Worst Golf Inventions

[chrismikayla]

What do you think are the worst things to happen to golf? For me since I abhor slow play it's the ball retriever. Inevitably a group I am behind has one and thinks it's a good idea to "fish" for multiple balls with groups immediately behind them. :russian_roulette:

[The Mad Bomber]

For me it's the golf ball monogrammer. Because I'm gonna take a nice, shiny ProV and ugly stamp the hell out it. Right...

[Shipwreck]

Training aides aside, I would have to say the chipper. If I ever come to a point in my golfing life where I must designate a slot in my bag for a club who's sole purpose is to chip, I'm gonna give up the game and never look back.

[HatsForBats]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

[SMcGavin1]

I personally love GolfNow. I've played multiple rounds under $10 this summer because of it... Mine would probably be saddle shoes. Who ever thought those things looked good? But what do I know.. I'm just a millennial.

[PutterFingers]

Anything golf related on an infomercial at 2am!

[596]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

[KillerPenguin]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

You hate efficient markets?

[gretch]

[596]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

You hate efficient markets?

 

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

[SMcGavin1]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

 

Why are golf courses signing up to be on GolfNow if it "costs the business owner a bunch of money"? Also, why do I care about the business owner? I'm out for me only (i.e. capitalism)

[KillerPenguin]

 

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

I'd like to continue the discussion. I mean efficient in that the supply of tee times get allocated at a price people are willing to pay. Along the vein of what McGavin said, these courses are using GolfNow as an advertisement tool. If the cost of the advertisement is too great, they pull out. If the lack of advertisement through GolfNow means the course can't keep the tee sheet full, it sounds like they are priced too high or they need to find better advertising. If the owner can't lower the price to match what people are willing to pay, the owner should be looking to sell. Aside from munis, they're in it to make a profit, at least theoretically.

 

From your example, it's just as true that you took money out of Trivago's pocket. It would have been much harder to find the hotel without the portal's (or some search tool's) help nor would you have had inside knowledge on how to price your offer to the hotel.

[Bad9]

I personally love GolfNow. I've played multiple rounds under $10 this summer because of it... Mine would probably be saddle shoes. Who ever thought those things looked good? But what do I know.. I'm just a millennial.

 

I'm 50 and agree.

[melo]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

You hate efficient markets?

 

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

 

All the portal did is direct you to a hotel where you had an idea of pricing, revuews from guests, availability and location...why dont you google hotels in orlando and see how far you get without a portal. What are you going to do, call all 400 of them asking for the best rate and if their rooms are nice, are they centrally located, pet friendly, do they have a pool? Business owners are made because it has forced them to invest money in their business to stay competitive and then compete at a price point. Without trivago you probably would have never called that place and the owner's cut would have been zero...the company that got screwed on that deal was trivago, they did all the work for you in moments and got nothing out of it except someone complaining about their site

[Bsgolf53]

The GolfNow guys are funny because it's the course that makes the decision to use it or not...

 

Worst golf invention The Stand Up Putter...

[596]

GolfNow and maybe the housing bubble.

 

+1 on GolfNow. Yep, you saved a few bucks and cost that business owner a bunch of money. Can you tell I hate "portals". I refuse to use them to purchase anything.

 

ie - We searched using Trivago last week for a room in St Augustine, FL. I found some nice ones and instead of booking in the portal, I called the hotel and without asking got the same rate. Very interesting, would not have saved a single penny by booking in the portal but would have cost the owner a bunch.

You hate efficient markets?

 

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

 

All the portal did is direct you to a hotel where you had an idea of pricing, revuews from guests, availability and location...why dont you google hotels in orlando and see how far you get without a portal. What are you going to do, call all 400 of them asking for the best rate and if their rooms are nice, are they centrally located, pet friendly, do they have a pool? Business owners are made because it has forced them to invest money in their business to stay competitive and then compete at a price point. Without trivago you probably would have never called that place and the owner's cut would have been zero...the company that got screwed on that deal was trivago, they did all the work for you in moments and got nothing out of it except someone complaining about their site

 

I said I wouldn't reply as it's a thread hijack....but

 

#1 I can search google and Google Earth and get exactly the same info I got from Trivago. I'm a big boy and know how to get all the info you suggest all by my self. This one Trivago thingy was only an example. Trivago lost nothing. They lost 0 money in MY 30 second search. Chamber of Commerce web sites come to mind. They have all the info you named without taking money per reservation like a privately owned for profit portal.

