Equipment

Tagmarshal: A GPS system that can curb slow play

Published

13 years ago

Aug 30, 2013

Pace of play has become one of the biggest issues in the golf industry today. Many golfers just don’t have an extra four to six hours in their schedule to spend on the course, which not only hurts participation but course revenues as well.

One emerging solution is Tagmarshal, a computer-based GPS system that tracks the pace of any group on the course. Developed in South Africa, the field management system will be made available to courses in the United States by the end of September.

It is currently being used at many of South Africa’s top courses including Westlake, Mowbray and The Wanderers, and works one of two ways:

A matchbox-sized tracking device is clipped on to one of the carts/bags in each foursome. The device signals back to the managing computer or tablet in the golf shop, starters desk or on-course ranger the position and pace of each foursome.
One or more members of the foursome downloads the free Tagmarshal app for iPhone or Android. The app then taps into the location services of the device and signals to the managing computer or tablet the position of the group.

In addition to the pace-of-play alert system, the Tagmarshal app also includes a rangefinder, live scoring and leaderboard, as well as the ability to communicate with the halfway house and pro shop. Future versions of the app will include innovative ways to make tracking and improving pace of play more social for participating clubs and golfers.

Similar versions of GPS tracking of groups have existed for many years on golf carts, but they have always been limited to just groups with carts. Tagmarshal is the first system that can help management track all groups on the course, including those that are walking.

The system also learns the unique pace of each course where it is implemented. It will send alerts to the golf shop, starter or ranger if a group is behind pace, allowing management to quickly and effectively diffuse any situations that arise. It gives management concrete data to show the offending group, preventing any disputes about pace from the group.

If your course is looking for a way to attract more members and corporate events, a faster pace of play can be a great attraction for many golfers. The rumor of a fast pace of play will spread around the area very quickly, and give your course a great reputation and a greater number of rounds.

Want to create more successful events? Imagine a scramble where each group uses the live scoring feature, and can see their current standing hole-by-hole!

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Grant Shafranski

Grant Shafranski is the Program Director for the First Tee of Minneapolis and Head Teaching Professional at Hiawatha Golf Club in Minneapolis, MN. He is a Level 2 PGA Apprentice following a successful amateur career where he played collegiately at Division III University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN).

20 Comments

Trevor

Nov 7, 2013 at 5:50 pm

I see the word “social” in the article and that scares the crap out of me. Please dear god leave golf OUT OF ANYTHING ‘social’ media related. Just what we don’t need is people having the ability to do anything that distracts them from the immediate game at hand.

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J W

Sep 17, 2013 at 4:16 pm

Devices like this have much potential in reducing the slow play that affects every course. Marshalls seldom have the backing they need to enforce the pace of play rule, at my home course when a marshall speaks to a group because theyre playing from the back tees and holding everyone up, they complain at the pro shop and whammo, the marshall gets fired…… Whats up with that BS?

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mike

Sep 11, 2013 at 6:38 pm

love the idea but not holding my breath. wish I knew the solution. 5 hour rounds are bad and 6 hour rounds just can’t be tolerated yet they happen. we all love the game so we complain but just keep playing @ places where this is allowed. wake up!

Reply Report comment
toby

Sep 1, 2013 at 7:44 am

if this system gives me a quick round without the usual frustration I am 100% in favor! Bring it on!

Reply Report comment
bigdaddy

Sep 1, 2013 at 2:11 am

Not carrying it on my bag and not on my phone, this is already being done at some courses i play and its already on the cart with a big screen tellin you your distances pace of play a d scorecard. Little late to the party…

Reply Report comment
- Miro
  
  Sep 1, 2013 at 7:57 am
  
  I play at three courses that are not cart based. Very keen to see it there!
  
