What happens when more than 20 years in global consumer businesses leads you into the business of golf?

That was the starting point for one of our upcoming conversations on Grapes & Greens Series 4 with David Hyland, Co-Founder of Business in Golf.

David’s journey into golf is an interesting one. Having spent more than two decades working across some of the world’s biggest consumer businesses, including Diageo, Coca-Cola and Müller, he brings a wealth of experience in commercial strategy, innovation and turning ideas into opportunities.

But this conversation isn’t just about David’s career.

It’s about what happens when that experience is applied to an industry he is passionate about — and the opportunities that exist across the wider business of golf.

David’s career has taken him through some of the biggest names in consumer business, giving him a perspective on how brands are built, how consumer behaviour changes and how businesses can identify opportunities in evolving markets.

Today, he is bringing that experience into golf.

Together with his wife and Co-Founder, Lee-Ann, an experienced brand and marketing consultant with more than 20 years across luxury hospitality, fashion retail, pharmaceuticals and technology, David has built Business in Golf.

Business in Golf is an independent media business focused on the people, businesses, brands, investment, innovation and ideas shaping the global golf industry.

Their different but complementary backgrounds bring an outside perspective to an industry undergoing significant commercial and cultural change.

Golf is an industry with enormous depth.

Beyond courses and clubs sits a much wider ecosystem spanning:

Brands · Start-ups · Technology · Investment · Media & Broadcast · Travel & Hospitality · Amateur & Professional Golf

Understanding that ecosystem — and the businesses, people and ideas shaping it — is becoming increasingly important.

In our conversation, David shares his perspective on what the golf industry can learn from businesses outside its traditional boundaries, where innovation is creating new opportunities and how changing consumer behaviour is influencing the future of golf.

We also explore what it means to build an independent media business in the industry, and the opportunities for those looking to understand golf not just as a sport, but as a global business.

At the heart of the conversation is David and Lee-Ann’s own journey.

From their respective backgrounds in commercial strategy, innovation, brand and marketing, to building Business in Golf, we discuss the thinking behind the business and what they are looking to create.

It is also a story about what can happen when people enter golf from outside the traditional industry — bringing experience from other sectors while recognising the expertise, culture and characteristics that make golf different.

David Hyland joins us for an upcoming episode of Grapes & Greens Series 4.

We discuss:

A conversation about business, innovation and the future of golf, with someone bringing an outside perspective to the industry.

Grapes & Greens Series 4.

Wine, golf and the people shaping the game beyond the course.

Coming soon.

The perfect pour after a day on the trail.

We are pleased to introduce this distinctive South African offering from Allée Bleue — a wine made for the journey as much as the destination.

Produced by acclaimed winemaker Van Zyl du Toit, who has been at the helm since 2009, this Chenin Blanc captures the character of the South African landscape in every glass.

Fresh, vibrant and wonderfully refreshing, it’s exactly the sort of bottle you’ll want waiting for you after a day spent exploring the trails, hills and great outdoors.

Lace up, head out, and discover something worth stopping for.

SHOP ALLÉE BLEUE →

— Tom