Four CEOs from leading golf technology companies sit down at Open Forum to discuss the most pressing question in golf instruction: How is technology — especially AI — changing the way golfers practice, and what does that mean for golf coaches?
Keith (Golf Live) focuses on keeping coaches connected to students 24/7 through live streaming, video analysis, and business automation. Geir Fisher (OnForm) pushes for deliberate practice with seamless data capture across biomechanics and ball/club data. Baden Schaff (Skillest) introduces ShadowPro — an AI "digital twin" of your coach that provides structured practice guidance between lessons. Drew (Next Gear) brings a coaching perspective on how novice vs. elite golfers should use technology differently.
The panel converges on a powerful consensus: the future is "humans powered by AI." Coaches who embrace AI will scale their impact and separate from those who don't. But human connection — motivation, trust, making people feel good — remains irreplaceable. The discussion also covers practical challenges: how coaches should handle YouTube-educated students, building "walled gardens" for student retention, the fear of AI replacing coaches, and why objective data lets coaches have honest conversations without students feeling attacked.