The golf sector is ahead of the technology curve with the launch today of a smartphone app developed to offer golfers touchless check-in at every golf club throughout the UK.
The GoPlaySafe app has been developed during lockdown and in time for the Government’s announcement that all hospitality sectors will be required to collect data on their customers.
The company behind the project, PGA One Golf Network, has developed the app to work both with geolocation and QR scanning. Once they have downloaded the app, a golfer can visit any golf club and check-in safely and efficiently, maintaining social distancing. Testing has already taken place and a pilot is currently underway in Lancashire, backed by the county union.
Jane Carter, Director PGA One Golf Network, said: “I have always been a huge advocate of golf clubs collecting data of their customers and then engaging with them directly. There are estimated to be more than 1.5 million independent golfers in the UK playing the game regularly. Golf clubs should know who they are and be able to ‘talk’ to them.”
She added: “Whilst coronavirus has presented enormous challenges for the game, and will continue to do so, the opportunity now to legitimately collect visitor data as mandated by the Government should be embraced by the golf industry. The GoPlaySafe app sends a clear message to customers that we have the best interests of the workforce and customers at heart.”
Collecting data has always been a challenge for golf clubs and PGA Professionals, who are often tasked with the role. Currently golfers must fill in time-consuming forms on each visit, a headache for the busy PGA Professional and a poor experience for the golfer.
Using the GoPlaySafe app, a golfer need only download the app once. When a they visit a club, it will recognise their geolocation or golfers can be asked to scan the QR code and receive a personalised push message from the golf club asking them to check-in with the simple press of a button. The software provides the club a record of every visit, date and time and the person’s contact details. It is fully GDPR and PECR compliant and, once registered, a golfer can check-in at any participating club.
Carter added: “If every golf club adopts one registration process, over time it will become the norm. By working together as an industry, we can start to gather the data of these customers now and beyond Covid-19. Rather than constantly competing for a shrinking market, we will be working together to grow it.”
The app not only addresses the challenge of data collection, but will also offer a low-cost public liability insurance scheme, so that every golfer playing at a golf course is insured, rather than having to rely on the golf club’s own insurance cover.
Clubs and PGA Professionals can find out more about GoPlaySafe app and how to register by visiting https://goplaysafe.co.uk/, or by contacting Jane Carter at jane.carter@golfconsulting.co.uk. Costs are minimal for both golf clubs and golfers. The GoPlaySafe app is currently free and available on the App Store and Google Play.