The Pitch

TopDog Golfer is a one-of-a-kind new mobile app which offers a digital platform where golfers can create and run their own private golf competitions. The Covid pandemic prompted the founders to build an app where people can take part in golf tournaments over the phone - anywhere and at anytime. The client approached Redvike to create the design of the mobile application as well as an admin panel.

• In the TopDog Golfer app, a virtual scorecard keeps track of the points, and after the game is over, the winnings are distributed via email in the form of reward cards.
• Redvike was to create an MVP for use in Ireland in the beginning, with plans to make the app also available to users from England and the USA.
  
• One of the largest challenges would be communication with golf club databases as each golf club has its own rules and points system.

The Process

Redvike dove in straight away to develop a working prototype of the app on a tight deadline. The alpha version included a scorecard and users were able to invite other players to a game via link. Further development included new functionalities such as: creating groups (lobbies), options for users to fill in scorecards for other/all players, and carrying out payments via Stripe.

One of the biggest hurdles for the development of this app was the fact that there is no single database of golf courses, with the added difficulty that each golf club has its own course data and scoring scheme. To that end, Redvike had to integrate data from dozens of different golf clubs.

The final phase of this project entailed creating an Admin role for the desktop version of TopDog Golfer. Using the Admin page, golf club owners could create games at their club that would appear on the app, as well as manage entry fees. Furthermore, club owners could follow statistics on the number of people who signed up for their games, who won, etc.

• After only 6 weeks, Redvike had prepared the alpha version of the app for launch on the Play Store and App Store.
• Redvike’s backend development team used Firebase technology to integrate two servers to be able to fetch data about different scorecards. Thus, players at separate golf clubs could play against each other seamlessly.
• Redvike created an Admin page for the desktop version of the app to facilitate better management for club owners.

The Result

Since its launch, the TopDog Golfer app has been a huge success. On the one hand, it’s attractive to users because it’s free to use and allows them to interact and compete with friends anywhere on the globe. On the other hand, golf clubs have also expressed enthusiastic positive feedback because it drives revenue, and substantially simplifies game management.

• The client has signed contracts with numerous golf clubs and has received funding for further development of the app.
• Future plans involve further development and new functionalities for the app, as well as a strategy for entering new markets.