Club Forum

Basher

Basher

Tour Winner
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Messages
2,627
Location
Yorkshire
yorkshiregolf.proboards.com
My club has a crap website.

I have been considering perhaps setting up a forum for my club. A place where the members of the club can give and receive info as well as general chat etc.
In other words, a much, much smaller version of GM forum.

Good idea or not?

Setting up would be no problem as there are free forum sites out on the net. Main problem would be getting the message across to members of the club and casual visitors/golf enthusiasts.

Any tips on getting exposure or awareness for the forum?
As I said, I'm just considering it at the moment. If it sounds a naf idea to you guys I'll scratch the idea. Just thought it may be an idea to generate more interest in my club. :)
 
A lot of clubs (mine included) are very backward in utilising the latest technology to keep their members informed of any information they may find usefull. How many of us who do not use their club in a social capacity have to wait until the following week to find out comp results and such like? Email mailshots, forums and the like are an excellant way of advertising club events and even pro shop offers. I like it, good luck if you get it off the ground Basher.
 
Drawboy hit the nail squarely on the head.

My club has a very poor website, usually updated once per millenia! :eek:
Therefore, up to date news, competition results (generally only viewable on HDID and general information are not available to the club member or casual golfer or internet browser.

I suppose it would be more of an information sharing forum. Not really bothered about post counts tbh, just thinking about letting people be aware about what's going on at the club.

Should I ask the stuffed shirts before going ahead? Stick a flyer on the noticeboard? I don't wish to tread on any bodys toes.
 
Ask around at the club and get a feel for it. If enough express interest it might be worth a shot. If nobody likes the idea then you know what's what.

Good luck with it. It sounds a decent idea.
 
Drawboy hit the nail squarely on the head.

My club has a very poor website, usually updated once per millenia! :eek:
Therefore, up to date news, competition results (generally only viewable on HDID and general information are not available to the club member or casual golfer or internet browser.

I suppose it would be more of an information sharing forum. Not really bothered about post counts tbh, just thinking about letting people be aware about what's going on at the club.

Should I ask the stuffed shirts before going ahead? Stick a flyer on the noticeboard? I don't wish to tread on any bodys toes.
Click to expand...

You might be better off with a blog. That way you can get people to send you information either through email or via comments on the blog, you also get to choose what you publish on the site.
 
Our club is 50/50/ They are pretty good at gettign draws and results etc sorted but pretty bad at getting news across to members and don't really harness e-mail etc very well. I think there is scope to do more with the website and it's something I hope to get involved in at some stage as well as getting results etc out to the local press more often.

I've found that the blog I've been doing has been well received and a lot of people seem to read it regularly which is nice and I'm always getting feedback. However I do think the forum idea is potentially a minefield especially if there is heavy criticism of the course, catering, facilities and even other members. You'll end up getting dragged into all sorts of rows and it could be devicive. My suggestion would be to take your concerns to the club (committee) about the website and perhaps offer your services to help update it more often
 
Drawboy hit the nail squarely on the head.

My club has a very poor website, usually updated once per millenia! :eek:
Therefore, up to date news, competition results (generally only viewable on HDID and general information are not available to the club member or casual golfer or internet browser.

I suppose it would be more of an information sharing forum. Not really bothered about post counts tbh, just thinking about letting people be aware about what's going on at the club.

Should I ask the stuffed shirts before going ahead? Stick a flyer on the noticeboard? I don't wish to tread on any bodys toes.
Click to expand...

You might be better off with a blog. That way you can get people to send you information either through email or via comments on the blog, you also get to choose what you publish on the site.
Click to expand...

There's a club in my area that have been making use of the blog function offered through Google Strathmore GC

I have suggested that our club follow suit with a blogspot or a facebook page to try and generate a bit more of a club feeling and to share news of club results / announcements. It shouldn't be a big task if a Committee were to do regular maintenance.

I think you'd need to start it off with how you see it looking and look to generate interest rather than generate interest before it starts assuming you would be wanting to be part of the ownership / update process?
 
In theory something like this sounds great, and if enough people use it in the right way then it would be great.

In reality I would have a lot of concerns about how it was used, and the possible come back.

That said nothing ventured nothing gained
 
Basher, Is your club on Howdidido? If so, there is already a free Forum set up on there just for your club where only members of your club can post and read the posts.
 
Hi Rick.
Yes my club is on HDID. I've looked at the forum for our club.....not very well used (2 posts, by the same guy!)
Like I said though, the forum would be more for sharing information rather than an out and out social network.

Thanks for your input so far fellas, certainly some good points raised.
 
I'd be more inclined to promote the HDID Forum...maybe print off a few flyers to leave around the clubhouse pointing people to it.......start a few new threads with some sub headings along the lines of what you want to promote.

Seems pointless trying to reinvent the wheel when there is already a perfectly working forum already there just waiting to be used.
All it needs is a bit of promotion and it could be just what you are looking for.
 
Whilst I appreciate the idea, with less and less people drinking/eating in clubs, I cannot see that a club should be looking to encourage people to stay at home and talk about the club, the course, life, the universe and everything.

Why not have regular evenings in the club bar to talk about things like that?

Open up committee meetings and give members the chance to voice their thoughts and opinions regularly rather than just at an AGM.

Apologies if your club already does this but the more that people engage with each other and the committee AT the club the better.
 
Our club have a decent website, and results are posted pretty quickly via Howdidido, but getting up to date news posted is a real issue. For example, our captain and vice captain resigned nearly a month ago, and in my opinion it is incumbent on the committee to be sharing this news with members. To date we have seen nothing posted on the notice board, or the website.

In fairness to them the website has really only taken off this year, but they seem to be very selective with what they post. Sometimes committee meeting minutes are on the site within a week, but we are currently still waiting for the minutes from nearly two months ago.

The committee do a decent enough job, but make some very arbitary decisions and that is reflected in how the website is run.
 
I've e mailed the club manager out of coutesy with a sample flyer relating to utilising a club forum/message board. I have stressed it's use as an information board first and foremost.

Just wait and see what he thinks of the idea.

Owts better than nowt in my opinion.
 
Why don't you just email the Club Manager or Committee and tell them that the vast majority of the club think the contact with the members is pish so hows about sorting it?

Or will it be a waste of finger power? :rolleyes:

I am still waiting on a request to be carried out... for the club to use one of the most recognisable emblems in world golf in their marketing of the club....it is free to use but hey 3 years and still waiting.
 
why start a separate site - see if you can improve the existing one. it may just be a case that those that run it have no idea what can be done.
Click to expand...

I e mailed a few months back Viscount. They told me plans were in to upgrade/renew the site but not yet as more important issues were taking priority!

Decided to e mail them with my idea about a FREE forum/information board.
Got a reply back today! Very pleased to see my interest and would push my idea at the next committee meeting tomorrow night. And get back to me as soon as poss. He seemed optimistic that they would take on the idea. (I don't care who does it so long as someone does!) I suppose it's now a case of me watching this space!
 
One of the guys at my club took on the role of Social Secretary and started a club members social website. He quite cleverly introduced this at last years AGM, obviously getting the interest of the captive audience.

It's been very successful with reports of all competitions and prizegivings, along with photos of them and members outings. Anything social to do with the club is on there, with dates of what's going on and where.

It is something that requires a lot of time and effort though and he's already enlisted the help of another member.

Not sure how far you want to go Basher but just a few ideas that might help.

Golfmmad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

sjw
What is a "members" golf club?
2 3
Replies
49
Views
6K
rulie
R
J
Golf Course Ownership Structure
Replies
8
Views
802
doublebogey7
D
B
Driver Shafts
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
2K
harpo_72
harpo_72
P
So I got to meet and talk to Rory this evening
Replies
2
Views
614
kp17
kp17
H
GOAT 2012 v 2025
3 4 5
Replies
83
Views
3K
Orikoru
Orikoru
Top