How to reduce no-shows at your golf simulator venue
Golf O'Clock helps you reduce no-shows before they happen: take deposits on prime slots, require a card on file, set a clear cancellation window and send automatic reminders. When someone still doesn't show, staff can charge your no-show fee to their saved card.
An empty bay at 7 PM on a Friday is revenue you can't get back. Across 200+ venues on Golf O'Clock, the three busiest booking times are 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and the busiest days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so those are the slots worth protecting first.
Prevention works best
- Take a deposit or full payment for prime time. People who have paid show up. See deposits and payment at booking.
- Require a card on file. Even without charging, a saved card makes customers take the booking seriously.
- Set a clear cancellation window. Customers who can't make it cancel early, and the slot goes back on sale.
- Send reminders. An automated text before the session catches people who forgot. Set it up with booking reminders.
When someone doesn't show
Mark the booking with your own "No show" label so you can track repeat offenders with customer tags. If your policy includes a no-show fee, staff can charge it to the customer's saved card from the booking.
For the policies that work best, see common booking mistakes and how to fix them.
Common questions
- Is there an automatic no-show fee?
- No. No-show fees are charged by staff when your policy calls for it, which avoids charging someone who had a good reason.
- Which works better, a deposit or a card on file?
- Deposits are stronger for your busiest slots. A card on file is a lighter touch for everything else.
- Can reminders go out by text?
- Yes. Automations can text customers a set time before their booking.