Driving ranges face two persistent challenges: hazardous manual ball collection and rising labor costs. Carteav, in partnership with Wittek Golf – a long-time leader in golf course equipment – introduces an autonomous ball picker built for continuous collection while players are on the tee line. The joint solution was showcased at the PGA Show 2025 and is already shipping.
What this means for operators
- Continuous picking while players are on the range
- Lower labor costs and avoidance of driver injuries
- Fast deployment in closed, pedestrian-free environments
- Built-in access to a large, loyal customer base through Wittek Golf
Wittek has served more than 13,000 courses since 1946, and is not only a strategic partner of Carteav – it’s an investor. Wittek’s owner, Tim Pruban, recognized the revenue potential and chose to invest.
What is an autonomous range ball picker?
An Autonomous Range Picker (also called an autonomous ball picker) is a self-driving unit that patrols the turf, gathers golf balls, and delivers them to processing stations – without a human driver. Carteav’s system is designed around the reality of a driving range: predictable lanes, no pedestrians on the field of play, and a constant stream of balls.
Core outcomes you’re aiming for
- Reliable, continuous collection during operating hours
- Repeatable coverage patterns and fewer “missed” zones
- Safer operations by removing a driver from an inherently risky task
Why Carteav × Wittek Golf
Proven equipment + autonomy platform
Wittek brings decades of range equipment expertise and reach; Carteav supplies the autonomy stack and fleet coordination. Together, the Autonomous range ball picker solution aims to compress the path from trial to production for ranges that already rely on Wittek.
Distribution and support
With Wittek’s established relationships and service network, operators can evaluate, procure, and maintain the system through familiar channels.
Safety, efficiency, and deployment
Safety by design
Driving ranges are closed, pedestrian-free fields, which simplifies autonomy. The picker’s speed, routes, and geofences are configured to the site layout, targeting consistent coverage while players are actively hitting.
Efficiency
Continuous picking allows more predictable ball availability for washing and dispensing – reducing backlogs during peak hours and helping the pro shop keep a smooth rhythm.
Deployment
Because the environment is controlled, your team positions the solution for immediate deployment – mapping, defining boundaries, and integrating with existing Wittek equipment.
Who benefits
- Standalone ranges seeking throughput and staffing stability
- Golf clubs & resorts aiming to reduce risk exposure and improve guest experience
- Multi-site operators looking for standardization and roll-out efficiency across properties
From showcase to shipping
The joint solution debuted at the PGA Show 2025 and is already shipping to customers. If you’re evaluating options before peak season, you can book a site assessment and get a configuration plan tailored to your yardage, contours, and ball-flow needs.
What to expect in a site assessment
- Course mapping & constraints (tee lines, nets, hazards, slopes)
- Coverage model – estimated recovery rates by hour and by bay load
- Integration plan – handoff to washing/dispensing and Wittek hardware
- Operational playbook – startup/shutdown routines, incident handling, KPIs
Frequently asked questions about the Autonomous Range Picker
What’s the difference between an autonomous ball picker and a traditional picker?
Traditional pickers require a driver, which introduces injury risk and scheduling constraints. An autonomous ball picker is designed to run on its own within geofenced boundaries and patterns you define.
Can it pick while golfers are hitting?
Your program positions continuous picking as a key benefit of the Autonomous range ball picker in a closed, pedestrian-free range.
How quickly can a range go live?
Because ranges are controlled environments, your team frames deployment as immediate after mapping and setup (subject to site conditions).
How does support work?
Wittek’s market presence provides a path for distribution and ongoing service, alongside Carteav’s autonomy support.
Ready to see the Autonomous Range Picker on your turf?
Schedule a demo with Carteav and Wittek Golf to review your layout, throughput goals, and rollout timing.