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Benchmark Surveys vs. Custom Surveys: What’s the Difference?

Kimberly Quimson avatar
Written by Kimberly Quimson
Updated today

Players 1st offers two types of surveys: Benchmark Surveys (Predefined Templates) and Custom Surveys (beta). Each serves a different purpose. This guide will help you decide which to use.


Benchmark Surveys (Predefined Templates)

Best for: Benchmarking and standardized insights

Predefined Templates are built with national golf federations to ensure quality, consistency, and statistical reliability. They include NPS (Net Promoter Score) and allow you to compare your results against national benchmarks.

When to use:

  • You want to compare your club’s performance with other clubs nationally

  • You’re tracking long-term trends using a consistent set of questions

  • You need validated data for reporting to a board or federation

  • Benchmarking and NPS are more important than customization

Key details:

  • Core questions are fixed to ensure comparability

  • Limited customization (you can add a few club-specific questions)


Custom Surveys (beta)

Best for: Flexibility and club-specific insights

Custom Surveys let you design your own questionnaires from scratch. You have full control over the content, structure, and logic. These surveys do not include NPS or benchmarking.

When to use:

  • You want to ask unique questions (e.g., staff engagement, junior programs, clubhouse renovations)

  • You’re running short, one-off “pulse” surveys

  • You’re collecting event-specific feedback

  • You need complete control over survey design and wording

Key details:

  • Fully flexible — you decide all questions and layout

  • Great for quick, targeted surveys

  • Not connected to national benchmarks


Quick Comparison

Goal

Recommended Tool

Benchmarking vs. other clubs

Predefined Template

Tracking long-term trends

Predefined Template

Deep dive on club-specific experiences

Custom Survey

Staff or internal team feedback

Custom Survey

Event-specific feedback

Custom Survey


Summary

  • Predefined Templates: Use when you need standardized, benchmarked insights that can be compared across clubs.

  • Custom Surveys: Use when you need flexibility and club-specific feedback, without benchmarks.

Most clubs will benefit from using both tools at different times throughout the season.

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