We all know that Golf Clubs are having to change their ways in attracting new income.

One way to attract extra income is to promote advertising on Golf Club Websites. But is this the right way and could this bring your club more trouble than its worth?

Benefits of advertisements on websites

Financial benefits can certainly be achieved from advertising, which will keep your website costs low or supplement the initial build of your website -

Disadvantages of advertisements on websites.

If the advertiser is not receiving referrals and possible sales/business from your website, this will definitely result in them pulling out, and in turn may create bad publicity for your club or the industry. Word gets around!

A golf club is a golf club and generally not a normal forum for outside advertising, particularly on the public facing. Very often adverts that appear on a club website detract the attention of the visitor away from the initial website they visit. Adverts can also give a club an identitiy crisis, are they trying to attract visitors and golfers, or are they trying to benefit the advertisers? The danger is that the very thing they are using to supplement their income can often result in a deviation elsewhere, such as adverts for golf venues in other countries and other online products that may take business away from their professional. Good for the advertiser, bad for the golf club and pro shop.

It is a general concensus that a golf club website should act as the following:

To attract visitors

To attract potential new members

To act as a communication centre to members

To increase club business through visitor and member activity

To show that a club does not rely upon external advertising to survive.