Golfing enthusiasts in Los Angeles are rejoicing as the city’s golf courses roll out a revolutionary solution to curb the rampant scalping of tee times by brokers and bots. To deter these opportunists, a non-refundable deposit will now accompany every tee time reservation.
This drastic measure stems from mounting complaints and a class-action lawsuit against the city’s golf course booking system. “Tee times in Los Angeles are in incredibly high demand,” says Kevin Fitzgerald, chair of the LA City Golf Advisory Committee. “Thankfully, the city remains committed to providing affordable and accessible golf experiences for its residents.”
While hopeful about the deposit pilot program, Fitzgerald eagerly awaits data to gauge its effectiveness. The city has also updated its website and reservation system to combat the exploitation by scalpers.
Loop Golf Offers an Alternative
Enter Loop Golf, a brainchild of entrepreneur Joel Holder. This platform enables golfers to secure tee times for a transaction fee, with Loop sharing revenue with the course. Holder had a fruitful meeting with Fitzgerald, but expressed concerns about the potential drawbacks of the deposit, particularly for golfers with legitimate reasons to cancel.
“Public course regulars often have jobs that don’t allow them to simply step away or book tee times early in the morning,” Holder argues. “The issue is more nuanced than many realize.”
Calls for a Lottery System
During a public comment period at the last City Golf Advisory Committee meeting, several attendees advocated for a lottery system, where golfers could enter a pool for a chance to be selected for a tee time.
The Multi-Million-Dollar Resale Market
Despite these efforts, some remain skeptical about the efficacy of combating the lucrative resale market that plagues the entertainment and event industries. “It’s disheartening,” laments an anonymous city official. “This deposit is a feeble attempt to address a multi-million-dollar problem.”
They accused the Advisory Committee of holding a meeting without proper notice, showcasing a “lack-luster band-aid to a significant issue.” The city has yet to release minutes from the meeting.
Next Steps
The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for May 20, with uncertainty looming over whether a long-term solution to the resale market can be found. One thing is clear: the fight for fair and accessible tee times is far from over.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