 

#2 I'm guessing the 3 responders to my hijack have not experienced a business before and then during the "portal age". Obviously you don't really know how searching worked before them and then since they injected themselves between customer and owner. You didn't read the part of my post that said I made more money, both gross and profit, before portals took their percentages. If you know alot about the Portal business model and owning your own business. Their cut/fee/percentage can be as high as 50 to 60% of the room charge. How would you like to get 40% of your hourly wage or salary before you pay taxes and bills?

 

I know what I'm talking about and will end this discussion as it stands. I have have my reasons and my opinion and you have yours, and that is your right. I won't change your mind and you won't ever change mine.

[brianburns.legal]

Fifteen replies, and nobody has mentioned the Hammer driver??

 

Oh yeah...BOOM!!....POW!!

[mshank]

I may catch some flack from this but anything made by Purespin, especially the driver!

[longballjs]

Vas irons

[SubaruWRX]

Fifteen replies, and nobody has mentioned the Hammer driver??

 

Oh yeah...BOOM!!....POW!!

Agreed, and I'd like to add the GreИade putter! And anything made by BombtƎch..!!! Haha

[Browns71213]

Killer Bee Driver

Sumo Square Driver

Greg Norman's The Secret Training Device

Anything Bruce Fleisher or Arron Oberholser are pimping

Nudie Golf Tees

[KillerPenguin]

I said I wouldn't reply as it's a thread hijack....but

 

#1 I can search google and Google Earth and get exactly the same info I got from Trivago. I'm a big boy and know how to get all the info you suggest all by my self. This one Trivago thingy was only an example. Trivago lost nothing. They lost 0 money in MY 30 second search. Chamber of Commerce web sites come to mind. They have all the info you named without taking money per reservation like a privately owned for profit portal.

 

#2 I'm guessing the 3 responders to my hijack have not experienced a business before and then during the "portal age". Obviously you don't really know how searching worked before them and then since they injected themselves between customer and owner. You didn't read the part of my post that said I made more money, both gross and profit, before portals took their percentages. If you know alot about the Portal business model and owning your own business. Their cut/fee/percentage can be as high as 50 to 60% of the room charge. How would you like to get 40% of your hourly wage or salary before you pay taxes and bills?

 

I know what I'm talking about and will end this discussion as it stands. I have have my reasons and my opinion and you have yours, and that is your right. I won't change your mind and you won't ever change mine.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, I don't expect to change your mind, and I am simply replying to an opinion with my opinion.

 

#1 Yes, you could use Google to find the hotel locations, but you would still be at a disadvantage as to how to price your offer to the hotel. Also, in my experience, some hotels simply won't bargain over the phone (no idea whether that was a company policy or simply a staff member who didn't have authority or simply didn't want to haggle).

 

#2 Yes, Trivago did lose out on money. You used their services to both locate a hotel and find out pricing, but then you didn't use them to book. I'm not saying at all that what you did was wrong (I've done the same), but to say Trivago didn't lose a sale is disingenuous. It's the same reason Golfsmith is bankrupt. Try the clubs at Golfsmith, but then buy online. You just switched which end got the sale. Golfsmith had no policy against such and they didn't deploy a strategy for combating internet retailers.

 

#3 Yes, I have booked hotels in the age before the internet. If I wanted a good deal, it was a massive annoyance to call multiple hotels, try to figure out what conveniences were in the local area (grocery store, fast food, casual dining, etc.), and make sure I asked what accommodations each hotel had. Your complaint that you're earning 40% of what you did before isn't uncommon. The internet has made it easy to comparison shop, especially for non-unique services like hotel rooms, and portals have positioned themselves to be the center of that convenience experience. The internet has removed much of the inefficiency of obtaining goods and services. Consumers, by and large, have been the beneficiary of the increased efficiency. Businesses have had to adapt or go out of business (hello Blockbuster Video!).

 

However, some companies refuse to work with portals with great success. Southwest Airlines, for example, doesn't allow booking anywhere but on Southwest.com. I don't see that they've been hurt by not advertising on Orbitz or Travelocity. They have focused on cutting costs (and were lucky to lock in some long term fuel contracts through the 2000s) and have passed those savings onto customers. Back to golf, there are many, many successful golf courses that follow the Southwest Airlines example and do not book through GolfNow (I just tried searching for Pebble Beach and could not book it on GolfNow). Obviously, they are providing something for which customers are willing to pay a premium.

