FAQ
Common questions
Carl books Boston tee times over text. No app, no scrolling, no hold music. Here's how it works, what's covered, and what happens when a course is sold out.
Getting started
4 questionsWhat is Carl?
Carl is an AI golf concierge that finds and books tee times for you over text. Tell him your date, how many players, and any preferences — he searches GolfNow, TeeOff, and calls pro shops directly, then texts back ranked options. No app to download — Carl lives in your Messages.
Do I need to download an app?
No. Carl works over iMessage or SMS — just text the number. Nothing to install, no app to open, no notification settings to deal with.
How do I get started?
Sign up at carl.golf — your first 14 days are free, then it's $15 a month and you can cancel anytime. Once you're in, text Carl what you're after and he'll get on it.
Is Carl available outside Boston?
Not yet. Carl covers 135+ public courses within 30 miles of downtown Boston. Other cities are coming. Email us if you want in early.
How it works
6 questionsCarl calls pro shops directly. About 30% of the time a course shows sold out online, a phone call finds open tee times. No other booking tool does this.
How does Carl find tee times?
Carl pulls live availability from GolfNow and TeeOff, then calls pro shops directly for courses that don't list online or show as sold out. You get a ranked list via text: times, prices, how far. Sorted by what fits.
Is Carl just a GolfNow wrapper?
No. GolfNow and TeeOff are part of the search, but Carl also calls pro shops directly — which is how he finds availability that doesn't show up online. He searches across booking systems, so you're not stuck with whatever one platform happens to show.
Does Carl actually call the pro shop?
Yes. About 30% of the time a course looks sold out online, a phone call finds open tee times. Carl handles the call and reports back. You don't have to do anything.
What if Carl can't find anything?
He'll tell you straight. If nothing fits, Carl suggests the closest thing: different day, nearby course, earlier time. He won't send back zero results and disappear.
How fast does Carl respond?
Under 10 seconds for the initial search. If Carl needs to call a pro shop, it takes a few minutes — but he'll text you to let you know he's on it so you're not left wondering.
Can Carl book for groups?
Yes. Just tell him how many players when you text. He'll search for tee times that fit your group and handle the booking. Most courses accommodate groups of 2–4; larger outings may need a separate conversation.
Courses & coverage
4 questionsWhat courses does Carl cover?
135+ public and semi-private courses within 30 miles of downtown Boston — everything from Granite Links and Ponkapoag to Furnace Brook and Brookmeadow. If it's public and bookable in Greater Boston, Carl knows about it.
What about George Wright and Boston permit courses?
Carl covers George Wright. It runs on the Boston Parks permit system: permit holders can book 5 days out, non-holders 4 days. Carl knows the window and times his search accordingly — just mention it when you text.
Does Carl cover private clubs?
Not right now. Carl focuses on courses anyone can book. Private clubs are members-only by nature, so they're not in the mix.
How far out can Carl book?
Most Boston-area courses on GolfNow open up 7 days in advance. Some allow 14-day windows. Carl knows each course's booking window and will tell you the earliest he can search for your date.
Pricing & payments
3 questionsHow much does Carl cost?
$15 a month, or $99 a year — and your first 14 days are free either way. Cancel anytime, no contract. That covers everything Carl does: live tee-time search, pro-shop calls, and booking links texted straight to you.
How does Carl handle payments?
Carl uses Stripe for secure payment processing. Your card details never touch Carl's servers — Stripe handles all of that. You get a confirmation text once your booking goes through.
What's coming next?
More is on the way — alerts when a sold-out time opens up, and Carl grabbing a time for you automatically the moment it frees up. What gets built next is driven by what people actually ask for.
Privacy & trust
3 questionsWhy should I trust an AI with my tee time?
Fair question. Every booking gets confirmed via text — you always know what was booked, when, and where. If something goes wrong, we fix it. And your first 14 days are free, so you can see how Carl handles it before you pay a cent.
Does Carl store my credit card?
No. Card details are processed and stored by Stripe, not Carl. Carl only sees a payment confirmation token — the same way any modern checkout works.
What data does Carl keep?
Carl stores your booking history and preferences to make better recommendations over time. We don't sell your data, we don't share it with courses, and you can ask us to delete it anytime.