Open Fairways - Not honoured

DEVOTION

Rang a course earlier to book a game for tomorrow and requested to use my Open Fairways offer. I was told that the green fee is the same as the OF offer anyway which was puzzling as there would be no point in having an "offer" in that case. I told him it wasn't the same, as the OF website stated that I could have 25% off. He then said that if I made it a 4-ball that he would knock €5 each of the price. There was only 2 of us playing so I told him I wasn't interested. I wouldn't mind but they could do with the business judging by their timesheet and numerous available slots on Teetimes.

Anyway, has anyone come across this and is there any point contacting Open Fairways about it?

GreeBo

which course?

DEVOTION

Roundwood

GreeBo

I'd contact open fairways and see what they say, can't hurt.

slave1

DEVOTION wrote: »

Rang a course earlier to book a game for tomorrow and requested to use my Open Fairways offer. I was told that the green fee is the same as the OF offer anyway which was puzzling as there would be no point in having an "offer" in that case.

Open Fairways offers are based upon Rack Rate prices, I was thinking of getting an OF voucher this year but when I rang around on the discount it was quite apparent that in a lot of cases I could get a round as cheap during open days/internet offers and the like so I didn't bother.

DEVOTION

slave1 wrote: »

Open Fairways offers are based upon Rack Rate prices, I was thinking of getting an OF voucher this year but when I rang around on the discount it was quite apparent that in a lot of cases I could get a round as cheap during open days/internet offers and the like so I didn't bother.

My OF card has worked out quite well for me.

In this case the website stated there was a 25% discount for all bookings at the course..

dines08

Woodstock in Clare is the same story. No discount.

golfguy1

I believe most of the clubs on open fairways are all ready at rock bottom prices and just cant afford to give another 25% off. So in my view they were right not to afford u the discount

Jaysoose

golfguy1 wrote: »

I believe most of the clubs on open fairways are all ready at rock bottom prices and just cant afford to give another 25% off. So in my view they were right not to afford u the discount

Dont agree with this, the club signed up to be included and happily take the advertising and increased traffic they get from Open Fairways.

The prices are rock bottom or not makes no odds to guys that use the OF vouchers and bought them in good faith.

This kind of sharp practice by clubs is self defeating as the bad press they have garnered and alienation of customers is only painting the club in a very negative light.

How many people have read this thread lone and formed a negative opinion on roundwood?

golfguy1

As I read it on the open fairways site you get a reduction off the price quoted by clubs on the open fairways site.

ie: Roundwood is €25 midweek and €30 at weekends.

So if im correct u only get a reduction off those prices and not off any reduction the club may have taken since

Having worked in golf clubs before I am pretty sure clubs also dont have to allow u this offer.

DEVOTION

golfguy1 wrote: »

As I read it on the open fairways site you get a reduction off the price quoted by clubs on the open fairways site.

ie: Roundwood is €25 midweek and €30 at weekends.

So if im correct u only get a reduction off those prices and not off any reduction the club may have taken since

Having worked in golf clubs before I am pretty sure clubs also dont have to allow u this offer.

That is correct. I wanted my 25% reduction off the €30 as stated on the website. I bought the OF card. Is that too much to expect? In my view they were wrong.

P.S. I'd hardly be saying the clubs on OF are at rock bottom prices either.

Senna

This might not be the case, but;

In the hotel industry there are many similar cards, the promoters of these cards need as many hotels as possible or people wont buy these cards. A lot of hotels will sign up for the first year (to see if it is of any benefit to them) but if they aren't seeing the footfall they wont sign up again. The card promoters wont want to lose the hotel so will simply renew their membership without getting a new contract back, or ignore their request to cancel or make excuses about having to wait till next year (2 years after signing).

I have first hand experience of these and legal action is the only way to stop some of these companies. This is really widespread and i would say could be a bigger problem to a golf course than it would be to a hotel.

golfguy1

There may be Many factors as to why they refused you.
From my expierience, If it was a busy day, competition day or weekend we didnt honour open fairway cards.

Above poster is also correct. Not sure how many clubs actually sign up each yr.

DEVOTION

golfguy1 wrote: »

There may be Many factors as to why they refused you.
From my expierience, If it was a busy day, competition day or weekend we didnt honour open fairway cards.

Above poster is also correct. Not sure how many clubs actually sign up each yr.

It wasn't busy. Well at least if I was to go by the online timesheet and the listing on teetimes. In fact, I've never seen a timesheet look less busy!.

If they weren't signed up then they should have mentioned that on the phone.

This will just go round circles. You think they were right. I don't. I'll vote with my money anyway. There's a few more golf courses in Co. Wicklow.

thewobbler

Open Fairways had more value a few years ago, when green fees were higher, and special offers were hard to come across.

To be honest, if a club is already running discounted green fees and incentives - which most of them are on weekdays - then it's hardly fair to demand even more money off because you have a piece of plastic in your hand.

For example, Kilkeel Golf Club (very nice place, miles from anywhere) has a round of golf and a fry for £15 on Mondays and Wednesdays. I've used Open Fairways with them before on weekends, but I'd actually feel scummy if I went in looking for another 25% off that special offer. They have to make money.

I had a similar situation with the OP at Druid's Heath once, when they explained to me that the green fee as a resident was already discounted, and that if I wanted to, I could go to full price green fee and use my Open Fairways card, which would work out at more or less the same.

Personally I couldn't disagree with their logic. A fair price is a fair price. It might be a buyer's market at present, but bills still need to be paid.

olaguopa

OP, did you make it down to Roundwood in the end? Played there a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised. Some really nice holes especially on the out 9.
Does seem to be fairly quiet there

DEVOTION

thewobbler wrote: »

Open Fairways had more value a few years ago, when green fees were higher, and special offers were hard to come across.

To be honest, if a club is already running discounted green fees and incentives - which most of them are on weekdays - then it's hardly fair to demand even more money off because you have a piece of plastic in your hand.

For example, Kilkeel Golf Club (very nice place, miles from anywhere) has a round of golf and a fry for £15 on Mondays and Wednesdays. I've used Open Fairways with them before on weekends, but I'd actually feel scummy if I went in looking for another 25% off that special offer. They have to make money.

I had a similar situation with the OP at Druid's Heath once, when they explained to me that the green fee as a resident was already discounted, and that if I wanted to, I could go to full price green fee and use my Open Fairways card, which would work out at more or less the same.

Personally I couldn't disagree with their logic. A fair price is a fair price. It might be a buyer's market at present, but bills still need to be paid.

Their stated 'Weekend' price on the Open Fairways website is €30. The "offer" then should have given me 25% off that. It is there. On the website. That was the "deal". :rolleyes:

olaguopa wrote: »

OP, did you make it down to Roundwood in the end? Played there a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised. Some really nice holes especially on the out 9.
Does seem to be fairly quiet there

I have played there before and enjoyed it the first couple of times. Not so much the last time due to the condition of the course. I was willing to give it another go.

thewobbler

Devotion, I'm not accusing you of anything here.

All I'm suggesting is that some Open Fairways discounts might not be sustainable for some courses in the current climate.

I also reckon the onus should be on Open Fairways to maintain an accurate database of offers on their site. In all likelihood, whoever you are dealing with in the club is only following instructions or a new policy.