In the technology world, generally mobile apps are not new, but in the golfing world, apps are still extremely new and two highly respected clubs move with the times, writes Louise Fox.
Since September 2012, Dynamics Golf has provided a solution which enables them to build and design feature rich native mobile apps and mobile websites for golf clubs, golf professionals and golf ranges. The advanced solution provides customers with full access to their own ‘App Management Platform’ that allows them to maintain and update an iPhone, iPad and Android apps plus the mobile website at the same time with little IT knowledge.
“Our platform is intuitive and user friendly,” comments Mark Kemp – Director of Dynamics Golf. “It works much like a website CMS, where by you can make changes yourself without relying on IT support or going back to the code.”
The latest additions to benefit from the Dynamics Golf technology are Woodhall Spa Golf Club and Beau Desert Golf Club.
“Communicating with and providing information to both members and visitors is more than ever becoming a critical part of my role. Whilst traditional web based functions do a great job, the ability to become even more creative in the way that we communicate with people through ‘push technology’ is becoming increasingly important as people crave ‘instant and accurate’ information. I researched the market thoroughly and genuinely believe that the Dynamics Golf ‘App’ is the best smart phone and tablet application that I have seen by some way. It provides great functionality that can be accessed by any member of my team, to keep our members and visitors better informed. From course conditions to special offers, the ability is there to do it all,” said Steve Mainwaring, General Manager at Beau Desert Golf Club.
“We’re able to provide private and proprietary golf clubs, PGA golf professionals and golf range operators with a lot of unique features which are designed to help enhance customer communication, provide new sales opportunities and promote their products and services directly to the customer. In essence, we put your golf club or golf business in the hands of your customers using our mobile app technology. For example, the new Beau Desert Golf Club app has over 26 features including ‘push technology’ and a ‘Club Chat’ section whereby the General Manager and his Greens Staff can keep members up to date with course conditions, news using text and pictures. It uses Facebook and Twitter sign in credentials and also allows members to communicate back and forth to each other in a very social way,” says Mark Kemp.
He continues, “We’ve also linked the club’s online Open Competitions booking page’s, the Members’ Master Scoreboard, the club’s live diary, plus the app contains a lot of useful information for visitors and guests alike who maybe don’t know too much about either Beau Desert Golf Club or indeed Woodhall Spa, which both have two of the finest golf courses in the country.”
With more than 61 per cent of golfers now owning a smart phone that figure is rising fast and the trend in mobile usage is growing at a pace unlike anything before. As a result, a number of clubs have taken up the Dynamics Golf app in the last few months, including Worplesdon, The Wilmslow, ColneValley, Ansty Golf Centre, FynnValley, Bawtry Golf & Country Club, Forest Hill Golf & Country Club, The Golf Academy driving range and Mid Yorkshire, to name just a few live apps, with others in development.
To show how popular it can be, one of Dynamics Golf Apps golf customers has had just over 5,500 downloads of their mobile app from the Apple App Store & Google Play site combined since it was created five months ago. That is more than most golf clubs have email addresses on their databases, which they’ve been building for years, and now they can instantly push a message to customers, which might be news, important announcements, offers, or letting golfers know that you have a few spare tee times available in your next Open event.
“We don’t expect many golf clubs or golf business to get quite as many downloads in such a short time without doing some marketing promotions themselves, which we know this customer did, plus we helped with flyers, posters and social messages. For golf clubs, we also know Managers and owners are more than busy enough with other clubs tasks to worry about than app promotions or developing new coupons or loyalty programs, so we can now provide an additional weekly updating support service, plus we have a range of new online marketing packages to help boost app downloads andsocial interaction which can also drive new traffic to an existing golf club website. Plus customers of the golf buying group Material Matters can also befits hugely from cross supplier promotions which can be promoted to customers via the app,” says Mark Kemp.
Golf clubs can now have a great native mobile app while keeping within tight budgets. The apps are popular with golfers, but they can be revenue generators using online shops, coupons, vouchers or mobile ads to promote offers for clubs, golf professionals or golf ranges too.
So if, you are a forward thinking club manager or owner, golf professional or golf range operator, and you would like to learn more, you can visit Dynamics Golf Apps Get-Started page or speak to Mark Kemp directly on +44 (0)800 6889694 or email him on mark@dynamicsgolf.com