[slower]

women golf clubs

[melo]

 

 

I said I wouldn't reply as it's a thread hijack....but

 

#1 I can search google and Google Earth and get exactly the same info I got from Trivago. I'm a big boy and know how to get all the info you suggest all by my self. This one Trivago thingy was only an example. Trivago lost nothing. They lost 0 money in MY 30 second search. Chamber of Commerce web sites come to mind. They have all the info you named without taking money per reservation like a privately owned for profit portal.

 

#2 I'm guessing the 3 responders to my hijack have not experienced a business before and then during the "portal age". Obviously you don't really know how searching worked before them and then since they injected themselves between customer and owner. You didn't read the part of my post that said I made more money, both gross and profit, before portals took their percentages. If you know alot about the Portal business model and owning your own business. Their cut/fee/percentage can be as high as 50 to 60% of the room charge. How would you like to get 40% of your hourly wage or salary before you pay taxes and bills?

 

I know what I'm talking about and will end this discussion as it stands. I have have my reasons and my opinion and you have yours, and that is your right. I won't change your mind and you won't ever change mine.

 

Just to be clear. GOOGLE IS A PORTAL.

 

And even then, searching google and using Google Earth (are you kidding me?) would not yield the results you got from trivago. Firstly, the Orlando Chamber of Commerce site lists only 36 hotels...Secondly it does not give you a price. It gives you an address, but not a location on a map. It also doesn't give you the most important thing AVAILABILITY. You could have the best list of 1000 properties, but you'd still have to call every damn one and ask if they have a room if you didn't have a site like Trivago. How about user ratings/reviews? What about amenities? Proximity to major events/venues/parks?

 

You think Google doesn't operate the same way? They get paid by companies to appear first on the list of searches...They get paid when you lick from their site to the other sites...Google is the worlds largest portal for everything and anything.

[stealthrt91]

Worst golf inventions... no such thing...

 

[HatsForBats]

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

I'd like to continue the discussion. I mean efficient in that the supply of tee times get allocated at a price people are willing to pay. Along the vein of what McGavin said, these courses are using GolfNow as an advertisement tool. If the cost of the advertisement is too great, they pull out. If the lack of advertisement through GolfNow means the course can't keep the tee sheet full, it sounds like they are priced too high or they need to find better advertising. If the owner can't lower the price to match what people are willing to pay, the owner should be looking to sell. Aside from munis, they're in it to make a profit, at least theoretically.

 

From your example, it's just as true that you took money out of Trivago's pocket. It would have been much harder to find the hotel without the portal's (or some search tool's) help nor would you have had inside knowledge on how to price your offer to the hotel.

 

Speaking strictly GolfNow - besides the Hot Deals I have not found their pricing to be lower. In fact it is more costly to use GolfNow as they charge booking fees. I can get tee times at a price I am willing to pay directly from most of the courses direct website and not pay a booking fee. I have also found GolfNow may list a time on their site that is not available at the courses site. Usually a time with 1 or 2 slots still open. For whatever reason the tee time is removed from the courses website even though spots are available (regular tee times not sure if it does the same for Hot Deals).

 

The only thing they add to my experience is higher cost and a somewhat easily navigated list of available tee times in a particular area. The booking fee is not worth what they offer me IMO. I have used a Hot Deal a few times to try courses I was unfamiliar with but have found the courses are not exactly happy about the Hot Deals. Your experience may vary there.

[ltjackson]

The GolfNow guys are funny because it's the course that makes the decision to use it or not...

 

Worst golf invention The Stand Up Putter...

 

This thing must weigh a ton!

[mikpga]

The Quick Tip found in many golf publications...

[melo]

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

I'd like to continue the discussion. I mean efficient in that the supply of tee times get allocated at a price people are willing to pay. Along the vein of what McGavin said, these courses are using GolfNow as an advertisement tool. If the cost of the advertisement is too great, they pull out. If the lack of advertisement through GolfNow means the course can't keep the tee sheet full, it sounds like they are priced too high or they need to find better advertising. If the owner can't lower the price to match what people are willing to pay, the owner should be looking to sell. Aside from munis, they're in it to make a profit, at least theoretically.

 

From your example, it's just as true that you took money out of Trivago's pocket. It would have been much harder to find the hotel without the portal's (or some search tool's) help nor would you have had inside knowledge on how to price your offer to the hotel.

