Technology company Dronifi has released Turf.Solutions, a drone-based computer vision system used to leverage the expanding capabilities of these evolving drone craft for golf. Turf.Solutions is used to find Bermudagrass encroachment, turf stress, irrigation water distribution problems and create a 3D map of the golf course – without human intervention.
“The time of drones has come of age in the golf industry,” said John Tull, President of Dronifi, which operates the Turf.Solutions brand. “A year ago drones were a novelty for golf, capturing images and video but offering no analytical value or operational savings for golf courses. All that has changed.”
The value of drones tasked with finding actionable problems and savings opportunities greatly eclipses the costs of the drones and analytical services, according to Tull. “A marketing video is great, but superintendents want to reduce costs, increase course aesthetics and playability,” Tull added. “Turf.Solutions provides these benefits.”
Pressure to find cost savings from reduced water, chemical use and labor efficiencies is significant. Additionally, regulation of fertilizer use and runoff demands that superintendents further monitor and measure fertilizer movement on and off the course.
“Golf course superintendents need a tool to track fertilizer movement, water pooling and runoff,” Tull said. “Thermal imagery shows water pooling, multispectral cameras show algae blooms in ponds and every blade of grass is a sensor, from the drone’s perspective. In Turf.Solutions, computer vision converts this imagery into a visual story that is easy to understand. HOA members, their Board and communities can see sustainable resource use and superintendents can lower costs. Turf.Solutions creates a clear win-win for golf courses and the environment.”
No more results found. “The time of drones has come of age in the golf industry,” said John Tull, President of Dronifi, which operates the Turf.Solutions brand. “A year ago drones were a novelty for golf, capturing images and video but offering no analytical value or operational savings for golf courses. All that has changed.”
The value of drones tasked with finding actionable problems and savings opportunities greatly eclipses the costs of the drones and analytical services, according to Tull. “A marketing video is great, but superintendents want to reduce costs, increase course aesthetics and playability,” Tull added. “Turf.Solutions provides these benefits.”
Pressure to find cost savings from reduced water, chemical use and labor efficiencies is significant. Additionally, regulation of fertilizer use and runoff demands that superintendents further monitor and measure fertilizer movement on and off the course.
“Golf course superintendents need a tool to track fertilizer movement, water pooling and runoff,” Tull said. “Thermal imagery shows water pooling, multispectral cameras show algae blooms in ponds and every blade of grass is a sensor, from the drone’s perspective. In Turf.Solutions, computer vision converts this imagery into a visual story that is easy to understand. HOA members, their Board and communities can see sustainable resource use and superintendents can lower costs. Turf.Solutions creates a clear win-win for golf courses and the environment.”