Like many people, I love golf.
When Tiger Woods entered the professional ranks, the number of golfers in the United States swelled. The number of golf courses being constructed increased. That was in 1996.
In 2008, golf is growing much slower and with far fewer people playing consistently. The number of golf courses is still growing. However, people seem to be working harder, devoting more time to kids’ activities, and other pursuits.
Golf is an expensive sport. The costs for 18 holes and a cart are normally $40+++ and the time it takes to play 18 holes is still 4-6 hours (depending upon how fast you play). Golf courses are not only competing for your time, but also for your money.
I ventured out to play 18 on a nearby course I had never played before a while back. I Google’d the course directions and I was off. I still got lost. For some reason, the course spent $5 on a cardboard sign, similar to “Open House” signs, as a way to direct people off the main road and onto the smaller road back to the course. It did not help that the course is within a regular neighborhood and you would never know there was a golf course back there.
Everything changed when I made my way to the clubhouse to pay. I was told by the cashier that if I did our Alma Mater’s athletic cheer then I would receive a discount. He belted out “O-H” and I responded “I-O…UUUU”…
As it turns out, at the previous weekends college football game (Ohio State vs Ohio University), OU fans played off the normal OSU cheer (when we were beating the Buckeyes). I had an OU shirt on. I got my discount and walked out ready for 18. Marketing SHOULD make you feel good.
It was a beautiful day and what a great course at a great price. With as much as this golf course has going for it, one would think a sign would generate enough business to pay for it ten times over. It is amazing when something so simple can be looked over when dealing with day to day issues.
Sometimes pinching pennies results in lost dollars.
