Applying a Tech Startup Mindset To Innovate Golf Club Design - Brad Schweigert, PXG Chief Product Officer

"Bob Parsons had a real passion for challenging the status quo. We talked about how product was currently being designed, manufactured, distributed and marketed and believed that by doing things differently, we could figure out how to create a place in the market." Mike Nicolette - who at that time worked for me at Ping - met Bob Parsons by chance playing nine holes of golf on a Friday afternoon. They had a good time and traded numbers afterwards and Bob would then call Mike all the time asking questions about golf equipment. Fast forward two years later, Bob had divested from GoDaddy and had an idea that he wanted to do something to change the golf industry. Mike tried to talk Bob out of it because at that time in 2013 the golf industry had been flat and down for more than a decade. Bob told him to think about it and then Mike started to discuss the venture with me. At first I wasn't interested as Ping had been very good to me and I believed that I would retire there. We want to thank our Episode Presenting Partner Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019! Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience? Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com . PXG is active on Instagram where you can see their staff pros, clubs, equipment and apparel in action. Click on the image below to watch Colin's unboxing of PXG irons and hybrid that arrived after his club fitting experience on The ModGolf Youtube Channel ! We'll be posting the full PXG fitting experience video at Haus of Golf in Vancouver very soon. "I decided to go talk with Bob and after leaving that meeting I knew what I was going to do. It felt that if I said no that I would regret it for the rest of my life. It would be so hard to move on knowing that I passed up on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a huge decision and a lot of people thought that I was crazy to leave Ping but I felt that I had to give it a go." Episode Chapters [01:50] Brad's first golf experience and who introduced him to the game [03:00] How Brad's education as a Mechanical Engineer led him to a career in golf club design [05:00] The creation of PXG and how Bob Parsons incentivized both Mike Nicolette and Brad to leave Ping to join his quest to make the world's best golf clubs. [09:30] The culture Bob created around PXG by giving Brad and Mike an open budget and schedule to design and create great golf clubs. [14:00] Brad discusses their iterative design process, rapid prototyping and mistakes made that lead to material and design breakthroughs. [16:30] Colin and Brad take a deep dive into material elasticity and how that informs club impact, energy transfer and forgiveness. [20:40] The different club lines that span the spectrum of 14 handicappers like Colin to PXG staff pros like Christina Kim (who was our guest on the previous episode!) [24:00] We learn how Bob Parsons' experience as a rifleman in the Marine Corps has influence the club numbering at PXG. [26:00] The culture at PXG that combines passion, fun and the entrepreneurial spirit. [28:00] PXG's core philosophy and vision as they expand their product lines. [30:30] The future for PXG and where they look to be in 10 years time as they expand their distrubution centers and fitting partners. [33:00] Some of the PXG designs that didn't work out and what they learned from them. You can also learn more about Brad on his bio page . Want to check out the PXG clubs and fitting experience we talked about in this podcast episode? Have a look at their website to learn more. Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear! As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building. I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests. I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf. Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin Special Guest: Brad Schweigert - Chief Product Officer at PXG Parsons Xtreme Golf.