California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill barring third-party brokers from advertising, selling or transferring tee-time reservations at public golf courses without operators’ written consent. In Los Angeles, brokers bought up slots and charged fees of up to $40.
The bill followed a broker network around Los Angeles municipal courses. Golf influencer Dave Fink publicized evidence of the practice; after his videos went viral, the city’s Recreation and Parks Department announced an investigation.
Bill author Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward said California has more than 200 municipally owned golf courses. He said the measure aims to keep residents from competing with brokers who buy reservations to resell at inflated prices.
