Golf Business Technology Podcast

Episode Summary:What does it take to maintain championship-quality playing conditions 365 days a year—without a traditional membership base?

In this episode of The GBT Podcast, we sit down with Sam Reid, Golf Course Manager at The Grove, to dive deep into the unique operational and agronomic strategies powering one of the UK’s premier daily-fee luxury venues.

Sam shares his journey from a farming background to managing high-demand championship turf, breaking down:

• The "No-Members" Philosophy: Balancing high-volume public play with tournament-standard course conditioning.

• Cutting-Edge Agronomy: Inside Europe’s first hydroponic tee installation and the integrated pest management strategies (including biological controls like parasitic nematodes) used to keep turf pristine.

• Sustainability in Action: How The Grove achieved GEO Certified status while reducing synthetic inputs and optimizing water usage.

• The Future of Turf Tech: Practical insights on autonomous mowing, RTK GPS precision spraying, and building resilient agronomic teams.

Whether you're a course manager, venue operator, or golf industry professional looking to modernize your turf strategy and operational ROI, this conversation offers an essential masterclass in elite course management.

Listen & Subscribe: Don't forget to rate the show, subscribe on Spotify, and check out golfbusinesstechnology.com for full show notes and industry insights.

Season 6, Episode 7: Unlocking Global Resort Growth & Operations with DJ Flanders (Troon Golf)

In this episode of The Golf Business Technology Podcast, we sit down with DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon International, to explore how world-class facility management is evolving in the modern era.

DJ breaks down the operational playbooks powering some of the world’s most renowned golf destinations, sharing insights on:

• Technology Adoption: How Troon leverages data, modern booking systems, and venue technology to optimize course operations and elevate guest experiences.

• Global Scale & Consistency: Maintaining premium standards across diverse international markets and varying facility models.

• Yield & Revenue Strategy: The shifting dynamics of tee-sheet management, dynamic pricing, and non-traditional revenue streams in 2026.

• Future-Proofing Venues: What forward-thinking course operators and resort owners need to prioritize to stay competitive over the next decade.

Whether you run a private club, manage a resort destination, or track the business side of the game, this conversation offers a masterclass in modern golf operations.

In Season 6, Episode 6 of The GBT Podcast, host Aboo Tayub sits down with Sean Pyun, CEO of GOLFZON America and Head of Global Business, to unpack the massive global shift toward off-course and simulator-driven golf.

Following a distinguished 16-year career as a senior executive at the LPGA—where he spearheaded global strategy and brand expansion—Sean now leads the charge for one of the world's premier golf technology companies. In this deep-dive conversation, we examine how GOLFZON is expanding the sport's global footprint and transforming indoor golf from a seasonal alternative into a high-yield, year-round commercial enterprise.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Evolution of Indoor Golf: How South Korea’s booming screen golf culture is being localized and scaled for Western operators, developers, and green-grass facilities.

• Commercial Real Estate & Revenue Mechanics: Maximizing yield per square foot, unlocking food & beverage upside, and structuring high-margin indoor entertainment models.

• Cutting-Edge Hardware & Software: The engineering behind GOLFZON’s signature 64-directional moving swing plates, multi-surface hitting mats, automated ball retrieval systems, and realistic graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5.

• Global Competition & League Play: Utilizing GOLFZON Network Play to connect up to 10,000 simultaneous users worldwide for dynamic leagues, tour events, and corporate activations.

• Lowering Barriers to Entry: Why off-course technology isn't competing with green-grass courses—and how it serves as the ultimate onboarding engine for new players.

Whether you are a golf course owner looking to diversify your revenue streams, an entrepreneur evaluating indoor venue spaces, or a golf industry professional tracking the future of sports technology, this episode offers an essential roadmap for navigating golf's digital expansion.

Episode Links & Resources:

• Learn more about GOLFZON: golfzonamerica.com

• Explore Golf Business Technology: golfbusinesstechnology.com

• Subscribe to GBT World for exclusive industry analysis and executive interviews. Membership | Golf Business Technology

The GBT Podcast: Season 6, Episode 5

Guests: Anthony Medaglia & Ron Gring (V1 Sports)

Host: Aboo Tayub

Spotify Episode Description:

Can technology fundamentally change how we teach and learn the golf swing—without making the game more complicated?

In Season 6, Episode 5 of The GBT Podcast, host Aboo Tayub sits down with Anthony Medaglia and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Ron Gring from V1 Sports. Together, they dive into the rapid evolution of video diagnostics, skeletal tracking, and ground pressure mechanics that are driving the next generation of performance coaching.

Ron shares his first-hand perspective on transitioning from decades on the lesson tee to building a thriving, scalable online coaching practice. Meanwhile, Anthony reveals how multi-sensor ecosystems—combining high-speed video, ball tracing, and pressure data—are bridging the gap between high-level sports science and clear, actionable feedback for everyday golfers.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• From Tee to Screen: How veteran instructors are leveraging modern digital platforms to build sustainable online coaching models.

