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Smarter golf courses start underground
At first glance, little has changed on golf courses: the golfers hit their balls, which are then collected again. However, a quiet revolution is taking place behind the scenes. With their innovative Drop-pit system, VDB Technics is automating one of the most labour-intensive processes in golf course management.
For years, golf courses have long faced the same challenge: managing golf balls is time-consuming and difficult to automate. In addition, finding staff is becoming increasingly difficult. Both students and retirees, who used to be the backbone of this domain, are less available today. That means automation isn’t a luxury anymore but a necessity. And that’s exactly where Drop-pit comes into play. Drop-pit forms the central hub of a fully automated workflow. This system has been designed with ease of use as a top priority. Where maintenance used to require up to three hours per day, a quick inspection of about ten minutes is now sufficient. The installation process also has a minimal impact. Depending on the type of Drop-pit, the installation ranges from a couple of hours to two or three days.
Over the years, VDB Technics has developed several varieties, tailored to the scale and operational needs of different golf clubs:
A simplified solution without integrated cleaning. The golf balls are dropped by the ball picker and exit the Drop-pit unwashed via a conveyor belt, after which they still need to be cleaned manually before being placed back in the dispenser. This system is suited for smaller golf courses looking to take a first step toward automation, with a limited investment. This Drop-pit can be installed both underground and above ground.
A compact underground system with an integrated wash unit and conveyer belt. The golf balls are cleaned automatically and mechanically transported back to the dispenser. This is ideal for smaller clubs that wish to combine an efficient workflow with good ball hygiene.
The flagship of this range. This system consists of an underground drop unit, a cleaning module and a vacuum transport system, which automatically moves golf balls over a longer distance to the dispenser. From collection to redistribution, the entire process is automated without any manual intervention.
This system was developed for high-volume golf courses and wide ball pickers. It is engineered for maximal capacity and throughput, with automatic cleaning and transportation of large quantities of golf balls to the dispenser, even during intensive use.
While hygiene levels remain comparable to manual cleaning, the true gain lies in efficiency and reliability. The success is confirmed by market demand: the 150th Drop-pit system will soon be installed, following strong growth over the past year.
The next step lies in digitisation. VDB Technics is currently developing an app that will allow clubs to track their systems in real-time. Through their smartphone, users will gain insight into the status of both the robot and the Drop-pit. In the event of malfunctions or faults, immediate action can be taken, thus increasing the operational continuity.
What once started as a simple question – ‘Where do we leave the balls?’ – has grown into an innovative solution that is fundamentally changing the golf sector. With Drop-pit, VDB Technics proves that smart technology is not only more efficient, but also essential for the future of sustainable golf courses.
