Anyone use social coupons for green fees?

[nevets88]

Groupon or GroupGolf or any other social couponing sites? How was it? Were there any caveats?

There aren't too many in my area, but I see some for Michigan, Florida and California.

[Shindig]

I will be doing this for the first time on Saturday with some friends. We each bought a groupon for Rancho California (I think)... a course that I think is the former SCGA course.

[ZEUS]

YES i use Groupon and it works. no questions asked and you can save a ton. just make sure you read all details to make sure that the restrictions you are Ok with.

[nevets88]

Were there any gotcha restrictions like limited tee times?

[meenman]

I know here, that discounted green fees is kind of a scam. We once played a certain course because a friend had *coupons*. It may have amounted to a couple of bucks, because only the green fee was discounted but the *cart fee* remained the same. There is no way to differentiate because carts are mandatory at most courses here and the price listed is with cart.

[BigTazz53]

I've used Golflink and Golf18 for discounted rates w/o any problems.

[B-Con]

I used Golf18 once. The manager at the course had a hard time finding out how to use and apply my coupon, but he eventually figured it out. Frankly, I think he was just disorganized.

[BigTazz53]

  B-Con said:

Originally Posted by B-Con

I used Golf18 once. The manager at the course had a hard time finding out how to use and apply my coupon, but he eventually figured it out. Frankly, I think he was just disorganized.

Maybe not, my local course told me the course gets 0 of the money paid online to golf18.

I guess their hoping to just fill in a bad spot during the day and maybe make some money off food and drink sales.

Maybe that manager was hoping you'd give and just pay them for the round instead.

Who knows....

[shocka04]

I've used groupon quite a few times.  Seems like a course near me pops up at least once a month.  They're usually half off the regular prices.  Most of the ones I've done don't have too many exclusions.  It's usually just that you can't use it on a holiday or weekend mornings.

[SouthernILGolfer]

Ive used ezlinks.com.   There are only a few courses in my general area, down near Carbondale, IL with only a few tee times a day and its prepaid and you have to book at least 24 hours in advance or those tee times wont be available.  Its nice to use once in a while on weekends, the discounts are quite substanstial, sometimes 50% or more.   They even allow you to name your own price on some of them just dont try to go much lower than the advertised price or they will reject your offer and you'll have to try again.   You also need to call ahead and make sure the course isnt closed during your tee time, ezlinks will go ahead and issue you a tee time without making sure the course isnt having a tournament or scramble.   Golf now also has discounted tee times though i have yet to use it to this point.   Many courses in my area have discount days during the week or twilight rates after a certain time of day, usually 3 pm.

[kobalt]

i use golfnow.com and golfhub.com all the time. its not a coupon but a listing of discounted tee times at courses in your area. never had an issue and what is included in the price like cart and range balls is posted in the listing. simple to use and i have got to play some great courses at very reduced prices.

[Wet Doggg]

GroupGolfer user here. Have played over 10 rounds already this summer using it and have saved over $300. We also have a trip to TreeTops planned. 36 holes of golf, one hour of instruction and one nights lodging for $149. That is over a $500 value for $149...not bad. Never had any issue with any of the courses giving us a hard time.

[ejimsmith]

i've used a livingsocial deal, and several from groupgolfer.   none have had any restrictions other than an expiration date (and its usually a few months away).   I've gotten GREAT deal, over 50% off some nice & pricey courses (>$100 green fees).  nothing weird like 50% off the round, but you gotta pay full price for a mandatory cart, or anything like that.   I've been very satisfied...

[robbingolfer]

I have used GroupGolfer many times this year. I spend summers in Michigan and winters in Florida so it works out great for me. I saved like $400 on a stay and play for my wife and I in Michigan and I picked up 3 rounds at courses around the Tampa area in Florida, all under $20 a round. I would recommend GroupGolfer to anyone.

As far as the restrictions go there is always going to be an expiration...usually between 3 to 6 months. Many deals have no time restictions but I purchased a couple that were not valid until after 10AM on saturday and sunday...which wasnt bad at all.

Again, GroupGolfer is completely worth the free subscription :)

[cruzthepug]

I used a Groupon today. No problems, only restrictions, could not be used before noon on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Normal green fees $36 + cart, Groupon $49 for 4 golfers including cart. Super deal

[mdl]

I've used groupon, living social, and dogolf for cheap greens fees.  All the ones I've gotten had tee time restrictions.  They were either only for after 10am or 12pm on weekends, unrestricted on weekdays, but assuming you could get a tee time between 10 or 12 and twilight rates, the price was discounted 40-50% (including cart).  I've played two of the coupons and have one I still haven't played.

I've never had any problems with any of them.  Just made a tee time in the restricted range and showed my coupon number when I showed up.  I love these deals as I'm on a pretty tight budget and like to play every weekend, but to do that I can only afford to go to courses with greens fees <$50, so these coupons have allowed me to play a couple courses in the $80-$100 range (for weekend rounds) that I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise.

My wife also got me a online coupon deal for 9 holes with a course pro at a top local public course that I haven't redeemed yet, but I'm pumped about that.

[JayMc]

I use golfnow often when I travel.  It's a great resource during peak seasons, but it's not the best in the fall through spring.  You can often get the same deal (or slightly better) by calling the course in advance and asking them what the better deal is.

[MiniBlueDragon]

I use Crowdity and Groupon regularly.

As an example of how easy it is, I bought a Groupon voucher for a day of golf plus 40 range balls for two people at Woldingham golf course recently. I called them last week to book for Mon 24th Oct (yesterday) and there was an 8:16 tee time available. I arrived with my printed voucher, walked into the pro shop and the booking was confirmed. They gave me the range tokens and told me where the range was, where the 1st tee was, asked if there was anything else I needed like a cart or refreshments and that was it.

Considering the value of £117 for the day and the actual cost of £28 it's a killer deal. Thumbs up for Groupon from me.