Q: Standard Golf introduced two new hole cutters at the Trade Show this year. Along with last year’s introduction of the SG Pro, why the fascination with new hole cutters?
With over 4000 different SKUs the one thing missing from our product line was a “hammer down/pound down” style hole cutter. Market research found that over 40% of Superintendents/Greenskeepers were using one of those cutters, and without one we were missing that entire market share. It became important for us to get a “pound down” style cutter to the market with the amazing SG Pro Hole Cutter. As this was being sold and used throughout 2024, we were trying to simplify the hole cutter. We continued to talk to people about what they did/did not like about the currently available hole cutters and that is how both the HammerStrike and Magnum Pro came to be alive. When talking about “pound down” hole cutters you have a few models over $1,500 USD (SG Pro and others) and then one around $800. We wanted to make one that was several hundred dollars less and would be lighter and wouldn’t have an ejector handle that was loose, bouncing around and hitting users in the shin. The HammerStike accomplished this all with the elimination of the ejector handle, less weight and a foot ejection pedal – all for under $600. The Magnum Pro is a “beefed up” version of our twist and turn hole cutter. With a locking ejection rod, built in bubble level this is the best twist and turn hole cutter on the market.
Q: You continue to release new custom tee markers. What makes the Laser Cut Metal Tee Marker popular.
This new tee marker is literally flying off the shelves – well the laser engraver. We start with either an 11- or 14-gauge steel and then cut the logo into the metal. If you look closely at the design, the logo is encircled and sitting on a tee. We then powder coat the markers in whatever color the course would like to finish off the unique new addition that looks sharp. It’s a great new addition and first impression to the golf course without breaking the bank at just $29 per marker.
Q: Natural wood is back: but you’re not using wood to make your new “wood appearance” flagsticks, tell us about those.
There is no doubt that a nice wood flagstick adds a touch of class to the course. But with the initial cost to purchase, and then the needed annual maintenance there has to be a better option. We now have three different wood-looking flagsticks: Royaline and Tournament full size flagsticks and our practice green rod. In addition to the PG Rod, we also do a wood look on our cast aluminum marker. All three of the flagsticks are fiberglass, like the rest of ours. The Royaline flagstick (a ½” diameter top to bottom) is then wrapped in a protective veil coating (as all of our Royalines are) that has the wood grain look. The PG Rod is made the same way. Our Tournament Flagstick use a wood-grain powder coat. Really is amazing how great these flagsticks all look. Oh, and if you’re a course that likes to have the laser reflectors embedded into the flagstick, we can do that as well with the tournament wood flagstick.
Q: It’s been a few years now since GreenActivator was introduced. How has that been received?
As an accessories manufacture – it’s going really well. It took some time for Superintendents to listen to us and our Distributors as we talked about the benefits. But with all the University studies (Iowa State, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M and Florida) and the hundreds of courses using the product it really has been received well. The best parts of GreenActivator is the cost at under $45 /acre it’s affordable for any course to add to their fertility program and as a liquid it mixes well with all other liquid fertilizers or herbicides. Not only will GreenActivator help to establish increased root growth for your grass (thus healthier turf) but if you’re mixing it with another chemical, the properties of GA will help the other inputs get into the plant quicker and allow them to do their magic as well. We always recommend for Superintendents to try this on their driving range tee box or those par 3 tee boxes, and you’ll see the divots disappear so the grass regenerates quicker (thanks to the healthier root system). Once this is seen and proven to work, it doesn’t take long before GreenActivator is in every tank mix headed to the course.
Q: What is in store for the 2nd half of the year? Any new hole cutters?
No, we do not have a 4th hole cutter for 2026, but we are working on something equally as fundamental to golf: the ferrule and cup combination. I can’t get into the specifics yet but this could be a really big deal for the game and the current way it is played. I’ll share more with you when I can, promise.
Advertisement
Explore the June 2025 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
