Tim SchmittGolfweek
Sept. 1, 2026, 12:30 p.m. ET
- Myrtle Beach will host the first eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge in October to showcase new innovations in golf.
- Seven startup companies have been selected to present technologies ranging from AI-powered club fitting to autonomous course cameras.
- The event is a collaboration between eMYRge, Play Golf Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University, and Golfweek.
- Organizers aim to connect entrepreneurs with investors and industry leaders to foster business growth in golf technology.
Myrtle Beach has long leaned into its nickname as the “Golf Capital of the World,” attracting millions of golfers each year with its unrivaled collection of courses and golf-centric culture. In October, the South Carolina destination will take another step toward shaping the future of the game by hosting the inaugural eMYRge Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge, a first-of-its-kind event designed to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, students and media to spotlight the next wave of innovation in golf.
The three-day event, scheduled for Oct. 6-8 at the HTC Aspire Hub in downtown Myrtle Beach, is a collaboration among eMYRge, Play Golf Myrtle Beach, Coastal Carolina University and Golfweek, part of the USA Today Network.. Supported through a Relentless Challenge grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and economic development while positioning Myrtle Beach as a hub for golf technology and business innovation.
Organizers announced this week the first seven companies selected from a national applicant pool to participate in the inaugural accelerator. The cohort reflects the broad spectrum of innovation reshaping the golf industry, from club fitting and content creation to golf-course operations, tee-time management and consumer engagement.
Golfweek will serve as the event’s production and media partner, providing national coverage. David Dusek, our longtime senior writer covering equipment and technology, will report live from the event.
Among the selected startups is Groove Golf, whose technology uses Apple Watch and iPhone software to deliver tour-level club fittings in just a handful of swings, eliminating the need for launch monitors or dedicated fitting bays. Coursecast brings autonomous, solar-powered AI cameras directly onto golf courses, creating broadcast-quality video and shot data for everyday golfers. Smash Swing is reimagining the indoor golf experience with a multiplayer gaming platform that transforms simulators and driving ranges into immersive entertainment venues.
The inaugural class also includes CourseRev.ai, an AI-powered revenue platform designed to optimize course bookings and increase profitability through autonomous voice and chat technology; Clubhaus, which unifies tee times, food-and-beverage ordering, loyalty programs and payments into a single golfer profile; Golf District, a prepaid tee-time marketplace that allows golfers to resell unused reservations while helping courses reduce no-shows; and Leaderboard Golf, a USGA-connected platform that manages games, wagers, handicaps and player statistics through AI-powered insights.
Additional participants could be announced prior to the event.
The accelerator challenge is designed to do more than showcase startups. Organizers envision an immersive environment where entrepreneurs can engage directly with investors, golf-course operators, tourism leaders and established industry executives. The event will feature mentorship opportunities, industry discussions, networking sessions and investor introductions before culminating in a pitch showcase highlighting technologies and business models that could influence golf’s next decade.
Play Golf Myrtle Beach and Golf Tourism Solutions are helping connect participants with one of the nation’s most active golf ecosystems. For Myrtle Beach, the event represents an opportunity to leverage its status as a golf destination while becoming a proving ground for new technologies and ideas.
“There is no better place to showcase the future of golf than the Golf Capital of the World, where these companies can put their technology in front of the courses and operators who deliver the golf experience every day,” said Ryan Cannon, executive director of Golf Tourism Solutions. “This inaugural cohort brings real momentum to GTAC, and we’re proud to help connect these innovators to our region’s golf ecosystem in ways that strengthen both the industry and our local economy.”
Coastal Carolina University will play a significant role in the event, providing students access to emerging companies and industry leaders through networking and hands-on learning opportunities.
“This collaboration reflects Coastal Carolina University’s commitment to preparing students for the industries shaping our future,” said university president James J. Winebrake. “By engaging with entrepreneurs and innovators through the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge, our students gain firsthand exposure to the emerging technologies and professional networks that drive innovation in our region and beyond.”
While the event itself is invitation-only, its impact is intended to reach far beyond Myrtle Beach. By bringing together emerging companies, investors and industry stakeholders in one place, organizers hope the Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge becomes a launching pad for ideas that will influence how the game is played, managed and experienced for years to come.
