Golf -- Engadget

golf posts

Trust in Casio's Japanese Exilim EX-FS10S, it'll turn your bogeys into birdies

by Ross Miller posted Nov 13th 2009 at 1:18AM

Sure, we could rattle off a list of specs -- and if you're curiuos, it's a 9.1 megapixel sensor with 3x optical zoom and 720p video -- but you know what's really gonna have Casio's Exilim EX-FS10S flying off shelves? The ability to stand it behind your tee and show you exactly how you screw up your swing, with special help of the company's trademark 1000 frames per second burst mode. The catch is, while the EX-FS10 is already available in US, only the Japanese model seems to have your golf buddy. Bummer.

Video: Mantys golf caddy wants to electrify your game

by Vladislav Savov posted Sep 22nd 2009 at 7:59AM

Hmm, an electric vehicle for upright bipeds that is steered by shifting one's weight ... that sure reminds us of something. Where this little putt-putter differs is in having four wheels, which tends to be a comfortingly large number for the sort of folk who can't be bothered to (or just plain can't) walk when golfing. And this is definitely targeted at golfers, with the official announcement set for the Golf Europe fair in Berlin this Sunday. The machine comes with turf-saving tires (whatever those are), 18 kilometers per hour top speed, a range of 36 holes, and holders for scorecards, cups, balls and tees. You'll find another product shot after the break, along with a delightfully cheesy promo video.

Continue reading Video: Mantys golf caddy wants to electrify your game

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 lands in June, comes with MotionPlus

by Darren Murph posted Apr 21st 2009 at 3:26PM

Say it with us now: "Phew!" When Nintendo announced that its Wii MotionPlus dongle would be hitting US shelves on June 8th, we all wondered why Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo's first MotionPlus-enabled title) was set to ship over a month later. Now, EA Sports has relieved worries that early adopters would have no software to use with their new toy by announcing that Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 will hit North America on June 15th. Better still, the Wii version will be available with a MotionPlus add-on bundled in for just $10 more than the standalone title (which will run $49.99). As great as all this is, Europeans still come out better, as they'll also see Grand Slam Tennis ship in June with a MotionPlus packed in. Ah well -- it's just a peccadillo, we'll let it slide this time.

OnPar's touchscreen GPS rangefinder could almost be a phone

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 at 9:36AM

If uPlay's uPro was the "iPhone of golf GPS technology," what then would you call this? Savant GPS has just come clean with what's likely to be the most sophisticated GPS rangefinder to date. The simply-titled OnPar measures in at 4.17- x 2.8- x 0.63-inches and features full touchscreen (3.5-inch) operation. It's also claiming to be the planet's first "GPS rangefinder with a dynamic hole layout display and GPS positioning that provides instant distances to anywhere and remaining distance to the green, personalized club averages, and simple score and shot tracking." The unit is designed to hold up to 300 golf courses with no membership fees or course map fees, and it'll be available for the taking (er, purchasing, we should say) early next month for an undisclosed price.

[Thanks, Scoopster]

Qualcomm's mirasol display tech shuffles into GPS prototype

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 12:01AM

Qualcomm's mirasol display technology has had quite a rough time gaining mass appeal, but if it could really break into, say, the GPS market, it might just be onto something. Here at CES, G-CORE will be showcasing the first ever GPS device to utilize the tech, though it's probably not the GPS you're dreaming of. The Mini Caddy is simply a GPS Range Finder, though the application makes sense given just how frequently such a device will be viewed in direct sunlight. Within it will be a 1.2-inch bichrome mirasol display, 1GB of internal memory and map data of up to 25,000 golf courses worldwide. Obviously, no pricing or release information has been decided upon, but you catch the release in full after the break.

