In-depth shot data made me realise how much I needed to change this KEY part of my golf equipment

ARCCOS Smart Sensors are barely noticeable while playing, leaving you undistracted

Knowing your golf game inside and out is the future of better play, and thanks to ARCCOS Golf’s innovative App and Smart Sensors, you’ve never been better informed

In all the great debates amongst the modern golfing community, there are two that truly stand out: Tiger or Jack, and Numbers vs Feel. While I’m not going to start discussing who’s the greatest of all time in this article (it’s Tiger, though, just so we’re clear), this is a perfect place to talk about why data is one of the most important aspects of the game. The reason I’m taking the side of ‘Numbers?’ I’ve been a through-and-through feel player for all of my golfing life. It’s ingrained in me to trust my own feedback over anything else, and within two weeks of using the ARCCOS Golf Smart Sensors, I KNOW that I need this data in my game.

It’s not a debate; It’s two sides of the same coin

One of the biggest difficulties with talking about this subject is that, like with a lot of arguments these days, both sides are so entrenched in their beliefs that it becomes hard for us to find common ground.

While there is more nuance to each argument, they essentially boil down to these major points:

• Numbers advocates think that this vast amount of data we now have access to should be the main guiding point for how we develop our golf or choose our equipment
• Devotees to Feel believe that the response to and from the contact between ball and clubface is the only way you can truly judge how to play the game or pick clubs

What we often fail to realise, though, is that these elements need to work together to give us all the best chance of living up to our aspirations. Feel is the only way we can communicate our comfort with the changes that data suggests we make, giving us, and our fitters and coaches, a better understanding of why we might struggle with new swing thoughts or equipment.

Equally, good use of data can confirm that what we’ve felt on the course has genuine truth to it, beyond the anecdotal, as well as stopping our ego from dictating decisions that would have otherwise helped bring us up to a new standard of play.

This is where ARCCOS Golf has become a game-changer for me, and sets itself up as being one of the most innovative tools on the golf course that amateurs have access to – it’s a playing field-leveler between you and world’s best players, allowing you to go about your game as you prefer, whether that’s playing from the heart during the round before reviewing your data to see how you faired, or whether you’d rather keep track of how you’re playing while you play so you can dial in your thoughts and feels during your next driving range.

But enough about how it COULD help you, let me show you HOW it’s already helped me in the shortest amount of time.

Know Your Game

As I said, I’ve had the ARCCOS Smart Sensors on my clubs for a few weeks now, and I’ve had time to get plenty of time on the course to start to analyse my data. You can see my stats above.

A little about me, so you know what the numbers are saying in comparison to my normal game. I float between a 6- and 7-handicap most years, with periods where I play more regularly seeing my golf achieve a slightly higher standard than otherwise normal. You’re catching me in one of those periods right now, with solid play being captured during my time with ARCCOS.

I’m excited by this in particular because it’s shown me that even though I’m in a great run of form, there are still ways that I can find to make improvements and perform better. I’ve set my comparison to that of a scratch golfer, so my strokes gained (how many shots I’m better or worse than that standard of player in any given category) are showing what I need to do to achieve that standard.

ARCCOS’ app does actually allow you to compare yourself to virtually any level of golfer, from a 20-handicap all the way to a Tour Pro (like Matt Fitzpatrick – himself an ARCCOS user), thanks to the company’s partnership with the PGA Tour as their Official Game Tracker – and yes, I have checked how I compare to a professional and I’m depressingly giving up 8 shots a round, although I’m more proud than I should be that my putting SG is +0.8, meaning that area of my golf is nearly one stroke better than Tour average is (suck it, McIlroy. I wouldn’t have needed a playoff for the Grand Slam).

Jokes aside, there’s a clear element of my game that’s costing me, and it’s a perfect example of how ego can mask what data always reveals: namely, my wedge play is absolutely diabolical and, if I’m looking to shoot that coveted below par score, it’s going to be the key to me achieving that goal. So lets dive deeper into what’s going…

Short Game, Huge Rewards

Looking at my approach play, where I can break down my shots into the green in 25-yard increments, there’s a clear difference in my play from 125 yards or more versus shots inside of that yardage, and it’s not a coincidence that I make a club switch in my game at that distance. With a pitching wedge that goes 125-130 yards, my best approach shots are being played with an iron in hand, and my worst-performing strokes see me using my wedges.

With my short game having historically been a strength in my game, coming to terms with what we’ve found hasn’t been easy, but, as we’ve discussed, this is where ARCCOS can help leave ego at the door.

But the more I’ve been able to digest the information, the more I’ve been able to match it up with my own feel and feedback.

