ARIZONA GOLF & MARKETING?

I recently had the good fortune of a “quick trip” to Arizona for three days of golf!  What fantastic weather and fantastic friendship and fantastic golf!  Of course, not my playing, but the golf courses which are some of my favorites. 

I have been making annual “treks” to Arizona for over a decade now and it is interesting to witness “firsthand” the change in the marketing of golf there.  For years, like much of the national economy, it was booming and all one needed to do was to design and build a golf course, and “they would show!”

Given the latest round of economic  “stuff,” the courses are now emphasizing service and packaging of services more than ever!  For example, one course, offered a substantial discount off of  a golf cap or golf shirt as part of the greens fees.  Never seen that before!  Another included lunch as part of the greens fees.  Never seen that before either!  And..another included a bucket of range balls, free cart, and free lunch!   Never seen that before, either!

My, how the times have changed!  The prices have not necessarily changed, but “these add-ons” enhance the value of the package…I highly recommend that for small business owners…don’t necessarily raise the price, but “expand the package!”  I love working with Small Business Owners in the Chicago area to assist them with “packaging their services” as a part of their Small Business Marketing System!