Sydney-based indoor golf club GolfSpace and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have teamed up to kick off new research to increase the accessibility of golf.
UTS’s Human Performance Research Centre and GolfSpace will explore methods for how golf is practiced, learned and played, including exploring the role of artificial intelligence.
“Golf is an iconic sport and a fantastic game to play with great potential to increase the volume of players and extend the participation of new and existing enthusiasts. We know there are many out there who want to take their game to the next level, while others find it difficult to get into the sport altogether, especially because it can be technically challenging,” GolfSpace founder Dean Dewhirst said.
“We see significant opportunity to bring a lot more players into the game through innovation in coaching to make it a lot more accessible.”
Additionally, the research will also look at to bridge the gap between simulated and real-world golf, ensuring that indoor practice translates seamlessly to outdoor play.
“Recent technical advancements have opened up new ways to assess golfing performance, however, this is only just the beginning,” UTS Human Performance Research Centre director Aaron Coutts said.
“Our research will delve into new areas, providing invaluable evidence-informed insights into factors that underpin golf performance, including biomechanics, skill optimisation and player development.
“This collaboration with GolfSpace will lead to new ways of training that are both scientifically validated and practically effective. In turn, we foresee this enabling a significant change in the way any golfer approaches their game, giving players more tools than they have ever had before to improve their performance.”
The first phase of the research has begun, with the research as a whole expected to take place over the next four years. The research will be made up of multiple programs, with each expected to take up to nine months to complete.
“We’re not just enhancing how people play golf – we’re transforming the science of golf itself. And that can only mean good things when it comes to growing the sport domestically. We’d love to help unearth the next stars to follow in the footsteps of Adam Scott, Jason Day and Hannah Green,” Dewhirst said.
According to GolfSpace, its seen its membership base surge by over 300 per cent since January 2024. The company is also currently conducting a capital raising to support the expansion of its flagship Sydney venue in Alexandria and plans to open a new venue, GolfSpace Black, in Sydney CBD, by 2025.