Sunday, September 26, 1999
Golf goes high-tech at Oxford course
GPS tracks yardage, as well as carts Satellite system tracks yardage, carts
BY DIONNE BRADDIX
The Cincinnati Enquirer
High-tech satellites developed to monitor the course of enemy missiles are now being used to track carts on a golf course in Oxford.
The GPS ground tracking system called ProShot allows Indian Ridge Golf Club to keep tabs on the course and its players.
The public course, which opened June 25, provides a service that is generally available only at private country clubs elsewhere in the country.
The ProShot system utilizes GPS (global positioning satellite) systems, developed for defense purposes, to pinpoint the exact location of players and carts on the course. The system is accurate within a yard, and updates itself every eight seconds.
“It works on the principle of triangulation,” said Doug Eakin, Indian Ridge golf professional.
“The radio transmitter on the top of the cart sends a signal to the antenna on top of the clubhouse, which sends a signal to the satellite and back down to the computer inside.”
The system is two-part. Inside the clubhouse is a main computer, which, among other features, displays a to-scale map of the course and the position of each cart. The indoor section also allows the operators to send messages to individual carts as well as groups, and monitor the speed of play.
Each cart has a monitor that displays distances to different sections of the green, hazards that might be in the way of the hole and any messages from the clubhouse.
Club member Jared Wolever said the system is simple and user-friendly.
“It's like having a caddy with you,” Mr. Wolever said. “It kind of makes you feel like you're on the pro tour. Someone's there giving you little tips. I would say that it improved my game.”
One of the more high-tech features is the graphics display.
On each hole, players can choose to see a visual representation of the hole they is on. This display gives distances to the green, as well as distances to the nearest hazards for that hole.
The course is using the system on a trial run. Players have the option of using the system after the first three holes of play, with a refundable $3 deposit collected at the time of cart rental. If after three holes the player chooses to use the system, the deposit is kept.
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