Golf venue recommendations your next golf day?

Over the years I have had the opportunity to run a number of corporate and society golf events and have worked hard to develop good and long lasting relationships with golf clubs in and around the south of England area. As such, we have experienced both the good and bad when it comes to customer service and staff support. Some of these events include The TSG Masters, The TSG Par 3 Championship, The TSG OPEN and The TSG MatchPlay Competition that run from April – Sept every year.

Two clubs that have been particularly good a building relationships with me are Woldingham Golf Club in Surrey and Farleigh Golf Club, also based in the south of England county. During this period, the above clubs have hosted two TSG Major events ….

Woldingham Golf Club is part of the Altonwood Group of golf courses and held its first TSG Championship event in September of 2016, whereby our finalists of our summer-long MatchPlay competition enjoyed a day out at this superb course, located in the Halliloo Valley. The overall FA cup style competition was won by 10 handicapper Wayne Fitzgerald. Wayne beat fellow member Tuan Nguyen in a thrilling final which saw many TSGers attend to see our new champion crowned.

Farleigh Golf Club (Part of the Foxhills Collection of golf courses) was chosen to host The TSG OPEN in 2017. This was the first time at this golf venue and by far the largest competitive day we had held to date, with over 70 golfers travelling from all over the UK and as far away as Botswana in Southern Africa. The format of the day included all the usual competitions Individual Stableford, Yellow Ball Team Event, Putting competitions and the inaugural indoor Nearest Pin competition at the 7th Hole at Pebble Beach - sponsored by leading Golf Tour Operator – Golf Escapes. Farleigh GC was the perfect set up for our event with good food and superb facilities.

We can look back at both the events listed above fondly and as great successes.

For more information on both these clubs visit their websites.

Choosing for a new venue for your golf day?

Finding the right venue for your golf day can be a long and detailed process and can make a huge difference to whether your day is a success or failure. Two clubs that have proved to be popular with Golf Day organisers and golf societies and I have had the pleasure of working both Bletchingley Golf Club Surrey and Pedham Place Golf Centre Kent in recent years.

During this period, both these clubs have provided a great venue for corporate and private golf events that include multiple formats including individual competitions, Yellow Ball team games, Nearest Pins, Straightest Drives and six player shoot-outs. Their golf day packages also incorporated post-match meals, raffles and auctions, all good fun. On each occasion, we were provided with excellent food and function rooms to hold our events.

Having first worked with Bletchingley Golf Club in 2012 when they hosted only the 2nd TSG OPEN Championship, I have since used their golf club for numerous events. We were very well looked after by General Manager and PGA Golf Pro Steve Cookson and his staff. Following the success of this golf day, Bletchingley went on to host the event for the next three years. Winners at this venue included TSG members Paul Smith, Brigitte Lockwood, Judy Lilley, David Holmes. Arguably one of the best draining course in the south of England, this course is a great choice for golf day organisers and the like, due to its playability in all weathers.

Meanwhile, Pedham Place Golf Centre was the chosen venue for the first TSG Par 3 Championships in 2016. The superb Academy Course has gone on to host the event every year since. The Club has always been good supporters of my events and the course is always in great condition. Winners at this venue included TSG members Brian Scott, Noel Loughrey and Pete Mayo. Located just a few minutes’ drive from Junction 30 on the M25, this pretty and well maintained short-ish Par 3 course is great fun to play and a test for golfers of all levels.

For more information on both these clubs visit their websites.

How to write a good golf course review

You don’t have to be Shakespeare or an English graduate in order to leave a good golf course review, just some simple guidelines to follow.  Here are a few tips and just some of the criteria to consider and include in any review you give.

Location – How far is it from major roads and landmarks? Is it easy to find?
The History – When was the course established? Who was the golf course architect?
The Clubhouse – Was it clean, well looked after, were they function rooms available to hire? And most importantly, was there a good selection of food and drink on offer?
The Pro Shop – Did anyone explain where everything was and did they try to help you as a visitor?
The Course – What was the quality of the tee boxes and Greens? Was there ample signage around the course? How did it cope in bad conditions? Were the fairways cut?
The Staff – Were you welcomed by everyone and did they try their best to make you feel welcome?
The Cost – Did the course meet you expectation? Was the green fee good value for money? Would you want to play there again?
----------------------------------

There are online golf clubs that has more than 5K+ golf course reviews and golf club reviews across over 20,000 golf courses.

