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The 'Review' Culture - When did it begin?
Testimonials and the benefit of a friend or family recommendation is nothing new, after all, we have been passing on information to each other for thousands of years, however, it was probably the invention of Ebay that started the global trend of 'online customer rating's and it was quickly followed by Amazon and many other online retailers.
In addition, as this form our 'Word of Mouth' has increased it has also seen the rise of dedicated Review websites such as Reevoo, TrustPilot and Feefo. These sites require the 'Reviewers' to fully qualify themselves, which in turn prevents both fraud and sabotage from within business or by unscrupulous competitors.
In the meantime, TripAdvisor.co.uk was leading the way with regards Hotel and Travel reviews and sites such a TopTable.co.uk for restaurants.
Meanwhile, the golf industry has been left behind.....but it slowly catching up!
The Review Culture - How has the golf industry responded?
Until now, it is probably fair to say that many golf clubs have welcomed positive reviews on both TripAdvisor.co.uk and Google but did you know you can also leave golf course reviews and feedback on Golf Club Facebook Pages too.
In addition, there are plenty of good golf resources online that give golfers the chance to leave feedback.
The most popular websites of this nature include http://www.golfshake.com, http://www.thesocialgolfer.com and Specialist Golf Travel Operators such as http://www.golf-escapes.com and http://www.yourgolftravel.com, with the later tending to focus on overseas golf club reviews.
The Review Culture - What is the benefit to 'me' the golfer and the golf club?
To some extent this should be self explanatory but if a golf club review has been written well, it should provide both details on the course, its history, its current condition. Furthermore, it will provide you with an idea of the value in comparison to the green fee you paid and give an idea of how you were treated by management and staff.
Meanwhile, it goes without saying that any business worth its salt in 2017, should want to know what customers think of their products and service. Without feedback from customers, how can they be expected to improve their service and/or the overall golf club experience.
Be honest, but also be objective and fair.
The Review Culture - What does a good golf club review look like?
This depends on the 'eye of the beholder' but it should be fair, honest and objective. Too many golfers have been known to base their golf club review on the quality of their golf on the day.
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Here is an example of a good golf club review....
"Blackmoor GC is a beautiful, heathland golf course in Bordon, Hampshire. Founded in 1913, it was designed by Harry Colt and is a relatively short course with a Par 69. Historically the course was a regional qualifier for the Open Championship between 1998 to 2003. And while modern golf equipment has rendered the course to be an inadequate challenge for the PGA Tour Professional, however it is a still a good challenge to us Amateurs.
It is a very comfortable walking course with minimal impact uphill stages. In addition, being an old style course; the designer managed to limit the extent of walks from greens to tee boxes. Fairways are in great condition, are relatively generous in terms of landing areas from the tees; however, severe trouble lurks left and right for anything pulled or sliced, be it gorse/long grass or water but there is a collection of five beautiful par 3s to enjoy. The course is heavily bunkered on the fairways and surrounding the greens. They are deep but get-out-able. I can attest to this being in bunkers on 8 of the 18 holes, mostly surrounding the greens.
Midweek visitor green fees are 70. I paid a 45 competition entry fee to their Seniors Open Stableford Competition, including coffee/bacon roll, 18 holes, a two-course buffet lunch and competition prizes. A great 'Value for Money' way to play the course. This is a course I would be very happy to be a member of, if I lived within a reasonable commute to the course.
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