My Top 82 Golf Twitter Accounts to Follow in 2015

In preparing for our very first #GolfChat hosted tonight on Twitter, Tuesday, January 6 at 5pm PST.  I decided to create a list of my favorite Golf Twitter accounts to follow.

I jokingly say that these are the best of the best golf Twitter accounts to follow in 2015.

My list is not meant to be comprehensive.  This is just a list of people who I’ve talked golf with on Twitter over the years.  Give them a follow and let them know you found them through this list if you get a chance.

Zeb Welborn Getting Ready for #GolfChat

#GolfChat

Check back as I will be updating this list through February, 2015 to include lists like Top 20 Golf Twitter Accounts to Follow, Top 20 PGA Tour Golfers to Follow, Top 20 LPGA Tour Golfers to Follow, Top 20 GK Twitter Accounts to Follow, and much, much more.

(I’ll include links as they become available on the world wide web)

But for now, here are my favorite Twitter accounts to follow:

Bunkers Paradise

  • @AdamJFonseca – Freelance golf writer. GWAA member. @BunkersParadise contributor. Owner of ChicagoDuffer.com.
  • @BunkersParadise – A Golf Community Who Live, Love & Learn Everything Golf | Golf Club Reviews, Videos, Tips, Giveaways & Lots of Fun!
  • @BPGolfingGirls – The Official Twitter account for the women of @BunkersPGolf (Bunkers Paradise). Follow for @lpgagolf news, women’s reviews and thoughts. Run by @hugapar
  • @GolfingWithLee – Community Manager, Partner & Head of Social Media for bunkersparadise.com @bunkersparadise | Family, Lakers, Golf & Surf | creator of @lakerfacts
  • @hugapar – Former LPGA Player helping golfers reach Peak Performance thru Mental Training.#golf Proud 2b on Team @BunkersPGolf as writer/reviewer bunkersparadise.com

Defining Success Podcast Interviewees – Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing people on The Defining Success Podcast.  Here are the golfers I’ve interviewed who have Twitter accounts.

Listen to their interviews at the Defining Success Podcast.

  • @Hugapar – Former LPGA Player helping golfers reach Peak Performance thru Mental Training.#golf Proud 2b on Team @BunkersPGolf as writer/reviewer bunkersparadise.com
  • @GolfingwithLee – Community Manager, Partner & Head of Social Media for bunkersparadise.com@bunkersparadise | Family, Lakers, Golf & Surf | creator of @lakerfacts
  • @JohnnyGK – Owner/Founder – Golf’s Social Network – GreensKeeper – Mobile App Launching Soon – Company Expansion Planned
  • @rickyleepotts – Digital Communications Manager for Troon, owner of the Google+ GOLF Community, blogger, beer snob, music fanatic, avid golfer and runner!
  • @SWINGPlay – Christian, Mother, Wife, LPGA Member, USKG Master & Top Kids Teacher, Founder SWINGplay® Golf Education & Interactive FUNdamental Golf Designs
  • @theGolfClub – The Golf Club host/producer on 4 radio stations in Hawaii. Streaming live or podcast at radiogolfclub.com, @iTunes, @TuneIn or @Stitcher. Member GWAA.
  • @USGLL1 – Growing the Game
  • @virgiltourspin – PGA teaching professional/tv/raidio host of Golf Talk America & Talking Golf, Callaway Elite Staff, Public Speaker, Best-Selling Author

