The Rising Adoption of Tee Time Waitlist Technology in Golf
The golf industry has traditionally been slow to adopt new ideas, especially those rooted in technology, making recent advancements in tee time waitlist systems all the more impactful. Early pioneers like Noteefy, Golf Geek Software, Loop, and Gallus paved the way by demonstrating the value of dynamic waitlist systems for both golf course operators and players. Now, we're seeing tee sheet and point of sale companies like Proshop Tee Times add waitlist to their software.
Jake Gordon, CEO of Noteefy, shared his perspective with us for this article, emphasizing how waitlist technology has matured beyond its initial focus. “We’ve moved from being just a waitlist company to a full revenue management platform,” Jake explained, highlighting Noteefy’s shift from a consumer-facing model to a B2B approach that prioritizes demand optimization and revenue maximization. This transition reflects broader trends across the industry, with traditional tee sheet providers now integrating advanced features directly into their platforms, transforming the landscape of golf course technology.
Early Pioneers: Noteefy, Golf Geek Software, Loop, and Gallus
In the early days of waitlist technology, companies like Noteefy and Golf Geek Software set out to address a fundamental problem: golfers wanted greater access with improved convenience, while courses sought to fill every available slot - especially those recently opened by a golfer cancellation. These platforms allowed players to join waitlists for specific tee times, offering real-time notifications when a slot opened up. The results were immediate and impactful. Courses saw increased revenue by minimizing the likelihood of unused tee times, and golfers appreciated the convenience and transparency.
Mike Woods, PGA Director of Golf at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, highlighted the transformative impact of waitlist functionality: "The waitlist feature integrated into Golf Geek’s booking engine has transformed how we manage our tee times at Haggin Oaks. It’s seamlessly connected to both our booking system and marketing efforts, enhancing how we fill cancellations and manage golfer demand. It’s not just a tool for efficiency; it significantly enhances our golfers’ experience by ensuring they never miss an opportunity to play."
Noteefy has done an excellent job of sharing the revenue story, and management companies have noticed. Noteefy presently dominates the market, with over 600 clients actively using its technology. However, it’s worth noting that Loop provides waitlist functionality for golfers at nearly any golf course using an internet-accessible tee sheet, giving it access to potentially thousands of clients. Loop focuses on connecting golfers to hard-to-find tee times, whereas Noteefy has firmly entrenched itself in B2B relationships, working exclusively with operators to manage supply and optimize revenue.
Nick Marrone, Owner of Wachusett Country Club, emphasized the value of Noteefy: "The best thing we ever did was add Noteefy at our course."
The work Gallus did on waitlists only integrates with Club Prophet, as discussed by Jason Wilson in a recent podcast episode on using mobile apps to improve a golf course's bottom line. Additionally, CourseRev has incorporated waitlist options into their AI voice attendants and their integrated booking engine, demonstrating how waitlist features are expanding into innovative new contexts.
For operators looking to explore and compare these different solutions, our website hosts a detailed feature comparison page at GolfCourseTechnologyReviews.org/Compare
Private Clubs Embrace Waitlist Technology
A surprising area of growth for waitlist technology has been private golf clubs. In 2021, Whoosh developed waitlist functionality, introducing the concept to premier golf clubs that traditionally do not reserve tee times but rather acknowledge "requests". We spoke with Colin Read, CEO at Whoosh, about recent advances on the waitlist front. In December 2024, Whoosh announced a new Waitlist Requests feature aimed at helping operators keep tee sheets full and prevent gaps that could otherwise result in lost income. This functionality works for both private and public facilities and allows golfers to request unavailable times and receive instant notifications when their request is approved by club staff. For operators, an icon appears on the agenda when a group requests a specific time, simplifying the process of fulfilling requests and adding members to the tee sheet.
This feature is currently in beta testing. The announcement highlights their continued innovation in elevating the member experience and improving operational efficiency.
Initially designed with revenue-focused public courses in mind, Club Unity’s waitlist system has become indispensable for private clubs seeking to enhance their member experience. As Roger Kingkade, Managing Partner of Club Unity, noted, “We were blown away by how much private clubs use this feature. For members, it’s a heightened level of service, and for operators, it’s a way to avoid the inefficiency of sticky notes and forgotten phone calls.”
Kingkade shared a compelling example: a member who missed out on a ballot draw for a Saturday morning tee time can set up a cancellation watch and receive an instant notification if a spot opens up. This eliminates the need for trust in manual processes and ensures no premium slots go unused. Operators have found the system to be “ridiculously sticky” due to its reliability and the positive feedback it generates from members.
Proshop Tee Times has also made notable strides in this area. As CEO Jay Snider explained, "Proshop Tee Times has been approached by several clients asking about adding Noteefy to their operation. Instead, we opted to build a tee time waitlist feature directly into our tee sheet platform. Our clients have expressed how happy they are with this enhancement, especially since we’re not charging anything additional for the feature. It’s saved them both time and money while improving the golfer experience."
Benefits of Integrated Waitlist Technology
The shift towards integrated waitlist features highlights several key benefits:
1. Enhanced Revenue Optimization: By allowing golfers to easily claim vacated tee times, courses can fill slots that might otherwise go unused, maximizing revenue potential.
2. Improved Player Experience: Golfers no longer have to constantly check for availability; automated notifications ensure they are alerted to openings in real-time.
3. Operational Efficiency: Integrating waitlists directly into the tee sheet reduces administrative overhead, freeing up staff to focus on other aspects of course management.
4. Competitive Advantage: Courses that adopt these technologies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market, appealing to tech-savvy golfers who value convenience.
5. Intelligent Pricing Strategies: The volume of requests provides operators with valuable insights into demand for specific time windows, enabling more informed and dynamic pricing decisions.
Final Thoughts
The rise of tee time waitlist technology exemplifies how the golf industry is leveraging innovation to solve practical challenges. Early adopters like Noteefy, Golf Geek Software, Loop, and Gallus deserve credit for pioneering this space, but the integration of these features into traditional tee sheet platforms marks a significant evolution. Jake Gordon's point about the evolving market expectations for waitlist technology underscores how these advancements are reshaping the landscape, emphasizing both the operator's and the golfer's experience.
Proshop Tee Times’ decision to include a waitlist feature at no additional cost is a game-changer, raising the bar for competitors and ensuring that more courses can benefit from this powerful tool. By the end of the first quarter in 2025, MemberSports and Tenfore Golf have announced they will roll out their versions of tee time waitlists. Similarly, companies like Club Unity continue to innovate by prioritizing data-driven insights and seamless user experiences. As the technology evolves, golf courses and players alike stand to gain from a more efficient, convenient, and rewarding golfing experience.
