I would like your opinions and advice

[micb11]

Hi All

I am thinking about starting a website in the UK like groupon but just for golf. I know there is one in the US. I really wanted to get opinions on whether it is a good idea.

1. What do you think the pitfalls will be.
2. Do golfers search for discounted deals on the internet.
3. Do you think golf courses would be interested in putting deals on
4. Do you think manufacturers would do the same.

Wasn't sure where to start so thought I would join a forum to try and get opinions to see if it is a good idea or a waste of time. My background is web development so get a site up and running is the easy bit for me.

thanks

 

[bobmac]

Welcome to the forum .
I think you are too late. Theres lots of sites out there offering everything to do with golf, from ebay for equipment to tee times direct etc etc
Could be wrong though

 

[brendy]

Would you not be better asking the actual people involved rather than opinions of regular (and some irregular) guys on a forum? We could all say "Yea Great" and then you cannot get any suppliers/clubs to support you.

 

[micb11]

Thanks for your replies. I am trying to gauge if there is an interest as well from normal golfers as they would be the ones buying the deals. I probably mis-worded the question.

If you were an everyday golfer would you subscribe to a site that sent you deals everyday via email at discounted rates.

I am also talking to some companies, my main difficulty may be getting golf courses on board and how to approach golf clubs.

I know that there are plenty of sites such as ebay out there but there does not seem to be anything in the same model as groupon or kgb vouchers

 

[pokerjoke]

I think you need to do a much larger market research group than a forum with a 100 regulars.
As Bob said most of it has been done,you need to offer a lot better service than the ones out there at the moment,then word will spread fast,hopefully

 

[micb11]

Thanks pokerjoker

 

[HRC99]

The problem you'll have is the limited market.

For courses, there are some courses that would be willing to offer a deal but those are the courses that most golfers wouldn't particularly want to play. Other courses might offer a deal from time to time to bring in a bit of revenue with one eye on potential members and then there are courses who would never ever entertain such a deal.

I'm not sure there is enough of a market to create a business out of just courses.

If you were actually to start to create a market, you can bet that the likes of Groupon, Mad Deal and KGB would target your customers and they have serious firepower.

The only way I could see it working is if it offered a range of golfing offers:

Courses
Lessons
Clubs
Shoes
Apparel
Trolleys
Holidays

Those would be the main ones for me; although I'm sure there would be others.

Good luck.