A Smarter Approach to Golf MarketingA Smarter Approach to Golf Marketing in 2025
The golf industry continues to evolve, and so must your marketing strategy. Simply having a great golf course is no longer enough—effective marketing is the key to attracting new players, engaging loyal golfers, and maximizing revenue.
In this Golf Marketing Guide for 2025, we’ll cover everything from budgeting and planning to digital marketing strategies like SEO, SEM, social media, and email marketing, as well as traditional tactics like direct mail, events, and sponsorships. You’ll also find real-world marketing examples that can be adapted to suit your course’s unique needs.
Whether you’re looking to fill tee sheets, increase memberships, boost brand awareness, or enhance customer engagement, this guide will provide actionable insights and best practices to help your golf facility thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Budget & Planning
The best advice is to budget and plan your marketing efforts well in advance and to create a plan as detailed as possible.
Instead of – “lets market around the Master’s Tournament.”
Use this – “For the Masters, we are running X special, for these dates, through these channels, with this promotional code, we’ll spend X amount on paid ads, and here is how we are going to track return.”
General Budget Allocation
The allocation of an annual marketing budget among various channels depends on several factors, including the specific goals of your business, the target audience, and the effectiveness of each channel for reaching the desired objectives.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to budget allocation, and the suggested allocations below may need to be adjusted based on your unique circumstances.
- Search Engine Marketing 40.0%
- Social Media 40.0%
- Email Marketing 2.5%
- Direct Mail 5.0%
- Content Marketing 5.0%
- Events & Local Sponsorships 5.0%
- Online Review Management 2.5%
Marketing Examples
Time Sensitive Promotion Examples
Time-sensitive promotions can create a sense of urgency and drive immediate action from golf enthusiasts. Here are some ideas for time-sensitive promotions for a golf course
Flash Sales
Offer a limited-time discount on green fees, memberships, or golf lessons. Advertise the flash sale through email, social media, and on-site signage.
Twilight Specials
Create discounted rates for tee times during the twilight hours. Encourage golfers to play later in the day with reduced fees.
Weekday Specials
Introduce special rates for weekdays to attract golfers during traditionally slower times. Promote this as a limited time offer to boost midweek attendance.
Early Bird Discounts
Offer discounted rates for early morning tee times to attract early risers. Emphasize the savings and the opportunity to enjoy a quiet round.
Holiday Promotions
Create promotions around holidays or special occasions, such as Father’s Day, Independence Day, or the golf course’s anniversary. Offer exclusive discounts or packages for a limited time.
Membership Discounts
Provide a limited-time discount or additional perks for new or renewed memberships. This can incentivize golfers to commit to the golf course for an extended period.
Bring-a-Friend Specials
Encourage current members or players to bring a friend by offering a special discount for both the existing member and the new player.
Social Media Contests
Run time-sensitive contests on social media platforms where participants can win free rounds of golf, merchandise, or other perks. Encourage sharing and engagement to increase visibility.
Special Event Packages
Create packages for special events such as tournaments, weddings, or corporate outings with exclusive discounts for bookings made within a specific time frame.
Limited Edition Merchandise
Introduce limited-edition golf merchandise (e.g., hats, shirts, or equipment) available for purchase for a short duration. Add an element of exclusivity to drive sales.
Holiday-themed Promotions
Tie promotions to holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. For example, offer a “Turkey Day Tee Time Special” or a “Spooky Savings” promotion.
Birthday Specials
Offer a birthday discount for golfers who book a tee time within a week of their birthday. Promote this through email or targeted advertising.
Weather-Dependent Deals
Monitor the weather forecast and offer spontaneous promotions like “Sunny Day Specials” or “Rainy Day Discounts” to attract players during specific weather conditions.
Non Time-Sensitive Brand Marketing Examples
Non-time-sensitive brand marketing for a golf course focuses on establishing a consistent and lasting brand presence. Here are some examples
Brand Identity Development
Invest in creating a strong and visually appealing brand identity, including a distinctive logo, color palette, and typography that reflects the golf course’s unique characteristics.