Golf Course Industry

  • @AllenWronowski – Folds of Honor Director of Golf Development and Relations; PGA of America Honorary President and Hall of Fame Member
  • @AndrewKramer47 – Professional Golfer tryin to birdie my back nine #BeyondTheLinks
  • @aspittle – Senior Director of Sales & Marketing for @KemperSports Golf Course & Hospitality Management (Pinkberry, Music & Caffeine addict)
  • @CowanBrew – VP of Sales & Consulting for Box Ventures, GM of Greens CC, Love the Thunder, Sooners & MSM Rockets. These thoughts are mine
  • @crittendenconf – #Golf, #Insurance and #CRE Conference Experts #CrittREF14, #GolfCon14, #realestate, #Multifamily, #MultiCon15, #MultiWESTCon15, #MedCon15, #CRECon14 #CRECon15
  • @KemperSports – Golf course management company in Northbrook, Ill. Properties include @BandonDunesGolf, No. 1 Golf Resort, @ChambersBayGolf, @HarborShores and The Prairie Club.
  • @KevKnutsen – Director of Golf at @elpradogc.
  • @krisstrauss – VP of Sales & Marketing for Troon. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. Resides in AZ. Golf fanatic & ASU Sun Devil. (Views are my own).
  • @NGCOAConference – Registration opens September 29th for the 2015 NGCOA Annual Conference on Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio, TX.
  • @ntudornelson – Business Development Associate for @KemperSports Golf Course and Hospitality Management
  • @pgaofamerica – Official tweets of the PGA of America – The world’s largest sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals.
  • @scpga – Welcome to the official home of the Southern California PGA. Stay tuned for important information, event recaps, photos, & more! Thanks for stopping by!
  • @TheNGCOA – The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. Get our attention — #NGCOA
  • @TroonGolf – @rickyleepotts & @krisstrauss tweeting for Troon Golf – The world’s largest golf management company overseeing operations in 34 states and 28 countries.
  • @TylerPringle – Digital marketing and 3-putt specialist.
  • @WBOBrien – AZ native living the dream in San Diego. Enjoys man’s best friend, surf, sand and Mexican food.

Golf Courses (Most of these are clients of mine. And if they’re not clients, then they’re good friends.)  I personally manage the @ArroyoTrabuco and @sbmunigolf Twitter accounts. Be sure to follow them!

  • @AnaheimGolf – For a true Southern California golf experience, there’s no better choice than Anaheim with our two beautiful courses and complete range of clubhouse facilities.
  • @ArroyoTrabuco – High-end golf without the high-end price. Right in your backyard.
  • @DadMiller_Golf – Come enjoy Anaheim’s most well maintained and price friendly course! With 18 beautiful holes, you’re sure to enjoy the walk :)
  • @DadMillerGolf – Dad Miller Golf Course 430 N. Gilbert Street Anaheim, CA. 92801
  • @GolfDWGR – Official page of Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, CA. 36 Holes of Award-Winning Golf, Palm Desert Golf Academy. Scenic Dining, Wedding and Event Venue.
  • @LosSerranosCC – Los Serranos Country ClubOffers an Unparalleled Golfing Experience. Our Two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses Appeal to Golfers of all Levels & Ages #LSCC
  • @MaderasGolf – One of San Diego’s only Golf Digest Top 100 courses for 2013-14, Maderas Golf club is just minutes from downtown San Diego.
  • @riverviewgolf18 – A family owned and operated 18 hole golf course located in the heart of Orange County California
  • @RobinsonGolf – LA County’s Upscaled Golf Course. Two Award Winning 18 Hole Courses with A 25,000 Square Foot Club House.
  • @SanDimasGolf – Official Twitter Site for updates, news and specials from San Dimas Canyon Golf Course in San Dimas, CA
  • @sbmunigolf – Santa Barbara’s beautiful, walkable, full service, 18-hole community golf course and practice facility.
  • @sf_golf – Strawberry Farms Golf Club offers Championship Golf in an unmatched natural setting, The OC’s best kept secret for breakfast, lunch & dinner!
  • @Stevinson_Ranch – Stevinson Ranch Golf Club, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, is a reasonable driving distance from anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area
  • @StevinsonRanch – #1 Golf Course & Golf Experience in California!!!

