytics platform, everything that is tracked is also analyzed, giving meaning to each part of your game.”[/quote_box_center]
Here’s how it works.
Arccos consists of a set of 14 intelligent sensors that attach to the grip-end of your club. A player pairs the sensors once with their iPhone so that Arccos knows which sensor is attached to which club. After that, when a shot is taken, Arccos automatically detects when you hit a shot while also intelligently filtering out practice swings.
When the sensor detects that you have taken a shot, it sends a Bluetooth message to the iPhone telling it what club was hit allowing the iPhone to record the location of each shot hit. Arccos calculates the distance of the shot by comparing where a player teed off to where they took the next shot.
[quote_box_center]“Arccos both tracks your stats and analyzes them, making sure you have the numbers you want to see with the context to understand what they mean for your game,” Syed said. “Arccos gives you data in real time as you play. We also give you deep analysis post round.”[/quote_box_center]
Starting with standard stats like GIRs, fairways hit, putts per hole, Arccos then goes deeper using the company’s proprietary tour analytics platform to break down each aspect of your game (driving, approach, chipping, sand game, putting) by handicap and then quantifies your strengths and weaknesses. For example, a 10-handicap golfer might drive like a 15-handicapper while putting like a 2-handicapper, Syed said. Arccos enables golfers to identify their top improvement priorities.
The original technology for Arccos was born in Callaway Research and Development. Syed had met Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s senior vice president of research and development, at the Yale Golf Summit at Bandon Dunes earlier in 2012 and the two developed a friendship. Late in 2012, when the opportunity arose to license the shot-tracking technology developed by Callaway and take it to the market, Syed and Faisal, seeing a much-desired opportunity to work in the golf industry, jumped right in.
Across the board, the demand for golf apps and software is booming.
[quote_box_center]“It is definitely a growing market,” Faisal said. “This tells us there is real demand for golf tracking systems and that the golfer community is ready to welcome technology into the game. We’re excited about this as we know this is just the beginning for golf technology to truly enhance the game we all love.”[/quote_box_center]
Arccos is currently available for pre-order for $299 for iPhone, but Android and Windows Phone versions are on the way. The units are expected to ship in the late summer.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
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- Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4), P7MC (5-6), P730 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid 115 X100 (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (7-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-SB09, 56-LB08), TaylorMade MG4 TW (60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade TP Soto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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Ken ROBBINS
Oct 29, 2015 at 7:27 am
the largest problem is keeping the sensors tight. I try not to grip on them but I’m constantly tightening them. I think the holes in my new grips may be larger then normal. How can I tighten them up?
Beforeitsnews.com
Mar 31, 2015 at 1:07 pm
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site loads a great deal quicker in comparison to the majority of websites.
Many thanks, I value it!
Chan
Jul 29, 2014 at 3:34 pm
It’s funny that callaway is pulling out of upro gps(web support) at the end of 2014 in order to focus on the clubs and balls(says on upro website), but involved in this kind of business again. Make up your mind callaway and show some respect for your current customers. It’s very disappointing.
jarod
Jul 9, 2014 at 7:53 pm
I don’t know if this has been answered but what about the situation with penalty shot? How do you count this as shot taken?
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 14, 2014 at 5:12 pm
There isn’t any way for the sensors to know that you’ve made a penalty, so penalty shots must be manually entered. We’ve done our best to make it as simple and painless as possible.
myron miller
Jul 9, 2014 at 12:25 pm
From what I’ve read, instantaneous feedback on club usage is not legal according to the USGA. That would make this illegal for any GHIN posting or any event at all. Maybe for only practice rounds but other than that, technically it can’t be used.
Or is there something about this I’m missing?
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 9, 2014 at 4:27 pm
We are working directly with the USGA and seeking a ruling that our product conforms to the rules of golf. When any such ruling is issued we will let everyone know.
Brian Dowling
Jul 11, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Yeah, there’s no way they are getting USGA approval and for this reason I’m going to invest in the GAME GOLF system. Their tags are as light a paper clips so I’m not putting a ‘computer’ on the end of my clubs because there is no way it won’t affect the weight of my clubs, we’re talking 12 grams here. Like the concept but this is a major flaw and must be a huge concern for the makers
Mat
Jul 9, 2014 at 11:14 am
How much do the sensors weigh? This adjusts swing weight, so it would be helpful to know by how much.
