Michigan Golf Journal February 2020

TrackMan Range The same high-tech training technology that virtually every Tour professional uses in practice and on the range at PGA and LPGA tour stops is now available to amateur golfers – but at no cost – at Carl’s Golfland. Carl’s in Bloomfield Hills became the first location in North America to offer TrackMa n Range a couple years ago. Now, after a couple months of reconstruction and shapi ng in the fall, the Plymouth location has been fitted with TrackMan, to go along with a newly designed range. TrackMan is a system that provides golfers with instant feedback on eight performance numbers, allowing them to review and compare their shots in real time with a free iPhone app. It takes less than 5 minutes to download and start using. Carl’s made the financial investment in the technology but does not charge golfers to use it. Most people recognize TrackMan as the little orange box sitting behind pros when they practice or test clubs. It is the global technology often utilized for detailed club fittings for both pros and amateurs. TrackMan Range uses radar to precisely record eight performance numbers, including ball speed, launch angle, direction, height, carry through the air, total yards on run out and exact distance from hitting the pin – all to within one-yard accuracy. Carl’s alsomade a large investment to change the range in Plymouth, as far as sight lines, targets, sloping and other new features to improve the practice experience. It’s located next door to the Inn at St. Johns’ 27 holes of public golf. Matt Frelich, VP of Sales for TrackMan, said PGA Tour pro Dustin Johnson originally resisted using TrackMan several years ago, when he was outside the top 150 players in proximity to the pin. Once Johnson was convinced to try using TrackMan he became No. 1 in the world in that category. “Carl continues to invest in having the best driving range here in Michigan,” Frelich said, adding that as golfers begin to get better accuracy of their club distances, “they’re going to focus on hitting it closer to the pin. We’ve developed games (on the app) that will reward that, too. Anyone that is a serious Carl’s regular – their handicap will come down.” MGJ TrackMan Range Now at Carl’s Golfland – Plymouth By Tom Lang Carl’s Range, Plymouth, shown under construction