Golf Genius Acquires SwingU Golf App
Golf Genius announced today that it has acquired Swing by Swing Golf, Inc., owner of the SwingU golf GPS and scorecard app and the SwingU Coach performance data platform. SwingU is one of the leading GPS apps used by golfers, and provides worldwide GPS course maps and scorecards, shot tracking, club recommendations, “strokes gained” statistics, wind speed, elevation, “plays like” distances, and SwingU TV, an instruction and training video library to help golfers quickly improve. Swing by Swing also operates SwingU Coach, an easy-to-use “strokes gained” statistics platform used by golf coaches to help guide game improvement efforts with their students.
SwingU will continue to operate under Golf Genius as a high value brand and will be marketed along with the Golfshot app acquired by Golf Genius earlier this year. SwingU adds to the growing Golf Genius portfolio of consumer brands, which include, in addition to Golfshot and now SwingU, Twilight Golf, Waggle and Golf Genius Trip Manager. Golf Genius is best known for providing cloud-hosted software products and related services directly to golf facilities and golf associations around the world. The company’s strategy has evolved to include offering a portfolio of category-leading brands marketed directly to golfers and golf coaches. With Golfshot and SwingU, Golf Genius will have the largest customer base of paid subscribers among all suppliers of golf GPS apps.
According to Mike Zisman, Co-CEO of Golf Genius: “Our tournament management solutions are now in use by well-over 10,000 golf facilities in more than 60 countries, and Golf Genius has become a familiar and respected brand for millions of golfers who have played in millions of Golf Genius-managed events. We are capitalizing on this brand equity to build interest and drive adoption for apps like SwingU and Golfshot in the direct-to-consumer channel. Both products are recognized leaders, are highly differentiated, and will be marketed independently. Ben Addoms, former CEO of Golfshot parent Shotzoom and now a senior Golf Genius executive, will lead both business units.”
Charles Cox, CEO of Swing by Swing Golf, commented, “There are more than a half dozen firms competing in the golf GPS app market, and consolidation is inevitable. Golf Genius has built a very strong position in the B2B golf software market with excellent products and a reputation for providing exceptional customer support. We have considered several merger options and are confident Golf Genius is the right firm to lead the consolidation of this market. Our team has been acquainted with Golf Genius for many years, and we believe that their culture aligns well with SwingU. Golf Genius will be a great home for our employees, and our customers will be well-served by Golf Genius’ commitment to delivering and supporting superb software products.”
