GolfNow

Better to book direct. Not pleased with service or cost. The deal included power carts, but muddy conditions prevented their use. The course debated on closing, but let us walk and play as we had showed up. The course was hardly playable with mud, some tee boxes closed, and temporary tees. If I booked direct with the course I would have saved the hassle and paid less. The course said they talked with golfnow and I would get a credit from golfnow, but when I called I got a hassle and eventually they would only credit $9. WOW! Not a deal!

I inadvertently used an alternative email address to book four rounds of golf. As a result, my frequent golfer status under my proper email address was not credited - and I was charged a $7.96 online fee.

When I called golfnow.com's "Customer Service" phone line to explain the situation, the rep looked up my alternative email and could clearly see my mistake. Nonetheless, I was told that this $7.96 fee could not be waived even though I clearly have used the site to book DOZENS of rounds.

So Golfnow.com's choice is to lose me as a frequent customer over this small fee. There is complete inflexibility and a lack of empowerment given to the call center reps.

Worst customer service I have experienced in a long time.

Booked a tee-time using golfnow.com and that part went smooth. When I called the course the day before just to make sure that they were aware of it they said they had no clue and that tee time was not available. There was going to be outings all day... Golfnow should be shut down! It is a scam! I had already prepaid and everything... Luckily the course's GM was very nice and worked everything out for us. **DO NOT USE GOLFNOW.COM!**

I have used Golfnow.com a few times in the past mainly to book tee times in Florida. I booked a tee time in March and received confirmation. Myself and the rest of my foursome showed up 30 minutes before our tee and to my surprise the course had no record of my tee time booking. After returning home I called Golfnow to to express my displeasure with their booking process and to ensure I would not be charged for the booking. I was told there had been website issues and assured I would not charged. To my surprise when my credit card statement arrived I was surprised to see that I was not charged once but 3 times for a booking Golfnow did not do. Called Golfnow to receive a refund and they cannot find my account even after forwarding my email from Golfnow stating I would not be charged. Friendly enough customer representatives but a horrible accounting system.

Everything went smoothly with taking my money, but getting a refund is another story. I booked a course, and drove to the course to find out the gates were closed due to "greens under repair". I e-mailed for a refund, but no response. I called customer service, and they said they couldn't reach anyone at the course (duh they are closed), but couldn't issue a refund until they spoke with the course management. They also informed me it was my responsibility to call golfnow.com everyday, and remind them to call the golf course. So, basically they are holding my money on a course that may or may not reopen. Very poor relationship with the golf courses, and extremely poor customer service!

I have booked tee times thru Golf now.com. About a month ago, I tried to book a tee time thru the website, but the reservation process has not been completed due to a system error (the company's system error, not my computer error). However, I found that the golf course, which I tried to book, charged a green fee on my checking account. I contacted Golf Now.Com, and a representative answered. I explained the situation, and the representative told me that I would get a refund within 6-7 business days. However, I didn't get a refund from Golf Now.com until after I talked to the representative two weeks ago. I contacted them agian. At that time, different representative answered and she told me that I should directly contact the golf course. I didn't understand why I should contact the golf course. I asked her to transfer my call to her manager. After the manager listened my explanation, she told me that I would get a refund, but she said they should get a credit from the golf course first. It means that I can not get a refund until the golf course refunds to Golf Now.Com. After I contacted the manager, it has taken another 2 weeks now. However, I still didn't get a refund from them. The main thing I can not understand is that. I was using Golf now.com website to book a tee time, not a golf course's website, and there was an error on Golf Now.com's website. It is not my fault, and it is simply their system error. BUT why I should wait until the golf course refund the amount to Golf Now.Com to get a refund from Golf Now.com. It is very disadvantageous refund policy to customers, and I believe Golf Now.Com should change this refund policy. I hope someone from Golf Now.com can explain this situation reasonably.

Typical of these types of sites. It's not that convenient, since I still have to call the golf course to check on maintenance status, cart path only (if it's rainy) and other issues. My biggest problem with site and others like it are:

1. They make a strong effort to peddle the 'discounted' times (these are the times they take from the golf courses for their 'fee' so it's all their money if they sell them). These are usually not the most desirable times either.

2. You have to pay 100% UP FRONT, and the only way to get a refund is if the course actually CLOSES that day due to weather. So if your schedule changes you're basically stuck (like a hotel reservation).

3. There is a "booking fee" which I find ABSURD.

4. Their selection is pretty weak most of the time.

I've been playing golf my entire life, and this type of technology really isn't welcome. I much prefer to interact with the pro shop personnel, review and select a tee time with him/her directly, and have the flexibility to change or reschedule. Use this site if you're so inclined (at least that's what the "mind control" advertising on Golf Channel will tell you to do), but for me and my golfing buddies it's a failed experiment.