Golf Fanatics

  • @ADePallo – Philadelphia Born & Raised. U of A Grad #BearDown. Social Media aficionado for @ClevelandGolf & @SrixonGolf. Thoughts are my own.@Petedrotar – USGTF Master Pro/.Fromer Tour Pro/,Owner of Squire Golf/, First Tee Coach /1+Putting/Retired Gunny Sargent /USMC/ VNVet/ U of M /Bama fan!
  • @golfblogspotUK – Golfblogspot.co.uk is spot on for all the latest golf news, golf scores, results, videos & blogs
  • @GOLFFOODADDICT – Host of @golfshowirishtv on @irishtv, founder #irishgolfdebate, weekly golf columnist at @thecontel and @airbnbhost. Views my own. Proud Waterfordian.
  • @HalleeGolfMan – Media Consultant-Maine Today Media, House Of Hallee paintings, Love everything golf, Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics…
  • @HOGGOLFBLOG – One of the world’s leading golf blogs since 2004
  • @mgtruth – Allum (nee Colville) I’m a 57yr old wife to Paul, and mother of 2 adult children. I play golf (poorly but obsessively) and I’m a volounteer counsellor.
  • @mikejtucker00 – Passionate about Scotland and memorable experiences that fully engage all of the senses. Personal account entirely my opinions not representative of my employer
  • @RuMacDonald – Golf Tourism Scotland Young Person of the Year 2013. Host of a weekly podcast that talks Scottish golf travel – @scotgolfpodcast.
  • @ScotGolfPodcast – A golf travel podcast & website helping you plan your golf trip to Scotland, The Home of Golf. Listen to the weekly podcast on iTunes: ow.ly/28pu3z
  • @seanogle – Currently doing the stuff most people just talk about doing…
  • @spin_47 – I am The Editor of @ProGolfNow a division of The @Fansided Network.and Sounds of the Mountains, an Appalachia Music Blog
  • @TheGolfSpace – One of the first golf bloggers! HookedOnGolfBlog.com and TheGolfSpace.com –  @HOGGOLFBLOGand @thegolfspace  Golf expert at golf.answers.com

Golf Industry

  • @2ndGuyGolf – Golf gear with a purpose | 100% of net profits go to charities | Founded by former MLB pitcher Russ Ortiz | #YouBuyWeGive
  • @3MeninaBunker – Funky, Modern Website designed and run by a group of Golf Mad Lads – Providing Deals & Offers, Course and Equipment reviews, Tips, Industry news & More
  • @3upgolf – We help you enjoy the game of golf. Family owned and operated.
  • @AceofClubsGolf – TheAceofClubs.com – Custom Built Golf Clubs since 1997 facebook.com/TheAceofClubsC
  • @BillConwell – VP – Special Projects @Back9Network – Business Developer with Passion & FUN!
  • @chandler_colin – I AM A INSPIRATIONAL BLIND GOLFER I HAVE CHOROIDEREMIA http://colinchandler.weebly. com I LIKE GREYHOUNDS HORSES MUSIC FOOTBALL ATHLETICS I INSPIRE
  • @golfgal – I love playing golf, watching golf, writing about golf, reading about golf, reviewing golf products & courses and helping golf companies market themselves.
  • @Golflife – Tune In Each Week For Updates from Golf, Golf News, Golf Tips, Equipment, Travel, PGA Tour. Like us on Facebook. facebook.com/golflife
  • @sherylgolf – Business, Marketing Consultant Author of the Pros Guide to Marketing & FUNdamentals of the Party Business
  • @SouthlandGolf – SoCal’s No. 1 source for golf news, events and entertainment. Tweets from Editor John Dunphy
  • @TheGolfChick – Obsessing & writing about golf since 2005. (The Golf Chick™) Tweeting about anything.Also @TheGunChick
  • @wcuebas – Reviewer for Golfballed.com / Black Widow Ambassador/#BlessedMan

Golf Instructors

  • @mentalgolfkeys – Michael Anthony is author of The Mental Keys – Lower Your Score While Driving Your Car – Results Guaranteed.
  • @SeanLanyiGolf – PGA Playing & Teaching PGA Professional based in Southern California. Partnered with Black Gold GC, TaylorMade Adidas Golf, Matrix Shafts, Sub70USA.

