Category: Business

Products can be developed in a variety of different ways. Some are the result of study and design, carefully planned from beginning to end. Others are a happy accident, stemming from a series of events that resulted in a product that consumers love to use.

Leather Bag Tags is one of the latter, developing thanks to a delivery that never should have been made.

Late in 2020, just days before Christmas, a package was delivered by UPS to the home of Robert Reed. Inside the package was a small laser engraver, mistakenly dropped at the wrong address with no return contact. When UPS refused to come back for it, Reed decided to set it up and give it a try.

“It was a simple engraver with horrible software, but it worked as advertised and I tried it on everything I could,” said Reed. “Then I started working with materials I thought would be good for golf bag tags. I love golf.”

After making tags for family friends, Reed was asked to make tags for the 2021 Vegas World Amateur tournament. Those first tags were simple wooden plaques which turned out well. After that, Reed started working with leather.

“The leather is great because I’ve been able to cut it into any shape, dye it a variety of colors, and make really nice designs for tournaments and courses. Players at the events we’ve worked with have all remarked about how much they like them as opposed to cheap, plastic bag tags.”

After a second run with the Vegas World Amateur, Reed decided to open his tags up to the public. Available for purchase at www.leatherbagtag.com, individuals can create their own tags or choose from one of the stock tags being made on a regular basis. The site has also been a place where courses are ordering tags for their customers and members.

“The response has been amazing. I quickly learned that the small engraver was never going to keep up with orders, so we’ve upgraded significantly. We’re set-up to keep growing with demand.”

To see more examples, or order your bag tag, visit www.leatherbagtag.com.

When you play a golf course, how much do you really take in? Most players will focus on the course design and layout without giving much thought to how the entire property is laid out. Most local courses have been swallowed up and surrounded by developments that were never part of the original project. 

That’s where Augustin Pizá comes in.

“There’s a big difference between a course designer and a golf course architect,” said Pizá. “Anyone with a passion for golf can design a golf course, an architect will create a master plan that takes in the entire project and ties it all together.”

Pizá Golf, already recognized as a world-class architecture and golf course design firm, has now seen their founder named one of the top 100 most creative Mexicans in the world by Forbes Magazine. He has also been named one of the Nine Most Innovative People in Golf by Golf, Inc. Based on his body of work, these and other awards are well deserved.

“There are plenty of golf course designers, they’re honestly all over the world,” said Pizá. “Golf course architects, however, are more rare. I’m definitely the only one in Latin America with a Masters in Golf Course Architecture, and memberships in the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and American Society of Golf Course Architects.”

The edge that gives Pizá and his team is full control of a project from start to finish. That means he’s thinking about the balance between art and science in a project. That science includes studies of agronomy, irrigation, architecture, and technique. That science is mixed with the principles of art including balance, rhythm proportion, and melody.

“There’s no such thing as an ugly golf course. Every golf course is beautiful. You’re out there in the park, you’re walking, you’re listening to the birds and you’re playing the sport that we love. But there is such a thing as a bad design and bad maintenance.”

For Pizá and his team, choosing a project involves considering several things: sustainability, social impacts, economics, and ecology. Pizá said that regardless of the size of the project – resort, championship, or municipal course – he takes those things into consideration each and every time.

“In today’s world, a golf facility needs to have multiple revenue streams. It’s easier to think about adding things like a practice or training facility, a putting complex, or lodging and dining when you’re planning the project instead of trying to add them all later.”

Even though Pizá isn’t a household name – yet – the company’s portfolio is extensive. With projects throughout Europe and Latin America, Pizá has been busy. His latest project, in Mexico City, is “The Pit,” something Pizá calls a “grass sculpture, upon which beautiful golf can be played.”

The Pit is a ‘golf lounge’ centered around a putting complex with four bunkers. The central bunker, sunken with a firepit, makes the facility a place to play and practice, and then a place to relax with friends and family. 

“I think my client had a regular putting and chipping green in mind, but I don’t do regular things,” said Pizá when asked about the scope of the project. Regardless, it was a hit and more such golf lounges are in the works in places like San Diego.

In addition to complete projects, Pizá Golf has also made itself available for restoration projects. That’s how the company got into the Cabo San Lucas area of the Mexican Baja. When a hurricane took out the backside of the Cabo San Lucas Country Club, Pizá was called in to help. The results were a major improvement.

