Summer Discount Cards, Help improve them

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I had a local course reach out to me on social media to see what drives your interest in summer discount cards like the Summer 6 pack type offerings that are popping up from many local courses. They appreciate the feedback that wrxers have provided over the years and wanted to pick your brains a little.

 

Besides quality of course what drives your interest in these offers price, add ons like balls, drink coupons, merchandise, etc? What would you like to see added to entice you to purchase? What provides little to no value to you?

[bellview17]

Straight up cost.... Second I always wanted a discount for 9 late afternoon .. courses here seem empty last 3-4 hours if the day...

[StezzGolfer]

Sometimes those deals prohibit booking a tee time before, say, 10am. That deters me from buying it.

 

Personally, i dont need them to throw in drinks or balls or anything. As the guy above said, just offer a good deal and get people to bite. Drinks, range balls, last-minute pro shop needs, lunch will be bought as customers begin to come in.

 

And as you said, OPB, conditions. There are also some courses i wouldn't consider these deals on.

 

I've only seen the Southern Dunes 6-pack deal. Maybe they need to market a little more? I havent seen other courses offer this.

[azgolfer44]

Big things for me on summer discount cards besides costs:

1. Being able to split the rounds up among several people. It is hard to play 6 rounds at a single course in the summer with vacations and wanting to play other high-end courses.
   
2. If tee times are limited on weekends, must be a significant discount from what the times are on Golfnow, TeeOff, etc. No one wants to tee off at 9:00 on a Sunday in July for a 15% off rack discount.
   
3. I like restaurant discounts, like 2 for 1 entrees, but only if it is an extra bonus, as opposed to paying for it as part of the package.
   
4. Making publicly available what dates the course is under significant maintenance.
   

 

Little or no value:

1. Free merchandise like coolers, golf balls, shirts, towels, etc. Or 50% off merchandise that is almost always overpriced.
   
2. Drink tickets.
   

 

In reality, it is hard to beat we-ko-pass $35 rates all summer, so it has to be a great deal and solid conditions.

[KYMAR]

No gimmicks, (just to make it easy) if a Normal round is 10 bucks, make these rounds 7.50 or 8 bucks or whatever they are willing to do in exchange for paying in advance for multiple rounds. I don' need balls, i don't need a free hot dog, I want a deal if I am going to make this, albeit small, commitment.

 

Just don't BS people. No fine print restrictions, STOP making every effort to hide such restrictions until after they are purchased.

 

Not valid Saturday or Sunday between 6 and 10AM and 12 and 2PM Not valid on holidays, thursdays, mondays, and some wednesdays.

 

Grrrrrrr!

[cbbaron]

Funny you mention this today got this from Grayhawk this morning in my email

 

https://grayhawkgolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017-Summer-Sixpack-Flyer-01.jpg

[DrSchteeve]

Combining courses. Since there is so much cheap golf anyway, I don't want to play the same course 5 times.

[StezzGolfer]

Funny you mention this today got this from Grayhawk this morning in my email

 

https://grayhawkgolf...ck-Flyer-01.jpg

 

Perfect example of what not to do. That comes out to $60+ per round, and 6 BOGO entrees. Quite an average to poor deal. Just looked online for tee times at Grayhawk - $60 pretty much all day. And they have a last minute deals column - $32 if you want to get out right now. Tee sheets are never booked during summer so why pay the $60 or, worse yet, the package deal of $250+

[azgolfer44]

Funny you mention this today got this from Grayhawk this morning in my email

 

https://grayhawkgolf...ck-Flyer-01.jpg

 

Perfect example of what not to do. That comes out to $60+ per round, and 6 BOGO entrees. Quite an average to poor deal. Just looked online for tee times at Grayhawk - $60 pretty much all day. And they have a last minute deals column - $32 if you want to get out right now. Tee sheets are never booked during summer so why pay the $60 or, worse yet, the package deal of $250+

 

Doesn't that come out to $39+ tax per round? Still a little high for restricted tee times, but not a terrible deal.

[StezzGolfer]

^_^ hahah and im an engineer. Disregard my poor math. Apologies.

 

As you were...