Golfers

  • @AdamKingsley72 – Sports, sports, sports..Niner Nation.
  • @EstebanEtoledo – This is Esteban Toledo’s Official twitter account. God bless and look forward to what the future holds for me and my family in 2014.#family#god#ETFF-Foundation
  • @gmolinarogolf – Born in Italy. Raised in Kenya. ASU Graduate 2012. 2014 @LPGA Rookie #golf #SunDevils #AnimalLover

Greenskeeper.org – I manage the Facebook presence for Greenskeeper.org

  • @GKCourseReviews – Greenskeeper.org is a FREE online golf community providing recent golf course reviews, photos, maintenance alerts – mobile launching July
  • @GKSoCalGolf – Greenskeeper.org is a FREE online golf community providing aeration alerts, golf course reviews, photos, free handicap tracker, and much more!
  • @GolfNomadBAA – Follow me as I pursue my ultimate goal of playing golf in all 50 states, as well as review courses throughout California.
  • @Greenskeeperorg – Free online community of over 65,000 golfers. Golf course reviews, aeration alerts, golf specials and more. Mobile coming in September.
  • @keith6pez – Just another dude.
  • @ringworld_ace – By day I am a mild mannered Packaging Guru for the Optical Disc (CD and DVD) packaging markets; by night I am just your basic frustrated golfer.
  • @ringworldGK – Chasing a little white ball, one hole at a time.
  • @Rob1563GK – Golf Hacker, member, Greenskeeper.org, fan of UNLV, Knicks, Braves, Chargers #vegasbaby

Superintendents:

  • @StephenTucker7 – Works in the Turf Equipment Management business.

My Golf Twitter Accounts

  • @19thHoleMedia – We help golf courses reach more golfers, build stronger relationships with current ones, all while promoting the game of golf.
  • @socialgolfcours – The Social Golf Course. 21st Century Golf Course Marketing with Social Media. By Zeb Welborn of 19th Hole Media and John Hakim of Greenskeeper.org.
  • @ZebWelborn – Owner – Welborn Media. Host – Defining Success Podcast. Owner – 19th Hole Media. Author – The Social Golf Course. Entrepreneur, Golfer and Educator. #SocialGolf

If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat before, learn how to participate in #GolfChat here.

In golf chat we hope to share, discuss and improve the game we all love so dearly, so be ready to bring on your attitude, your insight and your passion for the greatest game every Tuesday night from 5pm to 6pm PST.

Look forward to chatting with you.

This post will be updated regularly to include more Golf Twitter accounts to follow in 2015.

 

If I missed anyone, please include them in the comments below.

And if I missed you, I’m sorry.

Include your Twitter name in the comments below too!

 

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Golfers Accomplish a 64 million to 1 Feat At Panther Valley Golf & Country Club

Four Golfers, Jerome Rossman, Bob Russell, John Abromitis and Paul Bederson were playing in the annual Hackettstown Hospital Charity Golf Event held at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club in Allamuchy NJ.  When they got to the 13th hole, there was a hole-in-one contest for a car on the 180 yard par three.  Jokingly, one of them suggested that before hitting their shots, if they got a hole-in-one, they would split the prize.  After some discussion they agreed.  The first golfer Mr. Rossman stood up at the tee and proceeded to put his shot in the hole.  The next two hit theirs on the green.  The fourth golfer Paul Bederson got up and hit his into the hole as well.  According to golf statisticians the odds of two people getting a hole-in-one in the same foursome in the same round are 64 million to one! Unfortunately the second hole-in-one didn’t win a second car but they did wind up splitting the proceeds when they sold the car they won.

Interestingly a foursome on another green who couldn’t see the golfers on 13 but could hear them surmised that they got a hole-in-one when they heard the uproar.  However when they heard it a second time they figured that that it was just some guys who drank too much and were making noise.  Little did they suspect it was a second hole-in-one.

Two Golfers Get Hole in One on Same Hole

Hole 13 at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club

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California Golf Course Owner’s Association Presentation on The Social Golf Course

John Hakim from Greenskeeper.org and I presented a webinar to the California Golf Course Owner’s Association (CGCOA) on April 10, 2014.

The webinar focused on our book, The Social Golf Course and highlighted social media and how to use it effectively at the local golf course level.  The webinar was the largest webinar the CGCOA has put on and we had a fantastic time sharing our knowledge of social media and golf with the CGCOA members.

California Golf Course Owner's Association CGCOA

California Golf Course Owner’s Association

The Social Golf Course: Increasing Rounds with Social Media is an introduction to golf course marketing with social media.  Social media is not just a marketing and sales tool. It creates word-of-mouth excitement, helps attracts more golfers and gets golfers to play golf more often. help build business.

