Industry News

The TurfHound Inc. story

Following in legendary footsteps, pioneering advanced performance of the game

January 3, 2022

Brian Golden knows all too well how a strategically crafted business plan, executed on multiple levels with the support of many of the leading golf facilities in the United States, can transform an entire industry. Golden oversaw the game-changing launch of the company, Sofstpikes, Inc., as its first employee and is in the process of successfully using a variation of that model to great effect at TurfHound Inc., the pioneer and leader in premium dynamic synthetic golf tee systems.

With TurfHound coming off its biggest year ever since the Philadelphia area-based company was started in 2006 by golf aficionado Rick Reynolds, Golden's vision is paving the way to increased, superior ball-striking experiences for golfers at 750-plus golf facilities nationwide and another 100-plus at facilities around the world. And, much like the multi-prong positives that emerged when Softspikes virtually rid the game of harmful metal spikes and ushered in the vast benefits of plastic cleats, TurfHound is providing a needed boost to those in charge of the agronomic side of the game.

“Golf facilities encourage their members and guests to hit off of our tee surfaces because of the performance of our products," says Golden, a veteran of 40 years in the golf industry. "What's more, like Softspikes cleats, TurfHound is extremely good for the game because it allows turf managers to regrow grass on the range all the while knowing they have aesthetic pleasing systems that provide golfers the feel of hitting off real grass without any shock to hands and arms."

Golden is the first to admit that TurfHound has benefited from the increased popularity of golf over the past two years because of the Covid virus. Rounds are nearing record levels and, as he put it, "the golf industry is thriving." That good fortune is coupled with the proven strategy of forging relationships with top-tier clubs -- two-thirds of the top-ranked 100 courses in the country are utilizing TurfHound tee systems -- where golfers are using ranges more than ever before.

In fact, it was Reynolds, an avid golfer by avocation and a highly skilled carpenter, who grew frustrated by the continuous strip of worn-down carpet on the range at this club, and determined there was a better way to practice -- thus, he developed TurfHound's exclusive dual-density foam technology for the tee systems, providing each hitting station with an area that simulates fairway play and an adjacent area that looks and plays like the first cut of rough.

The TurfHound panel systems also promote maximum flexibility because panels can be rotated to extend the life of the panels. 

TurfHound Logo — 01052022

As was the strategic direction at Softspikes, Golden is proud of the many recognizable private golf clubs that are experiencing the many benefits associated with using TurfHound. One example is the famed Philadelphia Cricket Club, where TurfHound tee systems have been in place for nearly a decade at the club's sprawling practice area, which feature 40 hitting stations.

The professional staff at Philadelphia Cricket Club annually gives upwards of 5,500 lessons/clinic sessions to club members and their guests, with all seven of the stations used solely for instruction utilizing TurfHound hitting surfaces.

The acclaimed list of TurfHound customers also includes Aronimink Golf Club, Atlanta Athletic Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Bellerive Country Club, Congressional Country Club, Olympia Fields Country Club and Spyglass Hill Golf Club, as well as such premier resorts as Pebble Beach Golf Links and PGA National Resort & Spa, and leading public/municipal courses such as North Palm Beach Country Club in Florida.

"Ours is a premium product because of its technology and performance," Golden said. "Much like what we did at Softspikes, my goal has been to get TurfHound to the top facilities and have their influence trickle down. It's worked because as all types of facilities are recognizing the increasing importance of the range as a revenue-generator, they need a valuable tool, TurfHound, in their expanding toolbox.

"We've fulfilled a genuine need in the game, and the return on investment is key to the value that TurfHound hitting systems provide to the business of the game and its players. It's pretty cool to see how TurfHound is changing the game because it's good for players, the facility, and the turf. Just like Softspikes."

For more information, visit TurfHound.com and follow TurfHound on Instagram and Twitter and call Brian Golden at 301-529-7825.


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