Continue reading Qualcomm's mirasol display tech shuffles into GPS prototype

Garmin's new n�vi 885T, z?mo 660 and G5 GPS units for drivers, bikers and golfers

by Paul Miller posted Jan 7th 2009 at 9:34AM

Garmin's gone all diversity-happy on us this morning with three new chock-full-o-features portable GPS devices. The nüvi 885T is the real flagship here, offering speech recognition, lane assist junction view and MSN Direct traffic info and other cloud-based services. The unit centers on a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen, and offers up Bluetooth for hands-free calling and an FM transmitter to pump turn-by-turn instructions and music through your car stereo. Unfortunately, the hotness doesn't come cheap: the 855T goes for $800, with an MSN and Bluetoothless version going for $700. The z?mo 660 is built for motorcycle types, with a 4.3-inch glove and sunlight-friendly touchscreen display. There's Bluetooth for pumping turn-by-turn directions to your helmet headset, and more of that lane assist goodness, but the $800 pricetag might quell your enthusiasm. Finally, the G5 offers up a 3-inch touchscreen, with what sound to be some pretty intuitive tap and drag functionalities. Pictures of the 660 and the G5 are after the break.

Read - Garmin nüvi 885T
Read - Garmin z?mo 660
Read - Garmin G5

Continue reading Garmin's new n�vi 885T, z?mo 660 and G5 GPS units for drivers, bikers and golfers

Volkswagen prepping a plug-in "Twin Drive" hybrid for 2010

by Paul Miller posted Jun 27th 2008 at 8:45AM

You know how we love plug-in hybrids around these parts, particularly if they're actually going to get built -- crazy, we know. Now it looks like Volkswagen is going to get into the game, with a "Twin Drive" Golf powered by a 122 horsepower diesel engine and 82 horsies of electric motor. The car should debut around 2010, and VW plans on spending $769 million on the project, helped along by a $23.5 million program put in place by the German government to help along such development. The car, which uses the electric motor for primary power, supplemented by the diesel motor and regenerative braking for extra juice, should be able to squeeze about 31 miles out of its Sanyo-developed lithium-ion batteries in all-electric mode.

E Ball's inflatable golf simulator saves you greens fees

by Darren Murph posted May 29th 2008 at 7:28AM

Never mind paying absurd quantities of cash to have some swing analyzer tell you how you'll never be like Tiger -- just pick yourself up one of these concoctions. E Ball's inflatable golf simulator not only consumes your entire backyard, it takes you back to those glory days of frolicking at the fair with your BFF, and it even allows you to practice your game in less-than-flawless weather. The device enables amateurs to work on their driving and putting, all without having to fetch balls afterwards or deal with the embarrassment of completely hacking it up in front of your more seasoned pals. It looks as if you'll have to ring up E Ball in order to get pricing details, but we don't envision this one coming in cheap.

[Via OhGizmo]

uPlay touts "iPhone of golf GPS technology"

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 10th 2008 at 12:33PM

There's certainly no shortage of GPS devices out there to aid your golf game, but the folks at uPlay seem to think they've got one to beat 'em all, with them even going so far as to tout their new uPro device as the "iPhone of golf GPS technology." Exactly what earns it that designation, we're not sure, but the device will let golfers determine the distance to holes from their current location, and give them aerial photography, video flyovers, and details on course hazards, among other things. No word on a price or release date just yet, it seems, but we'd expect those details to be revealed when uPlay shows off the device at the 2008 PGA Show that gets underway in Orlando on January 16th.

SkyCaddie's SG5 Pro does everything but make your eagles

by Darren Murph posted Oct 3rd 2007 at 9:41AM

SkyCaddie's SG5 Pro definitely isn't the first of its kind, but this programmable GPS range finder provides instant relief when your caddy calls in sick. Specs wise, you'll find a 220 x 176 resolution color screen, automatic backlighting, 14-hours of battery life, a mini-USB port, four-way scroll pad and a water-resistant enclosure. Additionally, this unit includes SkyGolf's patented IntelliGreen technology, which enables golfers to "measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach and shows distances for all targets and hazards" on any of the courses in the 16,000+ course library. We really hope you didn't expect this thing to run ya cheap, however, as you'll be forking out $429.95 for the pocketable convenience.

[Via NaviGadget]

V1-8CAM video analysis system helps golfers nab the right clubs

by Darren Murph posted Aug 8th 2007 at 2:26AM

Granted, this week may be a bit too warm to walk a round of 18 in many parts of the country, but Interactive Frontiers is hoping that you can beat the heat by figuring out exactly what clubs you'll need for your next outing. The firm, which created the V1 Pro Digital Coaching System, is now introducing the V1-8CAM to "simultaneously capture eight angles of video streams" of individuals practicing their swing. Subsequently, fitters can use the data to "more precisely evaluate performance and determine optimal club and putter specifications for clients," and just in case your local pro shop isn't ready to hand over the $11,945 required to pick one up, the four-camera V1-4CAM can still help out for "just" $8,495.