The CGCOA aims to enhance the lives of golf course owners by making their businesses more profitable, more efficient, and better managed. They provide exceptional products and services to every type of owner – from the family-owned 9-hole course to the multi-course corporation.

A special thank you to Marc Connerly for giving us the opportunity to speak with the California Golf Course Owner’s Association.  Looking forward to being involved with the CGCOA for many years to come.

If you have questions about social media marketing for golf courses, contact me, Zeb Welborn at 909 973 9089 or by email Zeb@WelbornMedia.com

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Golf Instruction Used To Be Simple

In the battle of simplicity vs. complexity, simplicity wins, every time. We gravitate toward products and services that eliminate complexity from our lives, and we rail against the things that complicate matters and make us feel stupid.

Back in the days of the three-martini lunch, golf instruction was simple and appealing. As a country club member you had a pro at your disposal. He’d work with you on the driving range, play with you, coach you to get better, and monitor your progress.

It was a personalized, one-on-one experience.

No two lessons were the same. He worked with the swing you had, and helped you build the skills you needed to score well on the golf course.

Accountability was built in… You’d practice because you knew the pro was keeping an eye on your progress.

But those days are gone.

Sam Adams Golf Instruction Used to Be Simple

Sam Adams Golf Instruction Used to Be Simple

Today, less than 5% of all golfers have a relationship with a golf pro. According to the NGF, less than half of all golfers have ever taken a lesson, and when they do they are often disappointed. There are 27 million golfers, but less than 4 million lessons in any given year. Maybe we should think about why that is…

Because most lessons are totally intimidating, especially for women. Because most instructors make them way too complex!  And most of all, because they frequently don’t work.

It is a rare instructor who sends the student off with fewer than five or six “things to work on.”  According to Phil Mickelson, even the tour gurus are often guilty of over-instruction. “Can’t you just give me one thing to work on?”

Often it’s a checklist of a dozen mechanical issues that the average guy can’t possibly grasp, much less incorporate into his game. The more technical the lesson is, the worse it gets.

Group lessons and most golf schools are especially ineffective. Common complaints include: “I came back worse than when I started.” “It was just way too technical.” “He didn’t give me anything positive, it was all about what I was doing wrong.”

Video analysis only helps the most analytical, visual learners; Maybe one half of one percent of the golfing population. And yet, instructors routinely use stop motion video to analyze every position and point out every flaw.

More often than not, it’s just confusing and demoralizing for the student.

In an issue of Golf Digest, Jim Flick, one of the top five teachers of all time, wrote an article that sums up the problem with modern golf instruction:

“A lot of today’s teachers are enamored with what works for the tour pros, and they give the same information to their higher-handicap students… In general, trying to swing like most of today’s tour pros will make the average golfer – say a 5 handicap or higher, – only worse.”

Rather than working with the student’s natural swing, today’s teachers tell everyone to emulate Tiger or some other tour player.

They bottom line is that if the golf industry is going to turn things around, the methods of instruction HAVE to change.  We’ve got to make it simple, enjoyable and fun.

If you like what I write about I would love more likes on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/racingdonkey.   Also leave comments about what you would like to see.

Also check out my websites www.Essentiallygolf.com and www.Racingdonkey.com.  There are plenty tips and info on the blog and video pages.  Check out our store on either site for all your golf needs.

 

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19th Hole Media Social Media Clients

We feel very fortunate to work for our golf course clients in Southern California and Greenskeeper.org.  We love managing their social media presence and have built strong, long-lasting communities at our courses.  More golfers are being exposed to these golfers courses and playing them more often.

Personally, I’d like to take some time to acknowledge those golf courses on our blog in the hopes that you golfers out there will be able to make your way to them sometime in the near future.

San Dimas Canyon Golf Course is located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a unique experience for the golfers in the Los Angeles area—a true “get away from it all” experience. The 6,400-yard, par 72 course runs along the base of the San Gabriels among the native California oak and other natural vegetation. San Dimas Canyon Golf Course was previously awarded “Best Course for the Dollar” in all of LA County by Greenskeeper.org and the banquet facilities won the Bride’s Choice Award by WeddingWire.com in 2010 and 2011.

Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club is a public-access daily fee facility featuring an 18-hole championship-length golf course designed by PGA Tour professional Tom Lehman and well-respected local golf course architect, Casey O’Callaghan. Set amidst Trabuco Creek and The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, the 240-acre Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club provides an unforgettable golf experience on par with South Orange County’s finest high-end clubs. Conveniently located off Avery Parkway, Arroyo Trabuco offers unparalleled value in a pristine, park-like setting.

Greenskeeper.org is a free online community, golf social network, providing golf course reviews, aeration alerts, overseeding schedules, photos, specials, tee times, score tracking, outings, product reviews, and more.

We really are grateful that we get to work for such amazing organizations in the golf industry and, using social media, are exposing each of these businesses to more golfers and encouraging their golfers to play more often.  If you’re in Southern California, we strongly recommend visiting San Dimas Canyon Golf Course and Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.  And, if you’ve never heard of Greenskeeper.org you need to check them out.

If you have any questions about how we can help use social media at your golf course or your golf-related business, don’t hesitate to contact us – Zeb@WelbornMedia.com or (909) 973 – 9089.

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Bunkers Paradise – An Online Golfing Community

For those of you that don’t know, I’m the host of the Defining Success Podcast, an online, interview-style radio show that aims to interview people from all walks of life to determine what it means to be successful.  In Episode 9, we talked with Ken Lee, the Editor-in-Chief at Bunkers Paradise, an online golfing community devoted to everything golf.

In the interview with Ken we discussed a variety of topics, but mainly focused on the impact social media has had on growing Bunkers Paradise and how he’s effectively managed to grow an online golfing community.

Ken Lee from Bunkers Paradise on Building a Golfing Community

Ken Lee

The online golfing community is set up to give golfers the ability to learn from other golfers who enjoy and love the great game of golf.

Ken, and the people at Bunkers Paradise like to have fun.  They make unique golfing videos, they review golf equipment and all in all just have a great time connecting with other golfers.

Social media has been critical to the success of Bunkers Paradise.  Their enthusiasm using social networks has encouraged more and more golfers to partake in online golfing activities, connect with other golfers and play more golf.

“Social media has been our forum for success,” Ken said.

Online Golfing Community - Bunkers Paradise and 19th Hole Media with Ken Lee on the Defining Success Podcast

Bunkers Paradise

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Building an Online Golfing Community

We met Ken Lee from Bunkers Paradise while we were managing the Twitter account for Los Serranos Country Club in 2012.  Ken is helping to build an online golfing community at Bunkers Paradise to help promote the game of golf and encourage more golfers to take up the game.

At the time, Bunkers Paradise had just begun to develop its online following and had really just started utilizing social media. Today, Bunkers Paradise is now getting recognized by almost every single major golf company. Everyone is interested in having the Editor in Chief of Bunkers Paradise try out there products and share their findings with their following.

In the following interview with Ken Lee, we learn how he was able to build a strong golfing community and how he’s used that to reach more golfers and generate value for his organization. By building and managing his following online Ken Lee has created a resource where golfers feel comfortable connecting with one another and sharing their ideas and opinions. And, as a business, Bunkers Paradise has prospered.

The previous interview was taken from the Defining Success Podcast, managed by myself and is devoted towards changing the way we view success. The podcast features interviews from people who love what they do, are good at it and are using their skills to help others.

We can help you build an online golfing community at your local golf course. Ken Lee discusses the importance of quality over quantity and we couldn’t agree more. We can help your golf course reach more customers, encourage golfers to play more rounds and generate more sales for your golf course. If you’d like to find out more about what we do or how we’ve been able to help golf courses across Southern California, please contact Zeb Welborn by email at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com or by phone at (909) 973 – 9089.

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Do Golfers Use Social Media???

Do golfers use social media? Read this excerpt from an article we wrote on Welborn Media

Originally posted at WelbornMedia.com by Zeb Welborn

I recently spoke with a General Manager at a golf course who said, “Most of our golfers are 55 and over . . . Do you expect me to believe that golfers over the age of 55 are using Facebook?”

The short answer is YES, golfers over the age of 55 are using Facebook on a regular and consistent basis. In fact, according to a Pew Internet study, more than 57% of Internet users between the ages of 50 and 64 are on social networking sites. To go further, 74% of people making more than $75,000 per year use social media sites and 74% of college graduates use social media sites.

