Accessories

Garmin International, Inc., introduces the MARQ Golfer, the latest addition to the MARQ Collection of modern tool watches, built with authenticity and functionality, an outward expression of one’s personality, interests and ambitions. MARQ Golfer is the only modern tool watch that combines everyday smart features, Garmin’s most advanced golfing and top multisport capabilities. Designed to be worn on and off the course, MARQ Golfer is built with premium materials, a 46-millimeter titanium case and ceramic bezel with custom etched 1-18 golf hole markings and a tritone green jacquard-weave nylon strap. The luxury watch comes preloaded with 41,000 golf courses and allows for seamless game-tracking. It boasts an array of features to help enhance a golfer’s game, such as PlaysLike Distance, Hazard View and a Virtual Caddie to analyze critical factors like wind speed, course layout, and a golfer’s speed and a golfer’s club performance to select the best suited club for each shot. MARQ Golfer celebrates those who have a passion for the game of golf.

Garmin Global Brand Ambassador and golf legend Greg Norman has experience with the MARQ Golfer on and off the course. The internationally renowned “Great White Shark” has won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including two Open Championships, and holds the distinction of defending his No. 1 position in the world golf rankings for 331 weeks.

“As someone who’s been involved in the game of golf for many decades, I’ve seen the evolution in golf technology and have seen first-hand the benefits of wearing a Garmin on my wrist,” said Norman. “At first glance, you wouldn’t expect the MARQ Golfer to have ultra-high-end GPS technology and smart features because it looks like a beautiful piece of jewelry, but I’ve found it’s the perfect watch to wear all day, both in the office and on the course.”

MARQ Golfer features a domed sapphire lens and an always-on, sunlight-readable display. The watch is packed with premium smartwatch functionality, including built-in music storage, Garmin Pay™ for contactless payments¹, smart notifications², daily activity tracking³, as well as wrist-based heart rate and a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor⁴. Compatible with Garmin’s QuickFit™ watch band solution, it’s quick and easy to change between different straps and bracelets.

“For over a decade, we’ve built products to enhance the golfing experience – from GPS watches to swing sensors, club tracking systems and rangefinders – and we’re excited to add MARQ Golfer to give players yet another tool to play their best game,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “As the only modern tool watch on the market with smart features and advanced golf game tracking data, MARQ Golfer is a timepiece that sets the standard in style and function both on and off the course.”

In addition to the beautifully crafted design and comfortable fit on the wrist, MARQ Golfer shines in its precise ability to help strategize and fine tune a golfer’s game. Preloaded with more than 41,000 golf course worldwide and full-color CourseView mapping right on the wrist, it’s easy to quickly determine distances to the front, middle and back of the green. The watch uses the PlaysLike Distance option to adjust yardages to compensate for uphill and downhill shots, and with Hazard View golfers can quickly scroll through each hazard on the map to acquire critical distance information and know exactly what to avoid during play. Additionally, MARQ Golfer utilizes an Autoshot round analyzer to measure and record detected shot distances.⁵ Included in the box, MARQ Golfer comes with three Approach^® CT10 club tracking sensors for advanced tracking capabilities, including locations, distances and club type.

Featuring an internal, rechargeable lithium battery, MARQ Golfer provides up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to three rounds of golf on one charge. Available in Q2, MARQ Golfer has a suggested retail price of $1,850. To learn more and to view the entire MARQ collection, visit www.garmin.com/marq.

MARQ Golfer is the latest innovation from Garmin’s MARQ series of watches, an outward expression of our consumers’ aspirations, the MARQ series combines beautiful design with cutting edge materials and technology.

For more than 30 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garminnews, or youtube.com/garmin.

¹View current supported country, payment network and issuing bank information at Garmin.com/GarminPay/banks
² When paired with a compatible smartphone; see garmin.com/ble
³See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
⁴This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox is not available in all countries
⁵Lie and ball contact may affect shot tracking. Putts are not tracked. Some shots, particularly chip shots around the green, may not be tracked.

PTE Golf announces a partnership with Golf Cup Lifter, the premier product for providing a safe, socially distant golfing experience.

Per the latest USGA rules of golf following 13.2a(2), “There will no longer be a penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flag stick left in the hole.” Coinciding with covid-19, many clubs have been looking for ways to retrieve golf balls hands-free. Rather than using foam inserts in the holes, which can hold bacteria, why not make things easy on your players and provide a hands-free alternative that’s more sanitary, more convenient, and more aesthetically pleasing?

Unlike other similar products on the market, the Golf Cup Lifter wraps completely around the flag stick, and is made of high density polyethylene. The Lifter is extremely durable to all of the elements. It is easy to set up and takes less than a minute to be installed onto any 0.5″ standard or tapered golf flag. The material used is rated for UV protection and is also waterproof. When hit by the golf ball, the Lifter’s plastic bends— rated up to 55 lbs of force, you won’t have to worry about our Lifter breaking.

