1. Establish Clear Goals with the Golf Course Owner

Before you hit record, it’s critical to have a clear conversation with the golf course owner about their goals. What message do they want to convey to their audience? 

Here are a few common objectives that can shape your content:

• Attracting New Players: Highlight the course’s beauty, facilities, and overall experience. Feature testimonials from current players or create a video tour of the course.
• Promoting Events or Tournaments: Focus on high-energy moments, behind-the-scenes preparation, and player interviews. Capturing the excitement of an event can inspire more people to attend future tournaments.
• Building a Community: Showcase how the course brings people together. Interviews with regulars, footage of social events, or charity tournaments can foster a sense of belonging.

By identifying these goals early on, you can tailor your content strategy to meet the needs of the course, ensuring a productive collaboration.

2. Collaborating with Players for Authentic Content

Players are the heart of the game, and their involvement is crucial in bringing authenticity to your content. Working directly with golfers can offer a behind-the-scenes look at their routines, techniques, and personal stories, adding a human element that resonates with viewers.

• Player Interviews: Set up short, informal interviews with players. Whether they’re seasoned pros or amateurs, every player has a unique perspective on the game. Their thoughts on the course, favorite holes, and memorable shots can bring a personal touch to your content.
• Mic’d Up Sessions: Filming golfers as they talk through their shots, strategies, and experiences during a round adds another layer of engagement. This works particularly well for casual games, where players might feel more relaxed and willing to share their insights.
• Feature Players in Storytelling: If you’re documenting a tournament, consider focusing on a specific player or group. Follow them throughout the day, capturing the highs and lows of their game. This “day in the life” approach can make for compelling storytelling, drawing viewers in as they invest emotionally in the player’s journey.

3. Filming Events and Tournaments for Social Media

Events and tournaments are prime opportunities to capture high-quality, dynamic content. Whether it’s a local charity tournament or a major event, the energy and excitement make for engaging video material. However, capturing that energy requires a mix of planning, creativity, and adaptability.

• Capture Key Moments: Identify the key moments that will resonate most with your audience. Is it the final putt of the tournament, a stunning approach shot, or the crowd’s reaction to a game-changing play? Focusing on these moments will ensure your content is impactful and memorable.
• Showcase the Atmosphere: Filming isn’t just about the players. Highlight the environment, from excited spectators to the beauty of the course itself. Wide-angle shots of the crowd, close-ups of spectators cheering, and establishing shots of the course can all help set the scene and give viewers a sense of what it’s like to attend.
• Multiple Angles and Perspectives: Use a variety of camera angles to keep the footage dynamic. Drone shots can provide sweeping views of the course and offer a unique perspective on the game. Ground-level shots, on the other hand, are great for capturing player expressions, swing techniques, and putting lines.
• Event Recap Videos: After the tournament, create a highlight reel featuring the best shots, exciting moments, and interviews. Pair the video with music to set the tone—whether it’s upbeat to reflect a fun charity event or more dramatic for a serious competition.

4. Filming Casual Games: Capturing the Everyday Magic

Not every day on the course is about high-stakes competition. Filming casual games can offer a different, more relaxed vibe for your social media content. These days are perfect for showcasing the laid-back side of golf, encouraging new or less competitive players to come and experience the course for themselves.

• Focus on Fun: For casual games, aim to capture the enjoyment of playing rather than technical skill or competition. Shots of players laughing, joking, and having fun on the course can be more appealing to viewers looking for a lighthearted round of golf.
• Highlight Unique Features of the Course: Filming during a casual round offers the chance to feature specific holes, hazards, or scenic spots that make the course special. Whether it’s a tricky par-3 with a water hazard or a hole with a breathtaking view, showcasing these elements will attract golfers who are looking for a new experience.
• User-Generated Content Opportunities: Encourage players to film their content and tag the course in their social media posts. Repost their videos on your platforms to show real, authentic experiences from your golfers. This not only promotes the course but also fosters a sense of community and engagement.

5. Leveraging Behind-the-Scenes Content

One of the most effective ways to build engagement is through behind-the-scenes content. Giving followers a peek into what goes on behind the fairways—the hard work of the groundskeepers, preparations for a major tournament, or even a day in the life of the course manager—helps humanize the course and fosters a deeper connection with your audience.

• Groundskeeping and Maintenance: Showcasing how the course is maintained adds value to your brand. A quick reel or highlight video of the groundskeepers mowing greens, setting flags, or maintaining bunkers gives a sense of the effort it takes to keep the course in top shape.
• Preparations for Events: Before a big tournament, show how the course prepares, from setting up tents and scoreboards to organizing player registration. These moments build excitement and anticipation for the event.