# Deposits and payment at booking

> Choose what golf simulator customers pay when they book in Golf O'Clock: nothing, a card on file, a deposit or the full amount, with rules for prime time.

Source: https://golfoclock.com/help/deposits-and-payment-at-booking  
Topic: Payments  
By Golf O'Clock Team. Published 2026-10-07, updated 2026-10-08.

Golf O'Clock lets you choose what customers pay when they book: nothing, a card on file, a deposit or the full amount, and change it by time, day or customer. How much you take at booking affects no-shows, cash flow and how easy it is to book.

## Your options

- **Nothing up front.** The booking confirms without payment.
- **Card on file.** No charge, but the customer saves a card.
- **A deposit,** as a percentage or a fixed amount.
- **Full payment.**

## Different rules for different slots

The most common setup: a card on file for quiet times, and a deposit or full payment for Friday and Saturday nights. Members can have their own rule too, such as no deposit.

## How it fits with credits

Membership hours and [prepaid credits](https://golfoclock.com/help/prepaid-hours-house-accounts-and-points) are used first, so a member whose hours cover the booking owes nothing, even under a deposit rule.

## Paying the rest

Anything not paid at booking shows as a balance on the [order](https://golfoclock.com/help/orders-and-payment-history). Staff can take a card payment or record cash or a card-terminal payment at the desk.

## Why it matters

Across 200+ venues on Golf O'Clock, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days. A no-show on one of those nights is a bay you usually can't resell, so asking for a deposit there protects the revenue that matters most, while quiet times stay easy to book. It's one of the simplest ways to [reduce no-shows](https://golfoclock.com/help/reducing-no-shows).

## Common questions

**Can customers pay at the venue?**
Yes. Choose nothing up front or card on file, and settle the balance at the desk.

**Does Apple Pay work?**
Yes, with [Stripe](https://golfoclock.com/help/stripe-for-golf-simulator-bookings).

**What happens to the deposit if they cancel in time?**
It's refunded automatically.