WELCOME TO GOLF – May 22-28, 2023
The NGCOA Canada has developed the following FREE OF CHARGE consumer outreach program exclusively for their membership to help Grow Their Business. They are asking member clubs to take advantage of The Welcome to Golf program which is intended to attract and introduce non-golfing adults to member facilities.
Over the years we have seen many golf introductory programs. Some have succeeded and many failed. Any new program created to develop the game is always welcome. However, with this program we question why it is only running for one week? This should be a year-round program. The golf season will have just started and for many golf clubs, marketing has always been a challenge. Very few have a marketing staff or budget. Usually, the marketing duties fall to the pro or assistant who will be very busy at this time
This one-week program runs May 22, 2023, and will provide a pathway to help more people interested in golf to become comfortable with your facility resulting in more people playing the game.
Welcome to Golf is an opportunity for a non-golfer, interested in the game; to experience a walkthrough of your facility, make connections with other newcomers, and get comfortable at the course to return on their own to play a round or take a lesson.
What does a Golf Course Walkthrough Experience Look Like?
During an ‘Open House’ concept, the 30–60-minute walkthrough is your opportunity to help newcomers become comfortable, accepted, and confident at the golf course. The beginner tour could include important elements like learning how to book a tee time; how to check-in; how to strap a bag on a cart; where and how to use the practice green; and so on. The Welcome to Golf program creates new golfers, rather than students, and becomes the first step in the golfer journey at the course.
NGCOA Canada will provide each member course with a complete guide on setting up your Open House Walkthrough, with proven best practices from operators, a marketing tool kit including social media assets, web banners, email templates, posters, etc.
The confusing part for us with this program is their objective is to attract and introduce non-golfing adults to member facilities. Usually, non-golfing adults will not be searching golf club web sites or on any golf email list. Posters that the club usually must print will not be seen if posted in a club locker room. The program needs to go out into the community and reach people who are not involved in golf and try to attract them over to the sport. I will be interested to see how many golf professionals will have the time to work on this marketing activity.
As stated before I have been in the industry a long time and seen many programs. I hope this one is successful and look forward to seeing the results the NGCOA Canada posts and how many clubs register and how many non-golfers joined a club.
