That augmented-reality device this pro used at U.S. Open? Here’s what it does

Alex Fitzpatrick’s U.S. Open preparation looked a little different on Tuesday at Shinnecock Hills, where he was spotted on the practice green wearing a headset over his eyes. The Englishman was seen using the device ahead of his practice round, drawing attention from media and fans alike, many of whom were left wondering exactly what he was using.

The answer, it appears, is PuttView X — a smart-goggle system designed with Microsoft HoloLens augmented-reality technology that projects visuals directly onto the putting surface. 

Designed to help golfers improve green reading, alignment, distance control and more, the system overlays real-time information based on slope, intended line and selected pace. For players who already use tools like AimPoint, it provides another layer of feedback to interpret break and speed more precisely.

How PuttView X works

Once the goggles are powered on and positioned over your eyes, digital projections appear directly on the putting surface in front of you. These images will show metrics like the expected ball path, ideal start line and how various speeds influence break. And the visuals update instantly, so players can test out multiple iterations of the same putt — dying it in, running it past, or matching a specific break and pace combination.

Having spent time with the PuttView team at the PGA Show last year and testing the system firsthand, what stood out most was the adaptability. I appreciated that you could customize it to your individual putting style. This feature also allows players to experiment with different reads and speed preferences in a structured environment, a tool that could prove to be useful later this week on Shinnecock’s famously fast, demanding greens.

PuttView X’s features

According to PuttView’s website, the system includes a suite of training tools that help players hone aspects of their game like line, speed and green reading. Ideal Line, for example, shows a curved, speed-adjusted ball path to the hole with animated guidance to reinforce the right start line and pace. Aiming Line, another feature from PuttView, provides a reference for alignment and indicates how different speeds change break.

The Contour Lines feature highlights slopes and elevation changes. You can also adjust your speed from a dead-weight roll to an aggressive putt (up to 3 feet past) to train distance control by using the Power feature. And Green Speed allows players to set the speed of the greens based off the Stimpmeter so the feedback you receive matches real-world feedback.

The PuttView X also comes with the PuttView Companion App, which acts as a coaching hub. It allows instructors to mirror a player’s view via screen casting, access detailed putting data, record and review sessions, and even control the system remotely from a smartphone during practice. 

In theory, with the real-time remote coaching, Fitzpatrick’s coach could have been giving him feedback or instruction virtually while he was alone on the practice green.

For now, PuttView X remains an unusual sight at a major championship, but it speaks to golf’s growing emphasis on data.