 “We came in on an emergency basis and re-worked holes 10 thru 16. It’s a big change when you go from the front nine to the back, and I hope we’ll be able to go back and keep working on the property. 

Moving forward, Pizá Golf is looking to expand into the United States, having recently opened an office in the San Diego area. 

“Designing in the United States will expose more golfers to our work, which we’re excited about.”

The next time you’re planning a golf trip and are trying to decide where to play, make sure you look for a Pizá-designed course. You’ll be pleased with whichever course you choose.

One thing everyone can agree on is that golf is one of the most frustrating games on the planet. You can play great one day and follow it up the next day with one of your worst performances ever. 

Few golfers can admit to never having slammed a club or – even worse – breaking one in anger after a bad shot. But, what if there was something available on the course that would give you an outlet for that anger without breaking a club or injuring yourself.

Meet the Bogey Bag.

In the words of its inventor, Steven Schnobrich, the Bogey Bag was born out of his own frustrating stretch of golf. “I was joking with my uncle that we’d love to have a punching bag on the golf course so we had something to take our anger out on. So I started coming up with an idea that was barely functional beyond a few good punches.”

Simply put, the Bogey Bag is a redesigned speed bag that fits almost any golf cart. Hanging from a post on the cart, the bag can spin 360 degrees around its crossbar. It’s a satisfying way to let off a little steam.

While the idea seems like a no-brainer, the Bogey Bag’s path to reality was unusual. Schnobrich had no training as a designer. Instead, the finance major at the University of New Hampshire said he was lucky to have access to several great resources.

“The university had an entrepreneurial center with a maker space to encourage inventors. I was able to use a 3D printer, a laser engraver, a CNC mill, and industrial sewing machines. In two years, I went through over 100 iterations of the bag using continuous trial-and-error. I enjoyed the process and it’s amazing to see the response to our finished product.”

Throughout the process, Schnobrich took the bag to the course so people could see it. People loved to try them out, take pictures, and post videos on their social media feeds. It was social media that put the Bogey Bag into the spotlight, with a popular Instagram account sharing it with their followers.

“Sales skyrocketed after that share,” said Schnobrich. “We went through 30 percent of our inventory in no time. The question is whether or not we can sustain that traction.”

What started as a DIY project has turned into a high-quality product, featuring a leather speed bag, a stainless steel rod (to attach to the golf cart), and a high-tension spring. While the bag was designed in the United States, the final parts come from all over the world. Schnobrich said the price may be a little high, but he wanted the materials to hold up to wear and tear in a high-stress environment.

The Bogey Bag is now available for purchase at www.thebogeybag.com. Get your hand – or fist – on one today.

One of the first things new golfers hear is that they should get lessons to learn the fundamentals of the game and start with a solid foundation. When established players are struggling, they typically turn to PGA professionals to help improve their technique and get better at the game they love. While a few lessons may fix things in the short-term, the only thing that creates long-term success is practice.

The problem is that most players don’t know how to practice effectively.

When Nico Darras (left) walked off the final green of a one-day mini tour event in Scottsdale three years ago, he was on top of the world. A final hole birdie gave him a score of even par, a number he thought put him on the path to PGA TOUR stardom. He finished in 68th place, 11 strokes off the pace.

On the drive home, he heard an interview with Kevin Moore (right), a University of Georgia professor specializing in applied mathematics, analytics, education, and psychology. Darras emailed him right away, hoping to apply Moore’s theories to improving his performance on the golf course.

“I’ll admit that I didn’t read Nico’s email right away, but when I did I thought I’d be able to help him,” said Moore of his first interaction with Darras. “He had a great skill set and we got some great analytics and strategy data. After working on his driver, we figured we had to improve his wedge game.”

During that time, Darras said he was working on the assigned reading for his doctoral program and a line in one of those books hit him. “It was about criterion referenced instruction, the idea of having an end goal in mind and working backwards. I brought it up to Kevin and we started using ourselves as guinea pigs for developing practice plans.”

It may sound like things came together seamlessly, both Moore and Darras said that was hardly the case. The first player to try a practice plan was No Laying Up’s Chris “Soly” Solomon. He shared it with his podcast audience and soon more than 200 people were lining up to learn how to practice.

