Links'Up Golf

2024

Side-Project (In Development)

App-Design

UX/UI Design

Web-Developing

An app designed to help players effortlessly find golf partners and build a community, all through an easy-to-use app that enhances the social aspect of the sport.

The Challenge

Golf has seen rapid growth in Sweden, especially during and after Covid, as courses were one of the few activities that remained open (thank god for that). However, existing golf apps haven’t kept pace with this increase, particularly in addressing the sport’s social aspect. With a rising Swedish golf star like Ludvig Åberg, popular YouTubers like Good Good Golf, and growing interest in streaming golf tournaments, the sport is attracting even more participants and gaining more practitioners across Sweden

The solution

Despite golf's inclusive nature, it can be challenging for players, especially newcomers or those in new cities, to connect with others. Many turn to forums or social media to find golf partners, often specifying preferences like experience level, handicap, or location. After conducting research, I discovered a significant demand for an easier way to connect golfers socially.

The result

Links'Up Golf is my solution to this challenge. The app helps players find golf friends through a "Find Friends" feature, using a chip-filtering system based on preferences like skill level or location, reducing reliance on external platforms. Users can also search for specific players by name or golf ID, and the horizontal scroll makes the filtering system easy to use. To foster connections, the app includes a chat function, allowing users to communicate directly within the platform. Additionally, a "Clubhouse" feature enables users to post in a shared feed, building a sense of community and strengthening the LinksUp brand. The name "Links'Up" reflects both golf terminology and the goal of creating new social links between golfers

see project

see brand guidelines

analysis

Golf saw a major surge in Sweden during the pandemic, with over 100,000 new players and growing reliance on digital tools for booking and tracking.

Tee times became harder to book, especially for solo golfers without a built-in social circle.

With no dedicated app to find playing partners, many turned to social media, where groups like “Golfvänner” connected thousands of active players.

Two golfers adding each other on the app

I haven’t found any statistics or interviews post-pandemic regarding the social aspect of golf, so I wanted to check what the target audience thinks about it. Since the target audience for the app is people who play golf in Sweden, I sent out a survey to the groups I found on social media. I received over 200 responses, which came from socializing groups, competition groups, local golf clubs, and a forum for buying and selling used golf equipment. I also conducted interviews with four different people I selected to represent various aspects of golfers. One was a beginner who had just started playing, another was an experienced player with 40 years of golf experience in Sweden, a third was a junior-level elite player, and the last was a golfer who had recently moved from Gothenburg to Karlstad.

The responses from the survey strengthen my thesis that there’s an overlooked group of golfers who play alone or have difficulty connecting with other golfers. But what surprised me was how large the majority was that actually wants to meet new golfers. The interviews also confirmed what I gathered from my research: there’s a lack of a social platform for Sweden’s golf community. On social media, people post asking if anyone wants to play, seeking tips, or looking for competition partners. But it’s only those who dare to ask that get noticed, and based on the statistics from my surveys, it’s likely there are many more who don’t have the confidence or feel it’s too big a hurdle—and almost embarrassing—to message a stranger about playing golf.

I received an answer in more than one interview where the person said they would cancel their round if they couldn’t find someone to play with. That’s completely unacceptable if you ask me, and it was one of the reasons that pushed me to follow through with this project.

A change is needed, something that unites golfers, lowers the threshold for meeting new players and friends. Golf in Sweden needs a platform where there’s an open atmosphere, it’s easy to connect, and a service that helps golfers find each other based on various requirements or preferences. A place that becomes golf’s "go to" when it comes to reaching out and getting out to play.

Close reserach

Links'Up Golf

a branded golfball with a green background

WEBSITE DESKTOP

website
mobile

The focus was on keeping it as straightforward as possible - a simple, easy-to-navigate interface that feels clear and pleasant to use. Few components were used, designed for easy development and reusability.

Two phones standing on concrete slabs showing the links up golf startscreen.

project details*

project details

client

Links'Up Golf

Year

2024

type of project

Side-Project (In Development)

service

App-Design

team

Johan Pettersson | Viktor Sätterman

my role

I have done all the work myself. From research, analysis and the UX/UI design. This was a fictional side project of mine, but now this fiction will become reality. Im currently developing this app with my friend Viktor who is a backend developer.

other cases*

Fritidsbanken

Trangia

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