[John Avram]

I am working on a golf GPS application using Google Glass.  I tried it for the first time this weekend, with what I would consider to be pretty positive results for a first go around.  Below is a screenshot (vignette) taken off the device while I was wearing it.  



I have to say that it is very powerful being able to access distance information by just tipping your head,  and you hardly notice the device (much like wearing sunglasses) after a couple of holes of getting used to it.  Accuracy was very good (always within a couple of yards of my laser, and that is not even at the highest GPS settings). There are still a couple of challenges that an application like this will face (I can already tell that battery life will be a one of them), and I think it will take a while before people get comfortable wearing the device on the course (I got a few cross eyed stares).  

A couple of questions,  how do folks feel about wearing something like Google Glass on the golf course.  Also,  I am trying to come up with a name for the application,  so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Dan Kelly]

How about ...

Glass-Holes?

[John Avram]

How about ...

Glass-Holes?

  already been thought of:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Glasshole

[Ed Brzezowski]

Poor Melvyn just had a spell, again.

[David Harshbarger]

Seems like a no-brainer.  Figure out how to make it do something the handheld, laser, and smartphone apps can't do and you'll really have something. Think something like painting elevation lines on the horizon, or superimposing a target.  Sure, that'd be against the rules, for now, but would hop off the shelves.

Short of that, the kinds of things GolfLogix does, like yardages and clubs (based on input or history), based on distance to green or hazards would be cool.

If you could really nail the use case for efficiently using them, what to present at different points in a round/hole, that might really take off.  What can you do for which you can get IP Protection?

[David_Elvins]

This could be awesome.  

You could be out on a golf course and this could simulate being on an indoor golf simulator.  

THe real breakthrough IMO will be to get a read out of club head speed, smash factor etc. after each shot.  

If it could do that, I would never go to a golf simulator again.  

[John Avram]

Seems like a no-brainer.  Figure out how to make it do something the handheld, laser, and smartphone apps can't do and you'll really have something. Think something like painting elevation lines on the horizon, or superimposing a target.  Sure, that'd be against the rules, for now, but would hop off the shelves.

Short of that, the kinds of things GolfLogix does, like yardages and clubs (based on input or history), based on distance to green or hazards would be cool.

If you could really nail the use case for efficiently using them, what to present at different points in a round/hole, that might really take off.  What can you do for which you can get IP Protection?

Thanks for the suggestions!  Unfortunately, while the use of a distance measuring device (DMD) is already considered to be a "local rule" via rule 14-3, the USGA/RA has posted a joint statement on Electronic Devices, limiting there functionality to Distance Measurement only, and prohibiting functionality that provides any additional information:

When the local rule is in effect, distance-measuring devices must be limited to measuring distance only. The use of a distance-measuring device would constitute a breach of the Rules if:
The device has the capability of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play (e.g., wind speed, gradient, temperature, etc), or;
The device has some other non-conforming feature, including, but not limited to, recommendations that might assist the player in making a stroke or in his play, such as club selection, type of shot to be played (e.g., punch shot, pitch and run, etc.), or green reading (i.e., a recommended line of putt), or other advice-related matters. However, it is permissible to use such a device, during a stipulated round, to access distance information from previous rounds that has been processed prior to the commencement of the current round (e.g., a chart of all club yardages), or;
The device has the capability to assist in calculating the effective distance between two points (i.e., distance after considering gradient, wind speed and/or direction, temperature or other environmental factors).

http://www.usga.org/equipment/overview/USGA-R-A-Joint-Statement-On-Electronic-Devices/

Providing reference information (about what clubs you may have hit in past rounds, or the distance you hit them) seems to be ok, but actively offering suggestions seems like a no no.  

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Haven't Google already thought of this; it's called GolfSight

http://www.google.com/glass/start/

[John Avram]

This could be awesome.  

You could be out on a golf course and this could simulate being on an indoor golf simulator.  

THe real breakthrough IMO will be to get a read out of club head speed, smash factor etc. after each shot.  

If it could do that, I would never go to a golf simulator again.  

That is a great idea,  although I am not sure if it could be done with just the Glass hardware in its current state, but.... It could be a very useful addition to one of the current golf swing analysis devices, that way you don't have to stop your practice session to look at your results.

[Jonathan Mallard]

Will this make the average time of rounds shorter or longer?

[David Harshbarger]

Seems like a no-brainer.  Figure out how to make it do something the handheld, laser, and smartphone apps can't do and you'll really have something. Think something like painting elevation lines on the horizon, or superimposing a target.  Sure, that'd be against the rules, for now, but would hop off the shelves.

Short of that, the kinds of things GolfLogix does, like yardages and clubs (based on input or history), based on distance to green or hazards would be cool.

If you could really nail the use case for efficiently using them, what to present at different points in a round/hole, that might really take off.  What can you do for which you can get IP Protection?

