My Top 82 Golf Twitter Accounts to Follow in 2015

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Zeb Welborn

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.

#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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://bunkersparadise.com
@GolfingwithLee – Community Manager, Partner & Head of Social Media for http://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 http://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: http://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! http://HookedOnGolfBlog.com and http://TheGolfSpace.com – @HOGGOLFBLOGand @thegolfspace Golf expert at http://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 – http://www.TheAceofClubs.com – Custom Built Golf Clubs since 1997 http://facebook.com/TheAceofClubsCustomGolf …
@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. https://www.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 http://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 – http://Greenskeeper.org is a FREE online golf community providing recent golf course reviews, photos, maintenance alerts – mobile launching July
@GKSoCalGolf – http://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, http://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 http://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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How Do We Get More Younger Golfers Playing Golf?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Zeb Welborn

How do we get more younger golfers playing golf?

One of the biggest reasons why the golf industry has been struggling in current years is because we’ve become complacent and lacked innovation. Our times have changed over the past couple of decades and the golf industry, as a whole, has been slow to adapt.

Junior golfers are an important component toward growing the game. As older golfers leave the sport, we need to be inspiring more younger golfers to take up the game to fill in the gaps. In order to do this we need to communicate with a younger generation . . . the way they prefer to communicate.

Traditional media like magazines, newspapers and television ads are not viable options in todays internet and social media age. Young people are using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, YouTube videos and a variety of other to connect and communicate with one another. They are also using those mediums to connect with their passions.

We are not giving young golfers the opportunity to connect with local golf courses and people in the golf community because, for the most part, local golf courses are not socially active online.

We’re missing out on the biggest opportunity of our time and are giving it up to other recreational sports and activities that are seizing this opportunity. If we are to grow golf, we need to connect with younger golfers and speak their language using social media.

At 19th Hole Media, we’re helping to get the word out about social media and the impact it can have on the future of the golf course industry. Please contact us to learn more about how we can get younger golfers playing at your golf course . . . Or, just to connect with us!

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New Marketing Methods for Golf Courses

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Zeb Welborn

The Golf Course industry as a whole is way behind the curve when it comes to promoting the game and encouraging others to play it. As a community, we need to work together to help grow the sport and encourage others to take up the game. We have developed new marketing methods designed to help grow golf by implementing social media policies at local golf courses across the country.

Social media, in particular, Facebook can have a substantial impact on the growth of the game at the local level. Local golf courses need to create a buzz and excitement around the events that are happening at their golf course.

If more golf courses can encourage more golfers in their local areas to take up golf, the golf industry will thrive for decades to come. If we continue to market and promote the game like we have in the past, we will be killing the game we all love so much.

Other recreational sports are using Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms much more effectively than other sports and the golf industry is missing out on opportunities left and right.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help your golf course reach more customers and reach more customers more effectively than other traditional forms of advertising – email me at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the video we created for 19th Hole Media – New Marketing Methods for Golf Courses. Please visit our Facebook page to leave your comments for us to see how we can improve our presentation for future videos.

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Social Media Golf Marketing Outperforms Newspapers and Golf Magazines

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Zeb Welborn

As the golf industry has declined so have the budgets of golf courses trying to reach new customers. It’s an endless downward cycle resulting in fewer rounds being played at golf courses and fewer people taking up the game. Social media golf marketing outperforms newspapers and golf magazines in reaching more golfers, in targeting golfers and in engaging golfers more often.

Golf has been slow to react to the wave of new technology that other industries have been jumping on. Social media is one area in particular where golf courses at the local level are lacking which is failing to encourage new golfers to take up and play the game because they can get more added value from other, more socially active activities.

To grow golf, it is essential to continue to promote the game at the local level. Golf courses in every community should be working hard to encourage the members of their community to take up golf. As people who love the game it should be our duty to share the love we have with the game with so many others.

But, it needs to be affordable, it needs to be easy, and it needs to have an impact. Social media outperforms magazine and newspaper marketing in every imaginable category and the more time invested into a social media golf marketing campaign, the more impact your golf course will have on golfers.

Lets compare:

A local daily newspaper has a circulation of 119,000 people. The cost for a 3 x 5 ad is $340. To have your ad show up every day you would be $2,380 per week. The cost per thousand impressions is $2.86.

It does not target your market
There is no opportunity for follow up
Circulations are declining

A local golf magazine has a circulation of 50,000 people. The cost for an ad is $1,700. The magazine goes out once a month. The cost per thousand impressions is $13.60.

Targets golfers, some within your geographical region and some outside of your geographical region
There is no opportunity for follow up
Circulations are declining

19th Hole Media (Welborn Media) worked with a local golf course in Southern California for 18 months. At the end of our tenure we were reaching 77,136 people every week. We were being paid less than $250 per week. We were posting daily to their Facebook and Twitter pages and created blog posts and videos at sporadic intervals. The cost per thousand impressions was $0.88.

Targeted golfers within 50 miles of the golf course
Connections can last a lifetime
Number of impressions increases at a constant rate

Social Media Golf Marketing is better than golf magazine ads or newspaper ads. Welborn Social Media 19th Hole Media

Golf Magazine vs. Newspaper vs. Welborn Social Media (19th Hole Media)

In a side by side comparison of the advantages of social media marketing versus any other form of marketing, 19th Hole Media blows them out of the water. We reach more golfers, we cost less and we reach your golfers more often.

Let us show you what a social media golf marketing campaign can do for your golf course. Contact Zeb Welborn today at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com to schedule a free consultation for your golf course.

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Do Golfers Use Social Media???

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Lacey Welborn

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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