Despite a widely contrasting climate, in 2018, of unseasonably cold and hot weather presenting a challenging environment for golf during much of last year, Golfshake noted a record usage of its Score Tracker App, a record increase in signups to email newsletters and continued steady growth within its golf course review system of 16,000 during the past 12 months, which has taken independent ratings beyond 235,000, providing golfers and venues with an invaluable resource, connecting new visitors with golf clubs, and users with Highly Recommended destinations.
These hugely positive results were driven by a 23% year-on-year increase in rounds tracked on Golfshake during Q4 2018, an encouraging trend for Golfshake and the wider industry that has continued into the New Year with a strikingly bright first month of 2019 signalling the largest January for rounds tracked. Golfers have been getting out and playing throughout this winter, a fact that bodes well for the season.
“The 2019 golf season is fast approaching, and there has never been a better time for golfers to engage with the Golfshake Community,” says Darren Ramowski, MD of Golfshake.com Ltd.
“Hoping to build on this platform, constant enhancements are being introduced to services to deliver a more effective and engaging product for the Golfshake Community, uniquely comprising 50% of non-club members, including improved functionality to the Score Tracker App on iPhone and Android, helping regular golfers to ‘Play More & Play Better’, a mantra that directs Golfshake’s focus.
“Content will be a major part of Golfshake in 2019, as it looks to engage and further integrate new golfers and avid users into the bespoke campaigns that have become a regular feature on the website and social channels, promoting branded messages and new products to a receptive audience across a multi-platform marketing drive through a variety of challenge goals for the Community, a particular example last year seeing over 5,000 golfers subscribing to an email campaign based on just one user objective to improve their putting.
“Facilitating that engagement has been made possible through developments on the Golfshake website introducing an updated navigation system, improved ad delivery, as well as new ‘content hubs’ to showcase those campaigns. Additionally, Golfshake is set to launch a new standalone content app that will provide an extra distribution channel and platform to showcase the constantly evolving news, gear, travel and tuition-based content.
“This output will be provided by the diverse team at Golfshake. St Andrews based Digital Editor Kieran Clark continues to oversee the site, social, podcast and email editorial platforms, and the team has been bolstered this year by Kevin Paver and Ryan Rastall, who introduce a rich depth of expertise.
“Kevin brings a wealth of experience from a background in radio and the running of a video production and animation company, looking after Golfshake’s digital marketing and content strategy, largely focused around the creation of videos to provide golfers with engaging and informative content, showcasing key messages and making that connection with the audience.
“Much of this will feature Ryan – who is Golfshake’s new equipment expert – a PGA Pro and Head Professional at Howley Hall Golf Club, where his passion and knowledge of golf technology has been expressed to great success through the establishment of an award-winning custom-fitting studio at Howley Hall, where his highly regarded coaching is delivered by the use of TrackMan.
“Additionally, Golfshake have a freelance team of writers, photographers and video producers, joined by the continued support of the five Golfshake Ambassadors, who consistently provide fresh content, features and reviews for the audience to consume from the welcome perspective of everyday golfers like them.
“Combining and enhancing content across each channel and platform to deliver more engaging and valuable services to golfers is a key ambition for this year, as Golfshake looks to become an integral part of their life playing this wonderful game.”
Golfshake www.golfshake.com