Golftec buys Skytrak

[cnosil]

Wonder if we will see a new iteration of the skytrak soon. 
 

https://thegolfwire.com/golftec-skytrak/

 

WORLD LEADER IN GOLF IMPROVEMENT, GOLFTEC, ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE SKYTRAK, #1 CONSUMER LAUNCH MONITOR

AUGUST 10, 2022

DENVER, CO – GOLFTEC, the world leader in golf improvement, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SkyTrak, golf’s #1 consumer launch monitor and simulator.

The impending acquisition builds on each company’s powerful reputation and shared mission to provide golfers with the data and insights needed to track performance, have more fun and play better golf. As part of the acquisition, GOLFTEC will invest in enhancing the current SkyTrak user experience as well as create new, innovative solutions that leverage coaching, data, and digital platforms to deliver a GOLFTEC improvement experience to a broader segment of golfers around the world.

“We are incredibly excited about the acquisition of SkyTrak. With this acquisition, we’re combining two companies that understand how data and personalized coaching can truly accelerate a person’s journey to better golf. As we look to the future, and in conjunction with our parent company GDO, we’re excited about delivering an improvement experience that goes beyond the traditional GOLFTEC Training Bay and helps people improve with GOLFTEC anywhere,” said Joe Assell, GOLFTEC Co-founder and CEO.

In support of this acquisition, GOLFTEC recently named longtime golf industry veteran Jeff Foster as their Chief Strategy Officer. As part of his role, Foster will be appointed CEO of SkyTrak.

“For more than two decades, GOLFTEC and SkyTrak have been included among golf’s most well-respected and impactful brands,” said Foster. “This is an incredible opportunity to leverage the strengths of both companies and build an experience that provides limitless opportunities.”

Following record sales in 2021 as well as receiving Golf Digest’s “Best in Golf” Award for the fifth consecutive year, SkyTrak remains golf’s most popular consumer launch monitor that provides golfers of all skill levels with highly accurate, real-time feedback.

“GOLFTEC is the perfect partner at the perfect time,” said Don Thorup of SkyTrak. “The demand for non-traditional forms of golf is at an all-time high, and after hearing GOLFTEC’s vision for what we could build together, we knew this was the right direction for our brand.”

With over 230 locations worldwide and over 900 Certified Personal Coaches, GOLFTEC is the world leader in golf improvement. In 2021, GOLFTEC Coaches provided over 1.5 million golf lessons to nearly 200,000 golfers with an average improvement of seven strokes. In 2022, GOLFTEC will continue its momentum by opening approximately 30 new locations and by developing new digital-first products that enhance and expand the GOLFTEC improvement experience.

 

 

[ejgaudette]

It does feel like Skytrak has gotten passed in this space between the Mevo+ and then Launch Pro being very similar in price, and even the Full Swing Kit just a touch more. It will be interesting to see if they are able to innovate and get a product that competes with those in the near future.

[fixyurdivot]

Interesting news, thanks for sharing. Lots happening quickly in the market.  I'm personally interested in something better than my SC200 and at first thought an indoor LM studio was my path; but now not so sure.  Will I really use it as much as I think (particularly with our pending relocation to AZ)?  I see lots of these type systems coming up for sale and I suspect some of that is buyers remorse.  

[TR1PTIK]

Wondering if this isn't a way for them potentially lower GolfTec operating costs in the long term since they can develop a replacement for whatever launch monitors they have now, not to mention that this opens a door to remote teaching for SkyTrak users as hinted at above.

[tony@CIC]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

 I see lots of these type systems coming up for sale and I suspect some of that is buyers remorse.  

I have 2 (simpler systems) sitting in my garage, a SC200 and a PRGR monitor. Both were used extensively in the beginning when I was obsessive about improving swingspeed,  but now they're hardly used. I can definitely see the need in teaching and fitting environments but even then it's somewhat theoretical since range balls are used along with some situations where you're hitting into a screen. For me 'range data' is just not as useful as on 'course data' so I switched from LM to data tracking - in my case Shotscope V3. 

Edit:

At the end of the day what really matters to me is how far I'm hitting the ball (on average) and where in relation to the centerline of the fairway. 

 

[cksurfdude]

On 8/10/2022 at 4:43 PM, TR1PTIK said:

Wondering if this isn't a way for them potentially lower GolfTec operating costs in the long term since they can develop a replacement for whatever launch monitors they have now, not to mention that this opens a door to remote teaching for SkyTrak users as hinted at above.

Yeah I was wondering the very same things!!

Currently, fyi, at the GolfTec location I visit on Long Island they're using Foresight (somethings) in the regular bays and a GC Quad in the fitting bay. So at least in the regular bays it might make business sense to economize, especially if they may be expanding into new locations?

They also have an app that serves as a companion to their in-person teaching where you can review all of your lessons - including videos captured with the instructors' markups and comments; recommended drills (as short vid clips); their "TEC" cards which are illustrations highlighting particular swing positions; and any written notes the instructor added.

But currently in the app there is no remote coaching function, nor the capability for a student to upload a video. Oh nor any other online interaction like a WGT.

[cksurfdude]

A minor FYI update: GolfTec is offering SkyTrak units, along with hitting bay packages, for sale online.

Interestingly they also list the Garmin R10 and two Foresight models.

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

A minor FYI update: GolfTec is offering SkyTrak units, along with hitting bay packages, for sale online.

Interestingly they also list the Garmin R10 and two Foresight models.

That's interesting... I do really want to get something.