[puttnforthe8]

No restrictions would be my #1 - for example that Grayhawk 3 day only is ridiculous.

 

I like the multiple courses idea.

[fore_life]

if it's not a GOOD deal first and foremost then I won't even consider a summer card anywhere, there is just waaaay to many options for crazy cheap in the summer.

 

The 6 pack at dunes used to be a no brainer, it was worth it for the golf alone,I didn't buy the card(s) for the other items, just ended up being a sweet bonus. So when the price went up, even though it wasn't much, it no longer carried the same value to me since I can play 6 rounds there for cheaper than the cost of the 6 pack.. so I guess the freebies add zero value for me. Unless the initial cost is of strong value.

 

There's not many places that offer resident rates, but something that I would be interested in would be a "resident" card or membership that offers a sweet summer deal. Flat fee, unlimited golf and range for X months in the summer, but at a realistic summer rate. Maybe limit it to 4 rounds per week or something, but no day or time restrictions, no range restrictions. Troon could do a cool one that offered ocotillo, dunes, and whirlwind but knowing them, they'd want $3000 for a 4 month pass.

Entice the players to spend more time at your course, and they'll spend more money, know what I mean?

[ferrispgm]

I love Fore's idea on the resident membership for the summer. I know McCormick ranch does this and if it was a better course I would probably do it. Other than that, I echo what others have said. Drop the free food or sleeve of balls and make it just about golf. And make it so the price of the pass actually equates to a deal as in the grayhawk example above. If it was like $300 or $350 for 10 rounds chances are that most people probably wouldn't ever even use all 10 during summer anyway so it's a win on both ends. Golfer feels like they get a deal and the course in a lot of cases would get to what equates to $40 or $50 a round if the golfer doesn't use them all. Not saying my pricing makes sense but it's what first popped into my head at 5am today lol

[golfandfishing]

I'm in the just golf corner also. keep your logo NXT Tours, igloo lunch bag or towel and I'll trade you for a 7 day booking window.

[jatrain]

Price and variability for me. I mainly play city card courses during winter so summer is when I get out on the higher end courses. I don't want to be tied to one course for a large chunk of my summer rounds unless I'm getting a great deal (which most don't seem to be, don't care about meals and giveaways).

 

I'd say the old fashioned loyalty card where your play X number of rounds and get a free one would do it for me. I'm going to play about 15 rounds during the summer season. About half of those are going to be me making the rounds of my top courses (We-ko-pa, Southern Dunes, Troon, Grey, Ambiente, etc) with less regard for price, the other half will be primarily based on value. If somebody were to make it worth my while to play their course by pricing competitively on their own website while rewarding me with a round, I'd stay with them (and buy from them vs a Deal time on teeoff or GolfNow) versus shopping those rounds around.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Thanks for the responses, Follow up question for you since it seems the top two answers are value and no booking restrictions. Would you pay a little more for no booking restrictions or an extended booking window? Say normal booking is 7 days in advance but the card gives you 10 days?

 

Reason I ask is because of the Wekopass, I have been a huge fan of the Wekopass, but in the last two years I have not bothered with it. Now I actually see more value is paying resident rates just to get the better booking window and choice of tee times. Sure it is only a $10 difference in price per round but being able to get a preferred morning time has more value to me than saving $10. T

 

 

One other thing that intrigues me is a points system. I was reading up on some of the different Points memberships available in the UK and it is intriguing concept especially for summer pass type deals.

 

Say you buy 300 points for $300 and the points are good from 05/30 up to the start of overseed. Structure could look something like this.

 

10 points = weekend morning round before 11am

 

7.5 points= Weekend round after 11am

 

7.5 points = Weekday round before 11am

 

5 points = Weekday round after 11am

[ferrispgm]

Points system not a bad idea, could be interesting.

 

Not sure how I would feel about paying more to be able to book earlier unless it extended the booking window to where you would have first dibs. But there are so many options out here that you can usually find something. I would think it would make just as much sense to at least make the booking window the same as everyone else....I think it's more annoying when you spend the money for the pass up front but then they shorten the window like crazy such as at We Ko Pa. Booking windows should be at least 7 days though in my opinion. Now if you did a point system, you could do something where (using your point spread above) it's 10 points to book on the weekend round but maybe if you book only 2 or 3 days out it's 8 or 9 points.

