Golf Courses Are the Latest Businesses That Have Started Using SMS

Much of the popularity of text messaging is tied to the fact that many people keep their mobile phone with them practically all the time.

What better way to promote then being able to reach out to members even when they are on the go?

SMS means connecting with people wherever they might be with details like time and location is made simple with text messaging.

Everyone communicates through this medium, so it is important for any business to consider the benefits of implementing text messages marketing campaigns.

Text messaging is a great way to let your members and guests receive information about upcoming events, sales and promotions, or to drive traffic to the course on a slow day.

While newsletters, emails and social media can be a great way to connect with your members and drive new traffic into your club, have you ever wondered how many people you are actually reaching.

With text messaging, you don't have to wonder: 99% of text messages are opened and read within 3 minutes. In comparison, emails only have an open rate of 22-32%.

EVERYONE IS CONNECTED TO THEIR MOBILE DEVICE 24/7

Look around! What if you could reach everyone faster and easier, and spend less money doing it? That's where text message marketing comes in.

With busy lives, emails and newsletters can be ignored, and your golf and country club may see members missing events, forgetting to sign up for tournaments, RSVPing for dinners, or bringing the kids to the pool even though it's closed for maintenance. This can be avoided with text messaging.

One of the best things about texting is that your members opt-in to receive your texts, so you don't have to worry about texting someone who doesn't want it. Plus, you can send specific messages to certain people.

What if a member doesn't play golf? That's okay! They don't have to receive any texts that are course or tournament related.

CREATE A CUSTOMER CLUB

Golf courses can use text message marketing to reach customers and build a customer club. This club can be divided into different types of members such as VIP customers and weekend golfers.

Members of this club will get special discounts on a weekly basis once they subscribe to the messaging service. Members and golfers can share/forward text specials to their friends.

TEE TIMES

Never have an empty Tee again. Send texts to your golfers with empty tee times that are available, updates to fill cancellations, or offer limited time discounts for immediate action on last minute openings. Distribute early bird/late evening specials to your loyalty members.

Send tee time reminders so busy individuals don’t miss valuable leisure time. This is a great way to create a valuable guest experience as they share their alert with their foursome. Send promotional offers to your subscribers to increase business during slow days or off times.

LEARNING COURSES

Golf clubs often hire special instructors who give out lessons but most people are unaware that these lessons are being offered till they actually visit the club. Text message marketing can be used to inform golfers about these learning courses.

TIPS AND HINTS

Golf courses have this new feature where they use text messages to offer advice to golfers. These are tips and hints about how to play a particular shot and how to go about the game. These text message messages can be very helpful for players.

COUPONS

On days when the golf course is empty and there aren’t many customers in, golf clubs can use this service to send out coupons. These coupons will offer discounted rates to customers on a particular day.

You may include additional benefits as well such as free lunch meal with a round of golf. Increase foot traffic to your golf course, pro shop, grill, and bar.

COURSE CONDITIONS

Golf courses also use text message marketing to inform players about the course conditions on a particular day. This helps players decide which days they should practice and which days should they play.

EVENTS

Let your members and guests find out about all the events you are having throughout the year. Whether it be tournaments, or special occasions like holidays. You will attract more participants as they share your texts with their friends.

Let them know about special guest appearances you are having, whether it be a local celebrity or a renowned professional golfer - maybe a celebrity instructor.

MEMBER SERVICES

Increase the awareness of other services you may provide; for example, do you have a banquet hall to host weddings, meetings or other events? Do you offer catering services? Do all your customers know that you do?

PRO SHOP

A good pro shop can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line. It's your own private golf hardware store. Always have a promotion ready to go. Whether it be clubs, shoes, or soft lines.

Send mobile coupons for use in your Pro Shop. Don't forget, make your logo, your brand. Create a different special every week.

RESTAURANT

Send special promotions that bring people to your restaurant. Send your golfers specials of the day. Create a loyalty kiosk program for repeat customers. Members can earn points with their purchases.

This will make your members travel out of their way to eat at your club when they're not playing golf and maybe even bring some guests.

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