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Golf is about to get a whole lot cooler as players park up their buggies and set off around courses on a funky new gadget. The battery-powered vehicle could see the sport appealing to a generation more accustomed to riding a skateboard than a golf cart.
The GolfBoard is a cross between a skateboard and a cart and is fitted with gearboxes similar to those found in cars to let players cart their clubs around in style. It is the brainchild of big wave surfer, Laird Hamilton, and businessman Don Widman and can reach speeds of up to 12mph (19kmph), and is already in use in several golf courses globally, with the Royal Golf Club (RGC) in Bahrain giving the matter serious consideration.
“The GolfBoard is the most innovative invention for golf since the graphite shaft,” its makers say. “It adds a new level of fun and excitement for golfers of all ages, allowing golfers to ‘Surf the Earth’ in a way that feels similar to snowboarding, surfing, or skateboarding.”
The GolfBoard also dramatically increases the pace-of-play which is another big attraction as the sport has faced a downturn in popularity blamed on the fact that it takes around four to five hours to play 18-holes.
After conducting extensive time trials on courses around the US, the average round on the GolfBoard was found to be just two-and-a-half-hours. After years of declining popularity, GolfBoard has proven time and time again to put courses back on track for strong growth.
Many early adopters of GolfBoard have seen more than a 30 per cent increase in rounds played. “Golfing with a GolfBoard, or ‘GolfBoarding’ as we like to call it, changes the golfing experience, without changing the spirit and traditions of the game,” a spokesman said.
“We strongly feel the GolfBoard will help bring more interest to golf and as a result increase the number of passionate players to the sport.” Golfers can use the board to ‘surf’ over the varied terrain of a course at various speeds using a handheld controller, and its designer believes it could one day fully replace conventional buggies.
The new addition has been welcomed by golf course executives and the golfing press. Kris Strauss, VP sales & marketing for Troon Golf, the company which now manages the Colin Montgomeriedesigned course at Riffa Views, alongside others in the Gulf region, said: “We’ve seen the success of GolfBoard at the handful of Troon courses who already have them, including the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Makai Golf Course on Kauai and World Golf Village, and we’re excited to extend further adoption at Troon destinations around the world.
“Offering GolfBoards is a great way to bring new people to golf, it makes rounds faster and it creates a great buzz. Frankly they’re just a blast, and golfers of all ages can use them.” The GolfBoard can travel well over 18 holes between charges.
Depending on conditions, such as rider weight, turf conditions and grade, a GolfBoard can go up to 12-plus miles on a single charge. The battery powerhouse is designed to give users confidence and is sized to carry a heavy player over 18 holes on some of the longest and steepest courses in the world.
Similarly impressed was Luan Pham, Golf Digest’s executive director of integrated marketing, who added: “Not only does the GolfBoard increase the pace of play it is also attracting a younger demographic to the sport.
“Players who are higher in age still find the GolfBoard super easy to ride and GolfBoarding is a fantastic form of entertainment between shots. We are so happy with this product and how it is going to change the game.”
However, coolness comes at a price as each board costs around $6,500 (BD2,500) with players paying around $25 (just under BD10) each to rent for a round of golf. RGC’s general manager Stephen Havrilla believes the club would need ‘around 20 boards’ which would be a significant BD50,000 outlay because currently the company behind the machines does not offer leasing facilities outside the US.
He said: “I know the Troon facilities that have adopted them into their operations have been quite successful. While I was at the PGA Merchandise Show this January, I investigated the possibility of bringing them to Bahrain.
We will continue to look at the possibility on implementing these in the future as long as they make economic sense.” The RGC has already introduced footgolf to the course despite some misgivings from a vocal section of the membership.
The Sunday evening sessions where teams battle out to boot a football around the course and place it in a series of specially-designed buckets on the way in the shortest number of kicks, appears to be growing in popularity and attracting more young people and families to try out the facility.