[Via LetsGoDigital]

GolfLogix teams with Garmin to give caddies a break

by Darren Murph posted Jan 25th 2007 at 7:06PM

With Brandt Snedeker upstaging Tiger's return to the greens, we have to wonder if he didn't get ahold of GolfLogix's latest gizmo before heading out to the tee box. The self-named GolfLogix handheld GPS exercises an exclusive agreement that allows the company to "utilize its proprietary golf software on Garmin's popular eTrex line of GPS receivers." Since this still-debatable technology has been given the USGA and R&A blessing, folks looking to more accurately judge the distances, terrain, and unforeseen hazards up ahead can legally take advantage of its 1.25- x 2.25-inch LCD, automatic advancement to the next hole, large on-screen numbers, water / shockproof enclosure, personalization features, and backlit screen to get an edge. The built-in 12-channel GPS receiver claims to be accurate within two meters, and while we're not exactly sure how much internal memory is included, it can hold "multiple courses" simultaneously. The unit itself should start shipping soon after its stint at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, and while one free course download comes with the $349 pricetag, you'll probably want to invest the yearly $29.95 for unlimited course access if you plan on moving around much.

Wii Sports Pack offers trio of Wiimote extensions

by Darren Murph posted Jan 5th 2007 at 2:40PM

In what's likely to go down as the most heavily accessorized (and harmful) controller ever, Nintendo's Wiimote sure is garnering a lot of attention from accessory makers. Sure, those Wii Gloves may keep butterfinger disasters from ever occurring, but they really don't give you any sort of competitive advantage when throwing down in Wii Sports. While we knew JoyTech was planning its own barrage of controller add-ons, it looks like Brando is offering up a sweet trio of Wiimote extensions to presumably improve your Wii Sports play. For just $22, you'll get a tennis racket, golf grip, and a baseball bat, which could arguably pull double duty as a sword in Red Steel. Of course, you'll still need to pick up that foam donut separately (or bundled in with another game) for the ultimate Excite Truck experience, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Build a golf club POV to improve your swing

by Cyrus Farivar posted Nov 12th 2006 at 3:52AM

So last weekend, some of the Engadget editors were getting together at our latest country club retreat (read: miniature golf) and we were discussing over glasses of chardonnay (read: a couple of beers) how we could improve our golf swing (read: none of this ever happened). That said, we're always looking to better our game. Fortunately for us, our pal Philip Torrone over at MAKE: Blog pointed us to a detailed set of instructions on how to make a golf club POV (persistence of vision, or a device that spells out words when swung) that writes "NICE SWINGING!" if you've got that coveted golf arc down. According to Zedomax, if you spend the time and money to build this POV, it should cost about $45 and ought to take about two hours to construct. Of course, a $45 gadget won't replace your $50/hr golf coach, but it may just make you the coolest (and dorkiest) player on the back nine. (Bonus points to the first person that makes one of these that spells out Engadget, or the "e" logo).

VW's Golf GTi "53 plus 1" is fully autonomous

by Ryan Block posted Jul 2nd 2006 at 10:18AM

You might think Volkswagen, of all car companies, would argue the best part about driving is the bit where you're driving (i.e. "fahrvergnugen"), and that drivers are, you know, wanted. Not so any longer, friends; looks like the higher ups got the Stanley bug and pimped their ride -- though not in any normal sense of the vernacular. They've begun showing off a new cloak and dagger prototype vehicle dubbed the VW Golf GTi "53 plus 1" (you're allowed not to catch the Herbie reference), which apparently uses a rig of laser sensors, GPS, and a radar net to drive itself at speeds of up to 150mph. We'll give you a moment to let that sink in. Now, why they had all this technology under wraps while Stanford was busting ass overhauling one of VW's own Touaregs for the DARPA Grand Challenge is beyond us, but unlike those "driving pleasure" types, you can give us a safe (clean burning) robo-car any day of the week. Except Sunday, that's drivin' day.

[Via GoRobotics]