John Lahtinen
Jul 9, 2014 at 11:28 am
Hi Mat. Great question. Arccos says the sensors weigh less than 12 grams and that they have no impact on the golf swing.
DC
Jul 9, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Standard conversions used by many clubmakers on this site – including Joe Kwok – state that adding 5 g in the grip alters your SW by 1 point.
So adding 12 g would alter it by almost 2.5 SW points.
Hold a 10g Tour Lock weight in your hand – hard to argue that putting that in the butt end of every club would have absolutely no impact.
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 9, 2014 at 4:05 pm
It’s not our intent to create a debate about swingweight — it’s been discussed here in great detail in the past, as in this thread (http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/820731-how-is-counterbalancing-irons-really-affecting-swingweight/) and different people will have different opinions.
I will say that personally, it had very little effect on the feel of my clubs, and I got used to it almost immediately. That is also the feedback we’ve received from all levels of players, from tour pros to novices.
In all of the feedback we’ve gotten from extensive testing of the product, change in swingweight has essentially been a non-issue.
We offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee on our product. If you order a set and find that you don’t like the way they feel, you can send them back to us for a full refund.
DC
Jul 10, 2014 at 10:20 am
Sorry I was just trying to answer Mat’s question. He asked how much it would change the SW and the answers were that it wont have an impact and dont worry, its a non-issue.
Its fine to say you don’t think its affected your feel or you think the change in SW will be a non issue for people. Those are qualitative measures and are subject to opinion. Which I agree, this is not meant to be a debate on.
But adding 12g of weight to the grip of the club *does* change the SW – and that was Mat’s original question. Adding 12g of weight to a grip changes the SW of the club. How noticeable it is or isnt can be debated elsewhere.
Nagar
Jul 9, 2014 at 8:19 am
In Australia during competition rounds you are not allowed to have a cell phone/mobile device turned on at all.
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bombonera
Jul 9, 2014 at 4:51 am
will this device be making its way to japan anytime soon??
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 9, 2014 at 10:06 am
Our current focus is the North American market. We plan to eventually sell everywhere and cover all courses in the world, but we do not have an official timetable at this time for when we will be in specific countries. When we launch international sales, we will definitely do our best to let the world know.
Erik
Jul 9, 2014 at 4:16 am
The “Swing by swing” app uses nfc tags which are WAY cheaper.
Bob
Jul 8, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Sounds good in theory. However, battery life, having to worry about where or if the connection is working, the so so GPS tracking and the expensive price tag no thanks another poc to waste $ on. Not to mention I’m not wearing my phone when I play. Spend the $ on extra lessons or extra rounds of golf. Not worth my time or money.
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 8, 2014 at 4:52 pm
To answer a few questions:
Yes, the iPhone does need to be on your person. It takes GPS readings at the time you hit your shot. If the phone is too far away, it is not going to give you an accurate location reading, plus beyond a certain distance the bluetooth connection to the club sensors might not work. Having the iPhone in your pocket (or in your golf bag if you’re walking, or clipped to your belt or something) works perfectly.
Battery life should be approximately 50 rounds. They are standard batteries that are easily purchased at retail.
You do not need a cellular signal at the course to use the device. You can set everything up when you do have a signal and then bring your phone to the course ready to play. (GPS signals and cellular data signals are different. Even if you don’t have a cellular signal, the GPS on the phone should work.)
The system is completely seamless. No tapping. Just pull a club from your bag, hit the ball, and the system will know what club you hit and where/when you hit it.
ca1879
Jul 8, 2014 at 5:22 pm
You’ve addressed all of the issues I had with the Game Golf system. You can count on a Windows Phone version sale as soon as you release it.
Philip
Jul 8, 2014 at 10:59 pm
On my golf course we have to use a golf cart. Did you test whether the adapter will handle the extra abuse of bouncing around in a bag on a golf cart?
Philip
Jul 8, 2014 at 11:04 pm
I checked your website and it just says a standard battery, can you just state the battery they use?
