The R&A takes full ownership of golf tech firm DotGolf
What's the deal? The R&ADealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has acquired the remaining 50% stake in DotGolfDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → from Golf New Zealand, taking full ownership of the golf technology business. It first bought a 50% interest in August 2023. Terms were not disclosed.
What does DotGolf do? The company builds technology for national golf federations, aiming to make the game more accessible and sustainable. It employs 55 people and will continue as a standalone business with its own leadership, governance, and operations.
Why now? Since The R&A's 2023 investment, DotGolf has expanded internationally and added multi-language capability. It now serves 21 national federation customers and supports over 2.5 million golfers.
What's the endgame? Full ownership lets The R&A invest further in DotGolf's technology. "The R&A's purpose is to open golf to the world and we are committed to making long-term investments in technology, data and digital capability," said chief executive Mark Darbon.
What changes? Golf New Zealand, which founded DotGolf in 1999, stays on as a customer. "We are enormously proud of the achievements of Dean Murphy, Matt Smith and the team at DotGolf for taking a Kiwi tech company successfully onto the world stage," said its CEO, Jeff Latch.
The signal: A governing body absorbing its own technology supplier reflects how central data and digital tools have become to running the sport. By owning the platform outright, The R&A gains direct control over the infrastructure federations increasingly rely on to grow participation.
Read more: Asian Golf Industry Federation
