The Tech Caddie

Mike Hendrix
  • 5.0 (11)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Tech Caddie

In these podcasts, we host in-depth conversations with leading golf course technologists and operators, providing our listeners with direct access to the voices and minds shaping the golf management software industry. These discussions delve into a range of pertinent topics, from emerging technological trends to practical challenges faced in daily operations. This interactive format allows us to explore the nuances of the golf course technology landscape, offering our audience a richer, more engaging way to stay informed and inspired. By bringing these experts together, our podcast serves as a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas, sharing success stories, and discussing strategies to navigate the evolving world of golf course technology.

  1. Toast POS Has A Reservation with Golf

    1 DAY AGO

    Toast POS Has A Reservation with Golf

    In this episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, Mike Hendrix interviews Chad Wright from Deer Ridge Golf Club about their recent technology transition from ForeUP to Sagacity and Toast. They discuss the challenges faced with ForeUP, the benefits of the new systems, and how they integrate operations for a better customer experience. Chad shares insights on credit card surcharges, the addition of a golf simulator, and the importance of maintaining a strong online presence. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of golf course management systems and software and the significance of technology in enhancing operations and customer satisfaction.

    50 min
  2. PGA Insider Reveals Cutting Edge Technology for Golf Courses

    NOV 6

    PGA Insider Reveals Cutting Edge Technology for Golf Courses

    In this Tech Caddie episode, Mike Hendrix interviews Chad Pettingill from The Ledges Golf Facility in St George, UT discussing the unique operations of the facility, the integration of technology in golf management, and the evolution of customer experience through innovative solutions. Chad shares insights on reservation systems, dynamic pricing, and the importance of prepayment in enhancing the golfer experience. The discussion highlights the challenges and successes in adopting technology to streamline operations and improve service delivery. The duo covered several subjects including: The Ledges offers a variety of lodging options for golfers. | Technology plays a crucial role in managing golf packages. | Dynamic pricing has significantly increased revenue for The Ledges. | Prepayment for tee times has improved the check-in process. | Using Golf EMS has streamlined payment collection for golf packages. | Transitioning to Lightspeed has simplified tee sheet management. | The Ledges focuses on enhancing the golfer experience through technology. | Chad emphasizes the importance of staff buy-in for technology adoption. | Future innovations are planned to further improve operations.

    42 min
  3. TenFore Golf CEO Reveals Industry-Changing Plans

    OCT 20

    TenFore Golf CEO Reveals Industry-Changing Plans

    In this episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, Mike Hendrix interviews Jonathan Wride and Jarrette Schule from TenFore Golf. They discuss the origin story of TenFore, the challenges faced in developing golf management software, and the importance of user experience. Jonathan opens up about how he co-founded Supreme Golf with Ryan Ewers and the journey that led to Jonathan leaving Supreme Golf to help Jarrette build TenFore Golf. You'll learn about the Golfler and foreUP acquisitions and you'll learn about the strong board of directors Jonathan assembled at Supreme Golf. Jonathan shares his vision for the company and how their technology stands out in the market. The conversation also covers the partnership between Jonathan and Jarrette, innovations like their Jackrabbit kiosk software, and the recent Reserve with Google integration. They emphasize the importance of proving their commitment to putting their money where their mouth is. Their ground breaking development around credit card surcharging and tee time marketplace disruption in golf puts them at the forefront of technology in the industry.

    1h 13m
  4. Jay Snider from Proshop Tee Times

    OCT 15

    Jay Snider from Proshop Tee Times

    In this episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, Mike Hendrix interviews Jay Snider from Proshop Tee Times, discussing the company's origins, community support initiatives, and innovations in golf technology. They explore how Proshop Tee Times customizes solutions for golf courses, the importance of user-friendly booking and point of sale systems, and the significance of member management and payment processing. Jay shares insights into the future of the company, emphasizing customer-driven development and the expansion of services, including simulator bookings and beverage cart innovations. Takeaways: Proshop Tee Times originated from a need for better golf course management solutions. Community support is a core value, demonstrated through initiatives like helping hurricane Helene victims. Customization is key; each golf course has unique needs that Proshop Tee Times addresses. The company prioritizes user-friendly interfaces to enhance the customer experience. Innovations in booking systems have improved efficiency and user satisfaction. Proshop Tee Times offers flexible payment processing options for clients. Member management features are robust, allowing for easy billing and account management. The company is focused on sustainable growth, prioritizing service quality over rapid expansion. Future developments are driven by customer feedback and needs. Proshop Tee Times has expanded its offerings to include simulators and advanced ordering systems. Sound Bites: "Your dues are going up." "We need a way of getting a database of email addresses." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Proshop Tee Times and Community Support 03:54 The Origin Story of Proshop Tee Times 12:35 Custom Solutions for Golf Courses 19:58 Innovations in Booking and Point of Sale Systems 28:27 Member Management and Payment Processing 36:53 Future Developments and Customer-Driven Features

