Holly is the editor of Dockwalk. She grew up racing sailboats in England before switching to the world of superyachts and moving across the pond to Fort Lauderdale.
Off the Deck is set to redefine the golfing experience on board with its debut product the SeaDriveCX. Designed for golfing enthusiasts, SeaDriveCX integrates state-of-the-art technology into a portable, yacht-ready golf simulator.
"There is only one requirement, which is room to swing and a plug," says Alex Hare, Off the Deck CEO and one of the company's three co-founders, alongside former chief officer and brother Ashley Hare and entrepreneur Alan Shubotham.
Alex, drawing from his background in private equity and his CFO role at Pitch, an indoor golf club, identified a niche for advanced golf entertainment at sea. Inspired by the tech boom in sports, Ashley's insights as a former chief officer and a shared passion for golf, the trio conceived SeaDriveCX to elevate onboard golfing experiences beyond traditional setups.
The SeaDriveCX uses an advanced launch monitor, the same technology used by golf pros, to capture up 200 images per shot, delivering true-to-life club and ball data. This is fed through an internal computer and presented on screen allowing users to play world-famous courses without leaving the swim platform.
"For the whole of my career, I've been setting up cheap golf mats, cheap clubs and biodegradable balls and that has been the sort of token golf effort on yachts. It was this conversation across a dining table that was the genesis of Off the Deck," Ashley says.
The SeaDriveCX is constructed from lightweight, salt-resistant carbon fiber, and engineered by a team of Formula One specialists. It had to be easy to set up, easy to stow, and able to resist maritime environments. “The target from day one was it needs to weigh the same or less than a Seabob,” Alex says. Other features include IP54 weather resistance with a self-contained motherboard for protection from showers or splashes and a pop-up screen that deploys in 10 seconds.
Owners, guests, and crew can tee off from the swim platform with friends, play solo, or join a worldwide leaderboard. Additionally, beginners and kids can enjoy a range of mini-games through its integrated software.
Pre-orders are now being taken and the first models will roll out in 2025. The crew of motor yacht Loon were among the first to test it out.
As Off the Deck continues to innovate, its vision extends beyond the SeaDriveCX — towards customizations, accessories, and broader integration within the luxury marine industry. The team are also able to facilitate connections to professional golf instructors for guests seeking personalized lessons to perfect their swing.