On June 5th 2023, Apple unveiled Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary spatial computer headset that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, while allowing users to stay present and connected to others. Vision Pro creates an infinite canvas for apps that scales beyond the boundaries of a traditional display and introduces a fully three-dimensional user interface controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible — a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Featuring visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, Vision Pro lets users interact with digital content in a way that feels like it is physically present in their space. The breakthrough design of Vision Pro features an ultra-high-resolution display system that packs 23 million pixels across two displays, and custom Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design to ensure every experience feels like it’s taking place in front of the user’s eyes in real time.
What does this mean for golf? Already ahead of the curve, renowned golf course data provider, Golf Intelligence, is already in late stages of development of the Vision Pro’s first golf app for their StrackaLine brand. The user will be able to wear the device on the course during practice rounds and have industry leading yardage and green reading data overlaid on top of the grass to see a level of detail that capture even the best Tour caddie’s attention. StrackaLine, most famous for inventing the green reading books in 2007, and the first green reading iPhone app in 2013, drops the contour and fall line map detail right on top of the green you’re looking at to calculate your exact putt line in real time.
User’s view while using the StrackaLine app
Is this USGA legal? No, an Apple Vision Pro app would not for tournament play. Any electronic device that’s reading your putt in real time can be used only for practice rounds and training by yourself or with a golf instructor. Learn how to read greens with elevation data here.
Live putt line calculation within the StrackaLine app for Apple Vision Pro
However, StrackaLine’s data printed in book form is absolutely USGA legal under the rules of golf. StrackaLine’s books are currently used by over 650 college golf teams, including the men’s and women’s NCAA National Champions for the last 9 years. Also, StrackaLine books are the leading book in competitive junior golf play as the “official book” for the AJGA and the IMG Junior World Championships, in addition to the 13,000+ courses that have green reading books available for. Search for your golf course to buy a book: StrackaLine.com
How much does it cost? The Vision Pro is set to launch in the early months of 2024, with a price tag of $3,499 direct from Apple. StrackaLine’s app will cost only $99/year subscription for anyone with that device and will include access to ALL golf courses, world-wide.
Development and testing have been rapid and exciting. “We had been experimenting with an app for the Microsoft HoLoLens 2 but were discouraged when in in January of this year, Microsoft laid off their entire teams behind HoLoLens and Mixed Reality as they shifted their focus to ChatGPT,” said Chase Stracka with StrackaLine. “We had been following the development of Apple’s rumored AR device for several years, and were thrilled that it’s a complete leap-frog in terms of technology to what Microsoft had been offering.”
In conclusion, this is an exciting time for golfers as technology continues to evolve. In his interview with “Good Morning America,” Tim Cook said the Vision Pro marks a turning point for the company. “We started working on augmented reality quite some time ago because we saw it as a big idea, as a profound technology,” Cook said. “This is the next chapter in that, and it’s a huge leap.” And putting on any golf course in the world from my living room? Sign me up!
See the demo video here: https://youtu.be/OPjtnORsXMg
