Are you changing your rates in 2023?
Golf courses everywhere are looking for ways to increase their revenue and profitability. One of the most overlooked revenue opportunities for golf courses are their phone rates. The majority of golf courses typically offer the same rates for golfers who book their tee times online or by phone. However, it has been found that the phone reservation channel can be more lucrative for golf courses. In this blog post, we will make the case for golf courses to raise their tee time rates for those buying tee times by phone, using recently released data and projections from the Pellucid presentation at the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando.
During the Pellucid presentation at the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando, one of their prognosticators predicted 2023 golf course revenue to increase by 4-11%. The logical prediction came from the analysis of 2022 performance. 2022 golf playable hours were down 7%. Golf course overall performance in rounds and revenue was not down as much as we would expect from the large reduction in playable hours. The conclusion is golfer demand is still strong.
Do you use price power?
When demand is strong, sellers have price power and 2023 is the time to pull the lever. By raising phone rates, golf courses can increase revenue while also improving the benefits for golfers who book online.
One of the major advantages of raising phone rates is that it will make rates for golfers booking online lower. This will make online booking more attractive to golfers, leading to an increase in online reservations. This is important because online reservations allow golf courses to collect more data on their customers. This data can be used to improve the overall customer experience, increase retention rates, and drive repeat business. Specifically – collect the golfer email address, and add them to the Teesnap marketing machine. By raising phone rates, golf courses can increase revenue while also improving their customer data and online booking rates.
Furthermore, raising phone rates can help golf courses better allocate their resources. Phone reservations typically require more staff time and resources than online reservations. By raising phone rates, golf courses can ensure that they are adequately compensated for the additional resources required to process phone reservations. This can help golf courses better allocate their staff and resources, leading to improved customer service and a more efficient operation.
Are you concerned about price complaints?
Golf course owners and managers have a lot to worry about. We know running a golf course can be filled with stress. For those who complain about a price increase, your website tee time booking engine is the solution. We recommend you reply to the complaints with “Hey Charlie, I have a tip for you. Book your tee times on our website – we kept the 2022 rates for golfers using our website to book tee times”.
It is important to note that raising phone rates does not mean that golf courses should neglect their online booking system. Online booking is becoming increasingly important for golf courses. It is essential that golf courses offer a user-friendly online booking experience. By raising phone rates, golf courses can encourage golfers to book online while also improving their revenue and customer data.
Are you looking for ways to reduce no shows from online tee time reservations?
The Teesnap booking engine offers several options for golf course owners and managers looking to reduce no shows.
- Our most recent booking engine update allows for “holding” a credit card for the tee time. The golfer making the reservation is required to agree to the golf course cancelation policy and provide his/her credit card. The credit card is NOT charged at the time of the reservation.
- For more than 2 years, Teesnap has allowed for pre-payment of tee times booked through the booking engine. Using this option, the golfer simply checks in at the golf course, confirms they have paid and heads to the tee.
- We also support a low barrier to entry booking option. This requires no commitment to arrive and pay for the tee time. This is essentially the honor system and many golf courses prefer this approach.
In conclusion, golf courses can increase their revenue by raising their phone reservation rates. The recently released data from at the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando suggests that golf courses can capitalize on the potential of increased phone rates. By raising phone rates, golf courses can increase revenue while also improving their customer data and online booking rates. It is important for golf courses to offer a user-friendly online booking experience. Raising your tee time rates in the phone channel can help golf courses better allocate their resources and improve their overall profitability.
