Scalpers once controlled prime tee times at LA city golf courses, reselling them for a profit. That’s changing fast. The tee time deposit policy, introduced in May 2023, has cut cancellations by 95%.
The numbers tell the story. Between May and October 2023, 339,732 tee times were canceled. That number dropped to 17,739 during the same period in 2024—a 95% drop. Previously, more than 400 golfers canceled 60 or more reservations each. Now, only 13 remain.
Betty Brix, chair of the LA Golf Advisory Committee, said the impact is clear. “Before, booking a tee time felt impossible. Now, everyone has a fair shot.”
The committee is now pushing to make the policy permanent and considering lower deposits for off-peak hours to boost participation.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
