Arccos and Microsoft Collaborate to Help Golfers Play Smarter, Shoot Lower Scores Through Big Data and Machine Learning

STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arccos Golf announces Microsoft Corp. as its Official Cloud Partner in an initiative combining Arccos' industry-leading performance tracking and data set of 50 million golf shots with the power of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and Azure Machine Learning, part of Microsoft Cortana Intelligence. The companies will develop technologies that use advanced analytics to deliver insights which help golfers of all skill levels play smarter to shoot lower scores.

The first phase of this collaboration – the Arccos Course Analyzer – will premiere January 24 at the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla. The platform layers an Arccos user's data on top of millions of data points for more than 40,000 golf courses mapped in the Arccos system. It then harnesses Azure's cloud-computing services and machine learning capabilities to provide personalized recommendations for optimal strategies on nearly every golf hole in the world.

"Our goal is to create the most advanced Artificial Intelligence platform for golf," says Sal Syed, CEO and Co-Founder of Arccos. "It will leverage a user's personal performance history, all the shots ever taken by the Arccos community, weather, elevation, course features, equipment selections and much more. The resulting strategic advice will be smarter than anything that's humanly possible. With its broad suite of capabilities, Microsoft's Azure cloud platform is the ideal solution to unlock this vision."

Arccos recently introduced its second-generation performance tracking system – Arccos 360 – and an industry-first partnership with Cobra Golf. Starting November 2016, every Cobra driver features an Arccos sensor embedded in the grip. The COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos range includes the new KING F7, KING F7+ and KING LTD Black models.

"The use of advanced analytics in golf is in its infancy compared to other major sports due to the tremendous challenges of collecting the required shot data," says Mike Downey, Director, Principal Evangelist – Sports at ‎Microsoft. "The PGA Tour overcomes these hurdles with a team of 350 data collection volunteers at every tournament. Arccos is the first company that has truly cracked this code for amateurs by creating a virtually automatic sensor platform that seamlessly integrates into a player's routine. As a result, Arccos has developed an impressive and rapidly expanding data set. We're excited to layer this with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to deliver intelligence that helps golfers realize their full potential."

Arccos 360 consists of 14 ultralight sensors, each of which attaches to a club grip and communicates with a free app for iOS and Android devices. The system records every shot a golfer takes and analyzes the data in real time to enhance on-course decision-making. Unlike competing products, it requires no tagging, tapping or other annoying disruptions to a player's routine.

"Despite being at a very early stage, our insights have directly contributed to the average Arccos user improving their handicap by a remarkable 3.52 strokes," says Syed. "This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the advanced analytics that will be delivered to the Arccos community through our work with Microsoft."

About Arccos Golf, LLC 
Arccos Golf, LLC develops game-changing connected technology products for golfers. The company is revolutionizing the golfing experience by integrating automatic shot tracking with Artificial Intelligence to deliver unparalleled insights that help players maximize their potential.

The information contained in this press release relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. The press release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the press release or the information contained in it.

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SOURCE Arccos Golf, LLC