Nike goes digital to help golfers improve

• By Global Golf Post
• Jul 9, 2012 1:04 PM ET

More and more, iPhones, iPads and laptops are becoming essential pieces of golf equipment. Which is why Nike has unveiled a new app, dubbed Nike Golf 360 (NG360), which is designed to give players several ways to improve their on-course performances.

“This is all about serving the golf athlete and connecting more deeply with our consumers in a digital way,” says Brian Carter, global digital golf manager for Nike Golf.

NG360, which can be downloaded for free via iTunes or accessed on the Nike Golf website (nikegolf.com), offers four basic components. One is My Game, and it enables golfers to track their rounds by recording what they made on each hole as well as how many putts they played and whether they hit the fairway (and if so, whether they missed it left or right).

Using that information, the app calculates Greens-in-Regulation (GIR), driving accuracy and putts per round, so that golfers can determine the parts of their games on which they most need to work. Golfers can also earn awards through their play; four birdies in a row, for example, merits a Schwartzel Trophy, in honor of 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Another NG360 component is known as My Swing, and golfers can use that to upload and analyze video of their swings. They can also seek personal coaching from Nike Swoosh staff members who are PGA of America teaching professionals. In addition, the app includes a My Body section, which is designed to help players get into better golfing shape by letting them view and implement golf-specific training programs designed through a partnership with the Gray Institute, a leader in Applied Functional Science.

Finally, the company has created My Gear, which allows golfers to find Nike products on the Nike Golf website that suit to their needs and skills as it also provides recommendations for gear from Nike Swoosh staff members.