Episode 1: Enhanced Golfers: Becoming A Robotoid Golfer

Robert Sudha Hamilton's Podcast

It seems, that I am transitioning from mere human to robotoid – an enhanced version of me. Becoming Robby the Robot: A golfer’s journey from fallible flesh to digital design. My golfing arsenal now contains so many technological devices that I am questioning my humanity. The most recent acquisition is the Shot Scope H4 and it may well have tipped me over the edge. It joins my hand held laser, my Phantom GPS, and the MiScore app on my phone. Some folks might mention the term ‘overkill’ here but I find each of these devices offers something unique, as well as their shared abilities.
Robotic Golfers

The Shot Scope H4 is the latest piece of equipment to accompany me on my competitive golfing forays. This device plots my round shot by shot and offers me the opportunity to analyse this data post round. The value of this information in such crystal clear formatted shape is yet to be ascertained but I suspect it will prove fruitful. However, learning to use this technological aid has definitely messed with my head. I have always thought that golfers look quite robotic from the perspective of the external viewer. We all wear similar outfits with caps and collared shirts, often emblazoned with brand names like Titleist and Callaway. In addition, we have pre-shot routines which appear robotic to the uninitiated.
Transitioning to Digital Display Golf

It has been interesting to observe how difficult it is to amend my own golfing routines to include what is demanded by the Shot Scope device. The small hand held (can be worn on your belt) unit scans sensors located on discs attached to the butt of your golf clubs. The new protocol requires the golfer to bring the butt of your grip to the face of the unit prior to playing each shot. Remembering to do this without fail is harder than I thought it would be. Especially when you stuff a shot up in the bunker or wherever – who wants to record failure. Like anything I suppose it takes time to assimilate new behaviours.
The whole experience got me thinking about what is happening to all of us in the modern world on and off the golf course. We are all interacting with technology more and more throughout our lives. Smart phones and computers are everywhere and involving themselves in our everyday activities. Futurists are already predicting the enhancement of Homo sapiens via implants as the most likely way forward in our evolvement. Becoming Robby the Robot or Robyn or Non-binary Bobby is on the cards for our kids and future generations on planet earth.