If you happen to have $14,000 burning a hole in your pocket, well, a San Diego-based launch monitor manufacturer named Foresight can help you out.
That’s what you will have to fork over to buy Foresight’s new, super-duper all-in-one launch monitor, the GC Quad.
Can’t you hear the stampede in the distance?
Fact is, they are selling.
Here’s where things get a little testy however.
Foresight Vice President Jon Walters says that this $14,000 jewel can help grow the game of golf in a big way.
“There are 25 million people playing golf, at least occasionally in the United States. We think we can help triple those numbers.”
So said Walters in a recent interview.
Well, before the industry starts cheering and the remaining courses in the United States start prepping for a huge influx of players, you need to consider what Walters said later in the same interview.
He was asked: “Can you foresee a time when people would rather play golf on a launch monitor instead of “real” golf?
And here’s Mr. Walters’ reply:
“Absolutely. The segment of players who prefer the virtual experience is only going to grow.”
Ouch!
Seriously??
So let’s get this straight — this here $14,000 do-dad is going to triple the number of golfers in the U.S., but on the same hand it is going to destroy the “real” golf course industry?
Virtual golf as opposed to “real” golf?
Golf is a walking sport, an outdoor experience, a communication with nature.
And that’s the way it should be.
Editor’s Note: You can read the entire interview here:
2 Comments
beege
Hi Tom,
no way triple but in essence what they are doing is like Top Golf. young people who do not have the real appreciation of the game that you and I do may “cotton” to this. i think it has a place certainly not for me or our generation but envisioning the game 40 years down the road it may be prominent.
Tom Edrington
Yes, we have a Top Golf here in Tampa, went about a month after it opened. Very expensive. I asked some college kids how much they paid for their pitcher of beer — $17 and it wasn’t a very big pitcher. Top Golf uses limited flight golf balls as well. The VP of Foresight contradicted himself big time and that’s what got my attention, they’re gonna triple the number of players yet very few in the future actually going to a golf course. A ton of mom and pop courses for sale, can’t remember the last time a new one opened in our area.