Echo Driving Range Robot – Real-World Setup and Performance Review
They have helped us streamline our operations, reduce labour, and maintain a high level of service for golfers.
For the past four months, we’ve been using the Echo driving range ball-collecting robot, and I wanted to share our experiences as an end user. In July, we introduced both a ball-collecting robot and a grass-mowing robot to our driving range. The decision to invest in these robots came from a few key challenges:
Difficulty in finding reliable staff to collect driving range balls regularly
The need to replace our ageing ball-collecting buggy
Reducing the workload on our team to maintain the driving range
🔄 Robot Performance on Our Driving Range
Since the robot's installation, it has been the primary ball collector, and we’ve had almost no issues keeping it running. Operating 24/7, it continually refills the ball machine. On a full charge, it runs for about four hours before needing an hour to recharge. It collects around 270 balls at a time, then heads to the drop-off station where the balls are cleaned and returned to the dispenser.
🔧 Setting Up the Range for Automation
Before introducing the robot, we made some adjustments to the driving range. First, we increased the number of balls available. Our dispenser holds 22,000 balls, but we bumped our stock to 24,000 to ensure a sufficient buffer, as the robot cannot clear the range 100%.
We also reviewed signage and targets. Minimising physical obstacles made a big difference in operational efficiency. Fewer targets = fewer jams or diversions.
Our robot drop-off setup: simple, clean, and built to work with our existing washing system.
🛠️ Designing the Ball Drop-Off Area
We placed the robot drop-off point right next to our existing ball washing station. It’s a simple setup: the robot drops balls into a pit, a transport belt lifts them into the washer, and they’re returned to the dispenser.
This system was affordable and easy to maintain. Some courses use compressed air and long-range piping — but we’ve heard those are more prone to breakdowns. Our approach keeps things simple and avoids costly maintenance.
In a future blog, I’ll go into more detail on how we designed the drop-off zone.
⚙️ Tips for Using Robots Effectively
Robots are not plug-and-play — they need attention.
I’ve noticed some courses install them and then never adjust or optimise their use. That often leads to frustration. A few simple steps can help avoid that:
Spend time learning the robot’s software interface
Watch a few tutorials on YouTube
Learn how to update settings or create "no-go zones"
Understanding the system helps you avoid unnecessary support calls and lets you use the robot to its full potential.
🗓️ Creating a Smart Robot Work Schedule
Set your robot’s work rota based on your range’s usage patterns.
We’ve divided our range into zones: 0–50m, 50–150m, and 150–250m. Then we program the robot to prioritise specific zones at peak hours, where balls are most concentrated.
This has significantly improved coverage and productivity.
📣 Final Thoughts
Overall, we’ve been very happy with the Echo driving range ball-collecting robot. It has helped us streamline operations, reduce labour needs, and maintain a consistent experience for golfers.
If your course is considering automation or upgrading your range system, I’d be happy to share what we’ve learned so far.