The 2018 PGA Show may have come and gone, but we're still excited about all the things we learned at the show. See our top takeaways from this show.
We’re a month removed from the 2018 PGA Show, but the buzz from the show has hardly worn off. Trade show season is one of our favorite times of year - after all, how often do you get thousands of people who are passionate about their industry all in one place?
Our team members who attended the show shared some of their biggest takeaways from the 2018 PGA Show that we think people will be talking about until next year’s show and beyond. If we didn't get a chance to talk at the show, or if you'd like to follow up on a conversation we had, fill out this form so we can get in touch.
1.) Using mobile apps to capture members
It’s not much of a secret that golf pros want to grow the game by attracting millennials and younger members. We were struck, though, by how many pros realized that mobile app technology can be a useful tool in attracting members. Many of the pros we spoke to recognized that they are competing with other forms of entertainment; to be competitive, they said reservations have to be easy to make.
While most clubs have adopted online tee sheets that both their members and/or staff can use to manage reservations, many pros realize that they should embrace mobile technology, too. This make sense - consider how many of your members are likely using their phones round-the-clock. Interest in mobile apps was high this year with golf pros wanting to make it easier for members to make reservations, and if the club allows them, invite guests. We expect to see mobile adoption among golf pros increase as they start using tools to attract members (and prospects) where they are.
2.) Keep the pro shop under one roof
Growing the game wasn’t the only topic of conversation: we also heard a lot of pros talking about how to use technology to run their golf operations more efficiently. Golf pros are giving more thought to how to run their course as well as their pro shop; it sounds like the old days of pad and pencil, or using old software, are losing out to technology that allows for easy retail and operational management.
We heard from a lot of pros about a common problem that they want to solve: capturing charges which then flow to the correct billing. Even though pros have adopted tee sheet technology, many of them reported that they wanted to use one software that captured reservations and charges, and which also allowed for accurate billing. Comprehensive software solutions - “keeping the pro shop under one roof,” as one pro put it - will be something that many clubs and golf operations will adopt if this show is any indication.
3.) Increased amenities: golf simulators, driving ranges, and more
Along with using mobile apps to communicate with members, we also heard a lot of talk about growing the game by offering amenities and attractions you might see at entertainment venues such as TopGolf and the like. Two offerings we heard about a lot were golf simulators and year-round driving ranges.
For these simulators and driving ranges to work, though, members have to be able to easily make reservations for these amenities. Golf pros realize this - many of them noted that if you can make a reservation at the venue down the street, then the club might lose out to that place. It isn’t just the amenity then, as many pros pointed out - it’s also the ability of the member to make reservations for these amenities. Once these reservations are made, the club staff can know to expect a member (and possibly their guests), and give them an experience that surpasses anything they might receive at a competing entertainment venue.
4.) Self-paced learning of software is key
The PGA Show is renowned for its educational offerings, but industry education wasn’t the only thing attendees were looking for. With golf pros adopting technology to run their shops and courses - from tee sheets, to mobile apps, to operational software - there is also an expectation that they should be able to learn this software at their own pace.
Many pros we spoke with ultimately want more face time with members - they don’t want to spend time rectifying charges or on the phone seeking software support. This means they need a software that’s easy to use but that also offers them educational resources about their software. A common theme was that pros want good customer service when they need help, but also want to be empowered so they can spend more time with members.
Like we said, we love coming back from these shows because of the excitement that golf professionals bring. You can’t say they aren’t passionate! It’s that passion that helps drive us.
Interested in talking more about how we can help your golf operations? Let's get in touch now.