Groupon, what are your thoughts?

[StrangelyBrown]

My Dad and I played Gifford GC with a Groupon voucher I got for my birthday.

I think P'field have tried it but I don't think the uptake was that big.

 

[Region3]

I've played a course on a Groupon booking that I wouldn't have otherwise have played.

At the course we all had to fill a form in which included our email address. I can't remember if it asked for handicap or home club but I'm sure there was something there to allow them to tell if I'd just brushed the cobwebs off my clubs or that I played every week.

I've since had a couple of emails from them offering a similar deal, but obviously the next time they wouldn't be paying Groupon a chunk of it.

 

[full_throttle]

i have used groupon golf deals a couple of times, and for me as a club golfer it represents a great deal, although if i encountered the issues as posted above then i might have other thoughts on the validity or such cut price green fees.

Maybe clubs could advertise cheap green fees to members of other clubs to help generate revenue, but with the county card scheme becoming more wide spread after april, maybe the groupon deal will take less business.

 

[User20205]

Now I'm certainly not going to tar all Groupon customers with the same brush, as I've only come across them on half a dozen or so occasions, but without exception I have found that they are largely individuals who have a set of golf clubs in the garage which they dust off once or twice a year - they are not golfers.

I'm not going to .... oh I just have

It's our AGM this week, and the question is going to be asked whether we see enough revenue from these bookings to justify them. I'll be interested to hear the answer.

if the answer is yes are you going to offer to pay higher fees to fill the funding hole that these vistors potentially fill?

 

[Billysboots]

I'm not going to .... oh I just have

Sorry, mate, but are you struggling to understand what I wrote? Have a quick read of the following, which you seem to be having issues getting to grips with;

"Now I'm certainly not going to tar all Groupon customers with the same brush, as I've only come across them on half a dozen or so occasions, but without exception I have found that they are largely individuals who have a set of golf clubs in the garage which they dust off once or twice a year - they are not golfers."

Care to explain how that tars all Groupon customers with the same brush? It quite explicitly refers to those I have encountered. It's not even remotely ambiguous.

As for the financial aspect, I doubt the financial rewards do outweigh the negatives, but that's why I will raise the question at the AGM. If the club make little or no money from these bookings, then I fail to see why members will need to make up any shortfall - if they are effectively coming along and playing for nothing, then providing other "pay and play" golfers are not missing out there is nothing for members to subsidise.

 

[Garesfield ACE]

Groupon deals are fantastic whether it be for golf games restaurant deals weekends away in hotels love them all and use them all

 

[Billysboots]

Groupon deals are fantastic whether it be for golf games restaurant deals weekends away in hotels love them all and use them all

I think the question really refers to whether they are a good thing for your club, not for you as an individual!

 

[User20205]

Sorry, mate, but are you struggling to understand what I wrote? Have a quick read of the following, which you seem to be having issues getting to grips with;

Not having any problems getting to grips with it, thanks for you concern. I was being a little factious, as to me I read as the following (I paraphrase slightly)

'I don't want to tar all groupon customers with the same brush but I have a preconceived opinion of them and they are all knobs who have no right to play on my course. Which by all accounts is stuggling financially but I won't actively open my mind up to any other potential income stream that will keep my subs down

':rofl:

 

[Billysboots]

'I don't want to tar all groupon customers with the same brush but I have a preconceived opinion of them and they are all knobs who have no right to play on my course. Which by all accounts is stuggling financially but I won't actively open my mind up to any other potential income stream that will keep my subs down

I think all Groupon customers are knobs? That's a sweeping assesment based on a single paragraph. Assuming you are accurate, however, can I take this opportunity to say how much I hope you enjoy all your future Groupon outings?

Ahhh, the joy of the internet - you read something, see what you want to, put your own slant on it and then choose to slag the writer off. Brilliant.

 

[User20205]

I think all Groupon customers are knobs? That's a sweeping assesment based on a single paragraph. Assuming you are accurate, however, can I take this opportunity to say how much I hope you enjoy all your future Groupon outings?

Ahhh, the joy of the internet - you read something, see what you want to, put your own slant on it and then choose to slag the writer off. Brilliant.

I'm only messing with you.