  Reply Report comment
STFU

Aug 31, 2013 at 1:06 pm

Who says pace of play is an issue? It ain’t for me. I look forward to my time on the course, out in the nature, with the friends and family. Now big brother wants to invade my space? How about I smash this little plastic piece of $hit and call it an errant golf ball? Are u kidding me? Look , here’s the facts kids. The golf industry ain’t never gonna produce the returns that it used to. Period. Accept it and move on. As someone said, you want to pack the courses with players…..its gonna slow things down. You wanna speed things up, space out times, have the Marshall make his presence known but not so much that he’ll be annoying.

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Deaus7

Aug 31, 2013 at 12:17 pm

Why not just implant RFID chips? Waste of time and money. I wouldnt wear that crap so a marshal can track my progress on the course.

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Jim

Aug 31, 2013 at 4:12 am

pace of play is a serious issue, but… If a course gives me one of these and they just let out a fivesome 8 minutes before my twosome, with a scheduled tee time, I’m going to put that thing on a tee instead of a ball.

Is it that hard for courses to put some sort of a censor working as a sort of checkpoint for golfers and if someone is lagging behind a marshal will specifically know who and by how much and go resolve the problem, professionally of course.

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- kevin
  
  Sep 1, 2013 at 12:34 am
  
  Don’t think a twosome have any rights unless it’s a slow day for the course. Twosome should always be paired up with one other or two before starting unless the course is not packed. Its very unfair when a foursome is playing and having their rounds interrupted by letting twosomes pass through all day.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Melville
  
  Sep 1, 2013 at 3:45 pm
  
  at least you will be able to find the tracker once you hit it off the tee!
  
  sounds to me like this is what the system does though. notify marshals who is off the pace. No place to hide for slow players! Sounds good to me
  
  Reply Report comment
Po

Aug 31, 2013 at 3:17 am

What a useless and pointless piece of equipment this is.

Reply Report comment
Jeff

Aug 31, 2013 at 2:32 am

So what if my playing partners and I do not bring our cellphones to the course? I know for one that I’m not letting my phone battery die to use this app (tracking device) and in all honesty I leave my phone in my car because the whole point of golf is to get away from that nuisance for a little while. I figure the answer would be, “I’m sorry sir, you are not allowed to play at our esteemed course without it.” Which would be absolute garbage and possibly drive people away. Just my 2 cents.

Reply Report comment
- Craig (Tagmarshal)
  
  Sep 1, 2013 at 1:35 am
  
  Jeff, good observation. If you don’t have a cellphone or hate the distraction of carrying it, you (or one of the members in your playing group) would be issued a small tag to clip to your bag. A win win for both parties. You are free to enjoy the great outdoors whilst course management maintain a healthy pace as painlessly as possible.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mark

Aug 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm

Too bad it’s not always the golfer. The greedy golf courses that pack too many tee time and allow 5-somes. You’re not gonna play in 3 hours if you step in the tee and there is a group on every tee box, fairway, and green from 1 to 18 already.

Reply Report comment
- Steve (Tagmarshal)
  
  Aug 30, 2013 at 1:46 pm
  
  Good point Mark. Improving golfers’ experience is also a big goal of ours and so we could notify clubs if the system detected that they were overloading their field.
  
  We could also look into sharing info with interested golfers on their course’s stats: making it a two way process might be an interesting way to encourage both golfers and courses to curb slow play.
  
  Reply Report comment
- yo!
  
  Aug 30, 2013 at 1:58 pm
  
  I don’t go back to those golf courses.
  
  Reply Report comment
AJ Jensen

Aug 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Just combine this thing with a shock collar and you’ll have an invention that would benefit mankind for generations

Reply Report comment
- Julian
  
  Aug 30, 2013 at 1:24 pm
  
  And a way to count strokes… so it would shock you when you are lining up a 3 footer for a 12.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Steve (Tagmarshal)
    
    Aug 30, 2013 at 1:59 pm
    
    I’ll propose it to the team for v2.0. We could make the 3rd shock deadly – 3 strikes and you’re out – a great way to thin out the field.
    
    These comments are my own, and do not necessarily represent the official position of Tagmarshal.
    
    Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.

Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules