Booking Tee Times

[Old Golfer]

I’m looking for some suggestions. What is the best method you’ve used to book a tee time? I’ve looked at GolfNow but have read so many negative reviews. I looked at EZLinks but they’re not at all courses. Case in point; I wanted to book a tee time at Marine Park GC in Brooklyn, NY. You can walk 18 holes. GolfNow price is $46 after 1pm. EZLinks says no tee times available. I called the golf course directly and person told me he has a 9am tee time for $56. Are there any other options that have worked for you?

[klineka]

I use teeoff.com for 75%+ of my tee times. You prepay online, they often send emails/coupon codes for 10-20% off, and the one time a course was closed due to snow, teeoff called me and refunded the money no problem. 

No booking fees which is what makes it better than GolfNow IMO. 

I have also used GolfNow and havent had any negative experiences. Why would you not want to reserve with GolfNow? even after the fees it would still be cheaper than the course directly, although thats not always the case. Sometimes the course price is actually cheaper than GolfNow once the fees are included.

Edited June 7, 2018 by klineka

[Old Golfer]

49 minutes ago, klineka said:

I use teeoff.com for 75%+ of my tee times. You prepay online, they often send emails/coupon codes for 10-20% off, and the one time a course was closed due to snow, teeoff called me and refunded the money no problem. 

No booking fees which is what makes it better than GolfNow IMO. 

I have also used GolfNow and havent had any negative experiences. Why would you not want to reserve with GolfNow? even after the fees it would still be cheaper than the course directly, although thats not always the case. Sometimes the course price is actually cheaper than GolfNow once the fees are included.

Thanks. I’m reluctant to use GolfNow to book the tee time only because of the negative reviews. But I think I will give them a try. Especially since the guy at the golf course was going to charge me $12 extra. 😡

[Shindig]

L.A. City courses have their own online system to reserve tee times.  I'm surprised other cities don't have something similar if they have related public courses. 

I've used GolfNow and similar services in the past when I play other cities, such as when I'm in the desert. 

[mcanadiens]

7 minutes ago, Shindig said:

L.A. City courses have their own online system to reserve tee times.  I'm surprised other cities don't have something similar if they have related public courses.

Most big city munis around here (Cincy, Dayton and Columbus) have online systems as do a number of the smaller, individual public courses. 

What some of these third-party sites, like Golfnow, occasionally get you is a discounted rate. For instance, I could get a tee time at Dayton's Madden Golf Course for $18.51 on GN. If I went thru the City's web site, I'd be paying $32.

I'm sure it works the other way on occasion as well, so you gotta shop around if you want the best deal.

[dennyjones]

5 hours ago, mcanadiens said:

What some of these third-party sites, like Golfnow, occasionally get you is a discounted rate. For instance, I could get a tee time at Dayton's Madden Golf Course for $18.51 on GN. If I went thru the City's web site, I'd be paying $32.

I'm sure it works the other way on occasion as well, so you gotta shop around if you want the best deal.

I find this to be true in my area also.   Don't go blindly into the night...  (poor pun)

[Old Golfer]

12 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

I find this to be true in my area also.   Don't go blindly into the night...  (poor pun)

Thanks

[fishgolf]

While in Yuma during winter, my friend takes care of the groups standing tee times.  We usually have 5-6 foursomes.  Before I moved from WA, I started doing some on-line bookings but always hated the dang extra fee.  Here in MT, we just call the pro shop and schedule.  They do have/use some of the booking services, but I kind of like chatting with the girls at the pro shop. I like the sound of the one @klinekamentioned and will check it out.  Good thread btw; especially for us old school dudes.

[HJJ003]

As some have already stated you have to be really careful with Golfnow these days. Those fees can be super high. I have now had staff from multiple courses in my area tell me that unless it’s a “hot deal” your better off booking with the course. The problem with those are they are usually around high noon tee times....a true “hot deal”!

[freedirt29]

I use Golfnow for the hot deals and otherwise book through mbn.com, its a website for Myrtle Beach courses, they have most of the public courses here. Never played anywhere else except for one time in Lake Geneva and I didn't book that so I just use those two sites.

[cooke119]

I use GolfNow for the hot deals and never had a bad experience. I also book directly with the courses through the Pro Shop. Here in New York I get a special deal because I'm a disabled veteran with a 40% disability so I have an Access card from the State which allows me to play for free at State Courses. Here on Long Island I play Bethpage, (no I don't play the Black because you have to walk the 18 which I can't do), but the other course there are great. I can also play Sunken Meadow for free. 

[AlDena]

I thought the booking fee at Golfnow was 99 cents per player. Two weeks ago, while standing in line to see if we could walk on, by buddy books a tee time on his phone for $11 cheaper than the course was offering. I wonder what bad comments are being left.