Golfers and clubs are increasingly turning to GPS-based solutions — from wrist watches and handhelds to full fleet-management systems built into golf buggies. What began as simple distance-measuring gadgets has evolved into course-wide platforms that improve pace-of-play, safety, player experience, and the club’s bottom line.
Below we take a look at market trends, the main benefits for players and operators, and a focused look at PACE GPS Fleet Management solution, supplied and supported by Golf Car UK.
Why GPS is booming in golf.
Three forces are driving rapid adoption:
1. Player demand for better data — modern golfers expect accurate yardages, hazard overlays, and shot/club analytics that help score and enjoyment. GPS devices and watches now provide far more than a single yardage.
2. Course operations want efficiency — GPS on carts gives staff real-time fleet tracking, zone enforcement, and the ability to manage traffic during peak times or events. This reduces staff time spent searching for carts or controlling play and enables targeted turf protection.
3. Data & monetisation opportunities — fleet GPS systems create a stream of course-level data (rounds, popular tee times, trouble spots) that can be used for marketing, dynamic tee pricing, sponsorship/screen advertising on displays, or improving the pace-of-play to fit more tee times without degrading customer experience.
Practical benefits for clubs / operations.
Pace-of-play management: real-time tracking lets staff detect slow groups and proactively assist or apply gentle prompts to speed play. That increases throughput without harming experience.
Fleet visibility & safety: know where every cart is, lock or disable carts if they go into restricted zones and respond faster to on-course incidents.
Course protection: geo-fencing and restricted zones prevent carts from damaging sensitive turf or work areas.
Revenue & guest engagement: on-screen messaging, sponsor ads, and pro-shop integration open new revenue streams and cross-sell opportunities.
PACE GPS fleet management — what it is and why clubs are choosing this?
PACE (Pace Technology™) is a GPS-based fleet and player-experience platform developed within the Textron/TFM family and offered through dealers such as Golf Car UK. It’s designed specifically for golf operations — not a generic vehicle tracker — so the UI, alerts, and analytics are golf-centric.
Key features:
Integrated, in-buggy touchscreen: high-contrast colour displays mounted in view of the golfer show hole maps, distances, and simple menus — providing a golfer-facing experience while the club retains back-end control.
Fleet tracking & geofencing: staff can monitor cart locations in real time, set no-go zones, and receive alerts for violations or stalled carts. This protects turf and speeds responses.
Pace-of-play tools: automated timers, notifications, and staff dashboards that flag slow groups so marshals can intervene constructively.
Back-end analytics: reporting on rounds, usage patterns, average hole times, and fleet utilisation that helps optimise staffing, course setup and tee-time scheduling. Several software partners integrate with PACE for tournament or tee-sheet workflows.
Hardware options: models span from text-only compact units to large 10-inch golfer-enhanced displays for advertising or richer content. This lets clubs choose cost vs. guest experience.
Golf Car UK positions PACE as a turnkey option for RXV buggies and promotes how the system improves both the golfer experience and operational control. Golf Car UK provide installation, support and dealer-level servicing in the UK.
Real-world uses & integrations
PACE has been used at resort courses and large day-fee operations to host large events and to coordinate maintenance during tournaments; the system’s analytics help plan logistics and turf protection. There are case studies and demos (including videos) showing clubs using PACE to streamline majors-scale operations down to everyday rounds.
Integrations exist with golf software (for example, Pace integrations with popular tournament/tee-sheet platforms), making it easier to sync round data and deliver player messaging from the pro shop.
Considerations before adopting PACE (or any fleet GPS).
Cost vs ROI: fleet GPS is an investment (hardware + subscription + install). Clubs should model ROI from increased throughput, fewer turf repairs, sponsor/ad revenue and improved guest retention. Market growth numbers suggest adoption is accelerating, but each club must run its own numbers.
Player experience: some members prefer a traditional, quiet round — consider options to disable golfer screens or choose text-only units for more conservative clubs.
Privacy & data governance: ensure the vendor’s data policies are acceptable — who owns round/location data and how long it’s retained. Ask vendors for their data/export and deletion policies.
Vendor support & upgrades: Golf Car UK provides UK installs and manages service firmware updates when necessary.
Bottom line.
GPS technology is no longer a niche convenience — it’s becoming an operational standard for modern golf clubs. Systems like PACE combine golfer-facing maps and yardages with deep fleet control and analytics, letting clubs improve pace-of-play, protect turf, reduce overhead, and create new revenue channels. For UK clubs, partnering with an experienced dealer like Golf Car UK simplifies installation and maintenance and provides local support as the system is rolled out across a fleet.
To learn more, contact our team on 0345 8055 494 or visit Pace Fleet Management. – Golf Car UK
