You stare out at the empty bays on a Tuesday afternoon, and your stomach sinks.
Just a few years ago, your driving range was buzzing most evenings. Laughter, swings, and full booking sheets. Now? Tumbleweeds.
The competitor down the road seems to have all the customers, and you can’t quite figure out why.
The answer is simple: marketing.
The golf industry has seen a 25% increase in participation since 2020, yet many driving ranges struggle to capture their share of this boom. With the right marketing strategies, you can turn those empty bays into a steady stream of revenue.
Let’s take a look at the 8 most important strategies that have worked for us in our marketing work with two big golf companies.
Understanding Your Driving Range Customer
Your customers aren’t just serious golfers. They’re families looking for activities, corporate groups, beginners too intimidated for the course, and experienced players working on their swing.
According to the National Golf Foundation, 77% of off-course golf participants are under 45 years old. This demographic lives online, books through mobile devices, and expects a seamless digital experience.
What matters to them:
- Easy online booking and clear pricing
- Reviews and social proof
- Engaging social media that makes golf accessible
- Mobile friendly everything
Get these basics right, and you’re already ahead of most competitors.
Strategy 1: Build a Website That Converts Visitors Into Customers
Your website isn’t a digital brochure. It’s your hardest working sales person, available 24/7.
When Phantom Digital worked with Moreton Hills Golf Centre in Wirral, we implemented a comprehensive SEO strategy targeting relevant golf keywords. The result? A substantial increase in website traffic with a significant rise in organic visits, leading to higher conversion rates.
Your site needs fast loading speeds (53% of mobile users abandon sites taking over 3 seconds), mobile optimization, clear calls to action, online booking, and quality photos.
Book a free call to discuss how our Website Design services can transform your online presence.
Strategy 2: Master Local SEO to Dominate Your Area
When someone searches “driving range near me” at 6pm on a Wednesday, you need to be the first result they see.
Businesses with complete Google Business Profiles receive 70% more location visits than those without. That’s the difference between a full car park and an empty one.
Your local SEO checklist:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent everywhere
- Collect and respond to reviews
- Create location specific content
Our SEO services helped Moreton Hills Golf Centre achieve improved search rankings for key golf terms. Start with Google Business Profile today.
Strategy 3: Leverage Social Media to Build Community
Golf is inherently social. People love sharing their progress and connecting with other golfers. Instagram posts with location tags receive 79% more engagement, which means every customer who tags your range is free marketing.
Create content that resonates: swing transformation videos, customer spotlights, tips from your pros, behind the scenes glimpses, and user generated content.
When we managed Social Media Content Creation for The UTS fitness center in Wirral, our campaigns increased member interaction significantly. Post consistently, engage authentically, and watch your following convert to customers.
Strategy 4: Implement Email Marketing That Drives Repeat Business
Email marketing has an average ROI of 4,200%. For every pound spent, you get £42 back.
The magic is turning one time visitors into regular customers. Build your list through website signups, loyalty programs, and point of sale QR codes. Then send valuable content, not just promotions.
For Effective Energy Group, we implemented full email automation with triggered campaigns, achieving a 3% increase in lead conversion rates. Our Email Marketing services can set up automated campaigns that work while you sleep. Book a free call to explore how.
Strategy 5: Create Content That Positions You as the Local Golf Expert
Start a blog. Write about topics your customers search for: “How to fix a slice,” “Best golf balls for beginners,” “Golf warm up exercises.”
Companies that blog receive 97% more links to their website, which means better SEO rankings and more customers in your bays.
When we implemented content marketing for APH Accountants, we created monthly content schedules supported by coordinated campaigns. After 13 years in practice, they told us it was the best website they’d ever had. Your driving range deserves the same strategic Content Creation approach.
Strategy 6: Run Targeted Paid Advertising Campaigns
Sometimes you need immediate results. That’s where paid advertising comes in.
You’re putting your message directly in front of people actively looking for what you offer. Target “driving range near me” keywords, run ads during peak times, and use precise demographic targeting on Facebook and Instagram.
Start small with £300 per month, test what works, and scale the winners.
Strategy 7: Develop Strategic Partnerships and Packages
Partner with local golf clubs, corporate wellness programs, schools, tourism boards, and complementary businesses like sports shops.
Packages increase average transaction value by 30 to 40% compared to single visit pricing. Create family packages, corporate events, beginner bundles, and season passes.
Viking Quest Adventure Golf in Wirral partnered with Phantom Digital to enhance their digital presence, seeing substantial traffic increases and boosted visitor engagement. Think creatively about who shares your target audience.
Strategy 8: Automate Your Marketing for Consistent Growth
You didn’t open a driving range to spend all day on marketing. That’s where automation comes in.
Marketing automation reduces overhead costs by 12.2% while increasing sales productivity by 14.5%. Automate welcome emails, birthday messages, booking reminders, feedback requests, and seasonal promotions.
When we worked with Effective Energy Group, we implemented bespoke automation across all four businesses. Website traffic increased from 15,000 to 42,000 daily impressions, clicks grew from 127 to 371, and lead conversion rates improved by 3%.
Your Next Steps to Fill Those Bays
Pick one strategy from this list. Just one. Implement it fully over the next 30 days. Once it’s running smoothly, add another.
We’ve helped businesses across Wirral transform their digital presence and drive measurable growth. From Andrew Molloy’s successful brand launch to The UTS’s significant traffic boost, we deliver results that matter.
Your driving range deserves more than empty bays and missed opportunities.
Book a free call with our team today. We’ll discuss your challenges, your goals, and create a customised business strategy that fills your bays and grows your revenue.
No hard sell. No obligation. Just honest advice from people who genuinely want to see your business succeed.
Written by Martin Williams — Martin has worked in SEO for 8+ years, building and selling multiple websites that attracted millions of visitors. Now the SEO Lead at Phantom Digital, he shares proven strategies for growing traffic and creating long-term online value. You can check out his author page here.
