‘Consumers look for reviews before they make most any purchase these days. Why not give them the same opportunity with golf?’
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2012) – Beginning October 23 golfers who book their rounds through GolfNow.com can post reviews and ratings and share comments and opinions to help other golfers decide where they want to play.
Golfers who book their rounds through GolfNow.com, the world’s No. 1 consumer tee-time portal, will receive an email following their round encouraging them to provide feedback on the course. Golfers can rate a course with one to five stars, write a review and read reviews from other golfers.
“Our goal is to be the definitive source of up-to-date course information, and who better to provide that information than golfers who have just played the course?” said Will McIntosh, senior vice president of Business Development and Strategy at Golf Channel.
The new feature will provide the latest information on course conditions and golfers’ opinions on their overall experience.
“Consumers look for reviews before they make most any purchase these days. Why not give them the same opportunity with golf?” McIntosh said.
In advance of the launch date, emails were sent to 250,000 golfers who played a GolfNow.com course in the past 60 days, encouraging them to offer a rating and review. Golfers have responded with more than 10,000 reviews for 2,800 of the more than 4,000 courses on the platform. Golfers will continue to receive emails after their play date requesting their feedback.
In addition to providing more information to golfers, McIntosh said GolfNow.com reviews and ratings will help course operators better understand what golfers want from their golf experience.
“Operators can use the information not only to better meet their customers’ expectations, but also to promote their course through other channels,” McIntosh said. “Reviews also help us collect information about golfers’ needs and interests, and that helps us improve the products and service we provide our customers.”
GolfNow will review comments before they are added to the website and will not post comments that contain profanity or inappropriate language.
The GolfNow.com network includes more than 4,000 courses in all 50 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the United Kingdom. GolfNow.com is the most popular and widely used online service for golfers who are searching for tee times that meet their schedules and budgets.
About Golf Channel Business Solutions
Golf Channel Business Solutions connects golf course owners, operators and PGA Professionals with golfers through a wide range of programs and services that help them operate more efficiently and increase revenues. A multifaceted division of Golf Channel, Golf Channel Business Solutions provides technology platforms, grow-the-game opportunities, online distribution services and marketing tools that increase participation, enhance facilities’ online presence and leverage revenue management and customer relationship management strategies. For more information about programs and services, visit golfchannelsolutions.com.
About GolfNow.com
GolfNow.com is the Internet’s largest and most comprehensive online tee time reservation service. Using leading-edge technology, GolfNow.com offers golfers more ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, e-mail and iPhone mobile app. Golfers can go online 24/7, choose a course and a tee-time deal that fits their schedule and budget and book the tee time. Founded in 2001, GolfNow.com has expanded to more than 80 markets in North America, Ireland, Scotland, Mexico and Bermuda, providing tee-time access to more than 4,000 courses for more than 1.1 million registered users. GolfNow.com is powered by Golf Channel, which is seen in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies, as well as by GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet. GolfNow.com is part of GolfChannel.com’s online platform of Internet sites designed to help the recreational player enjoy every aspect of the game.
Contact:
Bill Bryant, Bryant Marketing Communications
bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com, 678-366-3232
Dan Higgins, Golf Channel Public Relations
dhiggins@golfchannel.com, 407-355-4018
Jeremy Friedman, Golf Channel Public Relations
jfriedman@golfchannel.com, 407-355-4058