The world of sports, especially golf, is currently experiencing a technological revolution. In recent years, this sport has benefitted the most from advances in technology. And while we see technology taking over lots of areas of our lives, Pablo Mansilla García, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation (RFAG), maintains the following: "All these innovations have not damaged the true essence of the sport at all."
From sensors in golf equipment and on courses to GPS technology in clubs, balls and carts, technology has become the ultimate golf trendsetter. That’s right—the technological revolution has come to the world of golf and experts believe it's here to stay. The benefits to players are innumerable and include: the automation of different processes and irrigation systems, applications that can actually teach the sport and even different mechanisms that control and/or monitor the movement of players during a game.
“Nowadays, technology permeates everything and innovations are constantly announced that try to make a sport that is actually pretty difficult, easier,” Mansilla says. “These advances are very positive, since they increase players’ enjoyment of the sport while still taking into account the fact that golf requires a certain level of skill."
Technology doesn’t have to take away the essence of golf
Mansilla is open to the new technological advances that will undoubtedly shape the future of golf, but he also warns that we need to make sure incorporating technology doesn’t eliminate the need for player dexterity and ability.
“If this were to happen, hitting the ball well would stop being a challenge for players and we would end up taking away the enjoyment of the game because technology made it too easy,” Mansilla warns. “It’s important for the governing authorities of golf to pay close attention to these technological advances to avoid damaging the essence of the sport."
Increase player enjoyment
In the end, Mancilla explains that the goal of these technological advances is “to increase player satisfaction,” something he thinks can be achieved with a responsible amount of technology.
“There are many things we can use technology to improve, like implementing more golf-friendly course designs and preparations, adding new distances that are in line with player abilities and changing how the game is played or even how rules can be altered,” says Mansilla. “We must not forget that, in the end, the player still needs to be challenged. He or she still needs to have to hit the ball to a hole a few hundred metres away. Those of us who play golf know what a challenge that is, and we don’t want it to change.”
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