The game of golf has been around for hundreds of years, and in the US is played or participated in by 106 million people, according to the National Golf Foundation. With a record number of 3.2 million people playing on a golf course for the first time in 2021 and the rise of venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack, the future of golf appears to be bright.

Innovations such as Topgolf and Drive Shack have become fan favorites and drive interest in the sport from outside the course. The concepts bring the classic driving range and infuse it with gamification, food, and drink to make an experience for the whole family to enjoy, opening the door and removing barriers for the next generation of golfers.

Is it a coincidence that Topgolf and Drive Shack are headquartered in Dallas, just down the road from the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas? I think not. The golf community is coming together to drive the game's future, and Texas is to be the launchpad.

As developments like Topgolf are unfolding before our eyes, what other innovations in golf are lurking below the surface?

What’s Next for Golf?

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, Elysian Park Ventures and the PGA of America announced their new investment partnership, EP Golf Ventures, LLC. The investment partnership is designed to support innovation in the golf industry by leveraging the portfolio of Elysian Park Ventures, the private investment arm of the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group, and the resources of the PGA of America and its nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals.

"Golf is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, and there is an enormous opportunity to innovate, improve and extend the reach of the game on and beyond the course," said Jay Adya, Elysian Park Ventures Managing Director. "EP Golf Ventures combines the golf industry expertise of the PGA of America with the institutional knowledge of our team at Elysian Park. Together, we believe EP Golf Ventures and the strategic investments we make will have a positive, prolonged impact on the game of golf and create real value for stakeholders."

EP Golf Ventures’ Investments

EP Golf Ventures, LLC will invest in areas that drive value across the $84+ billion golf industry by focusing on elevating coaching and training, health (wellness and performance science), hospitality, facility management, retail, and agriculture.

In fulfilling its mission, the fund's first two investments have already been made; SportsBox AI and Dryvebox.

Sportsbox AI is an AI-powered technology company that develops coaching applications through markerless 3D motion capture, a technology that will drive golf coaching into the future. Sportsbox AI offers a free version for both students and coaches, so if you are looking for a way to leverage technology to work on your stroke, be sure to check them out.

Dryvebox is a mobile golf simulator that offers lessons, practice sessions, virtual golf, and private events built to increase golf access to all. Though currently only available in California, South Carolina, and Utah, EP Golf Ventures’ investment in the company will surely fuel expansion to bring a Dryvebox to a community near you.

These initial investments are promising as expanding access to facilities and coaching are the first step in turning a golfers connection into a passion for the craft.

This timely announcement by Elysian Park Ventures and the PGA of America comes when golf participation is on the rise, setting the stage for the historic game of golf to be catapulted into the future.

What will be the next big thing in golf?