• Simplifying the Data: Translating complex biomechanics, ground force, and video analytics into simple swing feel for students.

• Next-Gen Analysis: The role of skeletal tracking, ball flight path visualization, and pressure mats in everyday lessons.

• Commercial Impact: How golf academies, driving ranges, and resort facilities use V1 Sports technology to boost coach productivity and player retention.

Whether you're a golf coach looking to modernize your practice, a facility manager evaluating tech investments, or a golfer curious about the future of swing mechanics, this conversation offers a comprehensive blueprint for the modern game.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe to The GBT Podcast on Spotify for the latest insights in golf business and technology!

Season 6, Episode 4: The Tech-Driven Future of Golf with Platform Golf (Live from the 2026 PGA Show)

Filmed live on location at the 2026 PGA Show, host Aboo Tayub catches up with Rory Flanagan and Thomas Hackett, the visionary team behind Platform Golf, straight from the floor of golf’s biggest stage.

Together, they explore how digital innovation, smart data integration, and modern tech infrastructure are redefining the golf business landscape. From streamlining facility operations to enhancing player engagement on and off the course, Rory and Thomas share exclusive insights into what it takes to build forward-thinking solutions for the modern golf ecosystem.

Whether you’re a club manager, PGA professional, golf entrepreneur, or industry innovator, this conversation from the heart of the PGA Show is packed with actionable insights on where golf technology is headed next.

Key Topics Covered:

• Live impressions and major tech takeaways from the 2026 PGA Show floor

• The origin story and mission behind Platform Golf

• Overcoming adoption hurdles in traditional golf environments

• How data and connectivity are elevating player and venue experiences

• What's next for golf tech and industry-wide digital transformation

Hit Subscribe or Follow to stay ahead of the curve with the latest in golf business and technology!

Episode Title:

S6 E3: Disruption in Golf Tech — Drew Koehler on Scaling Blue Tees Golf

How does a startup take on legacy giants in golf technology and win over the modern player? In this episode of the Golf Business Technology Podcast, we sit down with Drew Koehler, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Blue Tees Golf.

Drew breaks down the origin story of Blue Tees—moving from corporate tech strategy at Gartner to bootstrapping a direct-to-consumer brand that revolutionized affordable, high-design tech for everyday golfers. We discuss the business of DTC vs. green-grass retail distribution, building a connected hardware ecosystem, and how Blue Tees continues to innovate in distance-measuring technology.

• 00:00 – Welcome to Season 6, Episode 3 of the GBT Podcast

• 03:15 – The Spark: Transitioning from Gartner tech consulting to founding Blue Tees

• 10:40 – Challenging Legacy Brands: Offering premium design at an accessible price point

• 18:25 – Retail Strategy: Balancing DTC success with pro shop and major retail distribution

• 27:10 – The Product Ecosystem: Expanding from laser rangefinders to GPS speakers and software

• 36:00 – What’s next for Blue Tees Golf and the future of consumer golf tech

• Golf Business Technology: https://golfbusinesstechnology.com

• Blue Tees Golf: https://www.blueteesgolf.com

• Follow Drew Koehler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-koehler/

Don't forget to follow the show and leave a 5-star rating if you enjoyed the conversation!

The GBT Podcast | S6 E2: Scaling Destination Instruction & Business Acquisition with Tyler O'Connor

What does it take for a military veteran and self-funded searcher to acquire, run, and rapidly scale a premier 20+ location golf instruction brand?

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler O'Connor, CEO of Bird Golf Academy, to explore his transition from Army officer to business owner, the strategy behind self-funded acquisitions, and how Bird Golf’s high-touch 1-on-1 and 2-on-1 private coaching model is expanding into top-tier resort markets like Golf Summerlin and Horseshoe Bay.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Acquisition Journey: Navigating self-funded search funds to buy a classic golf business.

• Modernizing Tradition: Preserving 350+ years of collective teaching experience while innovating guest acquisition.

• Strategic Resort Partnerships: Expanding destination golf academies at premier resort properties.

• The Future of Golf Instruction: Bridging personalized, on-course coaching with digital follow-up technology.

🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or listen direct at golfbusinesstechnology.com

Season 6, Episode 1: "Democratizing the Range — Inside Toptracer Go"

Guest: Oskar Åsgård (Senior Manager of Product Management & Marketing, Toptracer)

How do you bring elite ball-tracking technology to a 10-bay standalone facility or a traditional grass-tee range without six-figure infrastructure budgets? In the Season 6 premiere of The GBT Podcast, the team sits down with Toptracer’s Head of Product, Oskar Åsgård, to break down the launch of Toptracer Go.

Historically, deploying high-end tracking meant investing heavily in hardwired, in-bay touchscreen monitors. Toptracer Go completely flips the script by turning the golfer's smartphone into a "launch monitor in their pocket." For just £829 ($979) per month, a single camera unit can cover up to 50 meters of tee line, allowing facilities to eliminate heavy hardware costs while immediately unlocking instant distance, ball speed, and launch angle data for practice sessions.

