Golf course rates and how they charge.

[Greenie]

Hi all. I wanted some opinions on how golf courses charge and how you look at it.

 

First up:

 Golf courses have rates posted for certain times of the day. I look at it as this is your rate for that time of day. I play a lot during twilight rates and prices are cheaper. Do you feel this is a special rate, coupon rate, or just the rate for the time of day? The reason I ask is I tried to use a $5 off coupon last time out during twilight rates and the person gives me a higher price than without the coupon. I laughed and asked how could that price be right. They explained the coupon could not be used with other specials and they had to take it off their morning rates. I replied I wasn't using it with any other coupons or specials and that I was using it on your regularly post rates for the time of day I was playing. I not sure that I agree that twilight rates are specials. It is your rate for the time of day it is. I know courses feel twilight rates are special rates but how do you feel about it?

 

Next : 

 Coupon states free greens fee must rent power cart. My favorite coupon. You walk in and look at the board of prices. For example: green fees are $25 cart fee is $14. You pull out that favorite coupon and all of a sudden that cart fee is $20 - $25. I'm not sure I agree with this one.

 

Next:

 I am a walker most of the time. The days of paying the greens fee and going out is fading away to either paying the same price to ride or walk or to  price not reflecting the greens fee only price. Your thoughts?

 

Next:

 As I said I'm a walker so this one is for the peple checking in riding complaining about this one. I call it the 'covid cart charge'. The course I have been playing pairs you up to fill out the foursomes. Nothing new here. The problem is people not knowing each other don't want to ride in the same cart together so they are being charged an additional cart fee to have their own cart. Some people don't even want to play with strangers right now. What is your thoughts on the extra cart charge? The course paired you up. Some people don't want to play with strangers right now and don't feel if they do they should have to pay more for their own cart.

 

This one is just pure funny. A few weeks back my buddy and I make a tee time for 2:10. Walking rates at the time is $16. We are seniors and the all day walking rate for seniors is $20. We check in and the guy says $20. I mention the rates after 2 are $16. He says yea but the senior rate is $20. I laugh and say well I don't know how old you think I am but I'm feeling $4 younger today.

[Moonlightgrm]

It’s their business and they can run it anyway they’d like. I don’t agree with some of the imposed fees you are mentioning, but do you have a choice? Yes, join a private or semi-private country club, choose another public course that satisfies your needs, or grin and bear it at the course you’ve described.

[FlyingAce]

My semi-private course charges everyone the same fee of $200/round - no twilight, no seniors, no locals, no specials. I have always played as a single and ride alone. If I really want to play at a course for whatever reasons, then I’d have no choice but to pay whatever they want to charge, or find somewhere else to play.

[Greenie]

49 minutes ago, Moonlightgrm said:

It’s their business and they can run it anyway they’d like. I don’t agree with some of the imposed fees you are mentioning, but do you have a choice? Yes, join a private or semi-private country club, choose another public course that satisfies your needs, or grin and bear it at the course you’ve described.

I wasn't complaining about any particular course but generalizing the way some courses manipulate their fees and coupons. I patronize courses that are straight forward with their pricing and give good service and don't go back to courses that want to play games with the way they charge their fees. I probably play 15 different courses during the yr.  There are plenty in my area so I never need to grin and bear it.

[ArtMBgolf]

The ride alone fee is because they don't have enough carts, so there needs to 
be something to stop everyone from riding alone, CV or not.   
  
The guy giving a SR the PM rate, is a idiot.   Hopefully it wasn't someone in charge.   
Normally people get the lowest rate they qualify for.  
If that course is trying to discourage SR players in the PM, to make room for others, 
then maybe they have a reason.  
 
Charging for carts or more for carts with free round certificates, has been around a long time.