Yes, ForeBoard is free. Not "kind of" free, or free "until a certain point." It's legitimately free.
And yes, most "free" tools on the internet typically have a catch. They might want your information so they can market to you or sell it. Maybe they offer their tool/service at no cost, only to spam you with ads then offer an ad-free version, at a cost. Or worse, they could incentivize a subscription, with hopes that you'll forget it and continue to pay the $4.99/month. The plays are common.
I've been told there's no such thing as a free lunch. But what about a deeply, deeply discounted lunch?
ForeBoard does not leverage any of the common maneuvers designed to get you to open up your wallet.
It's free because I built it for me.
I built it for me
I'm a mid-handicapper from Vegas who has a steady sales job and no need, or desire, to instantly try to monetize ForeBoard.
My buddies and I take an annual golf trip. It started a few years ago in New Orleans (paired with an Alabama at LSU football game). Last year, the crew went to Park City. This year, the eight of us won the lottery (joking, but not really) and are headed to Bandon Dunes.
Previous trips did not have any structure or format relating to the golf. Boring, I know.
Given that we're heading to one of the premier global golf resorts, I suggested a Ryder Cup–style format and started clicking around at tools and websites that could keep score for us.
I grew frustrated by the number of options that required me to provide my personal details, were charging a subscription, provided little insight into how the tool worked, seemed particularly complex, and/or required the download of an app. Friction galore.
There's no way I was the only one who felt this.
So I got to work, considering what would be the easiest possible way to track a multi-round, Ryder-Cup-style golf trip. And most importantly, what would it require for my buddies to genuinely want to use it?
What I'm committed to
In sales, I believe the winners tell the most simple story and make the product or service easiest to use.
Have you ever looked at a restaurant bill, found something you didn't anticipate, and expressed an emotion other than annoyance? Did it make you want to come back?
It's not the cost that matters. It's the principle of feeling taken advantage of, or lied to, that creates the rub.
You, or your friends, will not use ForeBoard if you feel I'm being dishonest.
Here is what I'm committed to:
- No required accounts or data harvesting — I may consider adding accounts so users can readily access past rounds and events, but will never make it a requirement.
- No email spam — Users can enter their email to receive a summary of a round or event, or subscribe to the blog, but it's all manual opt-in. No auto opt-in and then having to unsubscribe.
- No hidden paid tiers — Some scoring apps allow basic usage, but charge for the "good stuff." You get it all right away, for free.
- No required app downloads — We all roll our eyes at the frequency of required app downloads. I didn't want to download an app before building ForeBoard, and certainly don't want to now.
Will it stay free?
Good question, and a fair one.
In short, it depends.
For casual use (the way I've used it for nearly all my rounds since inception) and for Ryder Cup play or multi-round events, ForeBoard will be free indefinitely.
If you want to come along for the ride, there will never be a time you create a round only to find you now need to enter your credit card info. Your Saturday skins game is safe.
With that in mind, I have obviously considered what and how to cover costs for a growing platform (it's surprising how much is needed to make a competitive tool) and potentially bolster my income.
If a paid tier ever were to exist, I think it would be for larger tournaments and corporate outings. So to the tournament directors reading this, I'd be happy to talk about grandfathering you in at no cost if you get started now. I'm only kind of joking…
What I get out of it
My largest value in developing ForeBoard is having a customizable tool I can use at Bandon, and beyond. It's been a blast introducing new side games to the group. And not just because I'm benefiting from net scoring as our highest handicapper…
A new idea or capability is discussed nearly every round, then I come home and make that change. It's borderline addicting to build something where I think of myself as the main user.
That said, there are other benefits.
Being in sales, golf is discussed a lot. I mention ForeBoard with regularity and it often leads to fun conversation. It likely offers a form of credibility boost, showing that I have ambitions beyond the monthly commission check. I've even generated a few leads for corporate outings and charity scrambles.
So I'm not pretending I don't get anything out of growing ForeBoard, or that I'm doing this simply "to make the world a better place."
I believe ForeBoard can make my life better as a user, and a founder, and believe that offering it at no cost is the simplest and easiest way to do that.
I don't need your $4.99/month. I need you to use it regularly, and tell your friends.
One more thing
You're only going to use it if you feel it adds to your experience on the golf course.
Maybe that's experimenting with net scoring for the first time. Maybe it's finally trying the game of Wolf you've heard about. Maybe it's sharing the live scoreboard in the group chat so those who bailed can follow along.
I'm not asking for your money. I'm asking for something far more valuable — your time.
Give it a try on your next round. See if it's as simple as I've suggested. It will certainly be as free.