Moore described the response as eye-opening. “We realized it was bigger than the two of us. We spent 40 days keeping up with demand, eventually getting the website up and zooming with clients. We found they almost all wanted structure, practice plans built around data and research. So that’s what we did.”

The first plans were hand-built, with designed drills and how they should be completed. After five months, the pair had a large database of drills and plans, and an algorithm to apply to golfers. Golf Blueprint is now the largest online instruction service available with clients in 45 states.

Golf Blueprint works off a membership model, with players getting different levels of access to practice plans and Moore and Darras. Members can join on a monthly basis, but are rewarded with a free month when they commit to a six-month improvement plan.

“Month one, that algorithm is really good, it’s dialed,” said Darras when advocating for a multi-month commitment. “Month two, the algorithm learns more about the golfer. By month three it’s really good and it’s all about tightening up those practice plans.”

One of the things that sets Golf Blueprint apart from other instruction programs is that it’s easy to understand. Moore said that when a client has trouble understanding a particular drill, they re-word it to make it easier to put into practice. “It’s important that players of any ability and experience can follow our plans without having a specific golf vocabulary.”

While Golf Blueprint may sound like a fix-all for any golfer, Darras said they’re really focused on golfers between four and 20. “We really think players with handicaps lower than a four already know how to practice, but the sweet spot for improvement lies with those players between four and 20. We can help them.”

To learn more about Golf Blueprint or to purchase your membership, visit www.GolfBluePrint.com. 

The company got rolling in 2018 when Brian King, an avid golfer, felt there was something missing in the ball marker market. What he found were either cheap, poorly made products or expensive custom items. Full Metal products fall squarely in the middle, providing original designs made with quality materials at an affordable price.

“All of our designs are carefully thought out,” said Brian. “I’d rather have a few great designs than many mediocre designs.”

While Full Metal Markers started out as a hobby, the Internet and social media have allowed it to grow and become a national brand that golfers all over have connected with. While all the designs are done in-house – as well as the inventory, marketing, and customer service that Katie handles – manufacturing has been outsourced to allow for lower consumer pricing.

“We personally fulfill every order and respond to every email,” added Brian. “Outside of actually making the products, we run every aspect of the business.”

So what does a small business do to grow past its online roots? Full Metal Markers will continue to partner with golf pro shops to carry the company’s direct-to-consumer products or sell their own customized items. “We saw a major uptick in 2021 and expect that trend to continue.”

To see the complete line of Full Metal Markers or to place an order, visit www.fullmetalmarkers.com.

Following the incredible success of its first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, Quivira has announced that the resort will expand and elevate the golf experience for guests at its Land’s End property.

Situated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula and just 10 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas – in a dramatic setting marked by windswept dunes, sheer cliffs and lush desert foothills – Jack Nicklaus, golf’s greatest champion and globally acclaimed golf course designer, crafted a world-class layout that redefined the Cabo golf experience when Quivira Golf Club opened in 2014. With the popular course having garnered nearly every design accolade the golf and travel industry has to offer, Nicklaus has returned to create a second course.

Groundbreaking for the club’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is expected to take place by fourth quarter 2022. Quivira’s second course will expand the resort and residential community’s golf offering to accommodate the increased demand, resulting from the growth of the development, including ultra-exclusive, recently launched projects such as the St. Regis Resort & Residences; the exclusive new real estate community, Old Lighthouse Golf & Ocean Club; and the Alvar hillside condominiums.

“The first golf course at Quivira is a spectacular layout playing across a remarkable piece of property,” Nicklaus said. “Now, I am excited that design is well underway on the second course at Quivira, which should be stunning and equally as spectacular. I hope golfers who play the second course will enjoy the views, the quality of golf, and the challenge.”

While the routing plan for Quivira’s second course is in its final stages, it is anticipated that Nicklaus and his design team will create another world-class layout on this exceptional piece of land. Situated in the northwest area of the 1,850-acre development, several of the holes on the new course will meander through rolling desert foothills and expansive valleys, interlaced by winding arroyos.

Quivira’s second course will provide a different challenge but one that should mirror the high quality associated with the existing golf experience. The southern portion of the new layout will feature panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the westernmost point of the Sea of Cortez, which swells with breaching whales during the winter months. On the interior side, tall distant peaks will serve as dramatic backdrops for several holes.

