Time for tee – sports tech firm is set to revolutionise golf course tourism
Booking a course online could soon be easier than booking a flight, writes Russell Jackson
Anew sports technology company has set its sights on revolutionising the golf industry by transforming the global online tee-time marketplace.
Zest.golf Technologies, which has offices in Scotland and the Netherlands, is preparing to unveil an online channel manager that provides a 100 per cent open connection between golf courses, tee-sheet providers and distribution partner platforms.
The connection is independent and without conflict – meaning courses can maximise their online revenue without losing control. Instead, they simply choose which distribution channels can sell their tee-times and set the price and availability with each separately.
The company believes its “customer focused technology” has the potential to revolutionise the game in a similar way that channel managers have done for the airline and accommodation sectors.
The service will have no upfront costs or complex contracts, just a fixed €1 fee per player booked when the connection is used to make the booking.
“The Zest.golf Channel Manager can transform the industry creating a more balanced online teetime marketplace by providing an open solution that works for all golf courses,” said Oliver Dury, the firm’s commercial director.
Zest.golf was launched after industry research demonstrated a frustration among golf courses at the lack of opportunity to sell teetimes.
The technology can benefit all courses, as it allows each to work with partners that can effectively target the customers they value most.
“The technology is of value to courses that wish to attract visitor golfers, as they have complete control of the tee-sheet access provided to their distribution partners,” said Dury. “Courses can sell times via any business that has a golfer audience, including golf websites, federations, media companies and local accommodation providers.”
He added: “The connectivity provided by our channel manager can transform the way the industry operates as it allows tour operators to log into multiple tee-sheets and book tee-times simultaneously.”