Golf vs Tech 2013: Google Glass

There are some interesting conversations being held around the subject of Golf and the use of the latest technology to improve golf’s image to the people who live solely in the Tech World.  The remark recently stated in a few of the publications makes one who uses tech thinking… is someone who is not using the latest golf tech gadgetry on the golf course Not forward thing??

In most cases this type of thinking is true, but there is a limit to what and where the latest technology may not be realistic for golfers.

Tech vs Golf

Google Glass..are as it is erroneously referred to in the golf circles as Google Glasses,… really is cutting edge technolgoy.  Since entering the social spaces Google is hitting full stride with it’s near two year old Google+.  Now Google is taking social to the next step of social media evolution which is combining offline world reality with the online world.  They are doing this with the introduction of their Google Glass Project.  Google Glass is an online interface lens that is placed in a pair of eyeglass frames.  Yes, it would seem Google’s idea comes from Star Trekie Star Wars thinking.  Except now Google has taken SciFi to Reality.

The rub with this tech being used by golfers begins with thinking it can be used while playing golf.  Personally, as much as I love tech gadgets, I don’t think Google Glass is something many golfers will take as a serious device to improve their game while playing golf.

Let’s Get Real

The notion that you could call up an instructional video on how to hit a ball off an uphill lie would quickly become novel especially when the group of golfers behind you hit you with their golf shot after growing tired of you standing 150 yards off the tee watching a friggin video.

However, I could see getting yardage information and other reports on the environment as maybe being worthwhile obtaining thru a portable device.  Maybe even keeping score or other data tracking would be in order for using a Google Glass device.

Unfortunately, anything else that has to do with playing golf while wearing Google Glass..or would be of influence during the actual golf swing …just is not going to work.

Real Uses for Google Glass

Now, using Google Glass at the driving range, in your backyard or in your office!!!! Get After It!  I am allover using the Google Glass device to watch a video from Dave Bisbee, my golf instructor who is out in Sedona, AZ. , on a solution to keeping my club head from not lag behind my hands in my swing..all while standing on the practice tee..or in studio.

In could see Mark Neace, owner of Caddie Club Golf, having his caddies wearing them so they could provide accurate yardage to their players and to keep in contact with Caddie Central to receive changing conditions or announcement the Caddies need to tell their players.

There are a number of real live situations where the Google Glass could and should be used in assisting more people to playing golf..  As far as a device a golfer will use as something to keep them entertained while playing golf….I see the Google Glass then becomes a device that is distracting a golfer from playing golf and just would be the replacement of the Cellphone as something that takes away from the true experience of playing Golf.

I could even see the Google Glass device being something a golfer would quickly blame for losing a match or game, which eventually would lead to them blaming Golf as the cause of them not enjoying playing golf anymore.

Who is Forward Thinking?

Someone thinking of ways to add Tech Gadgets to Golf to improve Golf’s universal appeal to Techies really is not someone thinking forward.   Someone truly forward thinking would be someone who understands what golf is about and has experienced what golf offers outside of it being a game or sport.  Someone who is trying to find more ways of entertaining themselves while playing golf are really not forward thinking.  They are someone attempting to add something into golf that does not fit into what golf is all about.

I say bring on technology.  Tech is needed in golf to make golf easier to understand  and if Google would like to send me a Google Glass I will use it…and yes, use it while I play just to see if wearing them on the course demonstrating forward thinking or just an attempt to look cool.

Let me know how I can help.