Hole Sponsorship - Anybody done it?

[Mel Smooth]

A few months back, our club offered up a choice of hole sponsorship packages - not overly expensive to be fair and something for most budgets. At the time I thought about taking out a 1 year deal to see how things went, but various factors meant it got put on the back burner, however, I'm now ready to give it a going into next year.

As far as I know, all 18 holes are still up for grabs, there's no premium for the 1st hole - so I'd expect that to be one of the most worthwhile holes to sponsor, but, it's not the most visually appealing if I wanted to use some images etc to promote my company and any potential sponsorship, whereas we have a few holes that would all be standout signature holes on a fair few of the courses that are local to us - plenty of water, island greens etc - they'd be great for sticking on my company social media and the like.

Anybody else done the hole sponsorship thing - was it worthwhile, do some holes generate more interest than others etc?

I do get a fair amount of work anyway both at the club and at the premises of the company that own it - it's tens of thousands in the last 18 months or so, so I'm totally fine with a few hundred quid going back into the club for a little bit of sponsorship.

 

[Depreston]

A few months back, our club offered up a choice of hole sponsorship packages - not overly expensive to be fair and something for most budgets. At the time I thought about taking out a 1 year deal to see how things went, but various factors meant it got put on the back burner, however, I'm now ready to give it a going into next year.

As far as I know, all 18 holes are still up for grabs, there's no premium for the 1st hole - so I'd expect that to be one of the most worthwhile holes to sponsor, but, it's not the most visually appealing if I wanted to use some images etc to promote my company and any potential sponsorship, whereas we have a few holes that would all be standout signature holes on a fair few of the courses that are local to us - plenty of water, island greens etc - they'd be great for sticking on my company social media and the like.

Anybody else done the hole sponsorship thing - was it worthwhile, do some holes generate more interest than others etc?

I do get a fair amount of work anyway both at the club and at the premises of the company that own it - it's tens of thousands in the last 18 months or so, so I'm totally fine with a few hundred quid going back into the club for a little bit of sponsorship.

Not really much help but a view from a member all our holes are sponsored

I couldn’t tell you what holes are sponsored by who in fact I don't think I could name one sponsor out of the 18

 

[Burnsey]

I've repaid my annual club subs from work I've done for members. Just chatting going around on comps.

I've also sponsored holes, but only on charity days - it's 'what you do'.

Fixed term hole sponsorship is likely to reap zero back for your investment. It's passive advertising, so the poster above isn't expected to be able to tell you who sponsors whaqt - it's not a memory game. It isn't repetitive enough to make an impact either - once every 4 hours, maybe once a week.

If it 'makes you proud', a reason many advertise in places they frequent, fair enough, but if seeking results, it isn't the best value.

Last note: a lot depends on what the business is - saving money off regular aspects of life etc may return better results than Stan the Decorator.

 

[BrianM]

My Old Man sponsored all the flags at a local course here for years, then he sponsored a hole at Fortrose for the last 25 years, my brother has just taken his hole over as he’s just about to retire, Carpentry and Joinery for information.
Plenty of benefits up here sponsoring a hole.

 

[D-S]

Some clubs have packages for hole sponsors with benefits including free 4 balls, a sponsors day etc. it’s not always just paid advertising.

 

[kp17]

Its quite common for it to be part of a corporate membership package, for example they may offer a basic package to company’s, maybe say 10 fourballs per year, but then have a premium package, adding in things like use of the boardroom x amount of times, advertising & hole sponsorship etc.

 

[IanM]

Value depends on what the business is. I know Sparkies, tilers, plumbers, roofers, estate agents, solicitors all have generated business from this sort of advertising.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Value depends on what the business is. I know Sparkies, tilers, plumbers, roofers, estate agents, solicitors all have generated business from this sort of advertising.

As I said in the original post, I have had some work off the company that own the club, the cost of a years sponsorship is probably about 1 percent of the value of the work I've had from them, so in some ways it's a bit of appreciation to them for the work they've sent my way in the past, and hopefully anything that comes my way in the future.

I'd also get a fourball voucher in the deal, so the cost to me is pennies really, and I know I can utilise the sponsorship to my benefit on my company social media pages.

And it's a few hundred quid that won't get taxed and sent to the government.

 

[The Squirrel]

Our club has just introduced it so I’ve signed up.

Not expecting anything at all in terms of return to be honest - so just picked my favourite hole and if it makes me smile every time I pass it then that will do fine.

If it was structured correctly as maybe hole sponsorship bringing a discount in membership or chuck in some green fees or something then clubs could make it really very attractive to members - as you point out it’s far better to pay money into the club out of pre tax income…

 

[hors limite]

I think that you have described vividly the extent to which you've benefited from the club. Don't understand why it was a question in the first place.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I think that you have described vividly the extent to which you've benefited from the club. Don't understand why it was a question in the first place.

The question was more aimed at - which holes are likely to reap the best rewards in terms of generating interest? We've played today so I've been figuring out where the tee information boards are, how visible they are etc - we have a few tees that are spread around on some holes, so in winter you might have everybody stood next to the board but in Summer when when people are playing off the white tees the boards are less visible. Anyway, think I've settled on which hole I want, and have come up with a few ideas in how to utilise the advertisement other than just having people see it when they are on the tee.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@Mel Smooth best tip I'd give, try to do something different than the standard. That way you stand out, you don't become white noise. What that is.............

Hope it works well for you. Hard to judge ultimately but it sounds as though you do okay through the club anyway so you can't really lose.

 

[Burnsey]

FREE dozen ProV1's with every order on the hole most lose it off the tee