What Golf Can Learn From Online Dating [WSJ]

[nevets88]

WSJ plug for GolfMatch, a find a partner to play with service, so far 30K members. Haven't tried to get a match yet, but I like the interface, it's very Instagram like.

Quote

Kratsios, 27 years old and an avid golfer, said the idea for the app stemmed from a conversation he had in 2013 with two of his high school friends from Long Island. They were the epitome of the kinds of people the golf industry is trying to attract more of: millennials who aren’t yet hooked but are interested enough to try it.

“They asked me to find them guys our age who wanted to have a couple beers on the course and enjoy a round with beginners,” Kratsios said. “I’m like, ‘Guys, that’s not how it works. You have to go to the course and see who you get paired with.’ And they’re like, ‘Well, that’s stupid.’”

...

Now, GolfMatch has members in all 50 states and Canada. About 80% of them are between the ages of 18 and 34, and 75% are men. A forum in which members share photos and experiences from courses has a decidedly younger, informal feel, to the chagrin of some traditionalists.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/what-golf-can-learn-from-online-dating-1463157177

[gregsandiego]

23 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

WSJ plug for GolfMatch, a find a partner to play with service, so far 30K members. Haven't tried to get a match yet, but I like the interface, it's very Instagram like.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/what-golf-can-learn-from-online-dating-1463157177

Thanks for sharing the WSJ piece. 

I like this quote:

This has long been one of golf’s weaker selling points: the randomness of the foursome. And it’s what makes a nascent mobile app potentially transformative.

Golf is about as old school as Taxi's were before Uber came along. GolfNow is about as techno as it gets, and I know many regulars still call in the reservation.

It will be very interesting to see if this app takes off.

[krupa]

Thanks for the link.  I downloaded the app but didn't see anyone in my immediate area.  We'll see how it goes.

[gregsandiego]

4 minutes ago, krupa said:

Thanks for the link.  I downloaded the app but didn't see anyone in my immediate area.  We'll see how it goes.

30K people spread across the US might be just a sprinkle at every course. I wonder if they'll include "foot golf". I see a much younger group playing that.

[nevets88]

So this is the page for Bethpage. Also Neshanic, Torrey Pines. Decent amount of traffic and photos.

To the guy in the article complaining about selfies and yoga pants, dude, things change. Adapt and get along. I hope I don't get like that.

[gregsandiego]

21 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

So this is the page for Bethpage. Also Neshanic, Torrey Pines. Decent amount of traffic and photos.

To the guy in the article complaining about selfies and yoga pants, dude, things change. Adapt and get along. I hope I don't get like that.

OK now I get it.  I pulled up my local Tecolote course and saw nothing there... So it's a instagram for based on golf course.

[bkuehn1952]

I recall a number of years ago someone in the UK attempting the same thing.  Their plan was to expand beyond the UK and include the USA/Canada.  For a while they were sending me email updates.  That stopped long ago.

The nice part about this is the teaming up with GolfNow.  One does not need to arrange a tee time for everyone, just let people know the time you are playing and they can sign up, too.  If they are a no show, it is on them.

On the flip side, like dating websites, I suspect some people will use a bit of license in describing their game, personality, etc... I can see that a couple guys tried the app for my local muni so there are at least 2 users within 50 miles.  ;)

[nevets88]

8 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

OK now I get it.  I pulled up my local Tecolote course and saw nothing there... So it's a instagram for based on golf course.

Yeah, maybe not a decent amount actually. Sparse.

[Dave2512]

There are always people (singles) pinning golf invites on the course bulletin board. Biggest problem I see is golfers like to play with friends. I am a walk on type and often see the look of horror if I threaten the delicate bubble of a 3some.

A few courses here do golf socials in the summer but it's more dating based than finding fellow golf nuts. The one time we went there was a bunch of tarted up middle aged women. 

[davechen]

I've had the app for a while but never actually used it to play with other people.  I'm not great about scheduling tee times ahead of time.  It's more like I got out on a whim (i.e. when the wife allows) and just play with random people.

[Jeremie Boop]

I grabbed it, just to see if it's worthwhile. I'm not exactly a fan of the instagram style features, but if it helps expand the options of playing with others it will be worthwhile.

[Grumpter]

Tried it for more than a few months and it just took up space. Not a lot of golfers on it in my area.

[Rainmaker]

I like the idea and pairing up with GolfNow could be a difference maker.  I know, for me though . .I have no problem pairing up with complete strangers . .but for something like this I'd kind of want a way to get a feel for who the person is . .maybe beyond just what they choose to put out there.  It's golf, not dating so it's not like you're going to be exchanging emails and pictures, lol.  But it would be nice to know I'm not going out to play golf with some whacko.  

I know you have no control over who you get paired up with but that seems safer, more distant . .ie . .you didn't pre-arrange this round so there is no expectation on it.  Chances are that nutcases are less inclined to hang around the clubhouse and wait for a random pairing vs make a "golf date" on internet. 

I know, I always am skeptical and think the worst . .but it's worked well for me, so far.     

 

[bkuehn1952]

1 hour ago, Rainmaker said:

... Chances are that nutcases are less inclined to hang around the clubhouse and wait for a random pairing vs make a "golf date" on internet...

Good point.  It is almost more comfortable joining people that didn't expect you than having someone "waiting for you on the internet."

[mchepp]

I think this idea has some merit. Many people join private clubs to have a regular game to play with. Golf certainly has a friendship element.

There is one side that says each time you get paired with someone is an opportunity to meet someone new. Find out what they do and socialize. I find that there are times when I am in the mood to do this. But when you get paired with someone you don't know if they like to bet, or if after the round they run home right after the round (which is fine, but some people like me just want to have a beer). I have met people this way and they have become regular friends but it is very hit or miss.

There are also times when I want to hang out with my regular friends and the idea of going out and playing with complete strangers is uninteresting. My regular group has a money game and everyone playing knows the stakes, we all have a drink afterwords. It has a very familiar feel to it. 

So I think this idea can work to find a regular group of people to play with. Even if you find a regular 2 some and get paired with others that can work also. 

[Jeremie Boop]

If I can even just find one person in this area to play with on a regular basis it will be better than playing on my own a majority of the time.

[gregsandiego]

7 hours ago, Jeremie Boop said:

If I can even just find one person in this area to play with on a regular basis it will be better than playing on my own a majority of the time.

The app might be too young. 

But every course I play has some kind of regular "men's club" or such you can join.

Here in San Diego there are a couple of online "Meetups" that are just golfers.

 

[Valleygolfer]

8 hours ago, gregsandiego said:

The app might be too young. 

But every course I play has some kind of regular "men's club" or such you can join.

Here in San Diego there are a couple of online "Meetups" that are just golfers.

 

The clubs do but in my case and I would assume in others, young guys have to work. The men's groups always seem to meet up at a time that I have to be at the grind stone. It is really tough up here to find a regular RELIABLE partner.

I haven't checked this out yet and for the most part already know that if there is one person using it in my area I would in complete amazement. I know if it is like twitter/instagram I will have a hard time using it. I find those websites completely off putting.