Key takeaways in this episode with Drew that you will discover:

Build Your Team Like a Stool, Not a Table
Drew shares why the founding team at Blue Tees was intentionally diverse - sales, finance, industrial design, and marketing. He reveals why going into business with people who have the exact same skillset is a recipe for disaster and how complementary strengths are the true engine of growth.

Design Matters from the Box to the Course
Learn how Blue Tees borrowed a page from Apple’s playbook to create a premium "unboxing" experience. Drew explains that the customer journey starts long before the product is turned on, and how tactile feedback, packaging, and high-quality materials are critical to building trust and brand loyalty.

The Future is a Connected Ecosystem
Drew lifts the curtain on the company’s "Scout AI" and the new Rainmaker launch monitor. He explains how Blue Tees is moving beyond standalone gadgets to create a seamless, connected ecosystem where your launch monitor data automatically updates your rangefinder’s club recommendations - keeping your phone in your bag and your focus on the game.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Drew on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Three Quotable Moments from Drew:

On taking the leap: "I was like, 'This is ridiculous. You should go do this yourself. Put your money where your mouth is and actually stand behind the advice you're giving.' So that was my AHA moment. I loved my job. It was safe. But let's go take that leap of faith."

On product design philosophy: "When you open up an Apple product before you even touch the phone, the box is the first thing you touch. Everything is already priming you to have an incredible experience. That design component was a pillar for us."

On the origin of the name: "When we heard 'Blue Tees Golf,' it was a light bulb moment. We were like, 'Our brand and our products are going to give you the confidence to take that step back and go play from the blue tees.' It became our mantra."

Drew Koehler's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/drew-koehler

Links & Resources Mentioned:
Blues Tees Golf Instagram: @levelwear
LinkedIn: Drew Koehler
Blue Tees Golf website: https://blueteesgolf.com/
The ModGolf YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@modgolfpodcast

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to the show and The PGA Show converstation that led to this episode
01:30 - The Power of Invitation: Drew’s First Golf Memory
04:25 - From Political Science to Gartner: A Non-Traditional Path
06:50 - The Origin Story: A Broken Rangefinder and a Frustrating Round
09:30 - The "Blissfully Ignorant" Idea: Assembling the Dream Team
12:10 - From Concept to Creation: The Battle for a Name (and buying the company)
14:15 - Liquidating Bank Accounts and The 3 Pillars of Blue Tees
16:15 - The Apple Influence: Obsessing Over the Customer Experience
20:30 - Brand Culture: The Travis Mathew & Southern California Vibe
25:30 - Defining Features: How They Decide What to Build (And What to Leave Out)
28:45 - The Player Plus GPS Speaker: Innovation Born from Selfishness
30:05 - Introducing the Rainmaker Launch Monitor: A Screen Changes Everything
33:55 - The Connected Ecosystem: How Hardware and Software Work Together
35:50 - Frictionless Experience: Keeping the Phone in the Bag
39:55 - The Next Frontier: Scout AI and Democratizing the Caddy Experience
43:15 - Closing thoughts and where to find the extended conversation on The ModGolf YouTube channel

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building.

I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Special Guest: Drew Koehler, Co-Founder / Chief Revenue Officer at Blue Tees Golf.

Here are three key takeaways you will discover from this conversation with Adam Kanouse of Reach Golfers:
1. A Massive, Underserved Market Exists Right Now
Contrary to common belief, GPS technology is not ubiquitous. Adam revealed that approximately 65% of public golf courses in the $45-$75 green fee range have no GPS system at all. This represents a significant greenfield opportunity for Reach Golfers, which is focused on bringing modern tech to courses that have never had it, rather than just battling competitors for their existing customers.

2. Philosophy First: It’s About Enhancing the Golfer’s Experience, Not Just Protecting the Cart
While many in-cart systems began with a primary goal of fleet management and asset protection (which can create friction with golfers), Reach Golfers flips the model. Their “secret sauce” is a golfer-first philosophy—building a beautiful, interactive, and helpful experience that also solves operational problems. This creates a more positive relationship between the course and the player.

3. The Future is a Data Platform, Not Just a GPS
Reach Golfers views its device as a “computer on a cart” with potential far beyond yardages. The next frontier is harnessing on-course behavioral data - like pace-of-play patterns, common traffic areas, and player tendencies - to help courses with dynamic pricing, targeted marketing (e.g., offering lessons to high-handicappers), agronomy decisions, and overall operational efficiency. They are building the foundation for a deeply integrated, data-driven golf experience.

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Adam on The ModGolf YouTube channel live from The 2026 PGA Show. Click on this link or the image below as Colin and Adam extend their podcast conversation with key takeaways and lessons learned.

Key Quotes from Adam Kanouse
On Philosophy: "What differentiates us is we're not trying to protect the golf cart. Our competition all started protecting the golf cart creating a bit of an adversarial relationship with the golfer. We don't think that's necessary."

On the Market: "We called every golf course that was public in 42 of the 50 states this summer. 65% of courses in that $45 to $75 green fee range don't have anything. It's an open market."

*On Product Design: *"We have a huge advantage. We can step in with modern technology, modern design and see what worked and what didn't and only work on the things that people really want and need."

On the Future: "My co-CEO likes to say that this is not a GPS device. This is a computer on a cart. The future is being able to identify the person who's on the course and be able to market to them with things that they care about."

Want to connect with Adam? Check out his bio page to make that happen! >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/adam-kanouse

Key Topics & Timestamps
[00:00 - 02:30] Introduction & First Impressions
[02:30 - 06:00] What is Reach Golfers? The Core Differentiator
[06:00 - 09:30] The Demo & Revenue Model
[09:30 - 14:00] The Massive Untapped Market & Growth Strategy
[14:00 - 18:00] Product Philosophy & The Data-Driven Future
[18:00 - 20:30] 2026: The Growth Year
[20:30 - 22:00] PGA Show Magic & How to Connect

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building.

I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin