Golfzon Aims To Ride New ‘Wave’ To Greater North American Golf Success

Golfzon is best known for its high-end simulators, most notably its immersive TwoVision technology that creates an ultra-real golf experience.

The only problem (for most golfers) is that system runs upward of $40,000. And yet those true-to-life simulators, found in restaurants, bars and, green grass facilities as well as homes, currently make up 92% of Golfzon America’s customer base. Until now.

The South Korean-based company has launched Wave, a small, portable, and dual-purpose simulator that combines a launch monitor with a golf simulator experience. The retail price is $3,999, not including the tiered subscriptions to add over 140 golf courses beyond the three that come with the system out of the box. The Old Course at St Andrews (Scotland), Bethpage Black (New York), and Harbour Town Golf Links (South Carolina) are among those a user can tack on.

It’s hoped Wave will be a game-changer for Golfzon in North America, with the company blending more than two decades of technology and innovation into one small package.

“We saw a great opportunity to take the simulator technology that we’ve perfected over the past twenty years and infuse it into an attainable package for all golfers,” said Golfzon America CEO Tommy Lim. “Wave is designed to be the ultimate companion, whether golfers are looking to practice and grind on the driving range or enjoy hours of entertainment at home with friends and family.”

The versatility and portability of Wave allows it to be used indoors or outdoors – whether that’s in a basement, garage, sports bar, clubhouse, etc. or on the driving range and even the course itself.

It tracks 34 ball and club data parameters, all of which can be collected, stored and displayed on the user’s mobile device with the Wave Skills app. The unit also allows users to capture swing videos for analysis or sharing with a coach.

When it comes to Golfzon’s flagship TwoVision product, the short game and putting capabilities are a differentiator. That extends to Wave as well, as the new product comes with a putting mat that has precision infrared technology and allows a level of realism other competitors don’t, or can’t.

“It’s a simulator you can use tee to green,” Golfzon Chief Revenue Officer John O’Malley said during a recent demonstration of the new system.

“And it’s accessible in price point,” he added. “Our mission is to bring golf to everybody, anytime, anywhere, no matter your skill level. This is for those who want to have family fun, at home in their basement, up to those who want to have competitive play.”

Golfzon is massive in South Korea, doing more than 87 million 18-hole rounds at its commercial simulator locations. That count doesn’t include the U.S., where customers at the company’s different facilities – Golfzon Social, ZSTRICT and Golfzon Range by Leadbetter – are more likely to pay for bay time by the hour.

The Golfzon brand is diverse back in South Korea beyond the booming simulator market. The company is the largest golf retailer in South Korea, owns and operates 19 golf courses that do 95,000 rounds annually on average, and runs professional simulator golf tournaments that are broadcast on television. Golfzon also has a sister company that makes GolfBuddy rangefinders.

Wave is Golfzon’s effort to diversify in the U.S. and better fit the needs of the North American golf market. Gamification is a part of that, as up to six players can use Wave at once, or multiple networks are able to play wirelessly with friends and family – anywhere and anytime.