For additional information, resort reservations, or tee times access the website at www.quiviraloscabos.com/golf or call 1-800-990-8250.

Arccos – the pioneer of big data and Artificial Intelligence for golf – today announced record-breaking numbers for use of its award-winning Arccos Caddie platform, with the company now having surpassed 35 billion on-course data points and 500 million shots recorded during 9 million rounds played by its global membership.

In 2021 alone, Arccos members recorded nearly 175 million shots during almost 3.5 million rounds played across 44,000 courses in 163 countries, helping to fuel the industry’s richest data set.

Perhaps most impressive was the remarkable improvement by golfers who harnessed the power of their personal performance data to play smarter and shoot lower scores – new Arccos Caddie members who played at least 10 rounds lowered their handicap index by an average of 5.78 strokes, and were five times more likely to record a hole-in-one than non-members.

Notably, new Arccos Caddie member improvement was seen across all skill levels, showcasing the power of on-course data to help any golfer make more informed decisions about equipment, strategy, practice, and instruction.

“Like the rest of the Arccos team, I am driven in large part by the tremendously loyal community of members that constantly share their stories of improvement and satisfaction at achieving their golfing milestones, be that breaking 100, becoming a single-digit handicap, shooting under par or recording their first hole-in-one,” said Sal Syed, Arccos’ CEO and Co-Founder. “They – along with our great partners like PING, TaylorMade, Cobra, Club Champion, and TXG – make all of our growth possible, and also help us stay laser-focused on delivering against our value proposition.”

Arccos’ exceptional 2021 also saw its members spend 478 million minutes (8 million hours) logged into the app and 332,000 days using Arccos’ personalized Strokes Gained Analytics to assess their rounds and chart their path to improvement.

Although California proved to be the most popular location for Arccos Caddie members – with Harding Park, Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill among the top 10 most-played courses – it was Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates Fire Course that saw the most rounds recorded by users. The Els Club (Dubai), Canada’s Whistle Bear and Singapore’s Marina Bay were close behind.

Golf’s first Artificial Intelligence platform, Arccos Caddie automatically tracks your shots while delivering in-round insights and post-round Strokes Gained Analytics. The system includes the world’s first A.I.-powered rangefinder, smart club distances, and caddie advice for every golf hole on earth. The company’s recent releases are highlighted by a groundbreaking golf ball data capture system. This represents the initial step in Arccos’ process of analyzing how a player’s ball selection may impact every aspect of their game, from equipment choices to club selection to in-play strategy.

The Arccos Caddie system and Arccos Caddie Link are permitted under the Rules of Golf (USGA Decision Numbers 2018-0414 and 2020-0305).

In the Spring of 2021, a funny thing happened on the PGA TOUR. A new shaft started popping up in drivers on the range, with players like Adam Scott testing the multi-colored component from an obscure Korean manufacturer. Word on the street – and on the shaft itself – indicated that it was Korean Hidden Technology powering the booming drives it delivered.

Almost as quickly as it came, the AutoFlex shaft disappeared. For the average consumer, the $790 price tag was likely too high.

Fast-forward nine months and the AutoFlex is back and more golfers in the United States are getting to try out this new technology for the first time. Previously, it was only possible to order the shaft from the Dumina Company website and there was no place to get fitted. That’s all changed, especially on the West Coast.

Garth Mattson, of Vancouver, Washington’s Westside Golf Academy, is one of the few United States distributors for AutoFlex shafts. So far, responses from the golfers who have had a fitting at Westside have loved the performance and been buying them at an impressive rate.

“We’ve had a lot of clients come in for a fitting and the AutoFlex performs so much better than the stock shafts they have in their drivers,” said Mattson. “Many of them have come back to buy shafts for their fairway woods and hybrids.”

The AutoFlex shafts break from conventional wisdom by weighing 20 to 30 grams less than typical shafts, something the designers say takes some of the strain off a golfer’s body. That same lighter weight allows the shaft to respond to a variety of swing speeds and optimize the transfer of energy for longer, straighter shots.

You can schedule a fitting at www.westsidegolfacademy.com or call your local club-fitter to find out if they carry the AutoFlex.