So next time you find yourself driving past a new golf club and you find yourself wondering what the golf course might be like, visit the golf club review pages on the website of these online golf club’s course directory. This is a unique and excellent resource from which to choose new courses to play.

Is there a need for a social network for golfers?

With only 33% of golfers in the UK belonging to a golf club, it was our ambition from the outset to build a strong and vibrant platform on which golfers can Connect, Play and Share their golfing experiences. In addition, in times of austerity, we hope that we can keep the game both affordable and fun for those that already love the sport but only get to play occasionally.

More than just another ‘social networking for golfers’ site, the benefit of The Social Golfer, as well as pairing you up with likeminded golfers in your local area, it also allows Society organisers the opportunity to run all its competitions and golf days from one central point.  

No more remembering telephone numbers, emails address and handicaps, there are online golf clubs that tracks all this for you and allows you to update golf days at the touch of a button.

So how does it work?
Firstly, you build your golfing profile; entering in your postcode and handicap (28 or 36 respectively if you’re starting the game) the system then recognises every time a game is posted in your catchment area and emails you an invitation to join other members from the site for the game.

Can’t play that day? Just delete the email. Can play at that course and that time? Hit the email link on your laptop or phone and your profile image automatically appears on the game page and alerts the organiser you are attending. Turn up on the day, pay your green fee and away you go. In June 2017 alone, there are online golf clubs that has over 70+ games available to join in London and the South East. Furthermore, every member can track and graph their scores and keep an eye on their friends/society members progress too, thus putting an end to all those ‘bandit’ debates – OK, maybe not!

The system also allows you to print your very own handicap certificate, widely excepted as proof of your playing standard. The online golf club’s scoring system also automatically enters you into the site monthly league table.

So, do we call it a social network for golfers? NO.

It’s an Online Golf Club; we just don’t own a golf course!

Using an Online Golf Course Guide

Many online golf club websites provide a good source of information but often these are not kept up to date and one could argue that the information shown is not (in most cases) is at worst bias and at best objective.

In addition, with so much information now available via your laptop or phone, it is often difficult to separate the good from the bad quickly and efficiently.

As such, using an independent online golf course guide can be very helpful but how do you decide which is the best one for you?

There are many useful club pages on independent golf sites but ideally you will want to use a website or app. that not only gives you Club location and Green fee prices but detailed feedback from other golfers that have recently played at the club.

The most useful of these online course guides available also have forums pages on which you can leave additional information and discuss the pros and con’s of the golfing world.
Look for a golf platform that has an active forum and one that provides independent golf course reviews and one that is kept up to date.

Some of the best golf course guides also included detailed information membership fees, Club Pro’s, website contact details and some also have golf tee time booking engines, meaning you can source, plan and book all your golf from one website.

At the moment there too many golf course guide platform available to list here but we have no doubt that as the service providers consolidate over the next few years there will be two or three clear winners in this category… and as with most things the best of the best will rise to the top!

Choosing for a new venue for your golf day?

Finding the right venue for your golf day can be a long and detailed process and can make a huge difference to whether your day is a success or failure. Two clubs that have proved to be popular with Golf Day organisers and golf societies and I have had the pleasure of working both Bletchingley Golf Club Surrey and Pedham Place Golf Centre Kent in recent years.

During this period, both these clubs have provided a great venue for corporate and private golf events that include multiple formats including individual competitions, Yellow Ball team games, Nearest Pins, Straightest Drives and six player shoot-outs. Their golf day packages also incorporated post-match meals, raffles and auctions, all good fun. On each occasion, we were provided with excellent food and function rooms to hold our events.

Having first worked with Bletchingley Golf Club in 2012 when they hosted only the 2nd TSG OPEN Championship, I have since used their golf club for numerous events. We were very well looked after by General Manager and PGA Golf Pro Steve Cookson and his staff. Following the success of this golf day, Bletchingley went on to host the event for the next three years. Winners at this venue included TSG members Paul Smith, Brigitte Lockwood, Judy Lilley, David Holmes. Arguably one of the best draining course in the south of England, this course is a great choice for golf day organisers and the like, due to its playability in all weathers.

Meanwhile, Pedham Place Golf Centre was the chosen venue for the first TSG Par 3 Championships in 2016. The superb Academy Course has gone on to host the event every year since. The Club has always been good supporters of my events and the course is always in great condition. Winners at this venue included TSG members Brian Scott, Noel Loughrey and Pete Mayo. Located just a few minutes’ drive from Junction 30 on the M25, this pretty and well maintained short-ish Par 3 course is great fun to play and a test for golfers of all levels.

For more information on both these clubs visit their websites.

Playing in Golf Events & Golf Competitions

There are a few different ways in which to start playing more competitively, here are just a few of the ways in which you can join golf competitions in your area….

1 – Charity Golf Days

Many charities like to use golf events in order to raise funds or to generate awareness of what they do. These events are normally open for anyone (even to those they have never played) to join in. The focus here is on good will rather than good golf but as many of these events are held annually, they can often be ‘serious’ for those that are contending for places. Sometimes, individuals like to organise events in memory of a particular person or charity that is close to them. You may be required to find some other to join you and make up a four-ball but this can in turn reduce your costs for each player

2 – Corporate Golf Days
Many businesses run annual company golf days in order to entertain clients or share corporate responsibilities. In addition, many may have attached themselves to a local charity (see above). These days tend to be relaxed affairs with the emphasis more on business and networking than golf!

3 – Golf Club Competitions
Having joined a club, you will find that they run many annual golf events and monthly competitions. These can be attended by club members by paying a small entry fee on top of your annual membership payment (e.g. £5). This allows you to pitch yourself against the rest of the members, many of who you’ve never met yet. These days can be VERY serious and you may need to check your rule book before taking part

4 – OPEN events
With more and more clubs needing ‘Pay & Players’ to generate additional revenue, many clubs now run what they refer to as ‘OPEN’ competitions. These are open to anyone with a CONGU handicap, which would normally be obtained by joining a golf club or by signing up for a County Card.

5 – Society Days
If you are not a member of a golf club (either online or traditional), you may know somebody that runs a ‘Society’. These are groups of golfer that traditionally have no home but play as a group by moving their events form club to club, playing a new course very month. These societies tend to be fun and can be a great way to meet other like mined golfers.

The Importance of Golf Course Reviews

As such, it is no surprise that many websites and apps have been created in recent years to cater to the Golf market, meaning Golf Course Reviews and Golf Club Reviews have now become very important to the success or failure of many golf businesses.

Before the World Wide Web came along, we would all rely on‘Word of Mouth’ or perhaps go to the trouble of visiting a booking order to buy a bespoke Golf Course Guide.However, whilst a friends recommendation still count for a lot, the immediacy of the internet means that golf club and golf course information can be updated in real time.

In addition, just like the restaurant market, golf day organizers and ‘Golfing Nomads’  and their playing partners will now source the latest reviews and recommendations on a given course, before they even look to book a tee time.

So how will this change the way golf clubs attract new golfers? We’ll firstly they are going to need to read these reviews and respond accordingly.

If someone has had a bad experience, you can rest assured they’ll tell more people about it, that if they had a good experience. And whilst it costs money to promote your club to potential visitors…research tells us that it cost x9 time more to recruit a lapse customer than getting an existing one, to spend more and it requires some pretty good persuasive powers to get someone to reconsider their first impression, let alone convince them to come back again after a bad experience.

In short, we are now living in a world whereby nothing is bought, sold or exchanged without a review being read, a price being compared or a voucher being acquired, so golf clubs beware, there is nowhere to hide anymore!

Entering your first Golf Competition

Entering your very first golf competitions can be a nerve-racking process whether you know others attending the day or not.

From arrival, to standing on the first tee, to mingling with strangers after the golf, all of this can be stressful. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Here’s a few tips in order for you to enjoy your day more…

1 – Arrive Early…
This will allow you to get familiar with club and course layout, ensures you are not putting on yourself under any undue pressure (we’ve all been late for tee time and it rarely converts to a good score!)

2 – Make yourself known to the organizer…
Firstly, this is good manners. However, by doing this you are giving yourself the opportunity of knowing more about the golf event’s time table and this in turn will allow you to plan your day.
Thus allowing for Putting Practice and introductions.
Most organizers, will be happy to introduce to other attendees, or at the very least your playing partners for the day.

3 – First tee nerves…
Much has been written about this over the years but the bottom line is don’t worry about it. We’ve all witnessed the Tour Pro’s hook their first drive into the long stuff or worse lose a ball off the tee, so don’t be embarrassed.
It’s how you finish, not how you start, and most of your players partners’ first response will be one of sympathy rather than ridicule.
We recently saw someone take 5 off the first tee and still finish with 38 pts.

4 – Playing with strangers…
There is nothing worse than playing golf with ‘a mute’. After all golf is a social game. Ask you playing partners where they live, what they do for a living, when they took up golf?
Rest assured, 99 people out of 100 will be happy to talk about themselves, it’s everyone’s favourite subject.
In addition, in our experience this not only breaks the ice but who knows, you may actually have something in common.
This can also deflect the spotlight from you, as you get to know your 4 ball.

5 – After Golf…
Assuming you have not broken any rules, offended your 4ball with inappropriate jokes or talked on their back-swing, its higher likely that you playing partners will expect to share a drink with you after the round.
In addition, most of the time it will be assumed you will also be sharing their table.
That’s said, manners cost nothing so if you do know anyone else, ask them if you can join their table.

If they are already seated when you get in, don’t be disturbed, just mention to the organizer that you know a limited a number of people and that you’d be grateful if he could find you another group.

Even if you are meeting these guys or gals for the first time, be aware that you already have ‘the course’ in common, so if you are stuck from conversation, its higher likely they will be more than happy to tell you about their round.

Finally, we do understand joining a golf event or charity day for the very first time can be daunting, but put your ego (that’s all it is!) to one side and make an effort.

Who knows, you new golfing partner might be waiting for you to make the introductions and if you make friends now, next time, you won’t be the stranger!

Which is the Oldest Golf Club in North America?

History tells us that wherever the Scottish emigrated to in the world, it is highly likely that soon after, golf being played in some form or another. In the mid 17th Century, when the first Pilgrims landed in America on the Mayflower in 1620, did one of the passengers have a stash of golf clubs on board?

We'd like to think so. However, the golfing history of the United States of America, is a little bit shrouded in mystery and the passage of time. There have been many clubs that have laid claim to being the first golf club in the region.

Douglas Field Chicago (1875), Oakhurst Golf Links West Virginia (1882), Douglas Field Golf Club Vermont (1886) and Foxburg Country Club Pennsylvania (1887) so we might never know just who is the rightful owner of the title.

Meanwhile, it was the British who first spread golf to Canada, in 1873 a small group of eight gentlemen sat in a dockside office and formed the Montreal Golf Club. Eleven years later, in 1884 permission was granted by Queen Victoria to use the “Royal” prefix.

The first course built here was a 9 hole layout on Fletchers Field which was part of Mount Royal Park where golfers in Red-Coats and civilians alike could be seen playing golf.

Much later in 1959, the club made its final move to Ile Bizard where 45 holes were designed & constructed by Dick Wilson. 'The Blue Course' updated by Rees Jones, continues to be ranked as one of the '100 Greatest Courses in the World'.

So there you have it.....The Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Canada & the North American Continent.

Golf Tee Time booking

Booking your tee times online…

In recent years there has been a real sea change in the way golfers go about golf tee time booking.

It doesn’t seem so long ago that if you wanted to play golf and were not a member of club, when you would have to turn to your yellow pages, find the local golf club telephone number, call the Pro shop and hope they have your preferred tee time available and they would accept your request to play.

Forward to the present day and this seems now like a prehistoric way to get your golf orgnaised. Indeed there is now a plethora of websites available whereby you can book a tee time, receive a confirmation and receive rewards the more tee times you book within a few seconds.

However, this has led to some clubs to being dragged into a ‘race to the bottom of the barrel’, whereby some club have gotten into a price war, great for consumer but not necessarily good for the industry in the long term.Indeed, some clubs have dropped their rates so far they are now struggling to make ends meet, but as with all things these days, ‘the market will decide’.

So which are the best way to book your tee times online?

Of course, like all things on the web, there is good and bad. The first and arguably most popular tee time booking website is GolfNow (formerly TeeOffTimes.co.uk) owned by the Golf Channel, closely followed by Teetimes.co.uk One thing to consider when using one of these systems is that they do not all offer the same tee times at the same clubs. Just like the Price Comparison sites for energy or mortgages, you may have to visit a few different sites, prior to making your decision where to play and making your booking.Golf Now offers tee time booking at over 6,000 golf courses in London, South East and worldwide.

Are there other ways of booking tee times online?

Firstly, in a bid to play ‘catch up’ many clubs have now added direct tee time booking services to their own websites. In addition, there is also alternative ways for you to reduce the cost of your green fees.At the same time as technology has forced many to trawl the internet for a good bargain, green fee deals sites such as Golf Deals Group, 2fore1 (offer discount vouchers) have also become popular with even GroupOn getting in on the act.However, using this route, will require you making the tee time booking with the club in the traditional way.