TeeBoxTips uses drones, mobile apps to provide course info to golfers

Golfers around the state are alway seeking an advantage on the greens, and a company out of Searcy is in the process of making this more digitally accessible.

Think Idea Studio introduced in October its TeeBoxTips at the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce annual Chairman’s Memorial Golf Tournament in Searcy. The idea was introduced in partnership with The Course at River Oaks.

The new digital project is a innovative way of introducing tips for various golf courses around the country. The project uses drone equipment with web technology to help golfers gain an edge.

Todd Jones with Talk Business & Politics sent a few questions to the team at Think Idea Studio about the new project.

TB&P: Who is involved in the project and how did you come up with the idea?

Think Idea Studio: The idea for TeeBoxTips came about as the result of a client request. River Oaks Golf Course owner Jim House expressed an interest in our agency shooting video footage of the course.

To go beyond the original task, our brainstorm session resulted in the creation of TeeBoxTips. The platform combines the use of our drone equipment with mobile web development. The result is a useful marketing tool for golf courses, which also offers a great benefit to golfers as they can see the layout of each hole by viewing aerial footage before they tee off.

TB&P: What problem are you trying to solve?

Think Idea Studio: TeeBoxTips reaches a new generation of players with the mobile technology they use all the time. By offering this platform, golf courses can reach and engage a younger audience with the intent of increasing membership and filling tee times. Also, TeeBoxTips can be linked to the course’s social media platforms, website and other mediums.

In addition to showing aerial footage, the app will also give weather conditions, tee-off distances, hazard locations and topographical layouts of each hole. The information will help players plan their approach throughout the course, resulting in lower scores.

TB&P: What platforms are you using? Web? Mobile? Other technologies?

Think Idea Studio: The responsive website www.TeeBoxTips.com is live with the primary purpose of being viewed from a smartphone. We are in the process of developing an app for IOS and Android devices, which will include additional features.

TB&P: What are your future goals?

Think Idea Studio: We hope to sign on golf courses throughout Arkansas and neighboring states. With the positive adoption and participation of the app, we plan to seek out development partners that may purchase the rights to launch the platform exclusively within regions of the country. Then, we will offer support with marketing, equipment and training. Of course, we would love to see the app used by courses nationwide, that’s the ultimate goal.

TB&P: Have you received validation from users/customers?

Think Idea Studio: Initial responses have been overwhelmingly positive, and we are already receiving feedback for additional feature recommendations. Like any software or app, we expect to make improvements along the way and offer periodic updates. We want to keep the fundamental functions and interface simple and easy to use.