# How to reduce no-shows at your golf simulator venue

> Reduce no-shows at your golf simulator venue with deposits on prime slots, cards on file, clear cancellation rules, reminders, and a fee when you need one.

Source: https://golfoclock.com/help/reducing-no-shows  
Topic: Bookings  
By Golf O'Clock Team. Published 2026-10-07, updated 2026-10-08.

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](https://golfoclock.com/help/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](https://golfoclock.com/help/cancellation-policy-golf-simulator).** 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](https://golfoclock.com/help/booking-confirmations-and-reminders).

## When someone doesn't show

Mark the booking with your own "No show" label so you can track repeat offenders with [customer tags](https://golfoclock.com/help/customer-tags-and-segments). 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](https://golfoclock.com/blog/booking-mistakes).

## 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.