Connect with us

Equipment

Arccos: The real time shot-tracking system for your phone

Published

on

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.

Your Reaction?
  • 30
  • LEGIT6
  • WOW6
  • LOL3
  • IDHT5
  • FLOP5
  • OB4
  • SHANK10

John Lahtinen is a Connecticut-based writer with nearly 20 years of experience involving news, media, communications, higher education, PR and marketing. He has been playing golf forever and is still finding unique ways to ruin a good round. Adding to his confusion, he plays both right- and left-handed.

39 Comments

39 Comments

  1. 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?

  2. Beforeitsnews.com

    Mar 31, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 various internet browsers and I should state this blog
    site loads a great deal quicker in comparison to the majority of websites.
    Many thanks, I value it!

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Pingback: Arccos: The real time shot-tracking system for your phone | Spacetimeandi.com

  9. 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.

  10. Erik

    Jul 9, 2014 at 4:16 am

    The “Swing by swing” app uses nfc tags which are WAY cheaper.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

    • 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!

  13. Jamie

    Jul 8, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    …and if you use grip weights you can forget about using this product, too.

  14. 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?

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Whats in the Bag

Chesson Hadley WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist 620 CB (4, 5), Titleist 620 MB (6-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 105 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Grip: Odyssey

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos Chesson Hadley’s clubs here.

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Gary Woodland WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (8 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 70 M5

  • The white circle that appears at the top of the face a removable sticker that’s used for launch monitor tracking, and Woodland removes it for competition!

3-wood: Cobra Darkspeed X (14 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

7-wood: Cobra LTDx LS prototype (20 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

Irons: Wilson Staff (18 degrees), Cobra King MB (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X

Wedges: Cobra SB (48), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-14F), Cobra King (60)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X (48 degrees), KBS Tour V-Ten 125

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0P

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

See more in-hand photos of Gary Woodland’s WITB in the forums.

Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW1
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

Published

on

As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW1
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending