Golf clubs have long been a great way to meet friends and socialise whilst having a game of golf. However, even though the popularity of golf clubs is not in any doubt, they should use modern technology to ensure they are providing their members with a relevant and enjoyable service. It should be possible for golf clubs to keep their members up to date with all the activities available in the club and to ensure that every member feels part of the local golfing community.
If for whatever reason a golf club had to close off the courses for a number of days, informing members of this fact via an online SMS service would be the best way to do it. The information for members should be contained in a database within the club and sending the message to their mobile phone will give a greater chance of them receiving the message in a timely fashion.
Some information is too important to be sent by email
Not everyone checks their email on a regular basis so sending course closure notifications to a mobile phone should ensure no one turns up expecting to play when the course was closed. Equally, when the course is re-opened, a message should be sent to all members informing them of this fact.
The majority of clubs will have a professional attached to them and any attendance or surgery held by the professional can be announced in advance. Talking to a professional golfer and picking up tips is a great way to improve how you play golf and this information would be greatly received by the members. Many clubs would place posters and details within the club but not every member is able to visit the club on a regular basis.
It is good that club regulars will be informed of any major upcoming events but every club member has the same right to know of any upcoming events. This is where using an online SMS service pays dividends because it allows the same information to go to the same members at the same time.
Information can be staggered or provided to select members
Of course, some golf clubs have various levels of memberships and it may be agreed by the committee that some members groups should be informed of decisions or events in advance. It is possible to set up various contact groups when using an online SMS service and it is easy to populate these lists by membership level. If a golf course wants to give their long-term members or members that pay higher fees information first, it is possible to create schedules and groups that will allow information to be passed in this manner.
In addition to tournaments and events, many golf clubs have a shop attached to the club where various golf kit and accessories can be bought. Any upcoming sales or special offers can be communicated to members through use of the online SMS service, which will allow the store to contact the people it aims to service and sell to. It is even possible for a golf shop to take orders for particular products, for instance embroidered club jumpers or rain-jackets, by sending a message to members and receiving responses in return.
This level of two way communication is a massive step on for any retailer and can allow the shop to measure the level of demand for certain products. Buying in bulk can often lead to discounts on many products so this style of communication is a good way for the shop to canvass their members to see if there would be any demand in a certain style of product. If the response is positive, the firm can be more confident in placing a higher order, hopefully receiving their order at a lower price.
As well as the club shop, one of the most vibrant places in a golf club can be the bar. Although many golfers are happy to pop into the bar for a quick drink after a round of golf, for many members it is where they socialise on a regular basis. Using the SMS online service is a great way to inform members of any forthcoming events in the club house or of any times where it may be out of bounds because of a private function.
The club may also offer dining facilities and again, the SMS service can be used to promote any special offers, any big events or just to keep members updated of changes to the menu. Keeping members informed of the general goings on at a golf club is a great way of keeping them involved and ensuring they feel a valued member of the community.
