On Tuesday at Shinnecock Hills, ahead of the U.S. Open, Alex Fitzpatrick was observed on the practice green wearing a headset. The English golfer’s use of the technology before his practice round attracted considerable interest from both media outlets and spectators.
The technology in question is PuttView X, a smart‑goggle system that leverages Microsoft HoloLens augmented‑reality to project visual cues directly onto the putting surface.
Intended to enhance green reading, alignment, and distance control, the system delivers real‑time data reflecting slope, target line and chosen pace. For golfers who employ tools such as AimPoint, it adds an additional layer of insight for interpreting break and speed with greater precision.
Operational Principles of PuttView X
After the goggles are powered on and placed over the eyes, digital projections manifest directly on the putting surface before the player. The visuals display key metrics — including the projected ball trajectory, optimal start line and the influence of speed on break. Because the projections update in real time, users can instantly trial multiple iterations of a single putt — whether dying the ball in, overshooting it, or fine‑tuning a specific break and pace.
Having collaborated with the PuttView team at the PGA Show last year and personally tested the system, I was particularly impressed by its adaptability. Users can tailor the experience to their individual putting styles, enabling them to experiment with various reads and speed preferences within a controlled setting — a capability that will be especially valuable on Shinnecock’s notoriously fast and challenging greens later in the week.
Key Features of PuttView X
According to PuttView’s website, the platform incorporates a suite of training tools designed to refine line, speed and green‑reading skills. For instance, Ideal Line visualizes a curved, speed‑adjusted ball path to the hole with animated guidance that reinforces the optimal start line and pace. Aiming Line, another feature, offers an alignment reference and illustrates how varying speeds affect break.
The Contour Lines feature highlights slopes and elevation changes. Users can adjust the simulation from a gentle roll to an aggressive putt — extending up to three feet past the target — to train distance control via the Power function. Additionally, Green Speed enables players to input a green’s Stimpmeter rating, ensuring that the feedback reflects real‑world conditions.
The PuttView X includes the PuttView Companion App, which serves as a coaching hub. Instructors can mirror a player’s view through screen‑casting, access detailed putting metrics, record and review sessions, and control the system remotely from a smartphone during practice.
In theory, real‑time remote coaching would have enabled Fitzpatrick’s coach to provide instantaneous feedback or instruction while the player practiced alone on the green.