TrackMan, NEXT Partner for Chance at DP World Tour

A few weeks ago, we announced that TrackMan is releasing the iO, a new system optimized for indoor golf performance. And while that may not have been headline grabbing in itself, many are overlooking how the TrackMan and the iO are poised for much greater things, including being the technology that, with the NEXT Golf Tour, is looking to help a few lucky golfers get an invite to compete DP World Tour and Challenge Tour events in 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For those whose familiarity with TrackMan is limited to it being the orange square seen on the range before every Tour event, it is, simply put, the golf standard for golf data acquisition. And since its founding in 2003, TrackMan has expanded its portfolio from the centerpiece launch monitor, of which there are more than 19,000 globally, to complementary products like the TrackMan Range, which is installed at more than 400 driving ranges across the world.

With these devices, TrackMan has collected more than 750 million shots, enabling golfers to improve or, more relevant here, test their skills at top-tier mapped golf courses, including the 2023 2023 Ryder Cup host-site, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And that brings us to the iO and TrackMan’s new commitment to offering a high quality digital and social experience to golfers around the world. To explain, while other golf simulators compromise on realism for the sake of a gaming experience, TrackMan believes the two are not mutually exclusive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And its commitment and ability to offer a realistic golfing experience hasn’t gone unnoticed. TrackMan is now in the second year of a partnership with NEXT Golf Tour, a virtual professional golfing league that offers competitors the chance to real big money—as much as $100,000—and, perhaps, something even more valuable: invites to three tournaments on the Challenge Tour and one tournament on the DP World Tour during the 2024 season.

For just $130, golfers can enter to compete in a NEXT Golf Tour tournament and compete on any TrackMan simulator around the world—provided it has the up-to-date software and the round is recorded so it can be uploaded to the NEXT Golf Tour app—during the 10-day event window.

And while season 2 of the NEXT Golf Tour has a lot to live up to, season 1 was incredibly promising—competitors entered from more than 41 different countries, with 93% of responding that they would repeat entering into a competition round.

But what I think is most valuable about the TrackMan-powered NEXT Golf Tour is the success stories, like Sofie Kibsgaard of Denmark. Like many aspiring professional golfers, Sofie—who had an incredibly successful NCAA career, including a runner-up finish in her final year at Oregon—struggled with how she would finance entering competitions, traveling, coaches, etc. But four birdies on the last five holes at Medinah CC to card a 5-under 67 to win Round 3 of the NEXT Golf Tour Powered by TrackMan. With it, Kibsgaard earned $19,351 for the first win of her professional career and became the first woman to win on the NEXT Golf Tour

With the winnings, Kibsgaard has been able to go all-in on her professional career. As of November 2024, she’s locked in three professional wins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen (@sofiekibsgaard)

And while everyone who enters a NEXT Golf Tour may not look to aspire to be a playing professional, it cannot be disputed that competition rounds (and the stress that comes with every shot) will help hone your skills and enhance your play for when the rounds that matter most to you, like your local club championship, come up. And even if your round doesn’t go like you dreamt, the top three Instagram posts from eligible players will earn $2,000 each.

Season 2 of the NEXT Golf Tour is scheduled to start this month, so make sure to keep your eyes on the Players Guide page here. And to make sure you know where you’ll be playing your round, use the TrackMan Locator here.

Cover Image via Trackman