When you think of golf, what comes to mind? Precision. Patience. The occasional sunburn. What you don’t always think of: robots. Yet that’s exactly what’s rolling onto the course now — courtesy of Automation Hub.
A Show-Stopper at the NW Arkansas Championship
In September 2025, the LPGA’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship (at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, AR) gave fans more than great golf — it spotlighted a robotics breakthrough. The Robot Range Picker, developed by Automation Hub, made its tournament debut, collecting up to 2,400 golf balls per run and potentially ~90,000 balls a day. (KHBS)
How does it work? First, the course is mapped (and off-limit zones defined). Then the robot’s AI draws an optimal path to retrieve balls across the range. Over time, it “learns” the land and aims to maximize efficiency. (KHBS)
According to CEO Justin Wilson, the goal is to automate what he calls the “dull, dirty, dangerous” jobs — freeing up human staff to focus on guest services, club washing, course amenities, and more. (KHBS)
By the way: this isn’t just a one-off experiment. The Robot Range Picker is already deployed at roughly 80 golf courses across the country. (KHBS)
Why Golf + Automation Make Perfect Partners
1. Optimize Repetitive, Low-Value Tasks
Walking the range, gathering balls, resetting locations — these are repetitive tasks. They’re safe targets for automation. Instead of spending hours on monotonous tasks, a robot can handle them quietly, consistently, and without fatigue.
2. Improve Efficiency, Lower Costs
With automation doing the grunt work, staff can shift focus to higher-value, guest-facing tasks. Over time, that means better resource allocation, lower labor costs, and improved course operations.
3. Data, Mapping & Course Intelligence
Robotic systems bring sensors, GPS, mapping, and analytics to the table. As they traverse terrain, they can detect ground condition changes, note wear on turf, spot trouble zones, and feed that information back to course managers. This opens the door for predictive maintenance, smarter mowing, tailored irrigation — the works.
4. Scalability & Consistency
Unlike seasonal labor, robots don’t call in sick, don’t need breaks, and don’t vary in output. Their performance curve flattens — they’re consistent. That’s a big win in golf, where course appearance and ball retrieval timing matter.
Inside Automation Hub’s Golf Arsenal
Automation Hub is already deep in the golf & turf space — it’s not just the Robot Range Picker. According to the company’s site, their product suite includes:
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Pik’r® — Driving range robot
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RM21 — Robotic mower
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SmartMow — Autonomous fairway mower
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Other robotic systems for turf services and course maintenance (Automation Hub)
In short: whether you’re looking to optimize your range, your fairways, or your behind-the-scenes operations, Automation Hub is aiming to put robotics everywhere.
What This Means for the Future of Course Management
The integration of robotics isn’t just a novelty — it’s a strategic shift.
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Labor dynamics will evolve: Instead of more hands on deck, you’ll need more technical operators, data analysts, and system integrators.
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Course maintenance becomes “smart”: Every pass across turf, every collected ball, every route taken can feed into a deeper understanding of the grounds.
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Guest experience as a differentiator: Courses that adopt automation can reallocate staff toward directly improving the player experience — more touch points, cleaner amenities, personalized service.
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Sustainability gains: Robots use predictable paths, optimized energy usage, and fewer mistakes. All of this can lean toward lower chemical/water usage, less waste, and more eco-friendly practices.
A Glimpse Ahead
Imagine this: your practice range is always pristine because robots have tended it overnight. The fairways are mowed optimally, not on fixed schedules but on condition data. Course staff spend more time engaging players, organizing events, and enhancing the vibe.
That’s the future Automation Hub is building — and the NW Arkansas Championship gave us a tangible preview.