The Playbook | Issue No. 9
FlingGolf isn’t replacing golf; it’s reshaping it. With just one stick and a fresh mindset, it builds strategy, confidence, and skill faster than most lessons.
What traditionalists call a threat, I see as a bridge to a future with smarter players and more welcoming courses.
“FlingGolf isn’t killing golf…it’s exposing how stale the industry’s gatekeepers have become.”
The Playbook | Editor’s Note
FlingGolf
"This isn’t real golf."
If you’ve spent any time in the golf industry, you’ve probably heard this sentiment before, often in response to new formats, training tools, or alternative approaches.
I hear it a lot myself, especially on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Ever since I picked up a FlingStick and started playing FlingGolf by New Swarm, I’ve been told it’s not the same game, that it doesn’t belong, and that it’s somehow a threat to the traditions of golf.
But here’s the reality many traditionalists don’t see:
FlingGolf didn’t take me away from traditional golf: it made me better at it.
How FlingGolf Accelerated My Golf IQ
When I first started playing FlingGolf, I was limited to one stick and a handful of throwing techniques. That constraint forced me to develop skills that many new golfers don’t learn for years:
Carry Distance vs. Rollout: Understanding how the ball behaves after landing.
Shot Trajectory & Stopping Power: Controlling flight height to manage green approach.
Course Management & Hole Strategy: Thinking three shots ahead instead of just reacting.
Matching Shot Shape to the Problem: Choosing a solution based on conditions, not habit.
Confidence Under Pressure Without a “Perfect Swing”: Trusting process over perfection.
Low-Impact Speed/Sequence Training: For individuals seeking to increase their distance.
With only a single piece of equipment, I learned to read the course, adapt to conditions, and visualize shots before making them.
When I transitioned back to traditional golf, everything felt clearer. I became a more mature player, not just a stronger one. I wasn’t swinging harder; I was playing better.
Breaking the 80 Barrier
Recently, I played Sycamore Creek. To the untrained eye, my round looked like any other. What most didn’t notice was that I played FlingGolf on the front nine and traditional golf on the back nine and still broke 80 with shots to spare.
That’s not an accident. FlingGolf has sharpened my decision-making, confidence, and ability to manage risk on the course.
Why This Matters for the Golf Industry
For course operators, coaches, and golf associations, FlingGolf isn’t a threat… It’s an opportunity.
Lower Barrier to Entry: With no need for a full bag or complex swing mechanics, beginners can start faster and with less intimidation.
Fundamental Skill Building: FlingGolf teaches strategic thinking, distance control, and shot visualization that directly translate into improved performance in traditional golf.
Engagement Across Age Groups: Kids, teens, and casual players can enjoy success early, building confidence and encouraging repeat visits.
Increased Course Utilization: Offering FlingGolf can bring in new customers during non-peak hours or help fill slower tee times.
By reframing it as a feeder system for the sport, FlingGolf becomes a tool for growing golf’s next generation.
Addressing the Traditionalist Concerns
Some fear that new formats like FlingGolf “break the rules” or dilute the game's purity. But in practice, it’s the opposite:
We’re adding new players who may later adopt traditional golf.
We’re teaching fundamentals in a fresh, engaging way.
We’re reducing intimidation, making the sport accessible to people who might otherwise never pick up a club.
If the golf industry’s goal is to grow participation and sustain relevance, then innovation is not the enemy… It’s a necessity.
A Challenge to Coaches & Course Operators
If you’ve dismissed FlingGolf without trying it, consider this your invitation. Play nine holes with a FlingStick. See how quickly new players grasp strategic concepts. Watch how much fun they have.
You might discover that the next wave of confident, strategic golfers is already walking your fairways… they have a different club in hand.
Bottom line: FlingGolf doesn’t replace traditional golf. It enriches it. For players like me, it serves as a bridge to developing greater skills, engaging in more imaginative play, and fostering a lifelong love of the game. For the industry, it’s a fresh pathway to new customers, higher retention, and stronger community engagement.
More from Impact Golf Studios:
The Playbook | Trending
The Playbook | You Missed It
Tiger Woods joins a new PGA Tour committee reimagining pro golf, exploring fewer events, elite fields, and bigger stakes to reshape the sport’s future for fans and sponsors. (more)
Gather has launched a new website, reflecting not just a refresh but our commitment to growth, collaboration, and community-driven insights that continue to shape our journey forward. (more)
The Playbook | Insider Spotlight
Ted Simons has dedicated over 25 years to shaping the golf community, most notably through 18 years leading the global development of Jack Nicklaus Academies.
As the founder of Synergy Group and former Executive Director of the Patriot Golf Foundation, he has championed innovation, accessibility, and the healing power of golf worldwide.
The Playbook | Free Stuff
How did you like today's newsletter?
New here?
3–5 minutes. One lucky member wins a $500 gift card every month.
Might as well be you!