Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayden Boutwell.
Hi Hayden, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I come from a small town in Mississippi with only a handful of Golf Courses to play. If you were to open your Google Maps, you would find over 70 courses to play within a 45-minute drive. Now living in the golfing Mecca, I decided to mix my passion for golf and experience in the hospitality field and create the Orlando Golfer. My prime mission is to play every golf course I can. I take lovely professional photographs and write a professional review about my entire experience, from stepping on the grounds to leaving. I like to work directly with clubs to help feature new things, such as the top tracer range at Orange Lake or new golf carts at the club. Once the review is written, it not only goes on socials like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, but it also goes on places like Google Reviews, Trip Advisor, Golf Now, yelp, and many more. These are very special because I can show the clubs how to pin that comment as the top review, and that way, as soon as someone searches for their club, my review pops up with the excellent photography and professional review. (Even if it’s not the most recent review that’s come through). I also package everything together, such as photography and videos taken, and put them into a personal drop box. That way, the club can use the assets at any time needed. I understand how reviews can sway someone to buy in or not. I want to help those clubs get more sales in a little different way than most have thought about.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve struggled with courses in Orlando wanting to partner with me. I’ve had great success with places outside of Orlando—public and private clubs. But I find most Orlando courses don’t like “influencers” and won’t even give the time of day to hear the elevator pitch. I’ve researched the clubs and found emails from those who work there. I will send personal emails with everything outlined; however, most never reply.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I described most of it in my about you portion. Something I’m proud of is. Some of the courses I have worked with have reached out and said they see extra bookings because of the positive reviews, and one club I even helped sell a home in the neighborhood became a member of the golf club because of the review of the golf course.
Have you learned any exciting or essential lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Considering I started this venture only 9 months ago, I wouldn’t say it’s significantly impacted my outings. Still, because of the COVID crisis, influencers have become popular, giving me a chance to do what I love (golf). I am now learning this new world of social media and mixing the two. It’s been a blast.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/theorlandogolfer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theorlandogolfer
Image Credits
Hayden Boutwell
