The golf course is often sought as a haven to escape the outside world.

Tournaments are blissfully free from ringing cell phones, computers and PDAs. And, until someone actually invents the golf bag from the movie "Caddyshack", it’s likely that the average round of golf will remain mostly technology-free.

So why are all of those people at PGA TOUR events walking around with hand-held Palm devices and laser guns near the course?

Don’t be alarmed, it’s not a bad thing. In fact, the data that the approximately 250 volunteers a week gather using hand-held computers and lasers actually brings fans closer to their favorite players.

Developed in conjunction with IBM, the TOUR’s Official Worldwide Information Technology Partner, this data-collecting system is known as ShotLink. The idea for ShotLink formed in 1997 after the TOUR realized an update was needed to its old system, which was based on technology that was 10 years old. ShotLink was introduced at the 2001 Buick Classic and became widely used at the start of the 2002 season.

Originally intended to catalogue and save statistical information for historical purposes, the data collected is now also used by print journalists, broadcasters, PGATOUR.com’s TOURCast application and even golf course superintendents to assist with their work.

“The main purpose of ShotLink is to gather pertinent data information with regards to the players, like getting yardages, stats and historical data that we can archive and have for future years,” said Jack White, director of ShotLink for the PGA TOUR. “The side benefits are that it also enhances the broadcast and is used in the media.”

Palm Pilots are used to send the data back from the course to the ShotLink truck. (Levy/PGA TOUR/Wi

White also noted that, because ShotLink can directly pinpoint where the most shots land on a certain hole, golf course staff can tinker with layout. For instance, if a par 5 has been reached easily by most players in two shots, tournament officials might change future hole placements to make it more difficult.

Players themselves benefit from the data, as their personal statistical information is now more reliable and readily available to them. In 2004, a program was developed so TOUR members can compare stats from different time periods. This might help, say, Tiger Woods, who would like to see how his stats looked before and after his most recent swing change.

ShotLink is used on all three Tours for approximately 102 tournaments a year. To put this complex ShotLink system in place, each course the TOUR plays was mapped, along with nine holes for Champions Tour events. Using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, different layers and elevations were recorded to denote the greens, fairways, bunkers, water, rough, trees and other course elements.

This map of the course serves as a background for figuring out the distances between two points, such as the tee and where a player’s first shot lands.

That’s where the volunteers come in.

“The system doesn’t work without the volunteers. The entire ShotLink system is run by volunteers,” said White. “We have staff onsite who help the volunteers in terms of training and troubleshooting. If a piece of equipment goes down, we will either get it back up and running or replace it with one that works properly. But the entire system is run by volunteers.”

One of the greenside construction-grade lasers used in the ShotLink system. (Messerschmidt/WireImag

Approximately 10,000 volunteers a year help with the gathering of ShotLink data. A walking scorer accompanies each pairing and must have some knowledge of golf, as they use the Palm device to record information on the lie of the ball, which player hit each shot, the scores at the conclusion of the hole and other pertinent data. This information is sent to the ShotLink trailer on site, as well as the laser operator volunteers.

There are two different types of laser operators. The fairway volunteer has a slightly easier task, as they point a trigger-operated laser at each player’s ball and the system then automatically triangulates the exact location of the ball. Fairway operators are always in touch with the ShotLink trailer and have access to the data from the walking scorers, so within seconds they know which player’s shot they are recording.

Two other laser volunteers are needed for each hole, but their job is somewhat more difficult. The pair, seated on a platform several feet above the green, work as a team to gather accurate information on shots hit close to the hole. One works the “survey grade” laser while the other keeps up communication with the trailer and makes observations regarding play on the course.

ShotLink is highly precise, as the accuracy on the fairway is within a foot and within a centimeter on the green. White said problems can arise, such as when the ball is buried within the deep rough and difficult to spot, but the operator then waits until the player addresses the ball and takes the laser recording of the golfer so the data is still accurate to within about 3 feet.

The data must be highly accurate, as players, fans and the media rely on it. For example, PGATOUR.com uses ShotLink data for its Emmy Award-winning TOURCast, which provides graphical, real-time coverage of every player and shot during a tournament.

Walking scorers are a critical part of the ShotLink system. (Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImag

The future continues to look bright for ShotLink, as several developments are in place to further improve the technology. Steve Evans, the vice president of information systems for the TOUR, said he thinks ShotLink analysts in the media, like Mike Vitti of PGATOUR.com, will continue to write about trends, track the top players in each statistical category and weave a fascinating story using ShotLink data.

Evans also said new on-site technology will improve the experience for tournament spectators, as real-time data and predictive analysis will be available on modified electronic scoreboards.

“Phil Mickelson is facing a 210-yard shot to the par-5 16th hole,” Evans used as an example. “We will not only let the fan at the green know that Phil has 210 yards to the pin but we will let him know that he ranks 11th on TOUR and averages 37 feet,10 inches from that distance.

“We definitely built ShotLink with the future in mind. We know there would be specific technologies that would need to be upgraded over time,” Evans continued, noting that certain technologies were not even available when ShotLink began six years ago. He said they would soon test ways to improve the way volunteers gather the data, as well as work with IBM to develop wireless technology unique to ShotLink’s needs.

The ShotLink system is helping to grow and expand the game of golf to enhance the fan experience. And it just goes to show that, even on the golf course, a little technology isn’t a bad thing.