When the going gets tough, the tough get "Gimmicks"

With the number of courses across Michigan on the rise, course owners and managers are struggling to find new ways to attract golfers to their courses. The recent down turn in the economy has definitely been felt by the golf industry from the big resort courses down to the small driving ranges. All this competition is great for us golfers. We get more for less. From better deals on clubs to cheaper greens fees, we get it all, Cha-Ching.
We have also heard of some rather interesting promotional ideas that courses have used to try to bring in new golfers. Some people would call these gimmicks, I choose to call them creative marketing. Below is a list of these ideas, some are real, others are just things I’d like to see in my lifetime. If you can think of any good ideas that I missed, please email them to me.

This one is kind of specific to driving ranges, one in particular, but it sounded interesting to me. What if you could get that authentic golf feeling by just visiting a driving range? No I’m not talking about hitting off actual grass, of course that helps, I’m actually talking about golfers being able to go into their local driving range and get two big buckets, one with balls and the other filled with beers. It’s called the "drink and drive" special and could be coming to a range near you. Hopefully not too near, yet not too far either. While this idea is appealing, it would probably draw a lot of criticism for it’s politically incorrect title. Golfers would flock and citizens would flog.

Here’s another idea that might help bring more golfers to the course. Most courses have realized that, much like movies, most of the profits are made in the concessions. They also realized apparently, that nothing sells beer and chips better, than a beautiful beer cart girl. Hey, sex sells. You never see 350-lb 55-year-old bald construction worker driving one of those carts around, unless he hijacked it. So what’s the key to increasing profits and course loyalty?
Strippers, and body shots I say! You have enough stoppages on the course with slow play anyway, a nice cart dance or tequila body shot would really make the wait more enjoyable for the golfers and profitable for the courses. Look, everyone’s happy, the course is happy, the rich young college girl is happy, the golfers are apparently quite happy, and the wives, well, as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss. Just don’t ask her for any singles before you hit the course.

Option 3, In-Cart TV/VCR Combos. Courses already have the GPS systems on the Golf carts to assist the golfer, why not hook up a VCR and make more money! VCR’s and DVD players are getting to be quite cheap now with many quality models floating around the $100 price range. With a little rewiring course could start collecting greens fees and rental fees? I as a golfer, would love to be able to watch a classic movie like caddy shack while I’m out on the course, not to mention all the instructional and golf tip videos that would prove beneficial. Yes, I’m sure that other movies would be popular, if the wife and kids are tagging along, a nice Disney flick would likely keep them occupied, while Daddy talks to the nice beer cart girl.


These are just a few off the wall suggestions that probably shouldn’t be taken seriously, but hopefully will be. Please let us know if you spot any of these ideas at your local courses. A simple "Thank You" note would be nice. It’s always nice to know when you make a difference.

Till next month.
Keep your head down, your spirits up, and your mouth shut about the cart girl idea. You’ll ruin it for every else.