How To Cancel A Tee Time
Golf courses use a reservation system to ensure their tee sheet doesn't become overbooked and that everyone who shows up to play will be able to do so. These reservations are called tee times and are a specific time when you and your group are supposed to be on the first tee, ready to play. Golf tee time reservation slots are usually reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. This free service is provided by most public golf courses. The tee time slots can be reserved at the golf course in person, over the phone, or on their website.
Why Do I Need A Tee Time?
Whether you need a tee time depends on how busy the course typically is, but the answer is typically yes unless you're playing alone. Less popular courses often have open tee times throughout the day but without a reservation, you may be turned away if the course is full. It's possible to show up and play without a tee time, but the course will need to find a time on their tee sheet with an opening to fit your group size. This is easier if you're playing alone and can be paired up with another group that has an extra slot and you may have to wait until an opening can be found.
How Do I Make A Tee Time Reservation?
Most golf courses have a website and use an online reservation system, but a few still operate solely in person or over the phone. If the course uses an online system TeeWatch indexes public golf courses' tee sheets and can show you what tee times are still available. This can save you a lot of time finding and navigating each course's reservation site before finding an open tee time. TeeWatch makes it easy to compare tee times quickly across all the golf courses in an area. Once you've found an open tee time, you can make a reservation through the site's booking provider.
Can I Cancel Or Modify A Tee Time?
Not only can you change or cancel a tee time, but you should! Golf courses lose money on customers who don't show up so they'll greatly appreciate the opportunity to sell the tee time to someone else.
As soon as you know you're not going to be able to make the time you reserved, you should attempt to make the modifications. If you made an online reservation it's sometimes as simple as reviewing that reservation (check your email for a confirmation link) and making the necessary modifications from the booking reservation system. If that doesn't work, or you're inside the cancellation window, you'll need to call the clubhouse directly to see what they can do.
Golf courses typically have a policy of 24 hours (or more, if they are particularly busy) notice about modifying or canceling a tee time. If you're inside of that window do your best to make the tee time work, but you can always try to call the clubhouse and politely ask if they'll make an exception. We all have unexpected situations come up that change our plans, so most courses will be accomodating as long as you're not making a habit of it. Most tee times can be rescheduled and transferred at no cost, but some courses charge a fee for a modification.