[umassgolfer]

Keep in mind my POV is as a Northern NJ golfer, where golf deals are few and far between, mostly because demand outpaces supply.

 

I don't mind when a course uses food to round out a "deal". Most likely I'll be getting something anyways. If I'm paying $65 for golf, cart and lunch, that's a great deal to me. Most courses in the area are over $65 for just golf.

 

The points idea above is interesting but I don't think does much for me. I feel like I'd end up with leftover "points" or not getting the right value from it. What I like more is a loyalty system, especially joined between a few courses. Earn points based on $ spent, which can be put towards golf, food, etc.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Keep in mind my POV is as a Northern NJ golfer, where golf deals are few and far between, mostly because demand outpaces supply.

 

I don't mind when a course uses food to round out a "deal". Most likely I'll be getting something anyways. If I'm paying $65 for golf, cart and lunch, that's a great deal to me. Most courses in the area are over $65 for just golf.

 

The points idea above is interesting but I don't think does much for me. I feel like I'd end up with leftover "points" or not getting the right value from it. What I like more is a loyalty system, especially joined between a few courses. Earn points based on $ spent, which can be put towards golf, food, etc.

 

Understandable, I should have clarified the original premise of my post was meant to be specific to here in AZ where summer is our offseason and courses are not as busy except for the mornings before the heat really cranks up.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Points system not a bad idea, could be interesting.

 

Not sure how I would feel about paying more to be able to book earlier unless it extended the booking window to where you would have first dibs. But there are so many options out here that you can usually find something. I would think it would make just as much sense to at least make the booking window the same as everyone else....I think it's more annoying when you spend the money for the pass up front but then they shorten the window like crazy such as at We Ko Pa. Booking windows should be at least 7 days though in my opinion. Now if you did a point system, you could do something where (using your point spread above) it's 10 points to book on the weekend round but maybe if you book only 2 or 3 days out it's 8 or 9 points.

 

You're not necessarily paying more to play early. The max point value is roughly based on the current cost of preferred tee times. Most places already have in place lower priced weekday or twilight rounds so the points system would be mirroring that structure. Using my example 10x30=$300 or cost average of $30 per round for prime weekend slots. Which would be on par with some of the offers. Obviously if someone has the freedom to use the card mid week or later in the day the card carries more value since the cost average comes down much like it would if they were booking individual rounds.

 

IIRC the PHX City card is the only one that give a "early access" type booking window 9 days vs 7 for regular booking.

[ferrispgm]

I agree with and understand what you're saying...i was referring to paying more to have the option to book early. I guess I just don't like how you pay this money up front and while you may get a discounted rate, you are cutting the booking window in half. But I don't necessarily think it's fair to charge more to allow someone a 7 vs a 3 day window when a ton of other courses already allow a 7 day or longer window.

[golfandfishing]

I'd pay more (slightly) for a 7 day window vs 3. But 7 is plenty, no difference for me at a week out v 10 days.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Thanks for the responses, Follow up question for you since it seems the top two answers are value and no booking restrictions. Would you pay a little more for no booking restrictions or an extended booking window? Say normal booking is 7 days in advance but the card gives you 10 days?

 

Reason I ask is because of the Wekopass, I have been a huge fan of the Wekopass, but in the last two years I have not bothered with it. Now I actually see more value is paying resident rates just to get the better booking window and choice of tee times. Sure it is only a $10 difference in price per round but being able to get a preferred morning time has more value to me than saving $10. T

 

 

One other thing that intrigues me is a points system. I was reading up on some of the different Points memberships available in the UK and it is intriguing concept especially for summer pass type deals.

 

Say you buy 300 points for $300 and the points are good from 05/30 up to the start of overseed. Structure could look something like this.

