M
AUTOMATIC VS MANUAL SHOT COLLECTION
There are several applications on the market that present users shot data statistics. Several applications automatically track shots based on GPS locations and sensors located on each club. As a player hits their shot, the sensor sends information about the shot to a receiving unit that collects shot data. From there, the receiving unit communicates with an application or other data source to store data.
Other applications, like DeepStats.Golf, collect data manually from the player. Following the completion of the shot, a hole, or a round, the user enters data into an application. The application stores the data and provides the player with various charts and analyses.
Whether you choose automatic or manual shot collection depends on how deep you need to dig to better understand your game, tendencies, and strategies. For casual players or players that don’t need in-depth data, automatic tracking works and provides basic data analysis. However, for serious players or players that have a strong desire to improve, manual entry provides the ability to capture much more data about the shot, therefore, the analysis the player receives is deeper as well. The Pros and Cons of each method are captured below.
AUTOMATIC SHOT COLLECTION
EQUIPMENT, COST AND SETUP
All automatic shot collection applications require 1) an application to store data and provide analysis, 2) a receiving unit to capture the shot immediately following the shot, 3) club sensors that collect and send shot data to the receiving unit, and 4) a GPS signal.
BENEFITS OF AUTOMATIC SHOT COLLECTION
The primary benefit of automatic shot collection is just that, it’s automatic. After a player charges their receiving unit, powers it on and connects to GPS, and ensures all of their club sensors are working properly, all the player has to do is select their club and hit the shot. Assuming no technical challenges with any of the associated equipment, shot data is collected and stored and turned into useful charts and graphs.
DISADVANTAGES OF AUTOMATIC SHOT COLLECTION
There are several disadvantages to automatic shot collection in that the depth of data collected is limited. Sensors attached to a club cannot capture data such as stance, lie, swing types, intended and actual shot shapes, intended and actual trajectories, etc. These factors are crucial in building tendency data analysis. Additionally, since the location of the shot is captured via GPS, precise locations are difficult to obtain. Oftentimes, users have to edit rounds to make sure locations are captured accurately. For example, a player may hit a shot from the edge of the fairway, but the GPS records the location of the shot as the rough. Additionally, if a player putts from off the green, the sensor picks up the shot as a putt even though the shot should be recorded as Around the Green. Post-round editing is required to resolve these types of issues as well.
From a technical standpoint, automatic collection relies on multiple pieces to all work. If your receiving unit isn’t charged, a sensor dies, or a GPS signal can’t be captured, automatic shot collection will not work. Additionally, automatic shot collection can miss or add shots randomly which all require post-round editing to resolve.
Finally, the cost of automatic collection can be high. Users have to buy receiving units, club sensors, and data
analysis plans. The annual cost to support automatic collection can climb above $200 annually.
MANUAL SHOT COLLECTION
EQUIPMENT, COST AND SETUP
Manual shot collection does not require any special equipment. Simply subscribe to an application and enter data. DS.G makes data entry easy with multiple options, including QUICK ENTRY which allows a player to enter basic data on the course, then finish adding the details after the round is over.
BENEFITS OF MANUAL SHOT COLLECTION
Manual shot collection provides players with the ability to collect data that simply can't be picked up by sensors. This results in the ability to obtain much deeper data analysis, statistics, and strategies. DS.G is built upon factors (pieces of discreet data) and each player can decide which factors to turn on or off. DS.G provides easy to use tools to control factors for Tee Shots, Approach Shots, Around the Green, Putting, and Rounds.
DS.G also gives players the ability to directly compare clubs, balls, and shoes. For example, players can create multiple drivers and compare results within the DS.G application. A player can create a DRIVER and set its loft to 9 degrees. Another DRIVER can be created where the loft is set to 10.5 degrees. All a player has to do is play with each DRIVER configuration then enter data about those rounds into DS.G. The available charts and tables can clearly point to which DRIVER performs best under certain circumstances. Players can create custom Drivers, Woods, Irons, Wedges, Putters, and Shafts (shafts can be part of any club configuration). Players can also create multiple balls for direct comparisons too.
DS.G also provides the ability to capture shot information on environmental conditions, such as temperature, wind, turf firmness, green speed, and other factors. Players can also capture pre-round data such as time spent stretching, putting, on the range or working on short game.
DISADVANTAGES OF MANUAL SHOT COLLECTION
The primary disadvantage of manual shot collection is that a player must enter the required data. While DS.G has simplified the data entry process, and the amount of data is controlled by the player through the use of factors, data must be entered. To enter a typical round into DS.G, a player will spend between 10 to 20 minutes entering all data. If a player has used QUICK ENTRY during the round, the time spent will drop to between 5 to 15 minutes.
When you compare the depth of data analysis a player gets with DS.G, we believe the time required to enter data is well worth it!