On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Keith Scioli, Founder of GOLF LIVE. After the loss of a family member, Scioli developed a deep connection to the game of golf that led to the creation of an innovative solution for instructors and students alike.

In 2019, Scioli was getting ready to go play in a tournament and developed a case of “the shanks.” Naturally, on a Friday night, at a public driving range, there was not an instructor to be found. Then it hit him; “Why can’t I take a virtual golf lesson, now?”

Scioli researched “golf instruction” and discovered that 4 million golfers in the United States take an estimated 22 million in-person golf lessons each year. That data turned out to be the lightbulb moment for him and he began to map out his “virtual solution.”

Keith sent out 200 cold e-mails to PGA Members about his idea. Out of the 200 e-mails, Keith received two responses. One was from a PGA Instructor in Boston, Allan Belden. His comment? “I have no idea what you are really talking about, but it sounds interesting. If you want a guinea pig, here I am.”
COVID-19 hit, and the world of golf instruction shut down. After months, Scioli started getting e-mails from these same PGA pros that had ignored him, “Hey, did you ever build that internet instruction thing?” COVID proved Keith’s assumption was correct. Conducting live, remote golf lessons was no longer a crazy idea.

In time, GOLF LIVE took form to what it is today; a patented, global solution that has been recognized as a Top Tech Golf Startup to Watch in 2024.
· Live, Virtual Video Capture & Replay with Analysis
· Customized Multi-Tier Memberships
· Automatic Lesson Storage
· Video Exchange
· One-to-Many Live Stream Capability
· A Comprehensive Communication and Business Platform

Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a country club starting to use autonomous mowers, a resort that upgraded its food and beverage operations, and a golf course constructing a driving range with Power Tee boxes and Toptracer technology.

Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach, Del. has rolled out Husqvarna 550H Epos autonomous mowers for their golf course maintenance. The robotic mowers’ advanced GPS technology and sensors allow them to navigate the golf course with precision and ensure that every inch of the course is perfectly manicured. There are also environmental benefits: By using robotic mowers, the club will lower carbon emissions and reduce noise pollution. The mowers operate on electric power, offering an eco-friendly contribution to a greener future.

Fairfield (Tenn.) Glade Resort in March 2023 hired Bobby Jones Links to manage food and beverage operations. The goal was to improve financial performance and member engagement at Stonehenge Grille and four snack bars. After Bobby Jones Links took over, visitors and revenue increased at Stonehenge, and the member experience improved. “People recognize that the quality of food is better, and the menu offerings are better. It’s been a very positive impact,” says Bruce Cox, one of the board members at Fairfield Glade.

Windham Golf Course in North Windham, Conn. is reopening with a newly upgraded practice range that’s teched out on 16 bays with Power Tee automatic tee boxes, as well as Toptracer’s gamified technology. The golf course routing was modified to accommodate the new range, a process that lasted 20 months. “I’m hoping that with Power Tee, golfers go through the buckets quicker and then want to buy another one and also enjoy some of the new food and beverage offerings we’ve added,” says Tim DeVivo, the course’s owner.