Beware Golf Promotions Scam

A number of golf clubs are having their reputations tarnished by an apparent marketing scam engineered by a company called Golf Promotions, writes Robin Barwick.

As clubs compete to attract golfers to play at off-peak times, Golf Promotions has been taking advantage of the situation by offering a service it seems they cannot provide.

Silvermere Golf Club in Surrey agreed to a 'reciprocal advertising' scheme with Golf Promotions, which promised to persuade local companies to take tax-deductible advertising at Silvermere, and give the companies weekday golf passes in return.

Soon after the scheme was launched, though, Silvermere received complaints from companies which claimed that Golf Promotions was trying to force a hard-sell and was also providing misleading information. Silvermere agreed with Golf Promotions' managing director Bob Lewis that the programme should be cancelled, but Golf Promotions continued to sell the Silvermere package none the less.

Silvermere is now in litigation with Golf Promotions, and Jeff Hilliard, a director at Silvermere, states: "We found several other clubs that had signed up to schemes with Golf Promotions including Wildwood, Richings Park, Farleigh Court and Five Lakes. All had experienced problems with Golf Promotions and none would ever deal with them again."

Clive Jones of Aerofloor had agreed to take part in Golf Promotions' scheme at Five Lakes, but when the promises were found to be bogus, Jones successfully sued Golf Promotions in April. Aerofloor is yet to receive the money owed to them.

Clive Jones has since contacted the English Golf Union, and the EGU is supporting the campaign to ensure no more clubs are enticed into doing business with Golf Promotions.