2016 marks Golf’s official return to the Olympics after an absence that lasted for 112 years, with the last medals winners coming from the 1904 Summer Olympics in St.Louis. 60 male and 60 female golfers from all over the globe are going to travel to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro this summer to compete. While a lot of players still rely on traditional shipments or airlines to get their bags and clubs to the competition venue, more and more players have shifted toward a modern and more reliable service: Ship Sticks.
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Founded in 2011 by Nicholas Coleman, the company has now grown and currently operates “at more than 3,000 facilities worldwide and “[is] committed to helping golfers everywhere enjoy a hassle-free travel experience by getting their golf clubs to and from their destination safely, quickly, and cost-efficiently.” This quick success is not just simple luck. A strong value proposition, an effective simplification process and a good price were key for the company to reach the position it has nowadays in the market.
“Everybody is willing to do something at the right price,” Coleman said. This result comes from a strong collaboration with major companies in the express logistics industry, allowing to reach major milestone to cut price thanks to the huge quantities being shipped each time. A big part of the process is also done through representatives at all the levels, trying to spread the news about the service. 95% of the users are represented by amateurs and the remaining 5% by professional golfers. “We deliver bags to players on the tours and we get new requests on a daily basis,” Coleman told us.
The success is also represented by the professionals who chose to use Ship Sticks over the traditional methods. One of them is Colin Montgomerie, five time runner-up in a major, he has 31 wins in the European tours and has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013. “It is easier for me to send my clubs ahead, especially when I am driving with my family and their belongings as well,” Colin told us, “Ship Sticks provides an on-time guarantee for delivery, and I am notified the minute my clubs are signed for at the golf course.”
This allows him to travel freely without having to worry about the shipment and any damage caused by airlines, which are not used to handling this type of luggage. “Airlines once lost my golf clubs [they] were supposed to go to Prestwick (PIK), ended up in Beijing (PEK). The reliability of Ship Sticks is essential – my clothes and shoes can easily be replaced, but my clubs are individual to me.”
Having a packed schedule that requires regular traveling around the globe, it is essential for players to have their equipment shipped to the tournament location on time and without any damage. “I find it easier to use Ship Sticks rather than turn clubs over to the airlines. [They] often throw bags around, but with Ship Sticks, I know my clubs will arrive safely, in one piece, and on time,” Colin added.
Thank you @ShipSticks once again for the safe delivery of my clubs. pic.twitter.com/yOq40dm78u
— Colin Montgomerie (@montgomeriefdn) December 21, 2015
He decided to join the Ship Sticks team after seeing an advertisement on television, and he can tell the difference between the traditional shipping service and this new one. “Ship Sticks is faster than the traditional logistics carriers, and has a better on time delivery rate. Also, I can track exactly where my clubs are at all times. If I have a problem or question, I can speak immediately with the Ship Sticks customer service agent assigned to my shipment.”
The Bag room is filling up fast at Lancaster Country Club! #smartttavel #golftrip #QuietOnTheTee pic.twitter.com/6jTcAoWnS2
— Ship Sticks (@ShipSticks) February 4, 2016
Montgomerie’s positive experience makes him think the company has a bright future coming up. “I hope the service continues to grow in popularity among both amateurs and professionals because the convenience makes the whole golf experience more enjoyable. I want the Ship Sticks brand to stand for the most trusted golf shipping company”.
The success on the course gave an input for another sport. “You need to understand everything of a shipping platform, how to optimize the algorithm and what works well.” And now, following the model of Ship Sticks is Ship Skis, offering the same services to skiers.