Quality Course Imagery
Use professional photography and videography to showcase the beauty of the golf course. Highlight stunning landscapes, well-maintained fairways, and the overall ambiance to create a positive and aspirational brand image.
Storytelling Content
Share the history, traditions, and unique stories of the golf course. Develop content that connects with the audience emotionally, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.
Regular Blog or Newsletter
Maintain a blog or newsletter to share golf tips, course updates, and behind-the-scenes stories. This positions the golf course as an authority in the golfing community and provides valuable content to subscribers.
Social Media Engagement
Build a consistent and engaging presence on social media platforms. Share not only promotional content but also user-generated content, customer testimonials, and relevant industry news.
Community Involvement
Participate in or host community events, charity tournaments, or sponsor local sports teams to demonstrate a commitment to the community.
Educational Workshops
Offer workshops or clinics on golf techniques, course etiquette, or golf fitness. This positions the golf course as an educational resource for golf enthusiasts.
Exclusive Membership Programs
Develop and promote exclusive membership programs that offer unique benefits such as access to member-only events, advanced tee time bookings, or special discounts on merchandise.
Environmental Stewardship
Emphasize the golf course’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Showcase eco-friendly practices, wildlife conservation efforts, and any green initiatives.
Customer Testimonials
Collect and showcase positive customer testimonials and reviews. This builds credibility and trust among potential customers.
Virtual Tours
Create virtual tours of the golf course, allowing potential visitors to experience the course online. Highlight key features and amenities to entice prospective players.
Partnerships with Golf Influencers
Collaborate with golf influencers or local celebrities to promote the golf course. Their endorsement can enhance credibility and reach a broader audience.
Consistent Brand Messaging
Maintain a consistent brand message across all marketing channels, emphasizing key brand values, unique selling propositions, and the overall golf experience.
Take Your Golf Marketing to the Next Level with Automation
Ready to work smarter, not harder? Check out our guide on 5 Marketing Automations for 2025 and discover how you can automate re-engagement, loyalty rewards, tee time reminders, and more!
Read The Article →Marketing Channels Explained
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a digital marketing strategy that involves promoting a website by increasing its visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) through paid advertising.
Typical channels include
- Google Search
- Bing Search (Microsoft)
- YouTube
✅ Why we like it
- Potential to get in front of customers when they are searching for golf services.
- Immediate visibility that allows for quick placement in search engine results.
- Targeted advertising that can be customized based on user demographics, location, and search intent.
- You only pay when your ad is clicked on.
- Ad campaigns are flexible and can be paused at any time, for any reason.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Costs can be high due to competing businesses bidding for the same ad spot.
- Ad-blockers can be used to skip many ads however, some companies are squeezing the use of them lately.
- Not as straightforward to setup an ad campaign as other channels
Examples
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing strategy focused on optimizing a website to improve its visibility in organic (non-paid) search engine results. The goal of SEO is to enhance the website’s relevance and authority in the eyes of search engines, leading to higher rankings for relevant keywords.
The aim is to attract more organic (unpaid) traffic to the website and increase its overall visibility on search engine results pages.
SEO involves various techniques including
- Optimizing content
- Improving website structure
- Using relevant keywords
- Building quality backlinks
- Ensuring a positive user experience
✅ Why we like it
- Organic traffic Long-term visibility and traffic from search engines.
- Credibility Higher search rankings can enhance the perceived credibility of the golf club.
- Easier to compete for ancillary services such as membership sales, loyalty card sales, etc, versus “Golf Course in Hilton Head” which is super competitive.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Time-consuming SEO strategies take time to show results.
- Algorithm changes Search engine algorithms can impact rankings unpredictably.
- Largely competitive
Examples
Social Media Marketing
Social Media Marketing (SMM) is a digital marketing strategy that involves using social media platforms to create and share content with the goal of achieving marketing and branding objectives. Social media marketing allows you to target users in a specific location with specific interests to increase awareness for your products and services.
Typical SMM channels are
- TikTok
- LinkedIn (Better for business to business)
✅ Why we like it
- Community engagement Build a community around the golf club.
- Visual appeal Showcase the picturesque aspects of the golf course.
- Targeted advertising
- Measurable – especially when used in conjunction with a unique promotional discount code and signup offer.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Time-intensive Engagement is not required for social media success, but it helps tremendously.