50 rounds is barely a season of 5 months.
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 14, 2014 at 5:09 pm
CR2032
Paul
Jul 8, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Does the iphone need to be unlocked whilst you’re playing your round?
or can it remain locked and using virtually no battery?
my iphone only lasts about 9 holes if i run a gps program on it, if it’s locked it lasts much longer
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm
I have played a round where I left my phone locked in my pocket for the full 18 holes and never looked at the screen once and it works just fine.
I find that I like to open up the app and check things out every so often to make any necessary edits during my round rather than after. Things like adding a penalty shot if I hit into a hazard, etc.
But yes, you can leave your phone dark during your round and the system keeps working in the background. You just need to open the app and tap a button to start your round on the first tee. You can leave it in your pocket and ignore it after that.
I have a 3 year old 4s that works just fine. I can play a full 18 hole round with charge to spare.
DJ
Jul 9, 2014 at 2:03 am
I’d like to know the range of your LE Bluetooth signal. There are many courses that have holes and bunkers a good distance from where you park your cart and areas with no cart access. What is the max range between your sensor and Iphone? I read that typical BLE range is around 100 feet. I hope that’s not the case because I’d hate to have to remember to not only grab the right club or clubs, but my phone too. Thank for any info you can provide.
DJ
Jul 14, 2014 at 11:58 am
Radio silence! Way to take care of your most important and influential customer’s questions! Glad to know I’ll be using my $300 for anything other than this!
Arccos Customer Service
Jul 14, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Sorry for the slow response. The range of the bluetooth transmitter is relatively immaterial in that you need to have the iPhone on your person to get accurate GPS readings.
The Arccos system utilizes the GPS functionality of the iPhone to record location data. The Arccos sensors themselves are not GPS enabled. So if you left your iPhone in your cart and walked 20 yards to where your ball is and then took a shot, Arccos would record a shot taken at the location of your phone/cart.
Accurate use of the Arccos system requires that your iPhone be on your person. It can be in your pocket or clipped to your belt. If you walk and carry your bag, you could leave it in your golf bag.
DJ
Jul 14, 2014 at 6:01 pm
I truly appreciate your response. We may be small, but we are loud. Best of luck with your business!
Jamie
Jul 8, 2014 at 4:38 pm
…and if you use grip weights you can forget about using this product, too.
DC
Jul 8, 2014 at 3:37 pm
1 – Did I read an earlier review correctly that you have to keep your phone in your pocket for this to work? iPhones may be different but I definitely cant see playing with the Galaxy S5 in my pocket the entire round.
2 – How often – after how many rounds – are the batteries in these sensors going to need to be replaced and how much is each one? Are these generic $5 watch type batteries or are they more specialized?
Mike Howard
Jul 8, 2014 at 3:32 pm
My brother-in-law is a VP of this company so I can offer some answers:
1. Yes, it does use the GPS on your phone.
2. An Android version is coming, the lack of reliable Bluetooth LE drivers is an issue there.
3. Sorry, but I doubt we’ll ever see a Windows Phone version. However, it will work with an iPod touch 5 with some caveats. (I am also a WP user, but my daughter has the iPod touch 5 so I just use that.)
J.U.
Jul 10, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Why do you doubt a windows phone version will ever be developed? The website and copy above say a windows version is in the works. Would hate to know that the company is telling lies even before a product reaches the market.
Isaac
Jul 8, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Does it track the distances itself or does it use gps from my iphone? I do not have reliable service at a few of the courses where I play, if it takes signal it may not be for me.
rgb
Jul 8, 2014 at 3:05 pm
1. Thank god one doesn’t have to tap the club before swinging. Game Golf is a PITA.
2. Get a Windows Phone version then call me.
Nick Chertock
Jul 11, 2014 at 3:16 pm
I just don’t see what’s so difficult about tagging. I actually rather enjoy the ritual.
Joel
Jul 8, 2014 at 2:41 pm
I was a little excited until I read that they don’t have an android version yet.
Bryan
Jul 10, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Would you be willing to get on here again when the android version is released? I’d love to have this once available in android.