Thanks for the suggestions!  Unfortunately, while the use of a distance measuring device (DMD) is already considered to be a "local rule" via rule 14-3, the USGA/RA has posted a joint statement on Electronic Devices, limiting there functionality to Distance Measurement only, and prohibiting functionality that provides any additional information:

When the local rule is in effect, distance-measuring devices must be limited to measuring distance only. The use of a distance-measuring device would constitute a breach of the Rules if:
The device has the capability of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play (e.g., wind speed, gradient, temperature, etc), or;
The device has some other non-conforming feature, including, but not limited to, recommendations that might assist the player in making a stroke or in his play, such as club selection, type of shot to be played (e.g., punch shot, pitch and run, etc.), or green reading (i.e., a recommended line of putt), or other advice-related matters. However, it is permissible to use such a device, during a stipulated round, to access distance information from previous rounds that has been processed prior to the commencement of the current round (e.g., a chart of all club yardages), or;
The device has the capability to assist in calculating the effective distance between two points (i.e., distance after considering gradient, wind speed and/or direction, temperature or other environmental factors).

http://www.usga.org/equipment/overview/USGA-R-A-Joint-Statement-On-Electronic-Devices/

Providing reference information (about what clubs you may have hit in past rounds, or the distance you hit them) seems to be ok, but actively offering suggestions seems like a no no.  

Not saying that superimposing elevation lines or suggesting clubs would be legal (vís a vís the USGA/R&A), just possibly profitable.

Different angle: What if you tied in a live caddy-as-a-service where your google glasses feed a caddy corps that reads lines and recommends clubs?  The caddies work from a cube farm handling 2-3 players at once, and goggle glass delivers their advice electronically?

[David_Elvins]

Could you get the glasses it apply a filter to make it look like you are playing the course in black and white? Like in the old days.  I have always enjoyed some of Ran's black and white photo tours. 

[Pete_Pittock]

To clarify the rules, using distance measuring devices is a rules violation (DQ) unless the golf course adopts a local rules that says you can use them.  The only resort course I have played where I have seen verbiage prohibiting their use is Erin Hills, which certainly helps their caddy program or sales of yardage books.

[John Avram]

Haven't Google already thought of this; it's called GolfSight

http://www.google.com/glass/start/

Golfsight is developed by the same people that created Skydroid,  not Google.  Golfsight uses the Mirror API,  which means that you have to have a data connection in order to be able to use it.  The app I am building will only require a data connection to download the course (and also possibly for the satellite imagery). Admittedly, the purpose of both apps is the same,  just like there are multiple GPS apps in the app store.

Also, Golfsight currently makes club recommendations,  which means that it would not qualify under rule 14-3.

[John Avram]

Not saying that superimposing elevation lines or suggesting clubs would be legal (vís a vís the USGA/R&A), just possibly profitable.

Different angle: What if you tied in a live caddy-as-a-service where your google glasses feed a caddy corps that reads lines and recommends clubs?  The caddies work from a cube farm handling 2-3 players at once, and goggle glass delivers their advice electronically?

That is a great idea!  a virtual caddie,  but not technically illegal, because an actual human is on the other end giving advice.  Brilliant!

[John Avram]

Will this make the average time of rounds shorter or longer?

Shorter I would hope.  Although it won't find a lost ball for you.... yet.

[Ulrich Mayring]

I probably can't use it, as I am wearing prescription glasses already, unless Google comes up with something. But for me the killer application would be if it helped me to find my golf balls quicker. Either apply some coating to the ball or an RFID tag...

Ulrich

[DMoriarty]

Could you get the glasses it apply a filter to make it look like you are playing the course in black and white? Like in the old days.  I have always enjoyed some of Ran's black and white photo tours. 

Or how about just superimposing a better course over the top of the one I'm playing?  Make a tee time at the local muni but with my Google Glass I could be playing Pine Valley.

And perhaps Google Glass could somehow make the rest of my foursome a bit better looking?  I won't even get into the potential for virtual beverage cart attendants.

Can I watch football while I play, too?

[Steve Lang]

   show me the wind currents directions and eddies please

[John Avram]

I probably can't use it, as I am wearing prescription glasses already, unless Google comes up with something. But for me the killer application would be if it helped me to find my golf balls quicker. Either apply some coating to the ball or an RFID tag...

Ulrich

They are actually coming out with a model that works with prescription glasses. The trick with any type of ball finder application would be getting it to work with any ball,  not just ones that are specially treated.  The golf ball companies would hate that though...

[Ulrich Mayring]

The solution is to have golfers apply the treatment themselves. You can give the app away for free and just sell the treatment.

Ulrich

[John Avram]

  show me the wind currents directions and eddies please

This feature would violate rule 14-3,  although I agree it would be very nice to have!

[Chris Shaida]

Could you get the glasses it apply a filter to make it look like you are playing the course in black and white? Like in the old days.  I have always enjoyed some of Ran's black and white photo tours. 

Or how about just superimposing a better course over the top of the one I'm playing?  Make a tee time at the local muni but with my Google Glass I could be playing Pine Valley.

And perhaps Google Glass could somehow make the rest of my foursome a bit better looking?  I won't even get into the potential for virtual beverage cart attendants.

Can I watch football while I play, too?

funny, funnier, funniest, funniest-er!

[Sean_A]

Could you get the glasses it apply a filter to make it look like you are playing the course in black and white? Like in the old days.  I have always enjoyed some of Ran's black and white photo tours. 

Or how about just superimposing a better course over the top of the one I'm playing?  Make a tee time at the local muni but with my Google Glass I could be playing Pine Valley.

And perhaps Google Glass could somehow make the rest of my foursome a bit better looking?  I won't even get into the potential for virtual beverage cart attendants.

Can I watch football while I play, too?

This about sums up what I think of the idea.  Why do golfers continually look for ways to separate themselves from the course?  I guess I will never get gadget golf.

Ciao

[Mike Hendren]

Me?  I'm waiting for the first GoPro course review on this site.

Bogey

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