Why Are Golf Courses Leaving foreUP?
Exploring the Shift in Golf Course Technology Preferences
In recent months, smbGOLF has noticed an increase in inquiries from golf courses exploring alternatives to foreUP, as they seek solutions that provide better reliability, features, and cost savings. This trend raises an essential question: why are so many foreUP users reconsidering their technology platforms? Here at smbGOLF, we help golf courses find solutions that improve functionality, optimize costs, and enhance the experience for golfers, staff, and members. Based on recent feedback and industry insights, here are some possible reasons behind this rising demand.
1. Demand for Built-In Dynamic Pricing
A key factor behind recent defections appears to be the desire for dynamic pricing as a native feature. Dynamic pricing enables courses to adjust rates automatically based on demand, maximizing revenue without manual intervention. In a recent episode of The Tech Caddie podcast, PGA General Manager Chad Pettingill shared his experience of switching from foreUP to Lightspeed. He highlighted how Lightspeed’s native dynamic pricing eliminated the need for third-party integrations, streamlining operations at his course.
Among the 113 defections we tracked, 75 courses moved to platforms with built-in dynamic pricing, such as Lightspeed, Golf365 Pro, Proshop Tee Times, and Sagacity. Some may wonder why I include Sagacity in this list. Sagacity can provide a tee sheet, separate of foreUP as we see at Deer Ridge in Ohio. Deer Ridge works with Toast and Sagacity (Quick18) as a replacement of their foreUP system. For many golf operators, dynamic pricing has become a vital tool to optimize revenue, making it a primary consideration when choosing a platform.
Click map for full view of golf courses that have left foreUP in the last year. Map is organized by new tech vendor and golf course name.
2. Reliability and Uptime Challenges
For any golf course, uptime and system reliability are essential. ForeUP experienced several outages and service disruptions over the past few months that may have impacted user confidence:
October 2024: A 10-hour email delivery outage and a 13-hour issue with incorrect tee times.
September 2024: Intermittent website downtime affecting customer access.
August 2024: Server issues impacting course websites for nearly a full day.
July 2024: A two-day period of outages related to the database.
ForeUP has recognized the challenges these issues have posed for their clients, and in an exclusive statement shared directly with me they emphasized their commitment to minimizing future disruptions, stating:
“We understand that with any outage and/or limitation in functionality, we create frustration and inconvenience for our user base. This year, we have had some interruptions to service and are focused on minimizing any future disruptions as a top priority.”
3. Technical Improvements and Scalability at foreUP
In response to recent challenges, foreUP has undertaken several technical upgrades to strengthen system stability and scalability. Their statement outlines specific improvements made to address downtime and performance issues:
Database Enhancements: A transition to Amazon Aurora MySQL 3 and updates to database queries have improved performance.
Auto-Scaling: New auto-scaling capabilities help manage peak demand more effectively.
Enhanced Security Protocols: These upgrades safeguard customer data and improve the overall security of their platform.
ForeUP has shared that these changes aim to deliver a more seamless experience for users today while supporting future growth. They emphasized their dedication to building a more stable, secure, and resilient platform that can handle increased usage as courses grow and operational demands intensify.
4. Customer Support and Service Concerns
While foreUP’s technical capabilities and system features often receive praise, feedback about their customer support highlights areas where operators feel the service falls short. In a survey of industry professionals, one operator expressed frustration with the availability of support, saying:
“Operators are not getting the support they need when they need it. We understand technology isn’t 100% perfect, but there should be someone available when we need them—not several hours later or even the next day.”
Reviews on GolfCourseTechnologyReviews.org also reflect these concerns. While some operators appreciate the technology itself, comments like “Love the tech and functionality—not the service” are common. Another review noted:
“The customer service is not great, not good, and barely even rates as average. Best to get 2 or 3 area pros to work together, helping each other answer questions because the foreUP customer service won’t help.”
For golf course operators, timely and reliable support is essential, especially during operational hours. The lack of consistent support availability has become a pain point that drives many to seek alternative platforms with stronger service commitments.
5. Transparency in Communication During Outages
It’s also worth noting that, throughout these technical challenges, foreUP has consistently communicated updates to its users. Golf course operators rely on clear communication from their technology providers, especially during unexpected outages or performance issues. ForeUP’s transparent approach in keeping clients informed reflects their commitment to customer service, even amid disruptions.
In comparison, some alternative platforms, like Proshop Tee Times, have added real-time status links on their websites, allowing clients to independently check the health of the system at any time. This approach provides an additional layer of transparency, which can be reassuring to operators during critical moments.
6. Flexibility and Customization Needs
In addition to dynamic pricing and reliability, many golf courses are looking for more flexibility and customization options in their technology platforms. Solutions like Proshop Tee Times and Sagacity Golf support dynamic pricing, group bookings, POS integrations, and event management—allowing courses to tailor their setup to match specific needs. Proshop Tee Times goes beyond standard features, with customization at the client level. Because Proshop Tee Times offers custom software features, they built version one of dynamic pricing for a single customer. This flexibility appeals to courses that want greater control and personalization without relying heavily on third-party integrations or standardized layouts.
In Conclusion: Meeting the Changing Needs of Golf Courses
The trend of golf courses leaving foreUP suggests that as technology expectations evolve, operators are prioritizing reliability, built-in features, and flexibility. While foreUP is actively addressing its performance and stability issues through substantial infrastructure upgrades and transparent communication, the shift in demand highlights that many courses are considering alternative platforms that offer both stability and the advanced features needed to thrive in today’s market.
At smbGOLF, we specialize in helping golf courses find the right technology solutions to support their unique goals. Whether you’re looking to save on costs, enhance functionality, or improve system reliability, smbGOLF is here to partner with you to identify the best options. If your course is evaluating its technology needs, reach out to smbGOLF to find solutions that fit your business today and prepare you for future success.