Unless you have been sleeping under a mossy rock for the last 5 years, the way business has been traditionally performed on all industries – GOLF included has changed significantly. Golf courses across North America are struggling, revenue is down and even closures are happening. It may seem harsh but it is more of an effect of ‘build it and they will come’ mentality vs. you better outstanding attractions, educating, long-term customers.

Having over 24 years of working in the golf industry from everything from the back shop, store, maintenance to marketing and sales. My partners have over 11 years of technology sales and marketing. So we know a little about what we are speaking of.

This year alone we have done over 160+ audits of golf courses, both private and public across North America. Listening to their pains and desires. So I speak with authority here, when I say we have our hands on the pulse of what is happening in the golf business.

You want proof! You can’t handle the proof (sorry for the bad movie pun). Check out these audit results from courses. Out of 171 courses – only one has made at least 100% of their money back from their marketing efforts. Also, 96% of the golf courses audited have a customer database of less than 2000 people. The average marketing spend is less than $30,000. Over 98% would love to know how to integrate the internet and its power into their marketing, but have no idea how to do it.

All that proof firmly tells us the lack of traffic, be it from traditional marketing sources to the new online resources is a huge hurdle these golf facilities face. They are so used to putting together a radio ad, TV ad, a magazine ad, or a website. These are all good in a sense, but they are stagnate brochures. Once you have done them you are done. It is hard to change. Implementing these old techniques with new mediums to inform and get your message and story out there, is where the business of golf is heading. Now these are traffic sources that every golf course needs to understand and implement.

The Gold Coast, located in the southeast Queens land, is Australia’s leading Golf holidays destination. With World Heritage rainforests, international nightlife, casino, international events, pure beaches, shopping, theme parks and a wide selection of golf courses – it is a stylish and world class holiday destination that everyone can enjoy.

Hope Island – Home to an 18-hole championship course designed by five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson and the great team at Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett. The layout, reminiscent of some British iconic traditional ‘links’ courses, has been designed to make the good golfer ‘consider’ each shot against the natural elements and hazards, together with those introduced by the shrewd composers. Challenging yet very approachable, the two nines unfold with beauty and intrigue ensuring those that appreciate golf presented at its best, leave with an unforgettable experience and a strong desire to return again and again. Hope Island has held international events such as the Jonnnie Walker.

The Glades – The Glades Golf Club is a par 72, 6,420 metre championship course that spans 65 hectares of land. The course layout was designed by Greg Norman and is typical of his trademark aggressive layouts, complete with 98 bunkers. The greens consist of a tropical bent grass ensuring a superior putting surface year round. The challenging layout is interwoven with nine hectares of wetland area to create a natural wildlife sanctuary within the course. Home to one of Australia’s leading golf coaches, Gary Edwin.

Lakelands Golf Course – Lakelands Golf Club is Jack Nickalus’ first signature designed course in Australia. Open to the public, Monday through Friday, the multiple tee positions make the course user friendly yet challenging, whatever the standard of golf you play. Lakelands has been awarded Australia’s best-conditioned public access golf course several times in its 12 years of operation, establishing it as the preferred venue for Australia’s leading corporates. Lakelands has been recognized for Environmental Excellence through Audubon International. It is one of the four courses in Australia to be certified as an “Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary”.

Royal Pines – Royal Pines provides the only 27-hole composite course in the region. Three very different courses let you choose how much of a challenge you’re after, from the sweeping fairways to the merciless bunkers. But all the courses at Royal Pines are built into the natural beauty of the hills and waterways of the Gold Coast. Royal Pines is home the ANZ LAdies Masters

Palm Meadows – Designed by leading Australian golfer Graham Marsh. It includes a par 72 measuring 6319 metres off the tees, water coming into play on 14 holes and 82 sand bunkers. The first hole is one of the most challenging opening holes with water running the length of the hole on the left, and the famous bamboo curtain on the right. The eighteenth is the signature hole at 523 metres from the back tees and has been voted by the American Golf Digest to be in the top 500 golf holes around the world. Palm Meadows has held international golf events such as the Palm Meadows Cup, once the richest golf event in the Southern Hemisphere and the original Ladies Masters before it was relocated to Royal Pines.