If you golf, you might head to the local course on a nice day, especially if it’s the weekend. The problem with your plan is that every other golfer had the same idea. Before you know it, you are waiting in line while the group ahead of you meanders across the hole. This is what encouraged David Vanslette to found FairwayIQ.
By using a system of smart tags, FairwayIQ is able to make course operators and maintenance staff more efficient. Think of the system like air traffic control for the links. Tagging golfers, caddies, carts, flagsticks, maintenance equipment, and staff allows the operator to see an overhead view of what is going on in real time. This data is then stored to help identify what areas are in need of improvement.
With all this information, operators can keep groups moving at a better pace. Is a group moving too slow? The operator is able to notify them. Are gaps forming consistently between groups? Use the data to create a better pace.
Golfers can use the tags too. By designing the tags with small screens, they can keep track of their distance to the pin and an estimated time to complete the round.
“We are really all about improving the experience for the players,” Vanslette told GeekWire. Both course operators and golfers can use the app to be notified before something becomes an issue. Additionally, private clubs could use it to send relevant, personalized information to its members.
While its tech is proving useful on the golf course, there are many possibilities outside of that, Vanslette said.
“We haven’t quite decided which industry to go after next, but you can imagine similar logistics problems solved through location data and predictive analytics,” said Vanslette. “They exist everywhere — airport tarmacs, ski slopes, big live events, etc.”
Traffic jams are a terrible side effect of crowded places. By adapting FairwayIQ for other situations, they can all get a little more efficient.
