Inside the PGA Show: The Future of Golf Technology, AI & Equipment

·42 min·2 clips

Unicorn’s software can analyze a simple swing video and teach a golf lesson on a computer.

1. BirDie Golf Club Podcast turns to the PGA Show and golf technology, equipment, AI, health, and apparel. 2. Host BirDie speaks with Daniel Fitzpatrick of Playbetter Golf, who says he has attended the PGA Show 15 times and worked across PGM student, assistant professional, exhibitor, and retail roles. 3. The episode asks what the PGA Show says about where golf is heading, especially for 2026 and beyond. 4. Daniel says Playbetter started with rangefinders and expanded as consumer launch monitors became more available and more affordable. 5. He says the consumer launch-monitor market grew from “three or four main players” to “15 or 20” competitors in about five years. 6. He describes the PGA Show as the “Disney world of golf” and says it runs for three days because one day is not enough. 7. Daniel says he usually heads first to the equipment test center and driving range area to test products before the week gets busy. 8. He says Demo Day at Orange County National uses a 360-degree driving range and includes club companies, tech companies, cart companies, push carts, and energy drinks. 9. He says the outdoor range matters because some products need real driving-range testing, while the show floor often uses simulator setups. 10. Daniel says golf clubs did not show anything “earth shattering,” but he liked changes from Callaway and the new Titleist SM11 wedges. 11. He says the Titleist wedges look “more rugged” than the SM10s and fit lower-launching, higher-spinning wedge shots. 12. Daniel says he expects more 3D printing and modular designs, pointing to new Cobra putters and his own Runner putter as examples. 13. He says AI was one of the biggest themes, especially in coaching and launch-monitor software. 14. He says Unicorn’s software can take a simple swing video, analyze the full swing, and teach a lesson on a computer. 15. He says FlightScope is adding AI to smart gapping and virtual-caddie features that use rangefinder options and practice data together. 16. He says AI could help teaching professionals and club fitters become more efficient by filtering out unnecessary shafts or club heads during a fitting. 17. Daniel says the launch-monitor area saw more new products than in the last couple of years, including first-time entries from established brands. 18. He says the Shot Scope LM1 drew a line of people, and the Square Omni stood out because it offers face impact location, D-plane club data, a camera system, a built-in display, and no required subscription. 19. Daniel says the show’s tone is practical and gear-focused, with clear retail perspective and repeated discussion of how products affect real golfers. 20. Listeners who follow golf tech, launch monitors, and equipment releases will get the most from this episode. 21. Listeners who want pure instruction theory or tournament chat may skip it.

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