How can you avoid paying fees on golfnow and related sites?

[golfduval]

Golf is expensive enough as it is.  What are some ways to avoid having to pay fees to book a tee time?  It seems like its an illusion that golfnow and related sites are offering "discounted" tee times yet charging you fees that add up to more than you would normally pay. 

[CarlSpackler]

I usually play the Hot Deals which save so much that the additional fee still puts me WAY under full GF. Many golf courses offer discounts if you book directly on their site though. 

[Pendragon]

2 hours ago, golfduval said:

Golf is expensive enough as it is.  What are some ways to avoid having to pay fees to book a tee time?  It seems like its an illusion that golfnow and related sites are offering "discounted" tee times yet charging you fees that add up to more than you would normally pay. 

If they're charging fees that make it more than the regular price, why would anyone use them? 

I agree with CarlSpackler that you can often get better deals on golf courses' own websites. The only negative is that they'll then have your e-mail address, but you can always opt out of future mailings.  

[gregsandiego]

5 hours ago, golfduval said:

Golf is expensive enough as it is.  What are some ways to avoid having to pay fees to book a tee time?  It seems like its an illusion that golfnow and related sites are offering "discounted" tee times yet charging you fees that add up to more than you would normally pay. 

Here's an idea that sometimes works. 

Find the best deal you can find online. Then call direct and ask if they'll match it. I do this for hotels. Should work for golf. It's win win since they probably get a bigger piece of the pie.

[Valleygolfer]

2.50 @ golf now is too much? You probably don't understand how it works. The fees are how golf now makes their money and the hot deals are usually a loss for the club. You can can call the club and probably get the same deal if it is not a hot deal and avoid the fees.

[dennyjones]

I paid $3.49 each for three this week.   It was a good deal so the additional cost was still below the course's regular price.    I had a $10 reward so I played for under $10.  

You have to know the price before booking with Golfnow.   Many times their hot deals are the same as the winter rates (now in effect in Michigan) and with the additional fee you could end up paying more than the seasonal course rates.

[Valleygolfer]

Correction on my post, it's 3.49 now vs last year's 2.49.

[Buckeyebowman]

Either take one of the above suggestions or book enough rounds that you avoid the fee! I've booked "hot deal" rounds at a local course that would normally charge in the mid 30's for 10 bucks plus fee, which equals about 13 bucks! What's the problem?

[bweiss711]

I'll usually book hot rates from golf now.  But, if there isn't a hot rate available at the time i'd like to play, i'll use the website to compare available tee times from all the courses in the area.  Then, for the tee times that work for me, ill check those courses' websites to see if its any cheaper.  I've actually saved almost $20 in the past by booking directly through the course instead of golf now.

[imsys0042]

If there is a course that you like then strike up a conversation with the people behind the counter.  Ask about the difference in price between online and calling and see if they would be happy to give you the better rate since you are interested in playing there sometimes.   Courses are like many smaller stores, they are happy to work with you for your business.

[paininthenuts]

On 9/11/2016 at 1:40 PM, golfduval said:

Golf is expensive enough as it is.  What are some ways to avoid having to pay fees to book a tee time?  It seems like its an illusion that golfnow and related sites are offering "discounted" tee times yet charging you fees that add up to more than you would normally pay. 

My experience of golf now is brilliant. Yes, there are booking fees, but if you get the "Hot Deals" you can save a fortune. Every time I have used them they send me a £10 voucher. I recently played a course that costs £38 a round, for £12,

[rehmwa]

14 hours ago, bweiss711 said:

I'll usually book hot rates from golf now.  But, if there isn't a hot rate available at the time i'd like to play, i'll use the website to compare available tee times from all the courses in the area.  Then, for the tee times that work for me, ill check those courses' websites to see if its any cheaper.  I've actually saved almost $20 in the past by booking directly through the course instead of golf now.

this -

 

I'll even just open the app and show the guy at the counter and say - can you match it?

[skeedawg]

All of the above. I've played some nice courses with the Hot Deal and you can cancel if something comes up. Since I often play as a single the Hot Deal can be great. I usually check late night before and early am to see who is offering a deal. It's like the available hotel room approach...they would rather get something when the other only option is $0. 

[rehmwa]

However, I booked a 3some Hotdeal for Saturday and had to cancel 1 slot.

On the website it appears I'm still being charged for all 3 slots.

Anyone else go through this?  how did it turn out?

(I've sent in a comment and request - I'm awaiting their response.  I have no reason to assume anything but a good answer)...

[dennyjones]

I've not been thru a cancellation but they say on their website you can cancel.

Quote

With GolfNow's Worry-Free Tee Times™, you may cancel your reservation online prior to your scheduled tee time without penalty. Please visit your reservations page to request full or partial cancellations. For all other inquiries please use the form below.

I believe you'll lose your $3.49 fee though.    Good luck

[skeedawg]

4 hours ago, rehmwa said:

However, I booked a 3some Hotdeal for Saturday and had to cancel 1 slot.

On the website it appears I'm still being charged for all 3 slots.

Anyone else go through this?  how did it turn out?

(I've sent in a comment and request - I'm awaiting their response.  I have no reason to assume anything but a good answer)...

Yes I had to cancel a tee time as a single a few weeks ago. They asked for a reason and then gave me a refund. It took a couple of days for the charges to get squared up.

[101101]

22 hours ago, dennyjones said:

I've not been thru a cancellation but they say on their website you can cancel.

I believe you'll lose your $3.49 fee though.    Good luck

I've avoided the feed multiple times by just calling up golfnow and rescheduling.

It's also been refunded when I haven't been able to reschedule by asking. 

[paininthenuts]

On 9/12/2016 at 5:00 PM, rehmwa said:

this -

 

I'll even just open the app and show the guy at the counter and say - can you match it?

It doesn't work like that. Golf now either rent the software to the golf club, or negotiate a couple of tee of times. "Hot Deals" tee off times are owned exclusively by Golf Now, and have nothing to do with the golf club