The ModGolf Podcast

Have you ever bought a product online and have it break in a day? Our guest bought a rangefinder on Amazon only to have the eyepiece pop off on the first hole! That moment of frustration on a San Francisco golf course didn’t just ruin a round for two friends - it sparked a movement. In this episode, host Colin Weston sits down with Drew Koehler, co-founder of Blue Tees Golf, to unpack how a group of young professionals with zero golf industry experience but a ton of business acumen decided to disrupt the golf tech space. From liquidating their bank accounts to buying a company just to get the perfect name, Drew shares the wild, unfiltered journey of building one of golf’s coolest and fastest-growing brands. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a side-hustle into a full-blown business, or just want to know what’s next in golf tech, this is a masterclass you don’t want to miss. 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-lovin

"We know who we are. We know who we're not. Rather than focusing on the athlete, as a sports apparel brand, we chose to celebrate all the people around them. It takes a village for anyone to succeed, whether you're a business, whether you're an athlete, whether you're a team. It takes everyone around you—the coaches, the parents, the trainers, the caddies. We need to credit all of those people. And that's the people we want to celebrate."... Hyman Ngo, Levelwear Co-Founder and SVP of Product/Marketing Welcome to Season 19 of The ModGolf Podcast! We are thrilled to kick off the new season with Hyman Ngo, Co-Founder and SVP of Product and Marketing at the premium athletic wear brand, Levelwear. In this episode, Hyman takes us on a fascinating journey that began not as a startup, but as an acquisition. He shares the story of how his family transitioned from being a contract manufacturer to building the branded powerhouse that now outfits 85 of the top 100 golf clubs in the U.S and Canada. We dive deep into Levelwear's unique brand ethos, exploring their powerful "Who's With You" manifesto and how it manifests in the real world through their innovative "Caddy Lounge" activation at PGA and LPGA events. Hyman also discusses the delicate balance of sustainability, the art of staying fresh in a crowded market, and how licensing deals with major leagues like the NHL and MLB help build brand legitimacy. Whether you're a golfer, an entrepreneur, or a fan of smart business strategy, this conversation is packed with insights on building a brand that lasts. Key Takeaways You Will Discover: The Power of Authentic Brand Building: Learn how Levelwear transitioned from a behind-the-scenes manufacturer to a coveted brand by focusing on relationships and leveraging early success in top-tier U.S. clubs (like Pebble Beach) to build credibility back home and beyond. Celebrating the "Who's With You": Discover the philosophy behind Levelwear’s manifesto and how it led to the creation of the "Caddy Lounge." This marketing activation focuses on serving the unsung heroes of the game, proving that authentic engagement with a community can be more powerful than traditional consumer-facing advertising. Balancing Sustainability with Performance: Hyman shares the brand's commitment to "buy less, but buy better," discussing the challenges of creating durable, high-performance apparel using sustainable materials while navigating the inherent contradiction of a consumption-based business model. Three Quotable Moments from Hyman: On the mentality of golf: "It's one of those sports where it's not about how much you want it. The more you want it, the harder you try, the worse you seem to do. It's such a good metaphor in life." On the Levelwear brand ethos: "We're choosing to celebrate all the people around the athlete as it takes a village for anyone to succeed. And that's the people we want to celebrate." On their design philosophy: "The one thing about brands is you don't want to get stale. We let the designers have a bit of fun. We'll let them do some things that maybe you would never see a golf brand do. And that's part of our appeal." Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Hyman on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch. Hyman Ngo's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/hyman-ngo Links & Resources Mentioned: Levelwear Instagram: @levelwear LinkedIn: Hyman Ngo Levelwear: www.levelwear.com The ModGolf Podcast: www.mod.golf Episode Chapters: 00:00: Welcome to Season 19 and Introducing Hyman Ngo 01:09: The Icebreaker: Hyman's first golf experience and the "metaphor of life." 04:09: Colin’s personal review of wearing Levelwear on the course. 05:29: From Manufacturer to Brand: The 2004 acquisition of Levelwear. 09:00: The Early Days: What the product line looked like 20 years ago and the initial struggle to grow. 12:58: Breaking into the U.S. Market: How Pebble Beach validated the brand for Canadian customers. 14:55: Standing Out in a Crowd: Levelwear's differentiators in a market with 400+ soft goods exhibitors. 22:31: The "Who's With You" Manifesto: The "why" behind the brand. 24:41: The Caddy Lounge: Honoring the unsung heroes of golf and building credibility from the ground up. 26:02: Sustainability Initiatives: Seaweed materials, durability, and the "buy less, buy better" philosophy. 35:04: The Power of Partnerships: How licensing with MLB, NHL, NBA, and the PGA Tour builds legitimacy. 36:05: Peeking Behind the Design Curtain: How the team finds inspiration in streetwear and action sports to stay fresh. 40:13: Where to find Levelwear & Final Thoughts. Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun...