Smart Technology and AI:
The Evolution of Golf Balls

Golf Balls: The Pinnacle of Advanced Science

The technological innovation in golf balls is evident in the changes seen in patent applications. In the past, most patents focused on improving distance, spin control, and the design and materials of the ball’s exterior. Recently, however, there has been a rise in attempts to insert electronic chips inside golf balls to implement specific functions. These functions include trajectory tracking, game data generation, and even eco-friendly features. For example, built-in sensors and GPS technology can collect and analyze player data in real time, allowing players to accurately monitor their swing, distance, and accuracy.
According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the patent for a “Golf Ball Having GPS Inside Thereof” (Application No. 1020100066112) was filed in 2010. This ball was designed to not only track its location but also enable self-charging through a piezoelectric element. In 2022, additional patents were filed, including a “Tracking System for Position of Golf　Ball” (Application No. 1020220026170), which is a distributed sensor capable of simultaneously tracking the trajectories of multiple golf balls hit by golfers, and a “Method for Detecting Hitting Result of Golf Ball Using AI and Virtual Golf Device Using the Same” (Application No. 1020220061909), which allows golfers to enjoy virtual golf through a simulator. Patents related to golf balls have evolved beyond simply improving the materials or design of the ball. They are now advancing toward collecting and analyzing real-time data. Built-in sensors and GPS analyze factors such as ball speed, spin, and trajectory, while AI processes this data to provide customized feedback.

Smarter Golf Balls

Smart golf balls precisely analyze swing speed, angle, and ball trajectory, helping players improve their swings. AI learns from a golfer’s swing patterns and provides tailored insights for better hole strategies. This data analysis is integrated with mobile applications, making it more intuitive and convenient for players to use.
Innovative attempts by companies to develop smart golf balls are creating new value in the industry. Since the release of the world’s first smart golf ball by Graff Golf in 2018, leading domestic and international companies have been focusing on smart golf ball development.
There is also a shift in the direction of golf ball technology development. In the past, the focus was on increasing distance through design, materials, and functional changes. However, now there is growing pressure to limit driving distances. In the early 2000s, few players could drive over 300 yards on the PGA Tour, but thanks to advances in club and ball performance, more than half of PGA Tour players now exceed 300 yards. Instead of expanding the size of golf courses, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) have decided to regulate golf ball performance to curb driving distance. The current balls will no longer be allowed in official competitions starting in 2028. However, despite these restrictions, the integration of IT and AI into smart golf balls is expected to bring revolutionary changes to the sport.