Golfers looking for ways to play more for less during these challenging economic times might want to consider golf discount passes — especially golfers with somewhat flexible schedules.
Some of the local discount passes include Colorado AvidGolfer magazine’s “Colorado Golf Passport,” GolfViews magazine’s “Green Saver Golf Discount Book,” and a new kid on the block: .
AvidGolfer’s Passport ($79.95, 720-493-4355) is in its 10th year and features discounts at 60 golf courses, including four private clubs and nine mountain courses, including 20 with “exclusive” deals. A portion of the revenues derived from Passport sales help the magazine’s sponsorship and support of local golf organizations.
GolfViews’ Green Saver ($59, 303-797-8700) offers discounts at 72 courses, primarily along the Front Range but also including some mountain facilities and two courses each in Nebraska and Nevada. In its 13th year, Green Saver is the oldest of the area golf discount books.
($59.95), available only through that website, is a Denver-based program with a more regional flavor, with its 100 or so courses located in seven states, including more than 60 courses throughout Colorado. Approximately one-third of the proceeds from enrollment fees collected is donated by to an affiliated junior-golf organization of the purchaser’s choice, such as a First Tee chapter or a high school golf team.
“If you get creative about when you can play and where you want to go, the savings with passbooks are great,” said Golden resident Tom Waddell, a data-base administrator who averages about 12 to 15 rounds a year. “And what I really like is they get you to play some different courses you probably wouldn’t play otherwise.”
That’s precisely what Lakota Canyon Golf Club pro Sean Bowling likes to hear. His facility is located in New Castle, along I-70 between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. Bowling has Lakota Canyon listed with the AvidGolfer, GolfViews and discount passes.
“It’s important for us to get the word out,” Bowling said. “We’re ranked among the top five courses in the state (by Golfweek magazine), but a lot of people don’t know that. If they have a golf pass, they might get some buddies, hop in a car and come out to give us a try.”
Eric Schaupeter, head pro of Heritage Eagle Bend Golf and Country Club in Aurora, signed up for the AvidGolfer and GolfViews discount books in hopes of dispelling a misconception about his facility.
Yes, Heritage Eagle Bend is affiliated with its adjoining 55-and-older retirement-based community. But about a third of its play is by nonresidents.
“I handed out 5,000 coupons at the Denver Golf Expo in February, and I’d say 4,995 people said they couldn’t believe we are open to the public,” Schaupeter said. “Passbooks have been huge for us, especially with golfers that want to play a lot of different courses.”
Discounts offered at courses vary from 2-for-1 deals to a percentage of the green fees. Most deals come with restrictions. That could include the number of times a discount can be used at a particular course or the hours during which the passbook discount will be honored.
“There is a tremendous amount of unused golf inventory (tee times) that are perishable, and (golf passes) allow golf courses to fill those tee times,” Colorado AvidGolfer publisher Allen Walters said. “We work with courses and structure a program that helps them generate revenue at times where they need some help, like later in the day or during certain days.”
debuted during the Denver Golf Expo and was an idea hatched by three former head golf professionals based in Colorado. Although it is not a nonprofit endeavor per se, the former pros wanted to help support junior golf.
GolfViews publisher and president Karl O’Keefe believes all golf discount “books” will become Internet-based in the future. His site is a forerunner in the area market. For a monthly service fee, course operators can advertise other discounts on the Internet site.
“When I first started with Green Saver, it was like pulling teeth to get courses interested,” O’Keefe said. “Now, I have to limit the ones I put in the book, based on the discounts they’re willing to offer.
“Where it seems like this is going is having golfers go to a site and have an opportunity to purchase a more all-inclusive deal,” he added. “In addition to the golf, it might include lessons, range balls, perhaps lunch.”
Food for thought, one might say.
