Social media is a powerful marketing tool for golf courses. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) allow you to promote your course, engage with members, attract new players, and increase bookings.
However, simply having a presence on social media isn’t enough—you need a thoughtful strategy that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience.
In our social media guide, we will provide twelve actionable social media tips tailored to golf courses. With the right mix of content, promotions, and partnerships, you can grow your audience, increase bookings, and strengthen your relationships with the local community. Each tip focuses on specific strategies to boost engagement and help you create long-term success.
1. Develop a Clear Social Media Strategy
A solid strategy ensures that your social media efforts align with your business objectives. Whether it’s driving more tee-time bookings, promoting events, or attracting new members, a well-thought-out plan helps keep your efforts focused and effective.
Start by setting measurable goals, such as increasing engagement by 15% over the next three months or growing your follower base by 500 users. Select the platforms that best fit your audience. Instagram and Facebook are great for sharing photos and event promotions, while LinkedIn is helpful for building corporate partnerships.
Use a content calendar to plan and schedule posts in advance. This consistency will build trust with your audience and keep them engaged. Regularly monitor analytics to assess what content resonates best and adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Showcase the Beauty of Your Course with Visual Content
Golf courses are known for their natural beauty, and social media provides the perfect platform to showcase these features. High-quality images and videos allow potential customers to see what makes your course unique, from signature holes to scenic fairways and lush greens.
Drone footage offers captivating aerial views, giving players a sense of the course layout and its standout features. Visual storytelling can also keep your feed dynamic. Share action shots of players enjoying a round, feature moments from tournaments, and capture the beauty of your course at sunrise or sunset.
Highlight facilities such as your clubhouse, driving range, or dining area to give followers a complete picture of the experience they’ll have when visiting your course.
3. Promote Events, Tournaments, and Special Offers
Social media is the ideal space to promote events and drive bookings. Use countdowns and teaser posts to generate excitement around upcoming tournaments, charity events, or social gatherings. Share behind-the-scenes content to give followers a sneak peek of what’s to come, such as preparing the greens or setting up for a big event.
Special offers like early-bird discounts or exclusive deals for followers help fill your booking sheet quickly. Promote tee-time packages or holiday discounts with clear calls to action and direct links to your booking system. These promotions encourage immediate action, ensuring you maximize attendance at your events.
4. Engage Your Audience with User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build community and provide social proof. When golfers post about their experiences and tag your course, they promote your business organically. UGC creates an authentic connection with potential customers by showing them real-life experiences in your course.
User Generated Content Ideas for Your Golf Course:
- Branded Hashtags: Create hashtags like #TeeOffTuesday or #GolfDayChallenge to encourage players to share their experiences.
- Photo Contests: Offer prizes such as free rounds or merchandise for the best course photos.
- Highlight Achievements: Feature players who post about personal milestones, such as breaking par or getting a hole-in-one.
- Repost Customer Content: Regularly share user-generated photos and videos to show appreciation and build rapport.
5. Leverage Influencers and Local Partnerships
Partnering with influencers and local businesses can expand your reach and generate new interest in your course. Golf influencers, particularly those with active followings in your region, can promote your events, post reviews, and generate buzz. Collaborating with influencers builds credibility and exposes your course to their followers.
Forming partnerships with local businesses adds further value. Collaborate with nearby hotels, restaurants, or retail shops for joint promotions. For example, offer discounts for guests who book both a hotel stay and a round of golf. These partnerships can attract visitors from out of town while supporting the local economy.
6. Use Social Media Advertising to Increase Bookings
While organic social media posts are essential, paid advertising allows you to reach new audiences beyond your existing followers. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer robust targeting options based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Create ads that focus on golfers within driving distance of your course to attract local customers.
Retargeting ads are also highly effective. These ads remind users who visited your website but didn’t complete a booking, encouraging them to return and finish their reservation. Use compelling images, promotions, and limited-time offers in your ads to drive immediate bookings.
7. Provide Golf Tips and Educational Content
Establishing your course as a resource for golfers helps engage followers and build long-term relationships. Share tips on improving swing technique, mastering complex holes, or handling the mental challenges of the game. Post short tutorial videos featuring your instructors or golf pros offering advice on how to improve.
This type of content encourages golfers to follow your page regularly, even during the off-season. Hosting live Q&A sessions with instructors or sharing tips on course etiquette also adds value to your social media presence.
8. Engage with Customers Through Stories and Polls
Instagram and Facebook Stories allow you to share real-time content that keeps your audience engaged. Use Stories to post updates from tournaments, behind-the-scenes footage of course maintenance, or previews of upcoming events. These posts disappear after 24 hours, making them ideal for timely updates and announcements.
Interactive tools like polls and quizzes can further increase engagement. Ask your audience to vote on their favorite holes, guess tournament winners, or provide feedback on upcoming events. These interactions make followers feel involved and valued.
9. Monitor and Respond to Reviews and Messages
Customer feedback plays a critical role in building trust. Monitoring reviews and messages across social platforms ensures you stay on top of any issues and respond promptly. Positive reviews should be acknowledged with gratitude, while negative feedback offers an opportunity to improve and show your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Set alerts for new reviews and direct messages to respond quickly. Timely responses demonstrate that your course values customer opinions, which helps build stronger relationships and encourages repeat visits.
10. Track Metrics and Adjust Your Strategy
Social media analytics provide valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement. Track engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates. Monitor follower growth and identify which posts drive the most bookings. Use this data to refine your content strategy and ensure it aligns with your goals.
Experiment with different formats and posting times to see what resonates best with your audience. Staying adaptable ensures your course remains relevant and continues to attract players throughout the year.
11. Highlight Sustainability and Community Involvement
Many golfers today are interested in sustainability and community outreach. Use social media to showcase your efforts to reduce environmental impact, such as water conservation practices or the use of eco-friendly equipment. Highlighting these initiatives builds goodwill and attracts players who value sustainability.
Community involvement also strengthens your reputation. Promote charity tournaments, volunteer events, and youth programs to show that your course cares about the local community. Engaging with these causes resonates with customers and reinforces their connection to your course.
12. Promote Merchandise and Pro Shop Specials
Your pro shop offers opportunities to generate additional revenue. Use social media to showcase new merchandise, exclusive apparel, and golf equipment available for sale. Post about limited-time discounts, flash sales, or gift card promotions, especially around holidays, to encourage purchases.
Highlight branded items such as custom golf balls or polo shirts with your course logo. Run giveaways for followers who engage with your posts, offering merchandise as prizes to boost engagement and drive traffic to your pro shop.
Partner with Golf Skor to Strengthen Your Marketing through Your Scorecards
Social media offers endless opportunities for golf courses to grow their audience, drive bookings, and build meaningful connections with customers. By following these twelve tips—from showcasing the beauty of your course to promoting events and engaging with the community—you can create a solid online presence that supports long-term success.
To further enhance your marketing efforts, consider partnering with Golf Skor, a leading golf scorecard printing company.
We work with over 500 golf courses across the United States, designing custom scorecards that enhance the player experience and generate revenue through local advertising. Our sales team collaborates with more than 5,000 businesses to secure sponsorships, helping your course build strong community partnerships.
Integrate Golf Skor’s high-quality scorecards with your social media efforts for a seamless marketing strategy. Contact us today to learn how Golf Skor can help your course grow with personalized scorecards and strategic advertising partnerships with your local community. Together, we’ll ensure your golf course thrives!