Singapore: A Singapore-based company is aiming to ‘reverse the global trend of declining participation’ via a new app that allows users convenient access to partner courses with fast bookings and affordable rates.
Offering up to 15,000 rounds of golf at a handful of cities every month from rates as low as RM30 [about US$7.5], users of Green Golf will be able to book and receive confirmation on their desired tee time within one minute.
No membership or registration fee is required and users of the app do not need to be a member of the participating golf clubs. Children between the ages of eight and 16 play for free when they book their round of golf through the app.
Simon Wood, Director of Marketing, Green Golf Pte Ltd, said the motivation behind the app – available for free download on iPhone and Android phones – is the global downward trend of golf participation rates in the last two decades.
By making use of technology and taking a creative approach to the long-standing issue, Green Golf said it aims to make the sport more affordable and accessible to all.
“Golf clubs are reporting unused tee times while golfers are finding it difficult to get onto the greens due to costly club memberships and green fees. Green Golf was created with the intention to bridge the gap and to continue to grow and develop the sport in Asia,” said Wood.
Over the next six months, Wood said Green Golf will include more golf courses in their offering and plans to be a one-stop resource for young budding golfers by offering easy and affordable access to the right tools and services. From golf equipment rental to lessons and handicap maintenance, Green Golf hopes to eventually provide these services at affordable rates.
“We hope to encourage the next generation of golfers to pick up and be exposed to the game from an early age. Not only can families strengthen their bond on the golf course, children can also develop life skills such as honesty, focus, problem solving, respect and graciousness. It also provides them with an outdoor pursuit that requires mental aptitude as well as a sense of perseverance,” added Wood.
Visa is one of Green Golf’s first partners. With the partnership, more than 120 million Visa users in Southeast Asia will be among the first to experience the benefits of Green Golf.
Ooi Huey Tyng, Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, said: “Visa is pleased to partner with Green Golf to offer our cardholders the exclusive opportunity and access to plan, book and play golf, transforming their whole experience for golf bookings.
“At Visa, we have been looking at partnerships which have digitally focused platforms and solutions to cater to the evolving needs of our cardholders. Based on research from Visa Analytics, close to three in four Visa cardholders are digitally engaged and use mobile apps and online wallets.
“Green Golf is one such partner, where we aim to increase the convenience of our cardholders by enabling them to make cashless payments seamlessly over a mobile app.”
Partner golf courses include Tering Bay Golf & Country Club in Batam, Indonesia and Palm Resort Golf & Country Club in the southernmost Malaysian state of Johor Bahru, within an hour from Singapore.
App users can use any Visa credit or debit card to book a game at any or all of the featured golf courses.