# Taking phone and walk-in bookings as staff

> Take phone and walk-in golf simulator bookings from the Golf O'Clock calendar in seconds, then take payment now or at the end of the session. See how it works.

Source: https://golfoclock.com/help/taking-phone-and-walk-in-bookings  
Topic: Bookings  
By Golf O'Clock Team. Published 2026-10-07, updated 2026-10-08.

In Golf O'Clock, staff book phone calls, walk-ins and regulars at the desk straight from the bookings calendar, against the same availability as your [online booking](https://golfoclock.com/features/online-booking) page. Not every booking comes through your website, and the customer shouldn't have to wait.

## Booking from the calendar

1. Open the bookings calendar and choose **New Booking**.
2. Pick what they're booking, how long, and how many players. Leave the bay on automatic or choose one.
3. Find the customer by name, phone or email, or type a new name.
4. Choose a time and confirm.

The slot is held while you fill in the details, so nobody else can book it in the meantime.

## Payment now or later

Staff bookings don't have to be paid up front. Take a card payment straight away, record cash or a card-terminal payment, or leave it as a balance to settle when the customer leaves. Outstanding balances show clearly on the booking and in its [order and payment history](https://golfoclock.com/help/orders-and-payment-history).

## Flexibility the website doesn't have

Staff can book times customers can't see, such as a late walk-in after the online cut-off or a booking further out than your [online booking window](https://golfoclock.com/help/how-far-ahead-customers-can-book). Managers can also set a custom length for a one-off session.

## Common questions

**Do walk-ins need a customer account?**
No. A name is enough for a one-off. If they'll be back, create a [customer profile](https://golfoclock.com/help/customer-profiles-crm) so their visits and spending build up.

**Can I book a member at the member rate?**
Yes. Add the member to the booking and their rate applies automatically.

**Can I book several bays for a group?**
Yes. Choose the number of bays on the booking, and they're priced and held together.