Scottie Scheffler’s Caddie Has ‘Gamified’ Golf; 50YO Has Tech-Infused Future Plan Even if World No.1 Fires Him

“It’s pretty exciting stuff.” – said Ted Scott. What was he alluding to, you might wonder? Well, one thing is for sure. He wasn’t referring to caddying for Scottie Scheffler. What else then? Well, the golfer’s looper was hinting at an app that he created alongside Jon Sherman. Yes, you read that right! The richest caddie on the PGA Tour has a bright technological side to him. Guess the bagman doesn’t need to worry too much about the future!

The 50-year-old looper was having a conversation with fellow app maker and host Sherman on the latest episode of the latter’s podcast, The Sweet Spot – Golf Podcast. “For the past few months, Ted and I have been collaborating… came to both of us with an idea,” said the host of the podcast show as he revealed the story behind the new app, ‘Tee Time Trainer’.

The application helps people practice their golfing game while “gamifying” the same into a video game that closely resembles a “nostalgic video game from the 80’s,” according to Sherman. Talking about the same, Scottie Scheffler’s caddie compared golfers going to the range to those who are going to the gym with no effect to show. “That’s a lot how golfers are,” said the professional looper, “They go to the golf course, they practice for two hours and they’re still at 15 handicap and it just don’t get better.”

What could be the reason behind it? Well, Ted Scott had the answer to that. “I think part of that is poor instruction,” added the bagman as he disclosed the thinking that Philippe, the developer, had behind the golfing software. “But I think, even more importantly, is the place that he really zoned in on the Tee Time Trainer app. It’s just really helping someone focus on what is important.” He then took to mention how people’s bodies naturally adapt to the game instead of them being aware of the same while doing so.

“Oftentimes when we practice, we really don’t have a target out there that we’re focused on,” said Scott, the richest caddie on the PGA Tour, as he explained the thinking behind the creation of the app. “We’re on the range focusing on us so much that when we go play, you have to hit it somewhere. So, he’s [Philippe] really kind of taken that concept and given us a plan where, ‘Hey, I can go practice for 30 minutes and really zone in on something that I need to be doing for improvement.” 

Quite impressive if you think about it. And if everything goes as per Scottie Scheffler’s caddie’s plans, then the app really might turn one’s “practice sessions into fun.”

The Tee Time Trainer app that Scottie Scheffler’s bagman, Ted Scott, created

“They’ve kind of made practice and gamified it,” said Sherman as he explained the various nuances behind the new video game. “Long story short, it’s a way to make practice fun, challenging, engaging,” added the host.

He then went ahead to explain how there is a career mode, iron play, wedges, and putting mode, not to mention how it adjusts based on how poorly or well the user does on each challenge, the last of which he dubs the “coolest.”