When I first heard of Shot Scope’s all-new virtual social community, the Course Hub social community somehow Nir Eyal’s Hook Model (see his ‘Hooked: How to build habit-forming products‘ book) came to my mind.
Before I would tell you how Shot Scope’s new service reminded me of Nir Eyal’s theory, here is the essence of the Course Hub social community:
Course Hub connects Shot Scope users to share game information, view and store stats, compete against other players and access golf course information from around the world.
In general, it is a good idea to try to utilize the vast amount of golf shots + try to make an existing app more useful. Actually Shot Scope has already recorded over 65 million shots hit with drivers, irons, wedges, and putters.
All data captured on Shot Scope V3 and V2 GPS watches is automatically synced to the Course Hub after golfers opt to share their round data.
Golfers can access the Course Hub through the Shot Scope app for free. Course Hub is housed under the ‘menu’ or ‘more’ section of the app depending on which device is being used.
Review: Course Hub social community
Right away Golf GameBook‘s and Hole19‘s similar service came to my mind. Then I kept thinking of why is Shot Scope’s new service sounds so familiar to me.
Although via Arccos Golf you are not able to network with other golfers, but its Personal A.I. Caddie Advice provides what every golfer really needs: real-time insights into their optimal and alternative strategies.
At the same time we should not neglect how much time it takes to build a social community around us on a social media platform (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
As we are spending more time and energy to build our network (e.g. uploading photos, videos + using the messaging app regularly +, etc.) we are less likely to switch to competing products.
This way the selected platform becomes one of our habits for instance to connect with people, solve problems, etc.
Therefore, it is very important to come up with compelling triggers (=why shall I take action?) and provide desired rewards (e.g. becoming part of a tribe; pursuit of resources and information, etc.).
Albeit Course Hub social community provides such great insights as gross and net course records, longest drives, hole-by-hole statistics, birdies, etc., I think Arccos Golf’s Caddie Service offers more useful information to golfers.
I also not so sure that via such apps will golfers start to network rather than on their well-established social media networks and platforms.