Two years ago, the U.S. Golf Association sent a buzz through the golf turf maintenance world when it launched the GS3 smart golf ball that measures metrics like green speed as well as surface firmness, trueness and smoothness.
The game's governing body made another splash at this year's GCSAA Conference and Show when it launched the USGA Moisture Meter.
Available with 1.5-inch or 3-inch tines and powered through a USB charger, the tool provides golf course superintendents with precise and consistent data that includes soil moisture, salinity and temperature. The data instantly uploads into the USGA's Deacon technology platform through the user's mobile phone that attaches to the monitor, creating a digital record that can be used to help superintendents manage water usage while also maximizing plant health and playability.
Constructed from aluminum, the device is impact resistant, yet lightweight for ease of use.
The monitor, demonstrated (at right) by Jeff Kinney of the USGA at the GCSAA Conference and Show, is part of the association's sustainability efforts, announced in 2023, to invest $30 million over a 15-year span to help superintendents reduce water usage on golf courses.
The soil moisture sensors in the monitor are manufactured by Meter Group, a leading technology provider of soil-plant atmospheric data for the agriculture market for the past three decades.
Benefits of the USGA Moisture Meter are:
- Improved course consistency: By providing accurate and real-time soil moisture data, the USGA Moisture Meter empowers superintendents to make data-driven decisions, resulting in more consistent playing surfaces throughout the season.
- Proprietary technology: CDX technology from Meter Group provides precise and consistent soil moisture, salinity and temperature readings.
- Increased efficiency: The tool streamlines the data-collection process, allowing superintendents to focus on other critical tasks.
- Enhanced decision-making: The integration with Deacon provides a comprehensive view of course conditions, providing superintendents with the information needed to provide what is needed precisely where it is needed.
The Deacon app is a digital platform launched by the USGA in 2021 to provide superintendents with the tools to make decisions to manage turf more efficiently and improve the golfer experience. Superintendents can input data into Deacon, which tracks putting green surface management via the GS3 smart golf ball, creates pace-of-play reports, provides hole-location options and provides weather insights.
At the GCSAA Show in San Diego, the USGA also launched the next generation of its Deacon system — Deacon Release 23. Upgrades include an overhaul of the user experience that makes it easier for superintendents to integrate data and find information faster.
Upgrades in Deach R23 are:
- Enhanced navigation: A reimagined interface that simplifies workflows, making it easier to access the platform's tools.
- Better reporting tools: More intuitive reporting functionality on both web and mobile platforms.
- Faster testing time: Simplified GS3 smart golf ball tests and new USGA Moisture Meter readings on mobile, providing real-time data to support decision-making.
- Improved application logs: Streamlined tracking of applications and nutrient management.
- Advanced jobs and reporting: Improved tools for monitoring and recording job activities.
The USGA says proceeds from the USGA Moisture Meter will be directly re-invested into the association's efforts to meet its 15-year sustainability and water-use goals.