As I’m 6 foot 3″ and built like a T-Rex (to the detriment of my boxing career), my irons are built one inch longer than standard and therefore heavier than most you’ll come across, with my typical swingweight coming in at D8 to E0. If you’re not familiar with swingweighting, this is the equivalent of adding roughly 16-20g of extra weight to the heads of a standard length set. That’s a lot!

I’m saying this not as some kind of bizarre brag on my strength, but to point out why I’ve been struggling with wedges. My Vokey SM9s are built with LA Golf L-Series shafts – a hangover from being matched into a previous set of irons I was playing – and, to cut a long story short, these shafts are extremely counterbalanced.

As a result, what should normally be either the same or slightly heavier than my irons on the scale is now coming in at D5. If you’d like to know what that feels like, go swing a regular men’s iron and then immediately do the same with a ladies’ model. Do you notice anything? Most of you should find your awareness of what the head is doing during the swing suffers dramatically (and if not, maybe you, too, need to consider a change!).

That feeling is what I’m getting every single time I’m hitting short game shots, and, most importantly, is causing my overall game to suffer. With my current quality of putting, the closer I can get to the flag from greenside when I do miss the dance floor, the more I’ll be able to rescue pars and maybe even make more birdies.

New Perspectives (and New Wedges!)

As you read this, I’ll be re-reading our data on the best wedges of 2025 to figure out where I want to start with a new set. While I did consider rebuilding my current wedges in a better-suited shaft, the SM9s are now coming on for two years of use, and the wear on the face is strong enough to warrant a wholesale change to the clubs now.

I’ve been fairly quickly able to assess what the problem is for me and do something about my clubs, but what I love about ARCCOS Golf’s App is that, while the data breakdown is easy to understand, if you’re unsure on what your next step should be, ARCCOS offers suggestions for you.

The app, aside from offering the data itself, produces its own list of insights for you to work on. Every recommendation has a selection of tips and tricks for your practice, so you can apply a drill that works for your skill level and goals to complete and improve with.

It’s a great touch, one that ensures you aren’t getting frustrated from either not knowing what to do now, paying for lessons that you might not need, or ordering clubs that aren’t going to be as helpful as we hope.

A.I. Powered Personalised Caddie

Something I haven’t yet spoken about when it comes to the ARCCOS Golf App is the caddie element itself. It’s easy to get lost in the data aspect of the app, but when you are actually playing your own game, ARCCOS not only gives you an impressive GPS mode that covers a massive selection of worldwide courses, but also provides a complete, personalised caddie, powered by A.I., that utilises your data to make accurate club selections for you on every shot.

This AI Caddie uses your phone’s connection to also look at weather reports and conditions alongside your Strokes Gained data, to offer multiple strategies on each hole with predictive score probabilities.

It’s ingenious technology, and for someone who reviews golf tech for a living, it’s quickly become one of my favourite options on the golf course for both its insights into my game as well as the ease of use with it being a phone app. I’ve turned up enough times to the golf course, realising too late that I’ve left my rangefinder at home, that I’m extremely grateful to have my GPS device be something that’s always on me -it’s reduced my stress no end!

My final favourite feature with ARCCOS’ App isn’t particularly helpful in all honesty, but it’s still great fun. Thanks, again, to their partnership with the PGA Tour, ARCCOS is now able to take note of any strikes that would outperform 50% or more of Tour Pros and presents you with a special framing of that shot at the end of your round.

It’s a small touch, but one that you can use to show off to your friends on particularly brilliant plays. In my two weeks of using the App, I’ve now racked up a mighty three shots that are better than Tour average, including a 145-yard 9-iron that was better than 99% of Pros would have done.

Okay, so now I am bragging! But feel free to let me know if you’re able to do better from even further out, we’re always up for a friendly competition at Today’s Golfer.

In the meantime, I’ll be awaiting the delivery of my new wedges, to see if my club change can finally push me past that scratch golfer average!

1

ARCCOS Smart Sensors

Understand your game like never before

Price: £224.99/$249.99

ARCCOS GOLF

View Offer

Price: £224.99/$249.99

ARCCOS GOLF

View Offer

Specs Features

Shot Tracking Sensors	16, including 15 club sensors and 1 putter sensor
Pairing Device	App available through iOS and Android
GPS Mode	AI-Powered Personalised Caddie, which makes Smart Distance club recommendations
Warranty	2-Year Warranty, with 5 free annual sensors for replacements or new clubs

• 16 Smart Sensors, including 15 club sensors and 1 putter sensor
• A First-Year Membership to the ARCCOS Caddie App
• Free Annual Sensor Renewal: 5 new tags every year for replacements or additional clubs
• A.I. Powered GPS Rangefinder, with Smart Distance Technology
• Personalised AI Caddie advice
• PGA Tour-level Strokes Gained Insights