Golf Business Technology Podcast

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Explore interviews and discussions within the realm of Golf Technology in the Business World, encompassing topics such as AI, analytics, data, the metaverse, and beyond. This comprehensive coverage aims to assist Golf Clubs, Multi Report Operators, both public and private entities, as well as Coaches and professionals in making informed and crucial choices and decisions.

  1. 2d ago

    The GBT Podcast Season 6, Episode 1 – Interview between Oskar Åsgård/Toptracer and Golf Business Technology

    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.

    29 min

  2. Jun 25

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 10 – Interview between Bernie Najar and Golf Business Technology

    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.

    23 min

  3. Jun 16

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 9 – Interview between Josh Segal/Golf District and Golf Business Technology

    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.

    20 min

  4. Jun 10

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 8 – Interview between Jill Walsh/Toptracer - Johan Rogebrant/Sweetspot and Golf Business Technology

    Golf 2.0: How Technology is Shaping the Next Wave of Golf Experiences and Revenue Opportunities Recorded Live: The 2026 PGA Show, Orlando, FL Host: Golf Business Technology (GBT) Guests: Jill Walsh – Toptracer Johan Rogebrant – Sweetspot The 2026 PGA Show floor made one thing abundantly clear: golf technology is no longer just a luxury add-on for high-end resorts. It has become the core infrastructure driving player engagement and venue survival. In this live-on-the-floor episode of The GBT Podcast, we sit down with two industry heavyweights pushing the boundaries of "Golf 2.0." Jill Walsh from Toptracer and Johan Rogebrandt from SweetSpot join the panel to discuss how gamified tracking technology and intelligent commerce systems are converging. Together, they map out the exact blueprint golf facilities must follow to transform modern entertainment into measurable, bottom-line revenue. Golf is experiencing a massive cultural shift toward accessibility, lifestyle integration, and entertainment. "Golf 2.0" represents a world where the line between traditional on-course play and off-course, simulator-driven entertainment is completely blurred. Venues are evolving into hybrid social and wellness spaces that appeal to a younger, digitally native audience. Jill Walsh breaks down how Toptracer is redefining the modern driving range. By turning a repetitive practice session into a data-driven, gamified experience, facilities can dramatically increase dwell time and food-and-beverage (F&B) sales. The Hook: Tracing ball flight keeps players engaged longer. The Business Impact: Higher bay utilization rates and an entry point for non-golfers who view the sport as an evening social activity rather than an intimidating 18-hole commitment. Great experiences only matter if you can efficiently capture their value. Johan Rogebrandt highlights the backend revolution happening via SweetSpot’s golf commerce platform. Dynamic Pricing: Moving away from static, "gut-feeling" green fees. Facilities are leveraging data to shift prices based on real-time demand, weather, and capacity gaps. Unified Operations: A successful "Golf 2.0" venue needs its booking systems, bay technology, automated ball dispensers, and F&B points-of-sale to talk to each other seamlessly. If checkout features friction, conversion drops. The ultimate synergy of the panel highlights a unified trend: tracking tech captures the player's interest, while commerce tech optimizes the venue's revenue pipeline. The guests share real-world advice on how operators can audit their current tech stack to ensure their systems deliver clear ROI within 6 months. "Golf is becoming less insular and more culturally porous. It’s a lifestyle choice now, and the venues succeeding are those wrapping technology around that social experience." — Golf Business Technology "It’s about lowering the barrier to entry. When you give a player immediate, visual data feedback, you turn standard practice into an addictive game that keeps them in the bay—and ordering food—longer." — Jill Walsh, Toptracer "If you don’t have clear, real-time visibility into your bookings and player behavior, every new tech investment is just a gamble. Optimization means replacing guess-work with true data." — Johan Rogebrandt, Sweetspot Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe to The GBT Podcast, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with fellow golf operators looking to maximize their facility's potential in 2026!

    48 min

  5. May 26

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 7 – Interview between Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc/UGolf and Golf Business Technology

    In this episode of The GBT Podcast, we dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of international golf management and technology with Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc, CCM, the Chief Executive Officer of UGOLF International. As Europe's largest golf club management company and the fifth-largest globally, UGOLF (owned by the Duval Group) is rewriting the rulebook on how golf courses operate, expand, and leverage technology. Nathanaël sits down with the team at Golf Business Technology to discuss the brand’s aggressive global expansion, their data-driven approach to player retention, and how they manage over 100 courses worldwide with an owner-centric mindset. Driving Global Growth: The strategic vision behind spinning off UGOLF International and breaking into emerging markets across Europe, Asia, and Africa (including their massive success story in Rwanda). The Tech of Scale: How multi-course operators use shared technology infrastructure and cluster-management models to optimize golf course operations, marketing, and B2B buying power. Growing the Game: The secrets behind the highly successful UGOLF Academy model, affordable youth initiatives, and their "Road to Dallas" program. The Power of the Network: How the "Le Club Golf" network connects over 800 courses globally, offering independent clubs major B2C and B2B advantages. Modern Operational Challenges: How UGOLF is preparing its portfolio for a shifting environment, navigating strict water regulations, and adapting to chemical-free turf management. "From the beginning, UGOLF has been an operating company used to managing golf courses in difficult financial environments. We know how to adapt and think like an owner." — Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc Whether you are a golf club owner, director, or an industry professional curious about the future of commercial golf management, this conversation offers an invaluable blueprint for modernizing golf operations. **** Introduction & Nathanaël’s journey from Golf Director to CEO. **** The merger with BlueGreen and the birth of UGOLF International. **** Overcoming environmental and tech challenges in the European golf sector. **** Replicating the academy model globally and fostering new golfers. **** What's next for UGOLF's mission to break into the world's top three golf operators. Follow & Connect: Learn more about UGOLF: The leader in France and Europe - Ugolf Connect with Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathana%C3%ABl-pietrzak-swirc-ccm-5209b161/ Subscribe to the GBT Podcast on Spotify so you never miss an episode tracking the tech and business trends reshaping the green. https://open.spotify.com/show/4cWbpnxzVy8WyM16IMwTTv?si=7d9c1bfdf9e6431e

