In this episode, we are not only going to introduce you to one of the most innovative improvements the golf industry has seen in years, but we are going to introduce you to the incredible serial entrepreneur and inventor of the Triple Track™ golf ball, Ray Barrett.
Even if you’ve never heard of the Triple Track™ before, I bet you’ve seen it. Recently we’ve seen Phil Mickelson using a Callaway golf ball that has three little lines on it, to which he has attributed a significant improvement in his putting game.
Now you’re probably thinking: “What’s the deal with these three little lines?”
Every new golf ball that comes out on the market touts the same mediocre changes that make it “unique and better,” be it spin, feel, distance, etc. But, with the Triple Track, it’s NOT ABOUT THE BALL at all, but what is ON THE BALL!
And as fascinating as the technology on the ball is, I believe it’s the story behind the ball and it’s inventor, Ray Barrett, that you are going to find most interesting and entertaining in this episode. After successfully building and selling 2 companies, Ray virtually stumbled upon the idea in a simple attempt to see the ball better when playing with his buddies, and thanks to his big vision and persistence, it is now being sold all over the world via Callaway Golf and is winning championships on the PGA Tour.
Ray Barrett’s Background
-
Ray and Dr. Bassi Ray Barrett graduated in 1960 from St. Louis University (SLU) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, where he has received the University’s “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year” award in 1989. Throughout St. Louis, he is widely known as an “Entrepreneurs’ Entrepreneur”.
- Ray has a track record of founding successful business’, from Landshire Food Systems (a manufacturer and distributor of packaged goods,) Biomedical Systems (a global organization offering clinical trial services, physician/cardiology services, and medical products with offices in the United States, Belgium, China, Japan and India serving several different healthcare markets.)
- Ray is also the Inventor of golfs Triple Track™ alignment pattern, distributed worldwide by Callaway Golf.
Highlights from this Episode
- The zany background that led to the conception of the TripleTrack golf ball (from just trying to see a golf ball in the air to the science of accuracy,) and what and who it is designed for.
- The science of vernier acuity that the TripleTrack system is based on and the tests and studies they ran to show how they measured the 11% improvement in accuracy.
- His connection with Callaway Golf and how their shared interest in innovation led to the TripleTrack’s success today and the feedback from golfers that use the product.
- His perspective on the entrepreneur-side of building the TripleTrack brand and the biggest challenges he faced when trying to sell the product in the early years.
- The science behind the design of the three lines and how the intricacies of the lines are instrumental in improving your accuracy.
Parting Questions:
Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore
What is your walk-up song to the first tee-box? Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
If you could play 18 holes with anyone in the world, who would it be and where would you play? Jennifer Lopez
Any Last Piece of Advice?
Everyone has the ability to be an entrepreneur and there are so many opportunities to let your ideas grow.
Article talking about TripleTrack and Phil Mickelson’s success using it
Callaway Triple Track Ball (ERC Soft)
To continue the conversation and ask any questions you may have, head over the 18STRONG Facebook page.
*Photos by August Jennewein/Courtesy UMSL