Equipment
THINQ: An app that helps you think like a professional golfer
The significant problems we face in life can not be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them,” Albert Einstein once said. If we define “ significant problems” as three putting and missing fairways, the founders of THINQ Sports think they have the elixir.
THINQ Golf (pronounced “think”) is a game-based, brain-training regimen aimed at helping golfers change the way their brain functions in an effort to lower scores and improve performance. Using brain maps (EEG’s or Electroencephalograms) of 30,000 elite golfers, the think tank at ThinQ has analyzed, dissected and created a database that answers the question: How do the best golfers in the world think?
THINQ’s app, which is available through the App Store and Google Play, gives users access to a plethora of scientifically researched brain games and education. The games target five key areas of brain development: attention, synchronicity, adaptability, awareness and intention. The goal is to improve the most critical 1 second in golf — the moment before golfers take the club back.
According to CEO Tim Suzor, this moment is akin to the 1960s Space Race phrase “All systems go.” The vast majority of golfers have all of the physical tools necessary to hit decent golf shots, but really have no idea how to routinely prepare themselves to hit a quality golf shot. When it does happen, it’s almost by accident.
“If we’re not measuring, we’re guessing,” Suzor says.
Each game is designed specifically to develop an exact brain function related to performance. To play, users can sign up for a monthly membership, which costs $7.99. An annual membership can also be purchased for $44.99.
Training requires approximately 10 minutes per day as users try to boost their “Q Handicap.” If they want to measure skills against other users, there is an evolving platform where players can compete against each other and win actual prizes, such as equipment and other cool golf stuff.
The idea came from THINQ CEO Tim Suzor, a Class A PGA Professional with a background in biomechanics and biofeedback. He teamed up with Dr. Debbie Crews, LPGA Master Professional who has spent decades studying the role of science in golf. Eventually the hours of conversations led to a realization. Every golfer could benefit from this information and given the current ability to package and distribute it in a game-based format, every golfer could access it.
Simply, “It was just an area which had to be addressed and hadn’t been yet,” asserted Suzor.
Those who decide to enroll will have access to webinars, which addresses specific skills/strategies and are presented by leading “thinkers” in the industry. The “Vision Board” is an online journal where players can record key thoughts, ideas and notes on their progress. Finally, there is an online forum where members can chat, question, debate and engage in meaningful dialogue around all aspects of Thinq.
Where’s THINQ headed?
This plane is being built as it’s flying. THINQ’s 40,000 users include elite amateurs, as well as pros and high-level college golf programs. To engage more of the weekend warrior contingent, expect to see new apps (for use at home, on the range or before tournaments) over the next 12 months.
If you really want to” THINQ” big, consider the role neuroscience could play in helping golfers get feedback prior to a round. Picture this: A range full of tour players hooked up to monitors that, get this, aren’t measuring launch angle or spin rate. They’re measuring brain activity. Players hit a couple balls and then examine a screen, which relays pertinent neurological information. Rather than hitting a couple more drivers, they employ a couple of exercises to heighten awareness before they head off to the first tee.
You can’t think your way to scratch, and THINQ doesn’t make any promises you will. Critics will see this as a product better suited to low-handicap players and at this point, and they’re probably right. That said, don’t be surprised if you drop at least two strokes with THINQ, but be ready to make a several month commitment.
Suzor doesn’t make any outrageous claims or bill ThinQ as a miracle drug. It’s a powerful tool that requires consistent effort and a dedication to the larger picture of incremental improvement.
Perhaps it’s time to start putting our money where our minds are.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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bradford
Jan 5, 2015 at 7:32 am
Interesting, but it sounds to me like someone found a way to practice more–and on someone else’s dime. Gotta say no to this one, make it free–maybe.
Since when is GolfWRX a site to place free adds?
Chris Nickel
Jan 5, 2015 at 11:18 am
Why would the creator of the app want to make it free? I guess I don’t understand that line of thinking. Like everything else in a market economy, if you don’t see a value for it, don’t buy it – but that doesn’t mean they should just give it away.
brian
Jan 7, 2015 at 1:08 pm
if your product is genuinely good, you make it free. Make money on the advertising due to the apps traffic, then you nickel and dime for additional features.
Jayme Johnson
Oct 9, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Hi Chris,
I am currently working with a company that is building an app that helps golfers, coaches and kids improve and analyze their golf swing, taking a multi-sensor and bio-metric approach. The product will launch in 3 months. I’d love to get your feedback to test the product before we launch. Please email me if you’re interested at [email protected].
Thanks!!
Jayme Koo
j.a.
Jan 3, 2015 at 7:59 pm
I often play with a senior guy who is a single digit handicapper. He always says that most of golfers flaws are on their minds. He always has a very positive attitude to the game which helps him to his success. His swing is far from perfect and his newer club is like 6 – 8 years old.
W
Jan 3, 2015 at 1:09 pm
We need an App to do this? What a pathetic lot we are, the golfers
Chris Nickel
Jan 3, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Why does this make us “pathetic”? You train your muscles for strength and flexibility…why wouldn’t you do the same thing for your mind?
No Major for you
Jan 3, 2015 at 9:50 pm
Don’t need an App to do it for me. I can work it out for myself, as strong as mind is.
Chris Nickel
Jan 4, 2015 at 1:30 pm
I’d be interested to hear what strategies, techniques, exercises you do to address this type of preparation…
AC
Jan 5, 2015 at 6:47 pm
See it, Feel It, Trust it. If you are thinking of anything else but the TARGET before you pull the trigger you are SCREWED.
Trae
Jan 3, 2015 at 7:09 am
This seems really cool. I like how it’s backed by some science and their website mentions and briefly describes some studies done. They should definitely try to get their research published in an academic journal or something. I’d love to do a reading of their research and really find out about it.
Chris Nickel
Jan 3, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Yes, I believe they currently have 5 studies going/completed – I think the longitudinal evidence will be really quite interesting moving forward –
Chris Thompson
Jan 2, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Great App ! The competition mode is really cool. I didn’t finish in the top 3 this time but first place was a Ping Driver. Can’t wait for the next tournament.
Ian
Jan 3, 2015 at 4:56 am
Chris, have noticed any positive changes to your game after using this? I’m interested, but not sure if it’s worth it.
Chris Thompson
Jan 3, 2015 at 8:06 am
Ian – the Awareness game got me thinking more target and I have also noticed some differences with my focus in the short game. The science made sense to me. I don’t know much about neuroplasticity etc but I like the idea of working on the mental game like I work on my physical game. I have yet to get into the webinars to learn more. good luck