![]() The company recently logged 100 million golf swings in its database.Like most golfers, I will literally do anything to improve my golf game. Although youth baseball and softball are the biggest markets, the most lucrative is golf, Zepp spokeswoman Lisa Beachy said. It registers a thousand bits of data every second. The latest version includes two gyroscopes, two accelerometers, a compass, battery and the software to make Bluetooth connections. The company released a new product in April, a disk-shaped device that works on golf gloves, and baseball and softball bats. "We can help you reach your potential." Of course, that's no guarantee you'll be turning pro. "We can't make you an athlete," Shea said. Patrick Shea, Zepp product manager and a professional golf coach, said the tools allow him to show his clients how to improve outside of their lessons. In November 2013, the company released its first multi-sport sensor, for golf, baseball, softball and tennis. ![]() Zepp's Chinese founder realized that sensor technology could be used to measure movements for various athletic pursuits. The apps typically use GPS technology and golf course layouts to provide guidance and distance around the links. Various software developers, including Game Golf, have also produced products that tie together Apple and Android watches to phone apps. It can also be used for overall fitness training and rehabilitation. It's marketed to golf coaches trying to teach students better swing technique. For an even more data-intensive experience, K-Vest makes an adjustable vest to strap to your chest and an additional belt of sensors to go around your waist. An app records the swings through a Bluetooth connection. It provides a 360 degree view of the swing, and measures swing speed, acceleration and club face angle. Chicago-based Swingbyte makes a device that clips to a golf club shaft below the grip. It also keeps maps and distances for 40,000 courses around the world. The Approach S6 wristwatch measures swing tempo and strength. "We just give you the raw facts." Garmin, known for its GPS watches to guide runners and cyclists, has a suite of products for golfers. "It's easy to use, it's easy to understand," Kelly said. Its product is designed to be an amateur's version of the PGA's ShotLink System, which collects data from professional tournaments and maps where shots are hit. David Kelly, marketing manager, said the Professional Golfers' Association and top players are investors in the company. President Barack Obama was spotted using the device - one of the million rounds of golf accumulated in its database. Game Golf's service contains maps of about 37,000 courses around the world, and allows a player to share his or her shots online with friends and coaches. Users can display the data on a smartphone app or laptop. San Francisco startup Game Golf last year released Game Golf Live, a system that uses a belt-clipped device and tags on top of clubs to track a player's shot distance, location and scores. Tech companies are betting that new features, including social media links, can keep athletes engaged in the data. For example, about 50 to 60 percent of all fitness trackers end up in a drawer after a few uses, Castonguay noted. But many devices have become quickly-discarded novelties. "You have this fantastic and expanding pallet." Most devices are priced at $200 or less, which could boost sales. As devices get smaller and cheaper - some sensors can be placed in a strand of thread - they will become more widespread, he said. "The overall market is substantial and growing," Castonguay said. Andy Castonguay, principal analyst for Machina Research, sees a future where sensors are tucked into shoes, fabrics and golf clubs to offer an even more accurate picture of a workout. ![]() It expects the market to rise to nearly 450 million by 2020. About 142 million fitness devices, including wristbands and various sport wearables, will be sold around the globe this year, according to Machina Research. It's a growing market and expected to get much bigger. "It's like having a golf coach in my pocket." Zepp, headquartered in San Jose, is just one of many companies offering wearable sports devices. He dropped to a three handicap and became more consistent. Hornby spotted a major flaw in his backswing. The app showed an illustration of his swing and the angle of his club. After slipping on the Zepp Golf 2 Kit sensor and hitting dozens of balls at the driving range, he checked the app on his cellphone. "I'm not really a technology guy," said Hornby, a 36-year-old operations manager from San Jose. When a coach suggested Hornby measure his swing with a new wearable device by local tech company Zepp, Hornby was skeptical. Will Hornby carried a six handicap on the golf course.
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