Getting Started: Survey Your Members to Gauge Interest
Starting a travel program at your club can feel like stepping onto the first tee of a challenging course—you’re excited, but there's a lot riding on your next move! One of the most common questions I hear from PGA Professionals just starting out is, “Do my members even want to travel?” Here’s the good news: most of the time, the answer is yes! But how do you make sure? The best way to find out is to just ask them.
Running a survey not only gauges interest but also helps uncover the specifics that make a trip a success: Where do they want to go? How often do they want to travel? And what kind of experience are they looking for? Whether your members dream of visiting St. Andrews or just want to enjoy a weekend outing at a destination closer to home, a survey ensures you’re building a trip they’ll be excited about. Most importantly, it’s the key to getting that first trip out of the idea phase and onto the calendar. And once that first trip is in the books, planning the next ones gets a whole lot easier!
Why Surveying Your Members is Key
Let’s face it—guessing what your members want is like aiming for a blind green; you might get lucky, but it’s not the best strategy! A survey gives you concrete data to work with, helping you answer three critical questions:
- Is there interest in the trip? You might be surprised to find out how many members are eager to pack their bags and tee it up overseas. Even if only a few respond, that’s enough to start small and grow from there. Plus, once you’ve completed one successful trip, it’s much easier to build momentum for future ones.
- Where do they want to go? While Scotland and Ireland are perennial favorites, you might discover interest in unexpected places or destinations closer to home. Knowing where they want to go helps you focus your efforts and makes planning smoother.
- What kind of trip are they envisioning? Is it a couples’ retreat? A guys-only adventure? Or maybe a mix? Some members might prefer high-end accommodations with a bit of sightseeing, while others are all about maximizing rounds of golf. The more you know, the better you can tailor the experience.
The real beauty of surveying your members is that it gives you the confidence to move forward, knowing you’re on the right track. That’s often the nudge needed to transform the idea of a trip into a reality.
Adam Steinhofer, PGA and his Ridgemoor Country Club members enjoy a glorious day at Carnoustie Golf Links
What to Include in Your Survey
Now that you know why surveys matter, let’s talk about what to ask! A good survey is short, sweet, and packed with the right questions. Based on our experience, here's how to craft one that gets results:
- Destination Preferences: Ask members to rank their interest in popular destinations like Scotland, Ireland, and England. Don’t forget to include an “Other” option for ideas you might not have considered!
- Trip Frequency: Would they want to travel every year, every other year, or less frequently? This helps you plan for the long term and create a sustainable program.
- Group Type: Who do they see joining the trip? Their golf buddies? Their spouse? Fellow new members? Knowing this helps you decide whether to plan a couples’ trip, a men’s getaway, or something else.
- Length of Trip: Some memberships might prefer shorter trips due to family or work commitments, while others may have the flexibility for a longer getaway. Understanding these preferences ensures the trip fits your members’ lifestyles.
- Good Life Priorities: Beyond the golf, do they value sightseeing, dining, or a whiskey tour? These little details can take a trip from good to unforgettable.
By asking the right questions, you’re not just gathering data—you’re building excitement. Members will start to picture themselves on the trip, which makes it easier to get commitments and start planning.
"The hardest one was the 1st trip to get together. I was brand new at my job and wanted to connect with members. We did the survey that H&B provided which was great. It showed me the members that were most interested in travel and which places we should go. And then it was just a matter of putting it together and reaching out.
Those 7 initial members... Before the trip, they hardly knew each other and they basically said ‘This is a bucket-list trip. We’ll do it once and that’ll be it.’ When the trip was over, they said ‘It’s not a bucket-list trip. It’s an every year trip. Just tell us where we’re going next.’ That initial group of 7 has now grown to 16 or 17, with more and more members wanting to join the next trip."
~Sean Palmer, PGA – The Union League of Philadelphia
How to Run the Survey
Creating a survey is easier than you might think. Especially if you're working with H&B because we'll make it for you! Here are a few tips to ensure it’s a success:
- Keep it Short and Simple: No one wants to spend 30 minutes filling out a questionnaire. Stick to 5-10 questions that get straight to the point.
- Use Online Tools: Platforms like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform make it easy to build a survey and collect responses. Bonus: they’re mobile-friendly, so members can respond on the go.
- Share it Everywhere: Email is great, but why stop there? Post the link on your club’s social media, print it in your newsletter, or even hang a flyer in the pro shop. The more visibility it gets, the better your response rate.
- Set a Deadline: Encourage quick responses by setting a clear deadline. A little urgency goes a long way!
- Follow Up: Once the survey closes, share the results! Members will appreciate seeing that their input matters, and it builds anticipation for the next steps.
Surveying your members is the first step to creating a successful club-hosted travel program. Not only will you uncover what your members want, but you’ll also build anticipation and excitement for the trip. Best of all, it gets that first trip out of the idea phase and onto the calendar—where it belongs! And trust me, once that first trip is in the books, planning the next ones becomes a whole lot easier. So, get started today, and you’ll be one step closer to creating an unforgettable experience for your members.
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Begin Your Journey Here
To learn more about the PGA Professionals Travel Program from Haversham & Baker, simply complete the form below or ask one of your colleagues on this list.