GOLFJOY Technology Supports a New Era of Team Long Drive Competition

July 17, 2026 — Xtreme Long Drive (XLD) is introducing a refreshed team competition format powered by simulator technology, with GOLFJOY supporting the series as presenting sponsor and providing software for the competition.

Operating within the Ultimate Long Drive ecosystem, the XLD Team Series takes the speed and power of traditional long drive and places it inside a drafted, head-to-head team structure designed for indoor venues, live spectators and digital distribution.

The refreshed format made its 2026 preseason debut at Sea Trail Resort in North Carolina, United States, where Send It Society faced Shark Attack Golf during the 29th annual Family Golf Week. Send It Society narrowly secured the victory.

More significant than the result was what the event demonstrated: competitive long drive can be delivered in a compact simulator environment without losing the performance, pressure and energy at the heart of the sport.

Rethinking the Long Drive Format

Traditional long drive is primarily an individual discipline. XLD adds another layer by placing athletes into drafted teams and making each performance contribute to a shared result.

Team identities, direct matchups and shared pressure create new opportunities for rivalries and storytelling while maintaining the fundamental appeal of long drive — speed, power and measurable performance.

The shorter format also lends itself to livestreaming and social distribution, giving organizers more ways to connect the competition with audiences beyond the venue.

Taking Competitive Long Drive Indoors

The role of simulator technology is particularly important to the format.

Traditional long drive requires substantial outdoor space. Moving competition into a simulator environment creates greater flexibility around where events can take place, opening the door to golf facilities, convention venues and other indoor destinations.

This approach has the potential to make competitive long drive easier to bring into different markets while creating a closer experience between athletes and spectators.

Technology as Part of the Sport

GOLFJOY’s role in XLD extends beyond event branding.

GOLFJOY is the Official Launch Monitor and Simulator Partner of Ultimate Long Drive, supporting a competitive environment where accurate performance measurement is central to the sport.

During the Sea Trail event, GOLFJOY software supported the XLD team competition, demonstrating how golf technology can move from a training tool into part of the infrastructure behind a live sporting format.

For GOLFJOY, this is an important direction. Golf technology does not have to exist only inside practice sessions or recreational simulator rounds. It can also help create new environments in which athletes compete and audiences experience the game.

Connecting Competition With New Audiences

The Sea Trail event formed part of the refreshed XLD Team Series rollout ahead of the planned 2026–27 Winter Series.

As the format develops, the combination of indoor competition, team identities and digital distribution could give long drive more flexibility in how it reaches different venues and audiences.

GOLFJOY will continue supporting XLD and Ultimate Long Drive as they explore how technology can expand where competitive golf happens and how fans experience it.

Watch the XLD Team Series

See the simulator-powered team format in action during the 2026 preseason event at Sea Trail.

Watch the XLD Team Series Recap

About GOLFJOY

GOLFJOY develops launch monitors, golf simulator systems and software for home, commercial and competitive golf environments. As the Official Launch Monitor and Simulator Partner of Ultimate Long Drive, GOLFJOY supports the organization through performance technology, simulator solutions and competition software.