Sensors or GPS: two ways to measure pace of play

There are two main ways to measure pace of play automatically: GPS positioning and camera sensors at the holes. They produce different data and ask different things of the club. Here we compare them as fairly as we can, even though we build on sensors ourselves.

GPS on a cart or in the bag

A GPS system measures where a device is, often several times a minute. The device sits on a buggy or trolley, or travels in a bag. The advantage is a continuous position for the whole round. The drawback is that every group has to carry a device, devices have to be handed out, charged and collected, and groups without one are invisible.

Sensors at selected holes

Sensors record when groups pass fixed points on the course, such as a tee or a green. Players carry nothing, and everyone who passes is counted. The drawback is that measurement happens at those points and not between them, so pace between two sensors is an estimate.

The differences in brief

• Coverage: GPS only sees groups carrying a device. Sensors see everyone who passes.
• Precision between holes: GPS is better. Sensors estimate pace between the points.
• Staff workload: GPS needs devices handed out, charged and collected every day. Sensors need nothing per round.
• Privacy: GPS ties a position to a device, often linked to a booking. Camera sensors take images, which calls for blurring, signage and a balancing test, and if the sensors are linked to the booking, the passages are tied to it too.
• Unbooked play: GPS does not see it. Sensors count people whether they booked or not.

Which suits your club?

If you need an exact position for every group throughout the round and have staff to manage the devices, GPS is a good choice. If you want to see everyone who plays without handing anything out, and are prepared to take responsibility for the pace-of-play analysis, sensors are a good choice.

TeeGuard is built on sensors. We have still tried to write this so it holds true for clubs that choose otherwise.