Our founder
Joe Ernest, CEO
Founder · Ernest Sports
Joe Ernest earned a BA degree in 1968 from the University of Southern Mississippi with an emphasis in opera. Joe’s musical abilities served him well, developing discipline and purpose. Joe completed ROTC training in college, and upon graduation, he was sent to European Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and then to Vietnam. He completed his military service with the rank of Captain. He used his musical talents while in Europe and later while in military service in Los Angeles.
After serving his country, Joe realized his entrepreneurial gifts and attained his Real Estate license and later his Broker’s license. In the mid-1980s, the Bell companies were deregulated, and Joe saw a business opportunity. He read a newspaper article about a man who had developed the first private payphone, so Joe flew to see the product for himself. Upon returning to his office in Alabama, Joe knew he could develop a better product. He contacted the Electrical Engineering department at South Alabama and contracted with the department head to create the circuitry needed. Soon Joe was traveling to Atlanta to an area known as Technology Park in Norcross, GA, to work with more advanced engineers. As Joe perfected the payphone product, he moved his family to Atlanta and started Ernest Telecom, developing breakthrough electronics for the payphone industry, and later for business telecommunications. He was nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year because of his achievements.
As an avid golfer, Joe saw the technology trend in the golf industry taking shape early on. He started Ernest Sports in 2011 (selling his telecommunications business in 2013) by developing the first personal golf launch monitor that featured a free, record-keeping application. His ES12 was voted the Best New Product at the PGA Merchandise Show in 2012.
Joe has continued to grow and expand his company, Ernest Sports. He now offers a variety of golf launch monitors to every golfer, no matter their ability. Just as in Vietnam, when serving his country, Joe has worked hard and has overcome many battles in the business world. His perseverance and determination to succeed continue to serve Joe well as he strives to develop creative products for the golf community.
The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices in him.
Psalm 28:7
Our story
Fourteen years of measuring golf shots
Ernest Sports was founded in Georgia out of a growing need for better ways to measure golf performance, while keeping the enjoyment of the game front and centre. After extensive research, testing and comparative analysis, the ES12 came to market in January 2012.
The problem then is the problem now, just at a different price point. Accurate launch data existed, but it lived in fitting bays and tour trucks. If you wanted to know your carry number, you asked someone who owned a machine you could not afford. We started building instruments that put that number in the hands of the person hitting the shot.
Fourteen years later the range runs from a $199.99 pocket unit to a ceiling-mounted simulator, and the products are used by teachers, driving ranges, club fitters and golfers who simply want to stop guessing. Every unit is still built in the USA.
How we test
The numbers we measure directly — ball speed and club speed — are checked against professional reference equipment; in our testing ball speed reads typically within about 1%. Launch angle, spin and distances are modelled from those measured speeds and the club you select, and we say so rather than dress them up as measured.
Foundation
What sets us apart
Data you can trust
Every measurement is tested against the best equipment in the game.
Integration that works
Our systems fit into your workflow without friction or compromise.
Support that stands ready
Our team knows these systems inside out and backs you up.