Since rolling out Noteefy ?? Confirm, we have been processing thousands of tee time cancellations as a result of the automated text reminders. Here are the early insights after reviewing the data ?? ??
Tee time cancellations spike late in the week, with Thursdays and Fridays far outweighing every other day in the week on volume of cancellations.?
Why does this matter? The closer the cancellation occurs before a tee time, the less likely it is to be filled.
As every course operator knows, tee times are perishable. A golfer who cancels a Thursday or Friday tee time leaves operators scrambling to fill that slot right before the busy weekend.
The cost of a last-minute cancellation going unfilled is not just the green fee, it is also all the ancillary spend.
According to the latest National Golf Foundation data, roughly 50% of a tee time’s value is in spend beyond the green fee (think: F&B, merchandise, cart fees, etc.). This means that a canceled tee time doesn’t just cost you a green fee; it’s potentially half the total revenue that would have been spent.
What can course operators do about the frequency of last-minute cancellations? A combination of policy and technology.
Having the right cancellation policy, and educating golfers about the detrimental impacts of cancelling inside that window can have a positive impact.
Policy Enhancements That Have Proven to Be Effective
1. Credit Card Collection on Booking: Helps reduce no-shows and secures payment for late cancellations.
2. Strict 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: A modest cancellation fee (e.g., $20 per person) can reinforce commitment.
3. Call Required to Cancel Inside 24 Hours: A human conversation discourages casual last-minute cancellations.
Technology Solutions That Mitigate Last Minute Cancellations Going Unfilled
Modern technology can also help with mitigating the impact of last minute cancellations.
Specifically:
1. Automated Reminders & Confirmation Texting: Tech like Confirm gives golfers a gentle nudge—keeping them aware of their reservation?and reducing no-shows.
2. Digital Booking Assistant: Waitlist / Booking Assistant Technology Streamlines the rebooking process for your staff and your golfers.
3. Open-Integration Tee Sheets: Working with a tee sheet that has open APIs ensures your system can quickly adapt and connect with third-party tools for maximum efficiency.
Want to reduce no shows, short shows, and last-minute cancellations going unfilled? Drop us a DM!