MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — An Apple Watch that helps recommend golf clubs. A simulator where friends can hit shots simultaneously. A booking platform that lets golfers make an offer for a tee time someone else already holds.
Those were among the ideas presented Thursday at the eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge
, where eight companies pitched technology designed to change how golfers play and how courses operate.The three-day showcase organized by eMYRge, a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization based at Myrtle Beach’s HTC Aspire Hub, concluded Thursday. It was supported by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University and Golfweek, along with a Relentless Challenge grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce; the program
combined mentorship, industry discussions and investor connections. Thursday’s presentations put the companies before judges, the area’s golf business community and potential investors.
For the participating start-up companies, the event was an opportunity to explain their products and services, answer questions and meet people who could become customers, partners or investors. For Myrtle Beach, the ambition reaches beyond hosting a technology competition.
The region wants companies to see it as a place to establish headquarters and grow golf businesses. Its courses offer potential customers and places to test products. Its tourism industry brings a steady flow of golfers with different needs and expectations. Coastal Carolina University adds opportunities to connect companies with students and future employees.
On Wednesday, participants had chance to visit Coastal Carolina University's Professional Management building, along with the Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Golf and Sports Turf Management Agronomy department. That was followed by lunch prepared by the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach.
Wednesday evening, three-time PGA Tour winner Brendan Todd was on hand for cocktails and a putting contest at the Grand Dunes Resort, followed by a fireside chat and Q&A session.
As fun as that was, the larger goal of the conference was to build on Myrtle Beach’s reputation as “The Golf Capital of the World” by making it a home for the businesses developing the game’s next generation of services and experiences.
Here is what the eight companies presented.
Flash Weather AI, which was awarded “Best in Show,” presented localized forecasts intended to help courses anticipate lightning and manage turf conditions. Its First Strike technology predicts lightning strikes with over 99 percent accuracy much farther in advance than other systems, while its All Clear service supports decisions about resuming activity. An agronomy suite provides information on precipitation, frost, water loss and disease risk to help superintendents plan work.
Clubhaus wants public-course golfers to enjoy some of the recognition and convenience associated with private-club membership. Its platform connects a golfer’s identity and payment method with check-in, food orders and membership benefits across participating facilities. Golfers could pay before arriving, pre-order foot and beverages, and keep a tab open throughout their visit, while staff gain a clearer picture of who is on the property.
Groove Golf uses the power of Apple Watch to take measurements and recommend drivers and shafts using five swings in just five minutes. Its software analyzes movement characteristics and matches them with an equipment database. The goal is to make fitting more approachable for golfers and more efficient for professionals and retailers.
Smash Swing Golf wants to bring multiplayer entertainment to indoor golf, allowing several golfers to hit into a shared, oversized simulator screen simultaneously. Players can practice or compete in games, and the same installation can host parties and show live sports, giving operators several ways to use the space.
CourseRev.ai answers golfers’ calls and books tee times through an AI service available 24 hours a day. It works with existing golf management systems. The company says it can help courses capture after-hours business while freeing employees to assist golfers in person.
Leaderboard combines GPS, scoring, official handicap connectivity, games and wager tracking with a lasting social record of a golfer’s rounds. Its expanding Clubs platform helps group organizers manage rosters, RSVPs and recurring competitions.
Tenfore Golf connects tee sheets, point-of-sale transactions, payments, memberships, retail and food service in one operating system for courses, clubs and resorts. Golfers can use kiosks or an app to check in and make purchases, while multi-course operators can share payment information, history and membership benefits across their facilities.
Golf District has created a system that allows players to pre-pay for their tee times, but list reservations they cannot use and sell them like tickets to a concert or sporting event. Its new Price Point feature even lets someone offer money for an already-booked time, giving the holder an opportunity to accept.
David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering equipment and technology.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Myrtle Beach hosts eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge. Who won?