The largest growing demographic on Facebook is the 50 and over crowd. As my 89 year-old grandmother, Lenore Welborn said, “I joined Facebook to keep in touch with my grandchildren. It’s how I keep tabs on them and know what they’re doing.” The over 55′ers began using Facebook to keep in touch with their grandchildren, but are now using Facebook to connect with their interests and are using social media to pursue their own hobbies.

Bob Pouliot and friends

One example is golfer Bob Pouliot who retired years ago and now plays golf almost every day of the week. He connected with our golf course through the Los Serranos Country Club Facebook page and became highly active. Bob contributed 12 articles to the 19th Hole Stories found on the Los Serranos Country Club blog. He encouraged his family and friends to visit each one of the stories he had written about playing golf at his home course. These stories helped to connect him more deeply with the golf course, connected new friends to the course, contributed to an active and vibrant community and increased sales as Bob and his friends began playing at Los Serranos Country Club more and more often.

The General Manager, in the before mentioned comment, is also explaining something very telling of the golf industry as a whole. Golfers are frequenting golf courses less and less often and the response seems to be to cater to the older generation as they are the ones who are playing golf the most right now, but if the golf industry is going to thrive that strategy needs to shift. We need to be thinking about new ways to expose new golfers to the game. We need to start reaching those people in the language they speak and today’s language is social media marketing.

Spend any time with someone under the age of 40 and you’ll understand why social media marketing makes so much sense. Advertise where the eyeballs are.

The younger generation will not be picking up a newspaper or flipping through a magazine, they will be looking online to find out about the things that interest them and if you’re not online you’re missing an opportunity.

As a 31-year old golfer who loves the game of golf, I know how important it is to change the way we reach new golfers . . . By being active on social media and the Internet we can increase play at golf courses all over the country . . . Getting each golf course to implement a social media strategy designed to promote, encourage and enable young golfers to take up the game should be the first and foremost responsibility of any community golf course. Teach the younger generation to love the game and you’ll have customers for life.

If you’re still not sure that social media or Facebook marketing is important for your golf course take a look at the Facebook ”Check-Ins” for your course (even if no one in your organization ever created a Facebook Page for it your golf course will still have one). The “Check-In” feature on Facebook is for Facebook users to indicate that they are currently at your golf course through their mobile phones which then is relayed to all of the family and friends who are connected with them through Facebook.

According to Marketland.com only 10% of Facebook users actively use the “Check-In” feature, so multiply the number of people you’ve had check in to your course since your Facebook page started by ten and that will give you a rough idea of how many golfers at your golf course use Facebook. The number will most certainly surprise you.

At our golf course, a nearby location with a similar name as the golf course severely limited our Facebook page “Check-Ins”, but within 18 months, our sample golf course had 3,202 people “Checking-In” at the golf course. Which, according to the 10% rule, means more than 32,020 Facebook users had physically visited this particular golf course.


Any way you slice it, golfer’s are using social media and more and more golfers will continue to use social media in the upcoming years. At golf courses, we have an amazing opportunity to use social media to develop strategies designed to build a better, more engaging, more interactive sport. Social media will help us to connect with users of all ages and help bring them into this game. While many people consider golf to be an individual sport, the most fun comes from the interactions that occur between people. As David Kramer, Senior Vice President at Los Serranos Country Club once told me, “Golf was the first form of social media,” and in a way, he’s right.

People golf because they can hang out with friends, tell stories and become part of a community. Social media can do that better than anything out there today. If you want your golf course to thrive, you need to build the game of golf, to build the game you need to increase exposure and there’s no better way to increase exposure than by using social media.

So . . . Do golfer’s use social media? According to the National Golf Foundation, 71% of golfers use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter . . . and that percentage is only getting higher.

If your golf course could use a boost with a stronger social media presence contact Zeb Welborn at (909) 973 – 9089 or by email Zeb@WelbornMedia.com. You can also sign up for our email newsletter which will provide additional tips and advice on how to increase your online presence by filling out our Welborn Social Media Newsletter Sign Up Form.

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