    30 min

  6. May 21

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 6 – Interview between Agustin Piza/Piza Golf and Golf Business Technology

    In this episode, we sit down with one of the most innovative minds in modern golf course architecture: Agustín Pizá, founder of Pizá Golf. Celebrated by Forbes as one of the top creative minds from Mexico, Agustín is redefining the game across three continents by seamlessly blending art, sustainability, and disruption. We dive deep into his "out-of-the-box" design concepts, including Wellness Golf® and Lounge Golf, and discuss his groundbreaking work bridging the physical and digital worlds—from co-designing luxury mountain resorts with Nicklaus Design to crafting the iconic, hyper-creative virtual holes for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL tech-infused league. Tune in to hear how progressive architecture, intentional storytelling, and next-gen technology are shaping the future of golf facilities.

    27 min

  7. Apr 23

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 5 – Interview between Clive Mayhew/Golf.AI and Golf Business Technology

    The co-founder and CEO of GOLF.AI, building the world’s leading vertical AI platform connecting golfers, golf courses, and brands through intelligence.A global entrepreneur between Australia and the United States, he is shaping the future of golf by embedding AI into bookings, rules, media, and the on-course experience.With a community of more than 150,000 golfers and thousands of golf courses worldwide, GOLF.AI is recognised as the world’s #1 GOLF AI company.

    26 min

  8. Apr 1

    The GBT Podcast Season 5, Episode 4 – Interview between Fraser Marriott/Lightspeed and Golf Business Technology

    Lightspeed’s Fraser Marriott Unveils Data-Driven Vision for Golf Operations at 2026 PGA Show ORLANDO, FL (April 1, 2026) — Speaking exclusively from the floor of the 2026 PGA Show in Orlando, Fraser Marriott, Head of Golf at Lightspeed Commerce (NYSE: LSPD), outlined a transformative roadmap for the golf industry, emphasizing operational efficiency and measurable growth through data-driven innovation. Marriott, who oversees Lightspeed’s golf go-to-market teams and product initiatives, shared insights into the brand’s record-breaking year. Under his leadership, the division has successfully doubled its EBITDA margin while achieving an unprecedented 125% team-wide attainment. These results underscore Lightspeed’s commitment to not only providing software but driving tangible financial outcomes for course operators. "Our focus is on moving beyond legacy systems to provide a unified platform that mirrors the modern golfer's expectations," said Fraser Marriott. "By implementing strategic processes and meticulous planning, we are enabling operators to optimize their sales operations and foster sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market." With over 12 years of expertise in sales management and data analysis, Marriott has spearheaded the integration of high-level sales operations with localized golf course needs. Key highlights from his address at the PGA Show include: Operational Efficiency: Leveraging Lightspeed’s cloud-based ecosystem to streamline pro-shop, food and beverage, and tee-sheet management into one cohesive data stream. Data-Driven Strategies: Utilizing advanced analytics to help courses identify revenue leakage and optimize pricing models in real-time. Collaborative Growth: A focus on building cohesive, high-performing teams that bridge the gap between technical product development and on-the-ground course management. The interview highlighted Lightspeed’s role as more than a vendor, but a strategic partner. Marriott emphasized that the recent success of the golf division is rooted in a "startup mindset" supported by enterprise-grade infrastructure. This approach has allowed the team to remain nimble, responding to industry shifts with precision while maintaining the stability of a global commerce leader. "The goal is simple: enable success through clarity," Marriott added. "When operators have access to the right data and a streamlined process, they can spend less time behind a desk and more time enhancing the member experience." For more information on Lightspeed Golf and its latest initiatives, visit www.lightspeedhq.com/golf. Powering the businesses that are the backbone of the global economy, Lightspeed's one-stop commerce platform helps merchants innovate to simplify, scale, and provide exceptional customer experiences. Our cloud commerce solution transforms and unifies online and physical operations, multichannel sales, expansion to new locations, global payments, financial services, and connection to supplier networks.

    20 min
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Explore interviews and discussions within the realm of Golf Technology in the Business World, encompassing topics such as AI, analytics, data, the metaverse, and beyond. This comprehensive coverage aims to assist Golf Clubs, Multi Report Operators, both public and private entities, as well as Coaches and professionals in making informed and crucial choices and decisions.

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