Last December I received a Google review that beat RSPGL up pretty good about our green fee price. Not that this guy knows what he is talking about. Ironically we had been closed a month already when this gentleman decided to relive the PTSD of the green fee transaction in his mind… and of course he felt compelled to write about it. All the usual cliches of vasoline, and everything else. A real touch of class.
About the same time I was enjoying a podcast of national golf industry insiders have a huge roundtable of what golf in America costs. They were weighing these upscale resorts like Sand Valley, all the way down to muni’s that are barely making it. These people were from all over the country, and they basically settled on the idea that $75 green fees were like the national median / normal price for golf. Then they spoke of the courses that were charging $30- $40 as the bargain basement, how-are-you-even-making-it variety… especially if you got something decent for that.
I say all that, to say this. It was weird to be completely thrashed by this gentleman for charging him $34, and then turning around 3 hours later and hearing that I am offering tremendously affordable, bargain basement, “could go out of business”, QUALITY golf. As I told him in the “owner’s response” portion of the review…we are very blessed to live in an area of the country where golf is so affordable. Clearly this guy has no pulse on that, but still felt moved to show the world his golf pricing expertise. I kind of wish people didn’t write reviews like this, but he is free to offer his opinion, and Google has required me to have that random pile of trash attached to my business for the rest of time. Being a business owner is wonderful.
The best news is; he gave me something to write about.
Well said Nick,
My opinion, on every Survey, disregard the top 2 and bottom 2 ratings since these are people they need to over emphasis the Good and the Bad. With that said, you manage a Very Good Course and is the Top Rated Golf Course in the whole Fox Valley, even above the Private Courses. Me and my Family will play your Course any day, any price. The Service is exceptional, Well Done Sir.
Thanks Rusty! I look forward to bad reviews. You know me, I don’t shy away from much.
I live in Appleton, and while there are a few other options that may be insignificantly cheaper than RSP, they are in no way comparable to the course, the clubhouse, the carts at RSP. Further, Nick and his staff, to a person, are incredibly congenial and hard working. There has not been one person that I’ve introduced to RSP that has had anything negative to say about the course and all are surprised at the value received for the fees paid. Frankly, I’ve always expected that the rates would be increased because I find it hard to believe that the course could be as well kept as it is for what RSP charges. I believe this course it the best value in the Valley…of course, everyone is allowed their own opinion…and if they don’t like it they can find somewhere else to golf and leave this gem to those of us who appreciate it!
Thanks Andrew. Lots of substance to your take…. I appreciate you telling everyone what it looks like from your view.
If you play golf around the country, you realize how good it is at RSP. Challenging course for all levels, always in great shape, a signature bar and restaurant and a top notch friendly staff. My son came out from New Jersey and at first glance he thought RSP was a private club. He loved the course and the restaurant but most of all he was amazed at the cost, a true value.
When the Ryder Cup came to town last year, all those people from all over the United States could not believe what golf is like in this area. They could not believe what you could get for $50.
Nick –
Word of advice – don’t waste your time writing about a negative review., Last I checked you averaged 4.6 with 226 reviews (meaning it’s not all family and friends doing the reviews!). Stay positive. Your course is great value and fun to play, and folks that I have brought there always feel the same way.
Control what you can control, influence those who are open to change, and don’t waste time on the five percent.
I used the negative review as a backbone for the point of my story…which was… golf is really affordable around here, and people who live in this area would enjoy it so much more if they could appreciate that.
I love reading the newsletter. I look forward each edition. While RSP may be a couple of dollars more than other local courses I never feel cheated. Incredible fairways, the GPS on the cart, always having a beverage cart. It doesn’t get better than that. Great food from chef Bob and company as well
Thanks Joe. I think you are seeing the value. Some people just need to read all these blog responses…it would help them have a frame of reference.
He needs to go work on his people skills, and probably his game. My Mother taught me “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. There are plenty of other places he could play that may be priced more to his liking, but he’d probably complain about the conditions, or the beverage cart frequency, or the food, etc. There’ll be no satisfying him. Now I know the gang at Google wants at least some of those reviews to be bad; bad news, like bad weather, sells. But why not quit complaining (what a waste of time) and go somewhere else so those of us who enjoy this place and all that’s good about it, can do so without all the negativity. There’s enough negativity in this world already, and people play RSPGL to get away from it. Boy! I’m ramblin’ here, sorry!
Point of article was more about where we fall in the world of affordable golf. I like to remind people of that. if there are courses that are less than $35 and are significantly better…where is that again?
We just played your course on our way up to our annual golf trip. To a man (12 of us)… some playing Royal for the first time couldn’t believe how cheap (reasonable) the fees were for such a well maintained course. Thanks to your staff for a great day and see you next year!!
That’s awesome, thanks for the feedback. Like I said in article…where are you getting a better value.