Two-time major winner unveils golf’s first jetpack

Therefore, Watson seemed the obvious choice to partner with sporting equipment manufacturer Oakley to unveil the world’s first jetpack for golfers – based on the Martin Jetpack P12. The jetpack, equipped with a 210hp engine, is capable of flying at 50mph for up to 30 minutes, and the two ducted fans enable the jetpack to fly at altitudes up to 1,000m, transporting players from hole to hole and giving them the ability to see over hazards and trees. Watson posted a photo of himself strapped into the jetpack on his official Twitter account with the comment: “It’s about to go down! Or UP!”

While we won’t be seeing the jetpack in action at Baltusrol this week, Watson has stated that the jetpack could be the perfect way to transport golf bags and equipment around the course – although he has also said that the time taken to strap himself into the jetpack could prove problematic and it’s yet to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, the jetpack is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and can land on rooftops covered with aerials and wires, and fly into tightly confined areas, making it a possible alternative to using helicopters.

Martin Chief Executive Peter Coker has stated that while the price tag (predicted to be in the region of £150,000) will attract mainly rich thrill seekers, the primary application for the jetpack will be aimed at emergency and search and rescue services. Speaking to the Daily Mirror he commented: "I think the first responders will see that as a massive improvement to their capability.”

While it’s potential for emergency service applications could be significant, its practical use on the golf course is open to debate. The US PGA Championship features one of the biggest fields in world golf, with nearly 150 players competing at Baltusrol this week. Imagine 150 jetpacks flying around a 400 acre course. Players would not only have to bring their ‘A’ golf game, they’d also need to be pretty proficient pilots as well (as the jetpack is only a single seater) in order to avoid any collisions.

In addition, anyone who watches golf will be used to the sight of course stewards clad in luminous tabards holding up ‘quiet please’ signs prior to a player taking a shot. The noise that the fans of multiple jetpacks would make could create a very different golfing environment and would be potentially irritating to players and spectators alike.

And, the obvious hazard of jetpacks whizzing around the golf course is that they wouldn’t be the only airborne object flying around at speed – there will also be multiple golf balls. And although the players competing at Baltusrol over the next few days are at the top of their profession, they are still prone to the odd errant shot – which would be a significant hazard to any jetpack pilot!