A Stamford-based golf technology company born out of a Yale student’s frustration with tracking his own game says it’s building one of the largest datasets in the sport — and using it to reshape how players analyze and improve their performance.
Arccos Golf, co-founded in 2013 by CEO Sal Syed, says it has collected data from more than 1.5 billion golf shots worldwide. Backed by roughly $50 million in funding — including a recent $20 million round led by the PGA Tour — the company uses that data to generate insights and recommendations through its subscription-based service.
Arccos is expanding its product lineup as it looks to simplify how users collect and use data during play. The newest addition, a wearable device called Arccos Air, is designed to automatically track shots without requiring sensors attached to clubs or a smartphone during a round.
“Our mission really is to improve the performance of dedicated golfers at every level by seamlessly collecting rich data and generating action,” Syed said in an interview.
From manual tracking to automation
The idea for Arccos originated while Syed was pursuing an MBA at Yale University and trying to improve his own golf game.
He said manually tracking performance during rounds proved cumbersome and limited in value.
“I’m out there to golf,” he said. “I’m not out there to collect data.”
Basic statistics such as fairways hit or number of putts also lacked context, he said. For example, a two-putt from close range is not equivalent to one from long distance, but traditional scorekeeping does not capture that distinction.
At the time, there was limited ability to capture detailed, on-course data and translate it into usable insights, said Syed, a former software engineer and data architect.
The company’s first product, introduced in 2014, used sensors attached to clubs to record shots and sync data to a mobile app. Since then, Arccos has expanded its lineup while increasing its focus on software and analytics.
Arccos’ shot data is used to generate benchmarks and recommendations for users, including suggested club selection and areas of the game that may need improvement.
The technology can also identify specific areas where a player is losing strokes and suggest practice priorities or drills. It can provide on-course recommendations based on a player’s historical data, course layout and conditions.
“If you don’t measure what you’re doing, how can you actually understand what to work on and improve?” he said. “Without data, you’re guessing.”
Reducing friction
The company’s latest product is meant to remove a key friction point — having to manually set up and use the system during play.
Earlier versions required golfers to install sensors on each club and carry a smartphone. The new device — which can be kept in a player’s pocket — automatically detects shots using motion sensors and GPS.
“We want to make data capture more seamless and the insights more useful,” Syed said.
The product follows a period of increased investment in hardware and software development after Arccos raised $20 million in 2023. The funding round was led by the PGA Tour, which named Arccos its “Official Game Tracker,” and included participation from major equipment manufacturers such as Ping, TaylorMade, Cobra Puma Golf and Topgolf Callaway Brands.
Syed said the capital was used mainly to develop newer products, including the Arccos Air device and the Arccos Smart Laser Rangefinder, introduced in late 2025, which provides adjusted distance measurements based on factors such as weather and uses player data to suggest club selection.
Syed said about 40 PGA Tour players use Arccos data during play, and the tour also uses it in broadcasts to compare the performance of pros with recreational golfers, such as 10- or 15-handicaps.
“It creates context for golfers in terms of understanding how good the PGA Tour players are, but also managing expectations,” he said.
Equipment makers said the data also has applications beyond individual players. During Arccos’ 2023 funding round, John K. Solheim, president and CEO of PING, said it is an essential tool for golf equipment companies.
“We’re utilizing insights from Arccos data to fuel club design and fitting, and ultimately craft a closer relationship with our consumers through their experiences on the golf course,” Solheim said.
Looking ahead
Arccos operates on a subscription model, with users paying about $200 per year after purchasing hardware.
The company, which declined to disclose revenue figures, has “hundreds of thousands” of users globally, according to Syed. Its primary target market is golfers who play regularly and are interested in improving their performance.
Those users typically play at least 10 rounds per year, a level of engagement that makes performance tracking more relevant, Syed said.
Arccos sells through its website, online marketplaces and retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and the PGA Tour Superstore.
The company employs about 60 people, roughly half based in Stamford. Most staff work in engineering, with additional roles in sales and marketing.
Manufacturing is handled by contract partners in the U.S., China and the Philippines.
Syed said Arccos differentiates itself from competitors such as Game Golf and Shot Scope by focusing on seamless data capture and actionable insights.
The company is operating in a growing market. The global GPS golf sector was valued at $3.59 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $5.48 billion by 2032, according to Congruence Market Insights.
Syed said the company plans to continue developing new products and refining its software, with a focus on improving both data collection and analysis.
Additional product launches are expected later this year, he said, though details were not disclosed.
The company is not currently focused on a potential sale, he added, though Syed did not rule out future strategic opportunities.
“I’m focused on building awesome products, and if something helps us accelerate that mission, then I’d be open to it,” he said.