 

Speaking strictly GolfNow - besides the Hot Deals I have not found their pricing to be lower. In fact it is more costly to use GolfNow as they charge booking fees. I can get tee times at a price I am willing to pay directly from most of the courses direct website and not pay a booking fee. I have also found GolfNow may list a time on their site that is not available at the courses site. Usually a time with 1 or 2 slots still open. For whatever reason the tee time is removed from the courses website even though spots are available (regular tee times not sure if it does the same for Hot Deals).

 

The only thing they add to my experience is higher cost and a somewhat easily navigated list of available tee times in a particular area. The booking fee is not worth what they offer me IMO. I have used a Hot Deal a few times to try courses I was unfamiliar with but have found the courses are not exactly happy about the Hot Deals. Your experience may vary there.

 

That alone has tremendous value...Not only that, but it allows you to directly compare all courses across the time which you would like to play. Do I want to call 3 golf courses, ask about greens fees and availability 3 different times, then compare pricing/availability and call 1 of the 3 back hoping the time is still available...or do i want to look online at every course in the area with an opening at 8am or so tomorrow, get the price each is offering, as well as pretty recent reviews of the condition of that course...oh, and i still have the option of calling the one I choose instead of booking with golfnow, AND i might find an awesome hot deal, AND I might find a course I haven't played before or a hidden gem, AND i could book it right there if I want to pay an extra $3 and not call anyone...

 

I have zero comprehension of how any golf consumer could be against golfnow. It gives you literally all of the relevant information about courses/tee times in your area AND everywhere else in the country, and still allows you to call those courses if you so choose to book the tee time without the fee.

 

As for the courses, they choose to use GolfNow. They can also choose not to. They lose 2 tee times per day to GN at any price point. Does that hurt, yes, but they aren't prime times, so not as much. Also, people who ONLY book hot deals aren't the kind of customers you want, or that you'll ever get to be fixtures at your course anyway. The other times are often as much or more than the course, which maintains pricing integrity, but provides tons of exposure...You also get some great juice if you keep your place in nice shape and treat people well, because the reviews are also easy to navigate and are up to date.

[KillerPenguin]

Efficient for who? So we don't need to make a phone call and speak with a real person?

 

All the portal websites did was stick themselves between the owner and the customer and suck money from the owner. Portal websites produce nothing, except their own profits. Trust me.....I know. I spent $1,000's per month because we "had" to use the portals once they became popular. They make the owner no more money, and actually less profit, then before they existed. I made more money, both gross and profit, prior to portal websites.

 

OK......no more discussion as this was a thread hijack.................SORRY.

I'd like to continue the discussion. I mean efficient in that the supply of tee times get allocated at a price people are willing to pay. Along the vein of what McGavin said, these courses are using GolfNow as an advertisement tool. If the cost of the advertisement is too great, they pull out. If the lack of advertisement through GolfNow means the course can't keep the tee sheet full, it sounds like they are priced too high or they need to find better advertising. If the owner can't lower the price to match what people are willing to pay, the owner should be looking to sell. Aside from munis, they're in it to make a profit, at least theoretically.

 

From your example, it's just as true that you took money out of Trivago's pocket. It would have been much harder to find the hotel without the portal's (or some search tool's) help nor would you have had inside knowledge on how to price your offer to the hotel.

 

Speaking strictly GolfNow - besides the Hot Deals I have not found their pricing to be lower. In fact it is more costly to use GolfNow as they charge booking fees. I can get tee times at a price I am willing to pay directly from most of the courses direct website and not pay a booking fee. I have also found GolfNow may list a time on their site that is not available at the courses site. Usually a time with 1 or 2 slots still open. For whatever reason the tee time is removed from the courses website even though spots are available (regular tee times not sure if it does the same for Hot Deals).

 

The only thing they add to my experience is higher cost and a somewhat easily navigated list of available tee times in a particular area. The booking fee is not worth what they offer me IMO. I have used a Hot Deal a few times to try courses I was unfamiliar with but have found the courses are not exactly happy about the Hot Deals. Your experience may vary there.

Thanks for adding your experience. I've had the same experience booking airfare with Priceline vs. going directly to the airline website. No savings going through the portal (though also no more expensive in my case with Priceline). The real value I see in GolfNow and similar portals is that, if you don't really care where you play, you can comparison shop really easily. I fall into the cheapskate golfer category as I'm the sole breadwinner supporting a family so I care much less about where I play (I'm also a high handicapper) than how much I pay to play. For golfers who are looking to play a particular course, especially a popular course, the savings may or may not be there with a portal.