Oskar dives into the product’s origin story—from testing on the practice ranges of major championships like The Open and the Ryder Cup—to how it is designed to remove friction for both the operator and the consumer. If you are a facility owner, general manager, or PGA professional looking to drive revenue and keep players on your mats longer, this deep dive is essential listening.

• The "Launch Monitor in Your Pocket": How Toptracer Go eliminates the need for expensive in-bay hardware monitors by utilizing high-density camera systems and standard QR-code phone synchronization.

• The Low-Barrier Price Point: Breaking down the business case of the £829/month model, giving head pros and golf directors the autonomy to upgrade their practice facilities within standard discretionary budgets.

• Fast, Fun, Frictionless: Why speed of connectivity is crucial for modern players warming up before a round, and how streamlined data builds instant player engagement.

• From the Major Stages to the Local Range: How the tech scaled from fan-experience testing at elite events like the PGA Championship straight into standalone community driving ranges.

• The Broader Ecosystem: A look at how Toptracer Go co-exists with their new AI-driven business intelligence tool, Toptracer IQ, to give operators total visibility into customer behavior.

"We built Toptracer Go to remove friction. We’re opening the door for smaller facilities to offer a premium, tech-enabled experience that might have previously been completely out of reach." — Oskar Åsgård

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Head to Golf Business Technology online for the full video version and expanded show notes.

The GBT Podcast | Season 5, Episode 10: Transforming Instruction with Data ft. Bernie Najar

What happens when elite coaching meets cutting-edge golf technology?

In this episode, we sit down with Bernie Najar, Director of Instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club and recognized as one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America. Bernie has been at the forefront of integrating advanced technology into athletic development, combining a deep understanding of biomechanics with modern data tracking tools to elevate players at every level.

We dive into:

• The Tech Stack of an Elite Coach: How Bernie leverages 3D motion analysis, launch monitors, and pressure plates to decode the golf swing.

• Data vs. Feel: The art of translating complex data into simple, actionable cues that players can actually use on the course.

• The Future of Instruction: How emerging AI and wearable tech are shifting how academies operate and how coaches build scalable businesses.

Whether you're an instructor looking to upgrade your facility's technology or a golf enthusiast fascinated by the science of the swing, this conversation offers an inside look at the modern frontier of golf instruction.

👉 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoy the episode, please drop us a 5-star rating!🌐 Learn more: Visit golfbusinesstechnology.com for deeper industry insights.

Eliminating the No-Show Dilemma with Josh Segal

No-shows, last-minute cancellations, and the messy logistics of rain checks have plagued golf course operators for decades. In this episode of The GBT Podcast, we sit down with Josh Segal, Co-CEO of Golf District, to discuss how his company is introducing a modern, risk-free prepaid model to golf courses—inspired by the ticketing systems of major league sports.

If you are an operator looking to secure your revenue, protect your tee sheet, and improve player experience without adding friction, this interview is a masterclass in modern demand engineering.

In Season 5, Episode 9, the Golf Business Technology team dives deep into the operational headaches of traditional booking systems. Josh Segal breaks down how Golf District integrates directly into a course's existing tee sheet to offer a 100% prepaid, non-refundable booking platform.

But here is the twist: rather than trapping golfers in rigid bookings, the platform introduces a "SeatGeek/StubHub" style secondary resale market under the course’s absolute control. If a golfer can’t make it, they can safely resell their slot to another player. The golfer gets their money back, the new player gets a tee time, and the course captures a premium—eliminating the dreaded "short-show" or empty slot entirely.

"Prepaid isn't just a revenue conversation, it's an experience conversation." — Josh Segal

Traditionally, golf courses have resisted 100% prepaid booking because of the customer friction it causes when plans change. Golf District solves this by keeping the course's upfront revenue non-refundable, but providing golfers an operator-defined marketplace to list their tee times for resale.

Courses utilizing this tech-driven demand engine are seeing dramatic shifts in their day-to-day metrics:

• Zero Lost Revenue: 0% no-shows and short-shows.

• Higher ADR: An increase of 30% to 40% in Average Daily Rate on prepaid times.

• Early Visibility: Tee sheets are filling up much earlier, allowing operators to forecast inventory and labor weeks in advance.

• Pro Shop Relief: Automated waitlists and AI booking features drastically cut down on phone inquiries, freeing up staff to focus on hospitality and high-value player interactions.

A major hurdle for golf tech adoption is the pain of changing software or paying hefty implementation fees. Josh highlights that Golf District is free for courses to implement and seamlessly bridges into the majority of major U.S. tee sheet systems, maintaining the course's exact brand identity on their own website.

The golf industry is moving away from the era of fragile reservations toward guaranteed inventory asset management. By shifting the financial risk away from the course while empowering the golfer with liquidity, Golf District is proving that what works for stadium ticketing can maximize yield for golf courses.

Where to Listen:

Catch the full interview on The GBT Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. To learn more about unlocking your tee sheet’s true capacity, visit GolfDistrict.com.