    52 min
  5. Robb Smyth from Cobalt Software a Private Country Club Expert

    SEP 25

    Robb Smyth from Cobalt Software a Private Country Club Expert

    In this episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, Mike Hendrix interviews Rob Smyth from Cobalt Software, discussing his journey in the golf technology industry, the evolution of Smyth Systems, and the impact of family-owned businesses on company culture. They explore the competitive landscape of golf software, the challenges and opportunities in the market, and the importance of member experience in private clubs. Rob shares insights on the acquisition journey of Smyth Systems, the transition to corporate environments, and the unique position of Cobalt Software in providing all-in-one solutions for golf clubs. This podcast includes the origin story of Cobalt Software. Takeaways Rob Smyth has a rich history in golf technology, stemming from his family's business, Smyth Systems. The evolution of golf software has seen a shift from Unix systems to modern, user-friendly applications. Family-owned businesses often foster a culture of passion and commitment that can be lacking in corporate environments. Cobalt Software aims to provide an all-in-one solution for golf clubs, integrating various functionalities into one platform. Member experience has become a top priority for clubs, especially post-COVID. Support quality is a critical factor for clubs when choosing software solutions. The competitive landscape includes various players, but Cobalt differentiates itself through its unique offerings. Acquisitions in the golf software space have reshaped the industry, with many companies consolidating under larger umbrellas. Rob emphasizes the importance of understanding the operational needs of golf clubs to provide effective solutions. Cobalt Software is focused on growth while maintaining a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

    1h 12m
  6. CourseRev launches AI Powered Tee Time Booking by Phone and Chat

    JUL 7

    CourseRev launches AI Powered Tee Time Booking by Phone and Chat

    CourseRev is a company that leverages large language models and AI to book tee times over the phone. The company was founded by Manna Justin and Del Ratcliffe, who have extensive experience in the golf industry. CourseRev aims to address the problem of booking tee times by providing a 24/7 service that allows golfers to book tee times with natural language. The technology behind CourseRev is based on AI and utilizes various stacks, including Google's dialogue flow and Vertex AI. The company has plans to expand into other industries, such as hotel reservations. CourseRev is a voice reservation system for golf courses that uses AI technology to handle tee time bookings over the phone. The system can integrate with tee sheet systems like Lightspeed and Club Prophet, allowing golfers to make reservations, join waitlists, and receive directions to the golf course. CourseRev can also proactively send personalized booking offers based on golfer preferences. The system has surpassed online reservations in terms of volume and has handled more than 75-80 calls per day for a course. CourseRev is a game changer in terms of labor costs and customer experience.

    52 min
  7. The Strategy Behind Colin Read's Golf Tech Fundraising at Whoosh

    JUN 19

    The Strategy Behind Colin Read's Golf Tech Fundraising at Whoosh

    Colin Read, co-founder of Whoosh, discusses his background in golf and entrepreneurship, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the golf tech industry. He emphasizes the importance of improving member and guest experiences, as well as staff workflows, through technology. Read also highlights the need for open APIs and integrations in the golf industry to provide better solutions for operators. He introduces Whoosh's integration with Square, which aims to offer a comprehensive solution for golf facilities and unlock omnichannel data on customers. Whoosh is a hospitality technology company that offers a golf operation system in addition to a tee sheet. They aim to streamline all aspects of golf course management, from reservations to staff workflows. They provide tools for better hospitality, automation, and predictive analytics. While they don't plan to build a point of sale system, they are open to integrating with other providers like Toast. Whoosh has received investments from strategic partners, including their own customers. They plan to expand into alternate golf markets and entertainment venues, as well as continue to grow in the public and private golf sectors. Full episode details here: ⁠https://www.golfcoursetechnologyreviews.org/podcast-episodes/the-strategy-behind-colin-reads-golf-tech-fundraising

    50 min
  8. USGA's Scott Mingay talks GS3 golf ball and Deacon platform

    JUN 11

    USGA's Scott Mingay talks GS3 golf ball and Deacon platform

    In this episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, Mike Hendrix interviews Scott Mingay from the USGA. They discuss the development of the GS3, a golf ball that measures green speed, smoothness, and firmness. The GS3 is used by golf course operators and superintendents to improve the playing experience and make data-driven decisions about maintenance practices. The ball has consolidated other tools, such as the stimp meter, and provides more accurate and repeatable measurements. The USGA aims to provide a great playing surface, not just a fast one, and is focused on optimizing the balance between speed and smoothness. The conversation with Scott Mingay from the USGA focused on the GS3 ball and the Deacon course management system. The GS3 ball is designed to provide consistent playing conditions and improve resource management on golf courses. The Deacon platform is a cloud-based system that integrates data from various sources to help golf course superintendents make informed decisions. The USGA's goal is to make golf sustainable and enjoyable for future generations. They are open to innovation and collaboration with other companies in the industry. The USGA also offers research, education, consulting, and tools through their Green Section program. Takeaways The GS3 is a golf ball developed by the USGA that measures green speed, smoothness, and firmness. The ball is used by golf course operators and superintendents to improve the playing experience and make data-driven decisions about maintenance practices. The GS3 has consolidated other tools, such as the stimp meter, and provides more accurate and repeatable measurements. The USGA aims to provide a great playing surface, not just a fast one, and is focused on optimizing the balance between speed and smoothness. The GS3 ball and Deacon platform aim to improve playing conditions and resource management on golf courses. The USGA's goal is to make golf sustainable and enjoyable for future generations. The USGA is open to innovation and collaboration with other companies in the industry. The Green Section program offers research, education, consulting, and tools for golf course management.

    58 min
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5
out of 5
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About

In these podcasts, we host in-depth conversations with leading golf course technologists and operators, providing our listeners with direct access to the voices and minds shaping the golf management software industry. These discussions delve into a range of pertinent topics, from emerging technological trends to practical challenges faced in daily operations. This interactive format allows us to explore the nuances of the golf course technology landscape, offering our audience a richer, more engaging way to stay informed and inspired. By bringing these experts together, our podcast serves as a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas, sharing success stories, and discussing strategies to navigate the evolving world of golf course technology.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Hendrix
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Tech Caddie

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