- Negative feedback that can affect the club’s reputation if not managed well.
- Does not target customer when they are in buying mode. Think of this as an advanced, modern-day billboard where potential customers need to be driving by (scrolling) to see your ad.
Email Marketing
The purpose of email marketing is to build relationships with customers, promote products or services, and encourage engagement. Email marketing is effective for customer retention, lead nurturing, and driving conversions.
Email marketing often includes
- Newsletters
- Promotional offers
- Updates
- Personalized communication to a subscriber list.
✅ Why we like it
- 90% of all email marketing can be automated or scheduled in advance, saving time and resources.
- Customers can view your email at their leisure.
- Targeted communication Send personalized promotions and updates to a segmented audience.
- Cost-effective Compared to traditional methods, email marketing is relatively low-cost.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Time sensitivity can be lacking as you are reliant on your customer to check their inbox
- Overuse of email marketing can lead to emails being marked as spam.
- Opt-out rates Some recipients may unsubscribe, impacting the reach.
Direct Mail
Direct mail is a marketing strategy that involves delivering printed marketing and promotional offers directly to potential customer’s homes via a delivery service.
Direct mail companies
- Money Mailer
- Valpak
- Clipper Magazine
✅ Why we like it
- Tangible impact Physical mail may have a stronger impact than digital messages.
- Targeted reach Send promotions directly to specific neighborhoods or demographics.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Cost Printing and postage costs can be high.
- Environmental concerns Direct mail can contribute to waste and may not be eco-friendly.
Content Marketing
Content Marketing is a digital marketing strategy focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a target audience.
The goal of content marketing is to provide information, entertain, or solve problems for the audience, ultimately building trust and brand loyalty.
The focus is on delivering valuable content that aligns with the interests and needs of the audience, fostering a positive brand perception and encouraging desired actions.
Content marketing can take many forms such as
- Blogs posts
- Articles
- Videos
- Infographics
✅ Why we like it
- Thought leadership Establish your golf club as an authority in the industry.
- SEO benefits Regular, quality content can improve search rankings.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Resource-intensive Creating high-quality content requires time and effort.
- Results take time Content marketing is a long-term strategy.
Events & Local Sponsorship
In short, event and local sponsorship involves sponsoring an event to gain visibility, brand exposure, and potential customer engagement.
Typical channels might include
- Chamber of Commerce
- Youth Sports
- Drop a flyer off at local gyms, doctors, etc.
✅ Why we like it
- Local visibility Sponsorship of local events can enhance community engagement.
- Targeted exposure Choose events and businesses that align with the golf club’s target audience.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Limited control: The success of the sponsorship depends on the event’s success.
- Sponsorship fees can be significant in some cases.
Online Reviews and Reputation Management
Online Reviews and Reputation Management play a vital role in shaping public perception, influencing customer decisions, and directly impacting a business’s success.
As a marketing channel, it focuses on leveraging customer feedback to build trust, enhance visibility, and drive both customer acquisition and retention.
Example channels
- Google Business Profile
- TripAdvisor
✅ Why we like it
- Social proof: Positive reviews build trust and attract potential customers.
- Customer feedback Use reviews for continuous improvement.
🚫 Why we don't like it
- Negative reviews Unfavorable reviews can impact on the club’s reputation.
- Limited control: You can encourage reviews, but you can’t control what users write
Conclusion: Turning Marketing Strategy into Revenue Growth
A well-executed marketing plan is more than just a collection of promotions and ad campaigns, it’s a long-term investment in the success of your golf course. By implementing the right mix of marketing channels, staying consistent, and leveraging data to refine your approach, you can attract new players, retain loyal customers, and maximize revenue year-round.
The key is strategic execution, not just marketing for the sake of marketing, but developing a well-thought-out plan that aligns with your course’s goals and resources. With the right balance of digital marketing, community engagement, and on-course promotions, you can build a strong brand, drive direct bookings, and create lasting customer relationships.
Start planning, stay consistent, and keep testing new ideas, the golfers are out there, and with the right strategy, they’ll be booking their next round at your course.
