The operations of golf courses, including driving ranges, are gradually moving towards digitalization. There is mounting evidence that the traditional driving range experience is no longer appealing or competitive. As golfers, we highly value the importance of distances…
IAGTO's flagship event, the IAGTO European Convention (IEC) was held in Marbella in Andalucía’s Costa del Sol from 24-26 April 2023. The three-day event was attended by 634 delegates from 46 countries, making it IAGTO’s largest and most…
WPP says "2023 promises to be a highly competitive environment for brands and rights-holders looking to get ahead in the sports industry". I also see the sports broadcasting landscape has changed significantly in 2022. Streaming became a very important…
Give golfers a great golf club membership experience and they will never leave you and spend more money in your golf club. Great! This is what every golf club is striving for. So why are so many golf…
Nielsen tracked a 107% increase in sponsorship spending globally in the first part of 2021. Nielsen's 2021 Trust in Advertising study found: Millennials (25-40) and Gen X (41-56) trust advertising the most. Those aged 65+, followed by Gen Z (15-24) and Boomers (57-66) have the…
Industry-leading range technology provider, Toptracer, has just launched a brand-new game mode: Toptracer30. The exciting new game mode puts players in 30 realistic virtual on-course scenarios and measures how successfully the player navigates them – providing a mountain of…
My interviewee Nikolaj Kromann Jørgensen (COO, TrackMan) said "We see most range facilities and public golf courses, and many private clubs, evaluating how they can create more value for their customers and members at the driving range." A good example of…
The first version/edition of GEO's Sustainable Golf Development Standard was created in 2016. The main focus was three areas: PreparationDesignConstruction Even then, I really missed the fourth element/phase, the "follow-up." To remain relevant and stay in business golf…
My new interviewee, Andy McMahon is the new director of golf operations & padel club in Adare Manor. On this occasion, I thought about asking How Adare Manor is improving the customer experience & the employee experience, where…
A year ago I wrote golf clubs and golf academies' perspectives, it is time to rethink driving range experiences. However, it is not only about installing Toptracer Range, Trackman Range, or Inrange Golf, especially when your golf club/resort does…
We are witnessing the digitalization of golf club operations (including tee time booking). I wish even "Mickey Mouse" golf courses will understand now that the Excel-sheet and telephone-based golf club management is not viable and not profitable anymore.…
My impression is that golf clubs do not make sufficient use of the potential of golf club management software. To ensure this, I asked Jacek Gulmantowicz, co-founder of Golf Booking Software. Do you think I was right or…
After learning in April that Burhill Group finished in 7th place at the 22nd annual Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 awards, I wondered how they had achieved that success. This is why I ask in this interview…
The current pandemic forced many golf clubs that they should start taking their golf operations’ (including tee time booking) digitalization seriously. If you have read John P. Kotter’s book Leading Change, you might say the COVID-19 pandemic could/is…
It is really surprising to find golf clubs in 2021 that are using the classic and outdated tee time booking method: telephone + paper + pen/pencil. In many cases I get answers to my question - why do…
Whilst 2020 presented many challenges to the golf industry and wider society, the recent release of the Confederation of Professional Golf’s [CPG] new strategic plan promises not only a thriving future for the organisation but perhaps more vitally,…
In November, we talked about the new name of Billy Casper Golf (founded in 1989), Indigo Golf Partners (with nearly 7,000 employees; more than 160 golf courses, country clubs, and resorts in 29 states). In January 2019, the…
The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has unveiled its program of education for January 2021, with members offered access to BIGGA’s world-renowned Continue to Learn via an entirely-online platform for the first time ever. BIGGA should…
I see the coronavirus has triggered changes in sports sponsorship as well. The organizers of the Race to Dubai (of course other golf tournaments too), but also its sponsors like Rolex have to face and embrace the changes…
I know many of you are finalizing or in the middle of the planning of your marketing strategy and activities right now for 2021. That’s why I was thinking about summarizing what golf club marketing trends I expect…