To use the Golf Cup Lifter, after hitting one’s ball into the hole, the player would simply hook their golf club on the handle of the Lifter and pull upward in a swift motion; the ball will pop out of the hole, no bending over or contact required!

“These devices are a perfect solution to the COVID situation, and their use will extend to seniors once COVID is over. They’re so simple to install and use; I can’t believe we didn’t think of this sooner,” says CEO Matt Pollitt of the product.

Priced at just $159 for a nine-hole set, $229 for 18 holes, $299 for 27 holes, and $359 for 36 holes, our Golf Cup Lifter is less than one-third the cost of similar products on the market. Each set comes with an extra Lifter, in case a spare is needed; additional replacements can be purchased, as well.

Europe’s #1 golf bag and #1 push cart brand BIG MAX is introducing two new golf bag designs to its 2020 line – the Dri Lite Hybrid and Dri Lite Sport. Combining BIG MAX’s water resistant Dri Lite technology with unique practical innovations these bags showcase the reasons that BIG MAX is at the top of European golf’s most wanted list.

BIG MAX DRI LITE technology delivers a water resistant golf bag that features 100% waterproof fabric, specially designed waterproof zippers and a 2.000mm* waterproof rating. With this level of protection, most brands would call Dri Lite waterproof, but with the time and expertise BIG MAX invests in its 100% waterproof Aqua line, the brand is happy to call Dri Lite water resistant, knowing it will keep all but the very wettest days at bay.

The Dri Lite Hybrid is a faultless water-resistant stand bag with unique innovations that allow it to sit perfectly on a cart. Featuring a trolley compatible footless flat base and leg lock system the Hybrid sits perfectly square and secure on a cart or push cart while a neat cut out section in the base adds further stability when combined with a BIG MAX push cart. At the top of the bag the leg mechanism is located lower down the bag, meaning that the reinforced bag connection area makes contact with the cart rather than the legs. This eliminates twisting and provides a perfectly snug fit on the upper bag brackets.

With 7 spacious waterproof pockets, 14 way full length dividers and a host of neat features, the Hybrid has all the function of the best cart bags. But take the hybrid out on its own and it transforms to a stylish lightweight stand bag. The footless stand mechanism works exactly like any other stand bag while the air channel straps allow for breathability and comfort. At just 4.4 lbs the Hybrid is a breeze to carry and keeps all your gear completely dry, however you choose to get it round the course.

The Dri Lite Sport is a stylish, colorful, ultra-light Cart bag that combines a host of practical features with the protection of BIG MAX’s water resistant Dri Lite technology. A 14 way 9.5” organizer top with oversize putter well combines with 9 waterproof pockets, including an oversize cooler pocket, to provide all the space and storage that even the best equipped golfer could need. Neat features such as easy access Velcro glove holder, towel holder, umbrella holder and robust carry handles add to the practical benefits while the ultra light weight of just 4.85 lbs make the Dri Lite Sport simple to transfer from car to cart.

Shot Scope (www.shotscope.com), a leading international manufacturer of GPS-based golf management systems,  introduced the V3 Smart Golf Watch, the first multi-function watch to feature artificial intelligence and offer golfers real-time on-course performance tracking capabilities. V3’s patented Power-Sense AI strap technology captures data on every shot, delivering golfers instant feedback to better understand their swing and reach optimal performance.

Complementing the performance tracking capabilities, the V3 is the game’s most accurate lightweight, high speed golf watch, backed by proprietary dual GPS antennas (30cm GPS accuracy) that provide unmatched connectivity and synching, compared with competitive products, for precise distance measuring and pinpoint accuracy on 35,000 pre-loaded courses worldwide.

The dual GPS and performance tracking innovation is built into a sleek lightweight watch design and is available in five stylish color options for an industry-best $219.

The V3’s Power-Sense AI strap technology works automatically in the background to continuously scan the golfer’s swing settings to optimize performance tracking. The technology creates an ever-increasing volume and accuracy of data collected from the golfer during play, leading to more insights and statistics that help the player understand their game better, improve on-course strategy and shoot lower scores. The more rounds the golfer plays with V3 the smarter the AI technology becomes, eventually producing highly refined settings that are personal to that individual.

“Artificial Intelligence in a smart golf watch is a game-changer as the V3 provides golfers with real-time game tracking data like never before,” said David Hunter, CEO, Shot Scope. “As a multi-function watch, and backed by V3’s Power-Sense AI strap technology and dual GPS Antennas, golfers have never been afforded such an innovative combination of performance tracking and distance measuring.”

