In the Swing: Michael Polk’s SKLZ and Barstool Sports Capitalize on Golf’s Surging Popularity
Golf might have a reputation as a pastime for the older crowd, but it’s experiencing a significant swell in the U.S. market. According to data from the National Golf Foundation, the sport witnessed a remarkable surge in participation, with more than one-third of the U.S. population over the age of 5 engaging with the game — that’s a 30% increase since 2016. This influx of new golfers, coupled with the sustained interest of existing players, has contributed to a significant increase in overall participation, with rounds played in 2023 reaching levels not seen since 2000.
Michael Polk, a seasoned industry veteran and the CEO of Implus, recognized this burgeoning trend and seized the opportunity to position SKLZ at the forefront of the golf training market. SKLZ is one of Implus’s 15 fitness and athletic performance bransds, helping athletes across all sports improve their performance with evidence-backed gear and accessories.
SKLZ secured a product partnership with Barstool Sports, a leading media company and platform focused on sports entertainment. This partnership gives SKLZ a wider reach within the world of golf, and the cobranded product package promises to help players of all skill levels improve their game. Michael Polk explains how the partnership works and what golf lovers can expect from SKLZ.
Michael Polk Lauds SKLZ’s Partnership With Barstool Sports
SKLZ and Barstool Sports announced their partnership in April 2024. The two companies plan to corelease a product line, with SKLZ bringing the premium features and technology and Barstool Sports leveraging its well-known podcast, “Fore Play,” for marketing and content.
“We were excited to introduce our SKLZ top-rated golf training aids to the Barstool Sports audience in April 2024 and look forward to continuing to develop our partnership,” Michael Polk said of the partnership. “Barstool Sports has a large loyal fan base, and we look forward to leveraging our distribution capabilities to reach even more golf enthusiasts and equip them with tools they need to improve their golf game.”
Barstool Sports lent its colors, logo, and branding to SKLZ’s product packaging, in addition to support from the “Fore Play” podcast and hosts Sam “Riggs” Bozoian, Trent Ryan, Frankie Borrelli, and Dan Rapaport. The SKLZ |Barstool Sports golf line features a range of golf training aids catering to duffers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Key products include the Gold Flex 48″, a golf swing trainer designed to improve swing tempo, strength, and distance, as well as the Quickster Chipping Net and Putt Path Gates, which focus on accuracy and putting consistency.
To a Tee: SKLZ and Barstool Sports Aim To Inspire a New Generation of Golfers
Michael Polk supports products that encourage active, healthy living. Golf might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for millions of players across the United States, the sport offers an opportunity to improve strength, endurance, and accuracy. The partnership between SKLZ and Barstool Sports is designed to engage more potential players in their love of the game, regardless of their skill level, making golf more accessible to families nationwide.
With the SKLZ | Barstool product line now available through various retail channels, including sklz.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, amazon.com, Golf Galaxy stores, and Dick’s Sporting Goods House of Sport stores, Michael Polk and Implus are poised to capitalize on the growing popularity of golf in the United States. As the sport continues to captivate new and seasoned players alike, Polk’s strategic vision and innovative approach position SKLZ as a driving force in the golf training industry.