 

10 points = weekend morning round before 11am

 

7.5 points= Weekend round after 11am

 

7.5 points = Weekday round before 11am

 

5 points = Weekday round after 11am

 

Your comments about the we ko pass vs just paying resident rates is interesting. I don't like cholla (at least 3 goofy holes). I love saguaro but I enjoy playing a variety of courses. I've only used my we ko pass about 8-10 times in the past 12 months. Getting a discount for friends is nice but the 3 day booking window is tough. Conditioning is great but it's a 35 min drive. Troon customer service is better imho.

 

Thanks for the responses, Follow up question for you since it seems the top two answers are value and no booking restrictions. Would you pay a little more for no booking restrictions or an extended booking window? Say normal booking is 7 days in advance but the card gives you 10 days?

 

Reason I ask is because of the Wekopass, I have been a huge fan of the Wekopass, but in the last two years I have not bothered with it. Now I actually see more value is paying resident rates just to get the better booking window and choice of tee times. Sure it is only a $10 difference in price per round but being able to get a preferred morning time has more value to me than saving $10. T

 

 

One other thing that intrigues me is a points system. I was reading up on some of the different Points memberships available in the UK and it is intriguing concept especially for summer pass type deals.

 

Say you buy 300 points for $300 and the points are good from 05/30 up to the start of overseed. Structure could look something like this.

 

10 points = weekend morning round before 11am

 

7.5 points= Weekend round after 11am

 

7.5 points = Weekday round before 11am

 

5 points = Weekday round after 11am

 

Your comments about the we ko pass vs just paying resident rates is interesting. I don't like cholla (at least 3 goofy holes). I love saguaro but I enjoy playing a variety of courses. I've only used my we ko pass about 8-10 times in the past 12 months. Getting a discount for friends is nice but the 3 day booking window is tough. Conditioning is great but it's a 35 min drive. Troon customer service is better imho.

[ferrispgm]

As a side note...I think i would be ok with paying maybe an extra $50 or so to have a 7 day window if it included morning weekend times....Kind of dawned on me after seeing the Grayhawk 6 pack deal only includes weekend rounds after 8am...I'm an early riser lol.

[SilverBullets]

Cost and booking window as others have said. I only play on the weekends and in the summer I only want to play in the early morning. If I can't get those tee times, I will move to another track. I would pay slightly more for an extended booking window to ensure I could play early on the weekends. For the most part, like others, I haven't bought a card because of the restrictions. I don't care about a 25% pro shop discount, a free hot dog and drink or 2 for 1 entrees. I care about playing at 7am on Saturday and sunday.

 

I didn't get the WeKoPass for the same reasons you mentioned. I play WeKoPa a lot. But the limited booking window makes it hard for me to justify. So I just pay the resident rate. In the winter, when it's still $100 or whatever and is hard to get on with all of the tourist, I just move most of my rounds to TPC with the walking resident rate.

[vallygolf]

I think they are missing out on a great chance to make MORE money. I would gladly pay for a card that allowed me to pay the going rate, but gave me first dibs at the first tee times. Im one of thoses guys who would tee off just before it was light enough to see the ball. I have no interest in a card with any type of restriction. Like others have stated credits and merchandise is useless to me.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Cost and booking window as others have said. I only play on the weekends and in the summer I only want to play in the early morning. If I can't get those tee times, I will move to another track. I would pay slightly more for an extended booking window to ensure I could play early on the weekends. For the most part, like others, I haven't bought a card because of the restrictions. I don't care about a 25% pro shop discount, a free hot dog and drink or 2 for 1 entrees. I care about playing at 7am on Saturday and sunday.

 

I didn't get the WeKoPass for the same reasons you mentioned. I play WeKoPa a lot. But the limited booking window makes it hard for me to justify. So I just pay the resident rate. In the winter, when it's still $100 or whatever and is hard to get on with all of the tourist, I just move most of my rounds to TPC with the walking resident rate.

 

I agree this will be my 3rd year living in the valley.

 

Year 1-city pass & we ko pass

Year 2 (current)- just we ko pass

Year 3-I think I'll probably just do the city pass. Not b/c of cost but the wekopass 4 day booking window sucks

 

 

[wybrh]

Use of the practice facilities. For example, I'd buy the WeKoPass if I could use the practice area once in a while for a reduced/no fee.