Leveraging Game-Changing Tech at Golf Clubs

By Team Whoosh

In today's competitive landscape with rising consumer expectations, golf clubs must embrace technology to elevate the golfing experience and retain their loyal customer base. Below we explore how golf clubs can leverage new types of technology to stay relevant and appeal to this new face of the sport.

One of the most significant advancements in the golf sector is the implementation of online booking systems for both public and private facilities. These systems, like our own, have revolutionized how golfers schedule their games, offering convenience and efficiency with just a few clicks.?

Now, players can conveniently reserve tee times and view course availability without ever making a call, and operators can easily anticipate what’s needed day-to-day from a staffing perspective: this allows them to anticipate customer needs and these systems provide them with valuable data insights into peak times, customer preferences and playing patterns. This information allows clubs to optimize their schedules, offer targeted promotions and improve overall course management. Additionally, the automation of bookings reduces the administrative burden on staff, saving them valuable time and allowing them to focus on enhancing the customer experience in other areas.

Beyond booking and scheduling, many golf clubs are exploring various technologies to enrich the overall customer experience before players even step foot into their facility.

A great example of this is through custom member applications. Pacesetter Technology is one of the leading providers of mobile apps for private clubs, which fully integrates with Whoosh's tee sheet and other providers to create a simplified booking experience and provide all club information in one place. Creating personalized and “friction-free” experiences boosts engagement and encourages participation, ultimately impacting the clubs overall utilization without overloading staff.?

Then, there are tools like Golf Genius , that allow clubs to digitally manage their tournaments and simplify the sign-up process for players. Or clubs with GPS-enabled golf carts, providing players with accurate distance measurements, course maps and strategic advice for each hole, improving overall game play and positivity impacting pace of play.?

Augmented and virtual reality usage in the off-season are also technological developments that positively impact customer experience. More and more golf clubs are now offering AR-enhanced driving ranges, where players can practice their swings in a simulated environment that mimics real-world conditions year round. This technology helps golfers refine their skills with instant feedback and immersive experiences, making practice sessions more engaging and bringing people on-site all year long. National Golf Foundation (NGF) even notes the surge in alternative and off-course golf is not slowing down anytime soon:

“An estimated 6.2 million Americans hit golf balls with a club in a golf simulator within the past year, a total that surged 73% compared to pre-pandemic levels."?

According to that same NGF report, clubs have also experienced significant post-pandemic staffing issues. They cite that “80% of public and private operators surveyed indicated they are having some level of staffing and labor issues in the current climate.” Several factors likely contribute to this labor shortage, including the need to leverage newer tech and social media to target the younger generation and to help attract top talent.?

To address these challenges, many clubs are turning to the aforementioned technology solutions to reduce the amount of busy work and focus the staff on providing the best member and guest experience possible. By using modern cloud based technologies that integrate with each other, clubs can improve staff efficiency by reducing the amount of manual data entry and delivering better business intelligence across systems. Whoosh, Inc. in particular can save 20+ hours a week for private club staff by reducing these common workflow pain points and allowing that time to be put towards member hospitality instead. By utilizing these technologies, clubs can mitigate the impact of staffing shortages and continue to provide a higher level of service to their customers.

As technologies continue to evolve, so too will the opportunities for enhancing the golf experience. It's clear that clubs that work to embrace these advancements will not only attract new customers but also foster loyalty among their existing ones. By offering a seamless, modern and enjoyable experience, these clubs can stand out in an increasingly competitive market.