New custom fitted search function set for PGA Play

22/03/2023

PGA Play, the Association’s online platform that connects you to thousands of golfers, will soon be launching an exciting add on which allows golfers to search for custom fitting as well as golf lessons.

If you offer custom fitting services, you can now select the option to create a custom fitting profile when creating or editing your PGA Play profile via the Members’ area of the website. Those of you who do not offer coaching services can create a custom fitting profile only.

Members will be able to show which manufacturers they work and custom fit with, as well as fitting technologies used, and you can also add information/pricing around your custom fitting packages or events to your profile.

The custom fitting search function will be added to the PGA Play platform in the coming weeks, allowing golfers to search for PGA Professionals offering custom fitting services in their area, in the same way they currently search for golf lessons.

Make sure your custom fitting profile is built and ready to go ahead of this new function, which will be promoted heavily to golfers searching for custom fitting.

Connecting you with golfers

PGA Play was launched last summer with a clear promise – to connect PGA Members with thousands of golfers looking for lessons. In short, the Association’s ever-growing platform has more than delivered on that promise.

Launched with a substantial investment from the Association, PGA Play enables golfers to locate their nearest PGA Professional and enquire about booking a lesson. It is also becoming the ‘go to’ resource for instruction and golf-related content, with thousands of people viewing video and written content supplied by PGA Members and other golf-related experts.

The online platform has been a resounding success. With more than 40,000 unique visitors to the site and 60,000 PGA Member profile views, all leading to more than 2,500 lesson enquires since launching last August, now is the time to build/improve your PGA Play profile ahead of the 2023 season.

Latest figures for 2023 show March was the best month yet for PGA Play, with more than 8,000 people visiting the platform. Traffic to the platform is set to increase significantly over the coming weeks/months thanks to an exciting partnership with BGIA, which will see its members promote the platform across their channels with a combined reach of millions of golfers.

BGIA members include some of the biggest brands in golf who are playing their part in driving awareness of PGA Play as part of a wider strategy to help grow the game of golf and increase participation.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the success of PGA Play,” said Richard Barker, PGA Executive Director – Business Development. “The numbers speak for themselves – PGA Play is fast-becoming the place to go for golf instruction and for those people wanting to book a lesson.

“We have been working with a specialist agency to ensure PGA Play appears at top of searches for people looking for golf lessons. We’re delivering on our commitment to promote PGA Members but our work doesn’t stop there. We are continuing to improve how the platform looks and feels for both PGA Members and golfers, and we are committed to add lots more exciting feature and enhancements in 2023 – including the addition of custom fitting, which we know many PGA Members offer.”

Exciting updates

There have been many other new features added to PGA Play since its launch. Many of these have centred around improvements to PGA Member profiles. One key update is the introduction of help text/prompts at each stage if your profile builder. This will help you maximise your profile and attract more views.

Other new features to boost Member profiles is the ability to preview your profile before it goes live so you can see how will looks on PGA Play. This enables you to make changes quickly to ensure you can market yourself properly. Improved changes to how images look will also make profiles look more engaging.

In recent months, a notable feature added to PGA Play was the option for people visiting the site to buy lessons as a gift. This has opened a huge market for PGA Members and this feature has now been enhanced for people visiting the site to be asked if they are searching for lessons for themselves or buying for someone else. This feature provides PGA Members with more information about the nature of the enquiry. You can also mention in your profile’s description or in the pricing and packages element that you offer the opportunity to buy lessons as gifts.

The way PGA Play articles and videos are displayed is also being given an upgrade to make the reading/viewing process more engaging for people who want to improve their game. In addition, PGA Members now have a platform to submit their own PGA Play articles/videos. These will be reviewed by the Association’s content team and when live, will be linked and shown on a Members’ profile.

Five steps to create your PGA Play profile in less than five minutes!

Visit the PGA Play profile page in the Members’ area of pga.info.
Follow the on-screen instructions to enter/update your profile.
Add additional information about your specialisms and qualifications, plus details of lesson pricing and offers.
Select the option to build your custom fitting profile. Include as much information as you can on what brands you work, upcoming fitting days, prices etc.
Upload a professional profile image and a video to boost your profile.

TOP TIP – To stand out from the crowd and attract more lesson enquires, include a personal biography and an impactful statement to your profile. You will show up in more searches!