Hunter adds, “Shot Scope technology has been used by tens of thousands of golfers worldwide recording more than 50 million shots, and our data shows that amateur golfers improve by three strokes thanks to the unique fusion of accurate distance information and automatic performance tracking technology. Our Shot Scope team is passionate and driven to deliver game changing technology solutions that empower all golfers to make significant improvements, and V3 is the realization of three years of R&D, determination and a commitment to excellence.”

V3’s shot tracking function is powered by 16 lightweight plug-n-play club RFID tags that are embedded with smart GPS chips that easily screw into the butt-end of every club. Unlike other golf performance trackers, V3’s Power-Sense AI strap technology delivers instant syncing, while enabling club recognition with no pairing, phone or tagging required. The tags ‘communicate with each other’ and identify what club was hit and its location on the course.

Utilizing this shot tracking technology, golfers can sync their V3 device with Bluetooth and download the free app for mobile use on iOS and Android. An interactive dashboard, which provides an aerial view of the course for a bird’s-eye view, enables the watch to capture and analyze over 100 tour level statistics on club distances and tee shots for measurable game improvement, while Shot Scope’s PinCollect™ technology records putt and pin location, capturing and analyzing approaches, short game and putting statistics.

“Pre-labeling the club ID tags is truly a built-in convenience factor for all golfers,” adds Hunter. “Our plug-n-play approach, which eliminates any pairing issues, establishes a new standard for sports wearables, while delivering the most accurate and precise GPS intelligence and shot tracking data available.”

As a distance measuring device, the V3 utilizes not 1, but 2 GPS antennas. This ensures V3 provides industry leading GPS accuracy on the golf course. The V3 library, which is mapped in-house at Shot Scope, features over 35,000 courses worldwide that are accessible with no subscriptions or interruptions, and free upgrades. The easy-to-navigate, daylight readable color screen, which also switches to watch mode (date and time) for everyday use, offers highly accurate dynamic distances in large fonts, in either yards or meters, to the front, middle and back of the green, plus every bunker and water hazard on the course, regardless of angle of approach for enhanced course management.

Constructed with the highest grade smart GPS chip technology on the commercial market, including a 10-hour battery life, the V3 is a complete game management system built into a smart golf watch. It offers instant, real-time information for golfers to play their next shot with confidence, as well as the ability to monitor and pinpoint strengths and weaknesses through detailed performance data.

The V3 features three different play modes – GPS, GPS+Track and Pro, to support preferences for every golfer. The GPS mode provides distances anywhere on the course, while the GPS+Track mode provides distances and automatic performance tracking during a round. The Pro mode is designed for tournament use when GPS isn’t allowed, and tracks only performance data.

The Shot Scope V3 Smart Golf Watch, which is available immediately, includes 16 pre-labeled Club ID tags and comes in five stylish watch strap options, including black, blue, red, gray and purple. Suggested retail price for the Shot Scope V3 is $219 and can be purchased at Dicks Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA Superstores, TGW.com, golf specialty stores or online at www.shotscope.com.

– Global broadcast integration will highlight key risk/reward moments throughout tournament, authentically showcasing Aon brand and delivering unique insights for fans

The Ryder Cup and Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, have announced a multi-year agreement establishing Aon as a Worldwide Partner of The Ryder Cup.

Beginning in 2020, The Ryder Cup and Aon will introduce a multi-platform partnership that focuses on the risk reward narrative which is so authentic to the event and includes the introduction of a new award that celebrates the defining moments at the Ryder Cup. This first-of-its-kind innovation will add yet another level of excitement to the greatest team competition in golf. In addition, the partnership will see the integration of Aon risk/reward insights into the global broadcast and exclusive onsite hospitality for Aon clients and colleagues.

Working in conjunction with Ryder Cup broadcast partners NBC, Golf Channel and Sky Sports, Aon will showcase the defining moments of the tournament and give fans an ‘inside the ropes’ look at how captains and players work together to develop a winning strategy that maximises team performance.

“Aon is known around the world as a trusted advisor because their insights consistently provide clients with a competitive edge,” said Seth Waugh, PGA of America Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited that both teams and the fans will benefit from and enjoy Aon’s partnership during the next three Ryder Cups.”

“We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious company as Aon to the partner family of the Ryder Cup,” said Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup Director. “For many years Aon has helped and guided companies and individuals make the right decision – and we feel we have followed suit with this partnership. We look forward to working with them in Wisconsin and, of course, in the build-up to our next ‘home’ Ryder Cup in Italy in three years’ time.”

“When you have the opportunity to innovate alongside The Ryder Cup, it’s really special,” said Andy Weitz, Chief Marketing Officer, Aon. “The Ryder Cup is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world and the decisions that are made on the course, make history. We’re excited to highlight how those strategic decisions are made and share those insights with our clients, colleagues, and golf fans around the world.”

Aon’s partnership with The Ryder Cup includes the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI; the 2022 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy; and the 2024 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, NY.