I first came across one of these "play golf for free ads" on Craigslist.
I wondered how and whether this was possible. I mean the claims
were pretty substantial; "play golf for free" "get paid to play
golf".
I love playing golf. My husband I go a few weekends a month. While
the cost is not outrageous; the idea of playing for free and possibly
getting paid on top of it had piqued my curiosity. A quick google
search found many sites pushing the same type of info in the version
of an e-book download. There were no reviews that I could find of
any of the ebooks touting this information. Some were $7, some were
$45. I decided to find out once and for all what this was all about.
I clicked on the ad in Craigslist and was directed to a page that
explained very little but simply reinforced the notion of "free
golf". I ordered it. It's called Paid
to Golf and was $45; Whew, Pricey!! On the site it was implied
that there was some type of membership involved but a click on the
login button led to a blank page. Upon payment I was redirected
to a a download page where I was given a user name and password
(for what I don't know) as well as a link to download the e-book
which was in pdf format (no problems so far). I downloaded it to
my computer, clicked on the link and opened up the e-book.
It was 25 pages long, quite in-depth and easy to read. Most importantly,
what was this secret method of free golfing for free. Ahaa... Become
a mystery golfer. Now it makes sense. I knew of mystery shopping
and actually signed up with a few. They
offered $5 for reviews of local Mobil gas stations (not really worth
it). Anyway I understood the concept instantly without having to
read further; Basically become a paid, undercover agent hired by
mystery shopping firms to evaluate their customers' experience.
Golf course management companies outsource this to market research
firms.
The e-book explains the ins and outs of becoming a mystery shopper,
how to apply at these companies, how to fill out the questionnaires
properly, etc. Basic but pretty good information.
The e-book lists 5 websites that one can sign up with. I looked
at them all and they were all valid mystery shopper websites with
free signups (you should never have to pay). Now I didn't go so
far as to sign up on any of these sites,to verify that they offer
assignments at golf courses, although one site had this list of
the types of businesses that they assign shoppers to:
- Restaurants ($, $$, $$$)
- Banks
- Hotels
- Retail Clothing Stores
- Automotive Sales
- Motorcycle Sales
- Health and Fitness Clubs
- Grocery
- Golf Courses
- Time Shares
- Cellular Phone shops
- Phone Call Shops
- Furniture Shops
- Integrity Bar Shops
- Trains And more.......
Mystery Shopping is a real business with real people performing real
assignments every day. Now, whether one can sign up and soon have
their inbox filled with golfing assignments is another matter. It
would seem that you would have to have a nice selection of courses
in your area. Based on the assignments that I received, the
pay wasn't great; but the idea of golfing for free, regardless of
pay or other benefits might make it a worthwhile venture.
So, with the e-book, you get some handy information on becoming
a mystery golfer, a list of 5 websites (which I won't list out of
respect for the purveyors of the e-book), and 10 tips for success.
The price was steep but I found the information well-stated.
Here is a link if you're interested: Paid
to golf
I have applied to 2 of the 5 sites listed and will report back
with an update.
Here are some more that appear to offer the same info:
Golf for Pay.com - ($47)
appears it offers the same info on mystery golfing
Golf free get
Paid.com - ($47) This offers another take on free golf: Get
hired by a business executive to play golf with his client. That
seems like work.
Some will give you your golfing reembursement as payment for the finished assignment