Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Smarten up your golf clubs with these little tags

Enjoy getting out on the green? The latest addition to your set of golf clubs is Golf Tags, up for funding on Kickstarter. With those neat little buttons and the Golf Pad app (available for iOS and Android), you can get unparalleled stats on your clubs. You can finally see if your new set is worth the money and have no doubt about which to use for a particular shot.

Golf Tags are Near-Field Communication-based plugs that screw into the end of your clubs and measure the distance of your shots. Tap your phone on the tags to link to the Golf Pad app and record your current location and club choice. In the app, you can view your shot dispersion, distance trends, fairway statistics, greens in regulation, putting, and more. This gives you the basic info to plan a full course strategy, in addition to the specifics these tags record about the clubs themselves.

Since each club gets its own tag (Golf Tags come in a set of 15), the app receives club-specific playing history that takes elevation changes, temperature, humidity, and altitude into account. Once you’ve played a few rounds with the Golf Tags, the app can learn to be better than new caddy and offer suggestions of which club you should use in the moment (it’s worth noting that the Club Recommendations feature is still under development, but should be ready in time to ship). Checking your driving and approach shot dispersion will show you what part of your game needs practice.

Recommended Videos

You can edit –that doesn’t mean cheat – and share your stats in real-time from your phone. But if you have a smartwatch like a Pebble, Samsung Gear, or Android Wear, you can see your club info and last shot distance whenever you scan a tag, and keep your phone in your pocket.

The tags themselves are passive, so they don’t have batteries to charge. They’re made of tough plastic, so they can take a licking, but they do have a year’s warranty. There’s also the small caveat that some of the advanced analytics are only available with Golf Pad Premium, at a cost of $10 a year. Each Golf Tag set starts you off with a code for a year of premium, but when that time runs out you can pay for the upgrade or use Golf Tags with the free version of the app.

What’s it really worth to get to know yourself and your clubs a little better? After launch a set of Golf Tags will cost you $100. All the early bird Kickstarter rewards are gone, but you can still grab a set for $80 or two for $150. You can always use the Golf Pad app alone, of course. It’s available at the Google Play Store and iTunes.

Aliya Barnwell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Aliya Tyus-Barnwell is a writer, cyclist and gamer with an interest in technology. Also a fantasy fan, she's had fiction…
Circular confirms its $259 smart ring is coming to the U.S.
best wearables of ces 2022 circular ring

The Circular smart ring is finally going to be available for pre-order on Sunday, February 27, via the Circular website and will cost $259. The wearable tech will be available for presale in European countries (France, Germany, the U.K., and Italy,) the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Pre-orders will go live at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 27. Those who pre-order the smart ring should expect delivery between April and June 2022, according to a Circular press release.

Circular doesn't clarify what ring sizes will be available when presales go live, however, the company has said that seven sizes for both men and women will be available. Digital Trends has reached out for clarification on the available sizes, and will update this article when we hear back. The Circular smart ring also comes in four different colors that can be switched out with replaceable outer shells: Black, rose gold, silver, and gold.

Read more
How to take an ECG with your Apple Watch and see irregular heart notifications
ecg app apple watch

The ECG app is one of the most vital features of the Apple Watch, allowing you to see an electrocardiogram of your heart whenever you want. Along with this, the Apple Watch can notify you of irregular heart rhythms.

Read more
The best Black Friday air fryer deals for 2022
Best Black Friday Air Fryer Deals

Though Black Friday's over for another year, you'll still find plenty of Black Friday deals out there. If you're in the market for an air fryer, we don't blame you. It's the kitchen gadget that no one can stop talking about. After all, what other device can whip up a perfect crunchy batch of fries or delicious fried chicken while using minimal energy and providing healthier results? Big retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon have plenty of Black Friday air fryer deals on right now, so how do you know where to start? Below, we've picked some of the best available deals from brands like Bell, Insignia, Ninja, and many more, so keep reading to find your new air fryer for less.
Best Black Friday air fryer deals under $100
Bella Pro Series 2-quart Analog Air Fryer -- $20, was $45

If you're still tentative about air fryers, it's hard to go wrong buying the Bella Pro Series 2-quart Analog Air Fryer. This simple-to-use air fryer doesn't boast a stainless steel case or perform multiple functions, but it does the main job creating crispy, healthy, good-tasting snacks and appetizers. No preheating time means you're ready to cook faster than a conventional oven, and dishwasher-safe components makes cleanup quick and easy. The small Bella Pro Series air fryer is one of the best air fryer deals, priced to attract new cooks to the category.

Read more