Written by: Emily Joswiak • April 4, 2025• golf

5 Pieces of Tech That Improve Golf Course Maintenance

If you’re a golf course superintendent, you should learn how tools like robot mowers, drones, GPS devices, and more are refining course maintenance.

The inside of a golf cart that has a GPS map of the golf course grounds installed on the roof's frame.

Keeping a golf course in pristine condition is no small feat. It takes meticulous care, constant communication, and the right tools to keep every fairway, green, and bunker in top shape. Luckily, technology is stepping up to make life easier for golf course superintendents like you. Here are five pieces of tech that improve golf course maintenance.

Robot Mowers

Mowing is one of the most tedious, recurring tasks for course maintenance crews. Robot mowers, however, never get tired of the job. These autonomous mowers take over this large job, freeing up your team to do more precise and interesting work.

Not only do these mowers save time, but they also reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions. You’ll love getting to sit back and watch them do all the work while you focus on other priorities.

Two-Way Radios

While it’s not the flashiest piece of tech, the two-way radio is a valuable tool for golf course crews. Greens can be quite expansive, and you need to communicate with your team wherever they are. Radios enable this communication so you can always coordinate to clear, repair, and tend to the grounds.

When buying radios, familiarize yourself with the basic features so you know what to prioritize. For instance, learning about portable radio antennas will help you identify high-quality, reliable radios. Likewise, you should consider fancier features, such as GSP technology to know exactly where each crew member is at all times.

Drones

Don’t you wish you could get to see your whole course at a glance? You can with drones. These devices fly up and send real-time video feed to you. This helps you observe turf health, identify drainage issues, monitor wildlife, and more.

Basically, a drone can be your ultimate course scout. In fact, it can also spray your greens with fertilizer or pesticides if you need a fast, efficient way to get these tasks done!

Sensors for Irrigation

Water is precious (and expensive), which is why sensors are so helpful for golf course irrigation. Soil moisture sensors placed around the course let you know exactly where water is and isn’t needed. In doing so, these sensors prevent over- and under-irrigation, which leads to healthier turf and lower utility bills.

GPS Devices

Precision matters on the course, and GPS tech is giving superintendents pinpoint accuracy for equipment tracking, mowing patterns, and fertilization. With GPS-enabled devices, you can use every single one of your resources most effectively.

For example, some GPS systems integrate with your irrigation database, helping you map out water usage with incredible detail. Plus, GPS tech can track your vehicles and equipment to make sure you never lose sight of the course’s assets.

Tech Is Changing the Game

From mowers that never need a break to drones that scout courses from above, there are many pieces of tech that improve golf course maintenance for modern superintendents.

It’s all about working smarter, not harder. Which of these tools do you rely on or want the most?

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