Hello and welcome to the Revenue Alert newsletter series, presented by Noteefy!

Here we summarize the best ideas, strategies, and insights in the world of golf course operations and revenue management. If you are looking for fresh tactics from some of the industry’s best leaders to grow your course or portfolio’s profitability, this is for you.

Today’s topic: How Operators Can Win No-Show Chargebacks: Exact Steps (With a Real Success Story)

In the golf business - no shows and short shows have emerged in 2025 as one of the most consequential challenges hamstringing the industry’s continued revenue growth.

Similar to restaurants, flights, and hotels - very tee time is perishable inventory. If a player fails to show up, that slot - and all the downstream revenue it could have generated (green fees, cart rentals, food and beverages, pro-shop sales, etc.) - is lost forever.

Surprisingly - 9-15% of all rounds result in a no show or short show (4-some dropping to 3 or 2), etc. According to data from the NGF, this problem is costing course operators over $1 Billion in lost revenue per year, and $142k on average per course.

Enforcing these no shows can be a real challenge for operators, because when golfers dispute legitimate no-show charges with their credit card companies, those companies often side with the customer and operators are left holding the bag.

Until now!

With the rollout of Confirm operators have an automated pre-round texting capability (similar to the pre-appointment dentist, doctors, or restaurant reservations) that integrates into the tee sheet to confirm every golfer will be playing. Confirm also provides operators a detailed audit log that can be used in disputes with credit card companies as evidence against disputed charges.

Below is a real, recent example from a multi-course operator (MCO) who fought back… and won twice this week!

🔥 Storytime: How An MCO Operator Just Won a No-Show Chargeback Using Noteefy Proof

Here’s exactly what happened:

• October 11 – 10:20 AM: Golfer (Let’s call him Mr. O) had a scheduled tee time.

• Before his round, he received Noteefy’s automated confirmation text and replied “1” to confirm.

• Despite confirming, he no-showed. The course charged the applicable no-show fee.

• Mr. O then disputed the charge with his credit card company.

• October 28: The VP of Operations for a 7-course MCO contacted Noteefy after receiving the chargeback notification.

At this point, most operators would cross their fingers and hope for the best.
But this operator had something many don’t:

👉 Proof of golfer confirmation—via Noteefy’s SMS confirmation log.

The Noteefy team retrieved the full, timestamped confirmation message history showing the golfer explicitly confirmed his tee time.

The VP submitted this documentation in his chargeback rebuttal.

And yesterday, we got the update:

They won. Chargeback overturned. Justice served. 👏🔥

This marks a big shift in operator leverage:

Clear digital confirmation data = irrefutable evidence.

Why This Works

Credit card chargeback investigations rely on documentation. The more factual, timestamped, and automated the proof, the stronger your case.

Noteefy’s confirmation logs provide:

• SMS-based proof the golfer received and confirmed the tee time

• Exact timestamps

• Direct response data (“1” to confirm)

• Automated system logs that carry more weight than manual notes

This is the kind of evidence card issuers respect—and in this case, it directly resulted in a win.

How Other Operators Can Replicate This and Win More Chargebacks

Here are the exact steps to put yourself in a winning position for any future no-show disputes:

1. Use Noteefy’s Automated Confirmation System

This creates a digital trail showing the golfer acknowledged their tee time.

2. Retain Proof of Confirmation

In Noteefy, the message log includes:

• Outgoing confirmation text

• Golfer’s reply

• Timestamp

• Delivery status

This is gold for chargeback evidence.

3. Include Confirmation Data in Every Chargeback Rebuttal

Attach:

• PDF or screenshot of the confirmation message

• Timestamped logs

• Your reservation policy stating no-show terms

4. Strengthen Your Written Tee Time Policies

Include clear language that:

• Confirmed reservations are binding

• No-show fees are enforced

• Cancellation windows are defined

• Credit card information is securely stored and used for fees

(We provide an operator-ready template below.)

5. Match Your Policy to Your Technology

Your policy should clearly state that:

• You send reminders/confirmations

• Golfer confirmation constitutes agreement

This alignment massively strengthens your defense.

Recommended Tee Time Reservation Policy Template From a Course That is Winning Disputes

Below is a polished version of the policy from a popular public golf course having success with disputed credit card charges from no shows. Operators can use this exact copy - with their own course details - to protect revenue and win chargebacks.

Tee Time Reservation Policies

Normal Booking Window (Free up to 8 days in advance)

Online tee times may be made up to 8 days in advance for a maximum of 4 players per tee time at no additional cost.

Advanced Booking Window (More than 8 days in advance for a fee)

Tee times booked more than 8 days in advance require an advanced booking fee.

• 9–14 days in advance: $5.00 per person

• 15–45 days in advance: $10.00 per person

Advanced booking fees are non-refundable and charged at the time of booking

Cancellation & No-Show Policy

Cancellations or changes must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled tee time.
Changes or cancellations may be made online or by contacting the golf shop.

If changes or cancellations are not made within 24 hours—or if the reservation is no-showed—you will be charged a no-show fee of no less than half the value of the reserved tee time for all players booked and not used.

Our confirmation system sends reminders and requires golfer acknowledgment; replying to confirm constitutes acceptance of these terms.

For questions or changes, please contact the golf shop at (512) 262-5555.

Credit Card Information

Credit card information is securely encrypted and collected during booking. It will be saved to your account for future reservations. Please remember your email address and password associated with your reservations account.

Final Takeaway

This chargeback win is a blueprint for every operator:

Clear policies + automated confirmations + timestamped proof = revenue protection.

If you’d like help setting up your confirmation logs or tightening your reservation policy, just let us know- we’re here to help operators win.

Jake

Co-Founder, CEO

Noteefy