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USGA Adds Wearable Technology to Golfer Products Suite

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (July 27, 2022) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) and Sentry Insurance have made it easier for recreational golfers to track their on-course performance by unveiling additional features to its Golf Handicap Information Network® (GHIN) mobile app, including a new smart watch app integration.

Nearly 3 million existing GHIN subscribers were given free access to new hole-by-hole scoring and tracking features on their Apple Watch in June, including the capability to track the number of putts, approach shot accuracy and driving accuracy with a few clicks. 

Users of GHIN’s enhanced GPS now also have access to two new features on their Apple Watch: distances to the front, center, and back of the green, and distances to key points on holes such as bunkers, layup areas and penalty areas.

“We are consistently investing in technology, making it easier for golfers to enjoy the game they love,” said Gareth Londt, managing director of Product, Data & Technology, USGA. “Adding wearable technology as an extension to the GHIN mobile app has been very well received, and is just the latest step in our journey to unify and advance the game for the next generation of golfers.”

These latest innovations delivered by the USGA are made possible through its corporate partnership with Sentry, a recognized leader in business insurance and the presenting partner of GHIN. They follow significant advancements made to the GHIN mobile app in 2021, including GPS, course maps and green-reading technology, among other additions.

The GHIN mobile app also automatically delivers an official Handicap Index® that is updated daily to subscribers in the United States and beyond and connects users with their local Allied Golf Association. 

The USGA first developed the network in 1981 to relieve the burden placed on clubs and golf associations to manage golfer handicap data on their own. Most golf courses and associations in America are now part of the GHIN ecosystem, with updated GHIN products released to accommodate the launch of the World Handicap System™ in 2020. Obtaining a Handicap Index is easy and requires posting only three 18-hole scores. For more information, see www.usga.org/getahandicap.

The USGA also plans to introduce new features to the GHIN mobile app later this year, such as games and multi-player scorekeeping. Users can download the GHIN mobile app from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, please visit www.usga.org/ghin and for digital media assets, please click here. 

About the USGA  
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org

About Sentry
Sentry Insurance is a part of one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (superior) from AM Best, current as of July 2022. See www.ambest.com/ratings/guide.pdf for rating information. Sentry and its subsidiaries and affiliates sell property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for business and individuals throughout the country. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Sentry employs more than 4,300 associates across the country. See a complete list of underwriting companies at www.sentry.com.