⛳ Illegal Golf Clubs, AI Assistance for Golfers, Tiger & Talks, plus more.
⛳ Illegal Golf Clubs, AI Assistance for Golfers, Tiger & Talks, plus more.
Are your golf clubs going to be legal on January 1st? We take a look at the ruling and also explore how AI is helping golfers and golf coaches.
Welcome back to the Baller Golf newsletter.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and received some gifts to help your game this season. In this edition, we look at an important update for tournament golfers and club legality coming into effect on January 1st, and the latest on Tiger’s input on the PGA & LIV collaboration talks.
The above image was created with AI, just for fun. Feel free to use, please tag @ballergolfco
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In this week’s free edition of Baller Golf 👇
Are Your Clubs going to be Illegal on January 1st? 🏌️
Tiger Woods Positioned for Influential Role in Future of LIV ⛳
Bucket List Golf: Shadow Creek: Las Vegas, Nevada.
3 Ways AI Can Assist Golfers and Coaches
From the socials: Just for fun 😀
Are Your Clubs going to be Illegal on January 1st?
With much debate surrounding the alteration to golf ball rules, an overlooked regulation declared over a decade ago is now poised to take effect on January 1, 2024. This pertains to groove conformity for golf clubs predating 2010, implying that some players may unknowingly possess non-compliant clubs.
As a quick reminder, the 2010 groove rule, commonly known as such, initially became effective on January 1, 2010. It was subsequently incorporated as a Condition of Competition, now designated as Model Local Rule G-2, for the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. This rule also applies to the men's, women's, and seniors' U.S. Opens, as well as all qualifying stages associated with these tournaments.
If you’re unsure if you comply, you can verify your club's grooves using the USGA golf club database.
Tiger Woods Positioned for Influential Role in Future of LIV Following Final Merger Meeting.
The last meeting between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, slated to conclude by year-end, holds significance as a positive outcome could empower Tiger Woods in his role as player director.
Tiger Woods is poised to play a pivotal role in determining the participation of LIV golfers in PGA Tour events if the breakaway league and the tour can finalize a commercial agreement before the year's end.
Woods assumed the position of player director on the tour's policy board earlier this summer, responding to the unexpected announcement of the Framework Agreement. This move was characterized by the PGA Tour as a shift towards a more "player-driven" organization.
Joining forces with Charley Hoffman, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Jordan Spieth, and Webb Simpson, Woods forms part of a player-director group that now outnumbers independent directors on the board. This empowered group holds both access and authority, crucial in passing any potential changes arising from the ongoing merger discussions.
Among the proposed modifications is the inclusion of clauses that would permit LIV players to compete in PGA Tour events. However, the clock is ticking, as the self-imposed New Year's Eve deadline approaches, with an alleged meeting scheduled for that very day.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has described December 31 as a "firm target" for the merger to materialize. Woods has echoed this sentiment, stating, "As of right now, (December 31) is our time frame and our deadline. That hasn't changed," during remarks made last week.
"We're trying to get a deal done with all of the different entities that we have going on here," he added, acknowledging the involvement of Strategic Sports Group, with whom the PGA Tour is in discussions regarding potential co-investment.
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Bucket List Golf
Shadow Creek: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Once only accessible to a privileged few, your entry to Shadow Creek is now an option when you register as a guest of an MGM Resorts International® destination. A private limousine will transport you to and from your appointment and upon arrival, your personal caddie will greet and guide you through a golfing experience you will never forget.
This should give you a glimpse into the Shadow Creek experience. I mean, at $1,250. (Caddie not included), it needs to deliver something special, and that it does.
The course was conceived by Steve Wynn, who enlisted the expertise of Tom Fazio and Andy Banfield to craft a true oasis amid the Mojave Desert. With a focus on VIP treatment, Wynn aimed to establish a golf paradise connected to his other properties.
Shadow Creek earned its place in the Top 10 golf courses in the USA. The acclaim is a testament to the exceptional quality of the course and the overall allure of Shadow Creek. You’d be hard-pushed to find someone who didn’t believe it was the best course in Las Vegas.
What do the pros say?
“It’s the first time ever at Shadow Creek, and I think everyone else that’s probably come in here before me is probably singing its praises. It’s such a cool place. It’s a great golf course,” … “I wouldn’t mind if we got to play a Tour event here every year. It’s really cool.” - Rory McIlroy
“Obviously I knew Shadow was kind of a prestigious course here. I expected it to be more of a resort golf course, if I’m honest — a little wider, a little easier — and I was blown away by the conditioning of it,” … “To have firm, bentgrass greens in the heat is just unbelievable. They’re the best greens I’ve played on outside of Augusta and potentially Muirfield Village, Jack’s tournament. By far the best greens that I’ve seen on Tour.” - Justin Rose
“The course this week might be the best manicured course I’ve ever played… it is PURE!” - Justin Thomas
More information: Shadow Creek
3 Ways AI Can Assist Golfers and Coaches
Unless you’ve been under a rock in 2023, you will have heard about Artificial Intelligence (AI). There are of course concerns with some aspects of it but there are far more practical uses that will make our daily lives a lot better going forward. It’s not all about robots taking over.
For golfers and golf coaches, there are useful applications that can not only help to develop better technique and progress as golfers but also ways to help injury prevention.
Let’s take a look.
Personalized Training Plans:
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all coaching regimens. AI is enabling coaches to tailor training plans with surgical precision, addressing the unique needs and weaknesses of individual players.
Utilizing AI algorithms, products like Blast Motion can analyze a player's swing to the minutest detail. Coaches can then receive data-driven insights into a player's strengths and areas that need improvement. Armed with this information, coaches can design personalized training plans that focus on specific aspects of a player's game, ensuring efficient and targeted improvement.
Real-Time Performance Analysis:
AI is transforming the way coaches analyze player performance. Real-time data, insights, and visualizations allow golfers and coaches to make instant adjustments and provide immediate feedback during practice sessions or even on the course.
TrackMan, a leader in sports technology, employs AI to deliver precise ball and club data in real-time. This allows coaches to analyze a player's performance instantly, offering insights into factors like club speed, launch angle, and spin rate. With this information at their fingertips, coaches can make on-the-fly adjustments, optimizing a player's performance and fostering a dynamic learning environment.
If you want a more pocket-friendly option: Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor for Indoor and Outdoor Use with GPS Satellite View and Professional Level Accuracy, iPhone & iPad Only. Buy on Amazon
Injury Prevention and Management:
AI is not just about perfecting the swing; it's also about ensuring the longevity of a player's career. Golfers and coaches can now leverage AI to monitor and prevent injuries, safeguarding their players' physical well-being.
Companies like K-MOTION are incorporating AI into wearable devices that track a player's movements. These devices monitor biomechanics and detect irregularities that may lead to injuries. By analyzing this data, coaches can identify potential issues and implement preventive measures, ultimately enhancing a player's durability and minimizing the risk of long-term injuries.
From the Socials
It’s the friend laughing that got me 😂
That’s all for this week, I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year 🥳
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