Automation of ball management on driving ranges

VDB Technics, based in Genk, is known for its service-oriented, truly Belgian golf course maintenance solutions. One of their most notable products is the Drop-pit, an automatic golf ball washer that offers significant benefits to golf courses and driving ranges. But it's not just a "ball system" ...

Yves van den Bosch, executive board member at VDB Technics: "Yamabiko's Ballpicker was designed at the time by Belrobotics to collect golf balls on driving ranges completely autonomously. This patented technology allows golf courses to stay open longer without interruptions for ball collection. The Ballpicker has the capacity to collect more than 350 balls per cycle, which amounts to about 16,000 balls per day. This not only allows for more efficient use of the driving range, but also significant savings in labor costs. Especially when you know that on the average golf course about three hours a day are spent manipulating golf balls. Do the math."

Lode Moies, sales manager VDB Technics: "But there stood that Ballpicker. 350 balls collected and no idea what to do with them. An important aspect of the Ballpicker is its seamless integration into our own designed Drop-pit system. This system not only handles the collection, but also the washing and transporting of the balls to the dispenser. The robot drives up to above the Drop-pit, the balls are unloaded and then automatically washed to remove mud and grass, transported through a specially designed vacuum system, and finally placed into the dispenser completely ready for use. This automated process ensures that golf courses always have clean, ready-to-play balls without the need for manual labor."

"In addition to operational efficiency, the Drop-pit also offers ecological benefits," says Yves van den Bosch. "The system is designed to minimize water consumption, with options to use city water or natural rainwater for cleaning the balls. In addition, the reduced energy consumption of the vacuum system contributes to a lower carbon footprint."

Yves van den Bosch: "Belrobotics and we work together because we are the only ones who can offer a total solution. And this is how we designed and perfected our Drop-pit system. In the future, we will link our respective software - that is, the Ballpicker and the Drop-pit. The customer can see on the app of his robot exactly what the status is. And we will link that, such that the most important notifications will also appear on the Drop-pit's app. And vice versa, of course."

"We are also hard at work on a new development, the Drop-pit 'Light.' That is a compact Drop-pit, which will not be buried, like the current versions. They will have a small washer plus conveyor belt. In addition, you can then put a separate dispenser or, say, large collection tray, to collect the balls. Belrobotics is totally behind this, by the way, and will help put it on the market with us. That way we will also have an entry-level model, and all golf clubs will find their way to us."

VDB Technics is known for its customer-focused approach and excellent service. It offers a full range of support, from free field surveys to installation and maintenance. During the field survey, the current situation of the driving range is analyzed and obstacles such as steep slopes and trees are identified. After installation, VDB Technics technicians provide ongoing support and annual maintenance checks to ensure that the systems continue to perform optimally.

"With Belrobotics' advanced Ballpicker and VDB's integrated Drop-pit system, we offer an innovative and efficient solution for managing golf balls at driving ranges. This technology not only improves operational efficiency, but also saves costs and contributes to sustainability and environmental friendliness. Golf courses looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to automate their ball management will, without a doubt, find a valuable partner in us," concludes Lode Moies.