Course websites that flatter to deceive

[Jeffrey Prest]

You know how some movies are nowhere near as good as their trailer?

I wondered if anyone has encountered a similar misrepresentation with golf course websites. What would you say is the biggest discrepancy you've ever seen between the magnificence of the website and the paucity of the course?  

[Kevin_Reilly]

Johnny Miller re-designed his website, so the page that describes The Bridges at Gale Ranch (San Ramon, CA) as inspired by Royal Dornoch is no longer available for view.  That would be the winner of this contest.

[ed_getka]

I can't imagine what JM was thinking to make that comparison. If I listed 5,000 courses that The Bridges reminded me of I still wouldn't have put down Royal Dornoch.

   I don't pay any attention to course websites or any type of marketing about golf courses. I just come on here and ask and learn what the real deal is.

[Adam Clayman]

Well it ain't this one.

http://www.megavision.net/occ/

[Mike_Cirba]

I used to like the billboards for Wild Pines GC in the Poconos that featured a picture of Wade Hampton.  

[Jeffrey Prest]

Highly OT and a long, long, longshot but, Kevin, you aren't the Kevin Reilly who played centre-forward for Spennymoor United soccer team in north-east England 30 years ago, are you?

[Matt_Cohn]

The Ranch

theranchgc.com


Matt's rule of golf course selection: If every advertisement for a golf course shows the same single hole, don't go play that golf course!

[Kevin_Reilly]

Highly OT and a long, long, longshot but, Kevin, you aren't the Kevin Reilly who played centre-forward for Spennymoor United soccer team in north-east England 30 years ago, are you?

Too bad (for me), that indeed is an out-of-the-money longshot.  

I am the coach of a 4th grade soccer team right now that is undefeated and has not been scored on.  Rugby though became my favorite sport in college and beyond, and right now I am trying to figure out a way to get to Paris and Edinburgh with a bunch of friends who are traveling from Calif to see Ireland/France and the NZ/Scotland in the RWC.  Short road trip.    Doesn't appear right now that I'm going to be able to make it.

[Jeffrey Prest]

The Ranch

theranchgc.com


Matt's rule of golf course selection: If every advertisement for a golf course shows the same single hole, don't go play that golf course!

Thanks for the nomination, Matt. I've blogged it and your 'acid test' is the current incumbent of the 'What I Read' section of my homepage. Great call.

I've looked at both The Ranch's website and photos of the course on Flickr.com and I have to say I'm intrigued. It does look sensational. Exactly where does the reality fall short in your opinion?

[Jeffrey Prest]

Highly OT and a long, long, longshot but, Kevin, you aren't the Kevin Reilly who played centre-forward for Spennymoor United soccer team in north-east England 30 years ago, are you?

Too bad (for me), that indeed is an out-of-the-money longshot.  

Oh well. Thanks  for putting me out of my misery, anyway. Best of luck with the coaching.

[John Keenan]

When ever I am looking at a courses web site I keep in mind that the site is to a large extent a marketing tool. Marketing is the art of telling the truth in a good light. Caveat Emptor

[Mike Benham]

I've looked at both The Ranch's website and photos of the course on Flickr.com and I have to say I'm intrigued. It does look sensational. Exactly where does the reality fall short in your opinion?

Photos can be deceiving, even the unretouched ones.

There have been a few topics here on The Ranch the going into detail about the Ranch which include the deception of yardage distances.

I would start by taking a look of the Google Aerial of the ranch, I believe the carts are 4-wheel drive and come stocked with provisions for 3-days.  

Or better yet, go to Google Earth, go to San Jose CA, activate the terrain view and get a 3D view of the property.