© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WATCH: Golf Robot Named LDRIC Hits A Hole-In-One

A hole-in-one is a cause for celebration, even (especially?) when a robot does it.

LDRIC, a cleverly named golf robot, aced the par-3 16th hole at Arizona's TPC Scottsdale course earlier this week on just its fifth try.

The Launch Directional Robot Intelligent Circuitry robot's name is pronounced "Eldrick" — as in Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. With its triumph, both LDRIC and Eldrick have made holes-in-one from the very same tee. (Woods did it in 1997.)

The robot reportedly takes the wind and surface of the green into consideration when lining up and hitting its shots. Golf Digest describes LDRIC as "the go-to device for equipment and ball-testing in the golf industry. Not only is its swing sound and fluid, but it can replicate hooks, slices and other flaws inherent to the average golfer."

But it doesn't wear brightly colored pants. So at least human golfers still have that going for them.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.