Technology and golf: High tech world in a old time sport

Director of Pebble Beach Golf Academy, Laird Small, has been around the game for more than 45 years. He said the drive to be the best remains the same, but how people get there has changed.

“Students are invested in making changes, but they don’t know how to do it. The technology can create a nice pathway for learning,” said Director of Pebble Beach Golf Academy Laird Small.

The academy sees about 4,000 students each year. Ranging from juniors to the most advanced golfers in the world.

“We want to use technology to unlock some of the mysteries and some of the keys and how can technology help learning,” said Small.

Using high speed 3D motion analysis they’re able to break down a golfers swing.

“So we can start to see how each body segment moves to another segment so the golfer can become more efficient in the striking of the golf club,” said Small.

Based around low strokes and high technology, the relatively new facility also has simulators and robotics.

“We learn by feel. So the robot helps transmit that feel to the golfer. So the golfer has that feel so they can reproduce the mechanics,” said Small.

From customized clubs to hi-tech capabilities, being the best is no longer an idea, it is at their fingertips.

“Pebble Beach is one of the best places in the world to play the game, so we are one of the best places in the world to learn how to play the game,” Small.