Seed White Paper #2

WHITE PAPER #2

SYNCR AI: The Future of Self-Aligning Golf Balls

A Two-Year R&D Study by Seed Golf

Executive Summary

Seed Golf has spent two years developing a revolutionary self-aligning golf ball, the SYNCR AI, utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology. Inspired by self-driving car technology and developed in collaboration with software engineers at South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland, the SYNCR golf ball features embedded sensors that collect real-time data, processed via cloud-based AI algorithms. This enables the ball to align itself immediately to the intended target, providing golfers with a unique performance advantage.

Through extensive testing, the SYNCR golf ball demonstrated significant improvements in accuracy and consistency, with a 6% increase in fairways hit and an 8% increase in putts holed from 10 feet, which improved to 12% at 6 feet. This white paper details the research methodology, technological framework, and results of the study, providing insight into the next evolution of golf ball technology.

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Golf ball technology has long been focused on materials, aerodynamics, and compression to enhance distance and spin. However, alignment remains a critical challenge for players of all skill levels. Traditional alignment aids, such as printed lines or markings, require manual adjustment by the golfer. The SYNCR self-aligning golf ball aims to eliminate this guesswork by leveraging AI-driven sensor technology to provide instant, precise alignment.

1.2 Purpose of the Study

The primary goal of this R&D project was to evaluate the feasibility and performance impact of a self-aligning golf ball. Seed Golf collaborated with engineers at SETU to integrate sensor arrays and AI processing into a golf ball without compromising performance. The study focused on two key use cases:

  1. Tee Shots – Assisting golfers with more accurate alignment to the fairway.

  2. Putting – Improving accuracy by aligning directly to the hole.

2. Technology Overview

2.1 Sensor Integration

The SYNCR ball contains miniaturized sensors that collect real-time shot data, including:

  • Ball orientation and alignment

  • Launch angle and spin rate

  • Surface contact and green reading

This data was instrumental in building a self-aligning golf ball by allowing engineers to analyze the precise mechanics of how a golf ball responds to alignment adjustments in real time. The technology was refined through continuous data collection and machine learning improvements, ensuring that the AI algorithms could predict the optimal alignment based on a golfer’s stance and aim.

2.2 AI Processing & Cloud Computing

Captured data is processed using AI algorithms running on high-efficiency cloud-based hardware. The AI evaluates the ball’s intended direction and makes micro-adjustments, ensuring proper alignment before the golfer takes their shot. The AI model was trained using thousands of real-world golf shots, allowing it to improve alignment accuracy over time.

2.3 Self-Driving Car Technology Adaptation

The core alignment technology is adapted from autonomous vehicle navigation systems, where AI interprets data from multiple sensors to optimize movement and positioning. By applying similar principles, SYNCR technology allows the golf ball to subtly shift and align itself, ensuring maximum accuracy on both full shots and putts.

3. Research Methodology

To validate the effectiveness of the SYNCR technology, Seed Golf conducted an extensive study using TrackMan and SAM PuttLab systems:

  • 5,000+ shots analyzed via TrackMan launch monitors to measure fairway accuracy.

  • 10,000+ putts evaluated using SAM PuttLab, focusing on alignment precision and putting success rates.

  • Extensive sensor data analysis to optimize self-alignment technology and refine AI processing algorithms.

3.1 Study Participants

The test group consisted of golfers across various skill levels, from high handicappers to professionals, to ensure broad applicability of results.

4. Results & Performance Gains

4.1 Fairway Accuracy (Tee Shots)

  • A 6% increase in fairways hit when using the SYNCR self-aligning technology.

  • Real-time alignment data was crucial in refining AI models that determine the ball’s optimal positioning on the tee.

4.2 Putting Accuracy

  • 8% increase in putts holed from 10 feet.

  • 12% increase in putts holed from 6 feet.

  • AI-driven realignment tracking significantly improved accuracy in shorter putts, where minor misalignments have a larger impact.

These improvements highlight the real-world benefits of self-alignment technology, particularly in putting performance, where precision is most critical.

5. Conclusion & Future Implications

The SYNCR golf ball represents a groundbreaking innovation in golf technology, offering a tangible performance advantage through AI-driven alignment. The findings from this study confirm that self-aligning technology has the potential to significantly enhance both tee shot accuracy and putting performance.

5.1 Next Steps

  • Further refinement of AI algorithms for increased accuracy.

  • Exploration of additional applications, including short game enhancements.

  • Ongoing real-world testing and player feedback integration.

Seed Golf will release this full white paper on April 1, 2025, detailing the extensive research and technological advancements behind SYNCR.