Voice Caddie, which has focused on golf rangefinders, is making sweeping moves to diversify its business. The company is boldly transforming itself to find new revenue models and leap into a comprehensive golf gear brand.
According to industry sources on Tuesday, Voice Caddie recently launched the "V Series" golf ball, which increases driving distance through ultra-low compression technology, as part of its "Distance Up Project." In February, the company introduced the "SS10," a swing stick for practice. Voice Caddie also plans to soon release a distance shaft in partnership with U.S.-based Newton Golf.
"While accumulating various distance-related data from golfers, we identified the elements needed for long drives," Voice Caddie CEO Kim Jun-oh said. "Beyond simply selling products, we wanted to help golfers find the thrill of long drives, so we launched the Distance Up Project, which extends from the swing practice device to the ultra-low compression golf ball and shaft."
The V Series golf ball, Voice Caddie's first ball product, has a compression of just 40. Compression refers to the firmness of the ball. Typical balls have a compression of 80 to 100. "Women, seniors and beginner golfers with slow swing speeds cannot transfer sufficient power to the ball," a Voice Caddie official said. "We developed a softer ball so they can hit farther with less power." The official added, "Months of testing confirmed that the ball rolls noticeably farther after landing."
The SS10, launched earlier this year, has sold out its entire production, and the company is considering additional production. The SS10 is a driver-only swing practice device that immediately provides information on swing speed and expected driving distance when swung. It has gained popularity as a self-practice tool because users can see numbers and receive immediate feedback, which helps create a sense of goal. In particular, the fact that it is much shorter than a driver, allowing practice regardless of space, is cited as a key to its popularity. "It is more popular with customers who want to play golf better than with customers who are just starting golf," a company official said. "Sales have exceeded our initial expectations, so we are considering additional production."
In the second half of this year, the company plans to release products in Korea in partnership with U.S. shaft maker Newton Golf. Newton Golf's shafts have been gaining popularity on the Champions Tour, which features players aged 50 and older on the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) circuit. Legendary veterans, including original long hitter John Daly of the U.S., Mark O'Meara of the U.S., Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, have chosen Newton Golf shafts as their "tour survival weapon." The shafts are characterized by the entire shaft—rather than a specific section—flexing smoothly, efficiently storing kinetic energy and releasing it all at once at the moment of impact.
"Voice Caddie has secured about 1.2 billion real shot data points through rangefinders and simulators," Kim said. "Data analysis led us to conclude that the 'distance wall' facing amateur golfers requires swing correction, along with balls and shafts that serve as high-efficiency engines to convert the golfer's energy into driving distance without loss." He added, "We will first focus on helping golfers find joy in golf through increased driving distance, and then plan the next step."
