What do you think of this idea?

**adnan278** · 07-13-2006 12:11 PM

Well this is my next venture which I want to get going as quickly as possible.

Firstly, the site will be called "Golf Chum".
On the site, I would like to have a discussion forum, and a wiki where users could enter their favourite golf course reviews and golf equipment.
Also, the site would have an RSS Grabber which would grab the latest golf headlines and scores to the homepage.

Finally, and this is a very sketchy idea, Im in the UK. Would I be able to setup a text messaging service, where people pay to have text message updates for golf scores sent to their phones during tournaments and stuff.

Im just asking for reviews and am in the process of setting up the Pre-Launch Blog at www.golfchum.com.
Any comments/suggestions for improving and making this the best golf site in the world

**akula** · 07-13-2006 12:23 PM

put it up on http://www.cambrianhouse.com

lots of people will vote on it

personally, I don't golf - but I can tell you that your multi-featured-swiss-army-knife approach is not a characteristic of successful media/software/content startups. the sms thing sounds interesting.

think in terms of problems and solutions - not "hey! an RSS grabber - how cool!".

whose (exactly) problem are you solving? do you have an elegant solution? will people buy this solution? is your problem important enough for you to spend time on it? why not consider solving another problem in a way vastly superior to what's already on the market.

why are you investing your self into this deal? it doesn't look like a no brainer (hey! that's a great investment) kind of startup.

(not that there is anything wrong with rss grabbers)

**Muddy** · 07-13-2006 12:32 PM

So are you thinking of like a golf social networking?

**solid** · 07-13-2006 05:49 PM

Hmmmm... Alot of people are making Golf websites, though only because it was a profitable niche...

Good luck Adnan, Think it could work.

Solid

**BenBale** · 07-14-2006 04:06 AM

exactly everyone is making golf websites and golf products

so unless your very talented at designing/coding websites and premoting them. or are willing to pau thousands of £ to someone who is.

your site will just end up been another piece of DIY junk floating around in the golf niche and probly wont take off.

look at all the big websites about the net, myspace, bebo etc... torrent spy, isohunt etc....

they all have 2 things in common

- they are hugely sucessful sites
- they are very proffesionally made

**adnan278** · 07-14-2006 06:19 AM

Thanks for your insights guys.

Firstly Akula, my site isn't only geared towards grabbing RSS feeds and putting them on the site. It was originally intended to be about building an online golf community. However as all of you guys so rightly said, maybe the golf "niche" is becoming a bit saturated.

I wasn't actually making this site because of the money, I was making it because I love golf, and I want something materialistic to show this (through the site).

I think I might head towards the SMS solution of the golf Akula. A few people have already said that it would be a good idea. Then I can be giving a solution for golfers on the move who want to know the latest scores wherever they are.

Muddy, I wasn't really thinking about a golf social networking site but that does sound like a good idea

And Ben, designing is one of the problems Im having at the moment. I do lack in those skills so I thought Id start off with a simple phpBB forum. Maybe thats not gonna work now, so Ill probably have to invest quite a bit of $$$ in the idea.

So does the SMS golf scores update sound like a good idea ot you guys?

**smithr97** · 12-03-2007 04:07 AM

I tried your new software.Mine is a windows xp and when i have installed it and i restarted my computer.Its working well and i do not see my system getting slow due to the software.I am happy to see the latest updates on my desktop instead of searching through the net. and switching the t.v each and every time for the news regarding golf..i would like to give an additional information regarding a site which teaches the novice how to start the golf on their own by watching the videos and reading the articles.The golf tips and instructions are presented in a step by step process.Have a glance of it..

**consumertreehouse** · 12-03-2007 07:34 PM

I think the idea could work. Golf is extremely popular and golfers are always looking for the best course, so reviews of gold courses would be a great thing to have on your site.

Good Luck, I think it could work.

**Dylan Phelan** · 12-04-2007 03:19 AM

I've been helping a buddy of mine out with 2 golf orientated site... The one is a start-up which i think has great potential and the other is doing VERY well! Obviously i can't say anything about his ideas here, but the thing is that golf has become and is still becoming more and more popular. Especially among the youth. As an avid golfer, I think you should be able to think of some interesting ideas for your site. I would also say... focus on one area; at least for now.

**ltressel** · 12-05-2007 11:57 AM

I think it's a good idea. I'm not one to blog or read blog but my take on this is because you have a niche market and you actually love golf, I think you would really do well in it (content wise). As far as getting your steady online traffic that's what you need to be concern about. Next is your retention of your audience.

Just do a few more research on similar websites and see how you can do better with yours.

LT