I have no experience of groupon, I signed up briefly but it seemed difficult to seperate the wheat from the chaff. To me it's the same argument that opposes 241's. they devalue golf (according to some) and aren't financially worth the baggage that comes with them. However they do open up other secondary income streams. How much do groupon customers spend in the bar/proshop. How many revisit and pay a full green fee and how many are potential new members?

Hypothetically At your AGM if the situation is groupon slots or £50 on your subs what do you do ?

 

[Dodger]

I am unsure if there would be any benefits from using Groupon but I am going to give it a dabble this season but I will be making sure we have certain restrictions on it's use.

I know a club who sold 1750 of these so potentially £16625 worth of income from their half cut of £19....I say potentially as the club only get paid if you actually turn up and hand the voucher over.

What I would be unsure of is out of the 1750 how many may have come and paid say £30 and £30 that the club would see all of not a half share??

I am of the opinion,and this has been backed up by golf industry studies on who uses Groupon,that the folk who purchase are like Billysboots says people who dust off there 1993 Powerbilts for their annual game.....are these people we want on the course?Yes we need them but do we want them if they are going to cause problems that may chase others away?

Difficult one and I guess it'll be something I will be in a better position to speak about come mid season but so far for me I think it may be a one off try as I am struggling to see any benefits it would have for my club.

 

[Billysboots]

I'm only messing with you.

Likewise!

I really can only say what I have seen with my own eyes, and what I have seen is Groupon customers arriving a few minutes prior to their tee time, playing 18 holes and then staying for a coffee at best. It's not a solution to any financial woes a club may be having.

As it happens our club is quite healthy, primarily because it is playable all year and as such is open when neighbouring courses are shut. Consequently, we are not short of paying visitors, notably for winter open events, which are well attended and generate good income.

That is why I cannot fathom why our club sees the need for the additional few quid Groupon generates, when it has brought with it a whole load of hassle. And the bookings have brought problems, no doubt about it. I play probably three times a week so know our shop staff well, and if ever anyone mentions the word "Groupon" eyes are raised skyward - to a man and woman they have stories to tell about on couse behaviour, so perhaps it is wider than what I have seen myself.

To answer your hypothetical question, I have not seen an increase in my subs for five years, so if I had to pay an extra £50 a year to repel the evil Groupon empire I would pay it!

 

[Golfmmad]

I am unsure if there would be any benefits from using Groupon but I am going to give it a dabble this season but I will be making sure we have certain restrictions on it's use.

Just out of interest Dodger, what will those restrictions be?

 

[Dodger]

Just out of interest Dodger, what will those restrictions be?

Primarily when it can be used.

 

[User20205]

Primarily when it can be used.

Dodger, do you take 241's and do you see groupon as being any different?

 

[Dodger]

Dodger, do you take 241's and do you see groupon as being any different?

We do unfortunately and yes hugely....£22 as opposed to say £10 different.

 

[Golfmmad]

Primarily when it can be used.

And I think that's the way to go - keep control of it and also keep the members happy.

As for whether it will benefit your club at all is a difficult one to call. Maybe get their e-mail address, (increase your database) to send future offers, is one thing to try.

Good luck.

 

[Dodger]

And I think that's the way to go - keep control of it and also keep the members happy.

As for whether it will benefit your club at all is a difficult one to call. Maybe get their e-mail address, (increase your database) to send future offers, is one thing to try.

Good luck.

E-mail address is captured on all our bookings,all of them,mobile numbers too for texting offers/promotions.

 

[Jaymosafehands]

Having been a member of a club that accepted Groupon most of last summer it was a total pain in the backside for the members. The club love ramming as many corporates and non members on anyway, especially at weekends, and it became a lottery getting on at a weekend outside of competition times.

I'm all for clubs looking at income streams, especially in the current climate, but surely this shouldn't be at the expense of members? It was making a Saturday afternoon completely painful, and with the travel etc it was a good 6-7 hour round.

I've voted with my feet, it's costing me more a month, but the course I've gone to wouldn't dream of upsetting the members (I don't think!) and I can play when I want. Also the "quality" of the people playing left a lot to be desired, and I grew up on a council estate!!

2-fore-1 - yes, Groupon, no, just brings in a different type of person in my opinion.

 

[Golfmmad]

E-mail address is captured on all our bookings,all of them,mobile numbers too for texting offers/promotions.

Sorry, didn't mean to try and teach a Duck to suck eggs so to speak, I might of known you would have that covered.