Dear Golf Course Management

[Par Fore]

OK, I got a little frustrated at some of the things I saw this weekend at the golf course.....and maybe this is just a rant, but I'd like to think that some superintendents/general managers might just follow the forums to get a little feedback from their customers.....and it's always bad form to complain unless you have valid ideas to help improve the situation.....so here we go:

Slow play - quite frankly, it's inexcuseable - a round of golf should be 4 to 4.5 hours, no more. While there is a little work to managing the offending 10% that play at a snails pace, you'll make the other 90% extremely happy and want to return. Post expectations, educate patrons as to the pace of play when they pay at the clubhouse, and enforce the rule. And don't give me the BS about weekend golf on a public course - often, the first 4some off the tee in the morning finishes easily in 4 hours. Therefore, if every group keeps pace with the group in front of them, everyone finishes in 4 hours. When there is a hold-up, please have your staff get them back on track - we will gladly thank you with compliments and return business.

Group size - this Sunday, at 2pm, our 4some teed off, ready to enjoy a nice 4 hour round. 8 minutes later, a single went off the first tee behind us. 7 minutes later, a 2some went off the first tee. 8 minutes later, a single followed that. Each group wanted to play through. First of all, the 4 of them should have been paired up together. We were following a 4some, and there were plenty in front of us. Ultimately, if you choose to send off singles and couples on a weekend, advise them to be patient, we can't allow every group to play through because we will never finish our round.

Food/beverage costs - it appears many courses these days are missing the forest for the trees. This is a huge money making opportunity for your club - also, it's a great way to motivate customers to return to your course and spend more money. BUT, if you decide to charge $7 for a small hamburger, $3 for a fountain drink, and $4 for a beer, don't be surprised if you sell little to nothing, especially on a public course. At those prices, most people just pass - they pack their own sandwhich, bring their own gatorade, and so forth. At $2 for a can of beer, $1.50 for a coke, and $5 for a burger/small fri, you will find your staff busy and money leaving the pockets of customers and making it's way into your register. $4 beers, $7 burgers, and $3 cokes all have their place - at the strip club.

I'd love to hear other great ideas, please share if you are willing. There has got to be a number of small tweaks courses can make to increase the bottom line and make themselves profitable in this environment.

[saevel25]

Depends on how packed the golf course is, some places are over booking now probably due to the economy.. But i usually think 15 minutes per hole at max, So thats 4.5, which is a pretty good time. 4 hours is really moving along. But i advocate ready golf, start thinking about your shot when you know you are next, then you should have to worry..

Thats me, i am that single, but i don't push it. I will chip around, take a few extra putts. If i know there is alot of 4-somes in front of me, passing one wont make a difference if there are a handfull still to go. If the people behind me are riding up on me, i will suggest joining up with them.

Wow, thats expesnive man. I think 2.50 is the beer at the place i play, and the cart girl gets around at least 3 times before we finish 9 holes ;b...

[trog2233]

My opinion of your situation....it sounds like they definitely overbooked the course that day and you will have that. If there are groups in front of you let the single stay behind you, they can wait. There is no need to let every group play through if you are waiting for the group in front of you. Slow play due to crowded courses is tough to deal with. Rangers can try to speed it up but its almost impossible.

As far as the food/drink prices....I'm a member at a country club and prices are about $8-10 for a burger and $5 a beer so I dont think those prices are too bad.

[clearwaterms]

OK, I got a little frustrated at some of the things I saw this weekend at the golf course.....and maybe this is just a rant, but I'd like to think that some superintendents/general managers might just follow the forums to get a little feedback from their customers.....and it's always bad form to complain unless you have valid ideas to help improve the situation.....so here we go:

Another thing to add, people that play Tee's that they shouldn't. The Blue tee's are for accomplished golfers, if you can't break 90, play the whites. if you can't drive the ball 200 yards, play the forward tee's. When I have to play with somebody that takes 3 shots to get to my drive, but they insist on playing the blue's when I generally shot in the 90's and play the whites exclusively it is quite frustrating.

I don't mind the prices of food and beverages, because I don't expect to purchase anything at the golf course. I bring my water in my bag and if anything maybe get a hot dog at the turn.

[clearwaterms]

My opinion of your situation....it sounds like they definitely overbooked the course that day and you will have that. If there are groups in front of you let the single stay behind you, they can wait. There is no need to let every group play through if you are waiting for the group in front of you. Slow play due to crowded courses is tough to deal with. Rangers can try to speed it up but its almost impossible.

The course I played over the weekend had Miller products on sale for 6 cans = $15, that is very resonable and in line with the local bars. I think they should charge around the same as a Bar would charge for a beer. don't charge ball park prices because people will buy alot less.

[Par Fore]

Another thing to add, people that play Tee's that they shouldn't. The Blue tee's are for accomplished golfers, if you can't break 90, play the whites. if you can't drive the ball 200 yards, play the forward tee's. When I have to play with somebody that takes 3 shots to get to my drive, but they insist on playing the blue's when I generally shot in the 90's and play the whites exclusively it is quite frustrating.

Good idea.....playing the proper tees should aide with pace of play, not to mention the enjoyment of the round for those playing....

Story to support your idea.....years ago, played the King and the Bear with a buddy of mine, a scratch golfer.....well, he wanted to play the tips - it was a bit much for me around 7300 yards, but it was a big deal for him and a good challenge for me.....as we stopped at the first tee box, the starter asked if we were single handicap golfers.....he said he was scratch, I was a 13, so we averaged a 7 The starter watched us tee off - luckily I hit it well, he smiled and winked, said we were OK to play the tips and thanked us for our business.....very impressive....

[Par Fore]

My opinion of your situation....it sounds like they definitely overbooked the course that day and you will have that. Slow play due to crowded courses is tough to deal with. Rangers can try to speed it up but its almost impossible.

trog, I don't understand this perspective.....only one 4some can tee off at one time......the next group to tee off must wait until they clear the fairway to tee off......if the first group off plays in 4.5, and every group behind them keeps up with the group in front of them, then it's like an assembly line and everyone plays at the same pace.....in order for the course to get backed up, at some point, there has to be a slow group that is not being held accountable??????

At least, I think so????

[jamo]

I think a lot of singles (myself included) would prefer to play by themselves, and if they are put off by themselves they should just not expect to play through on a packed day. I think that is where the real problem lays. Another thing is that when as a single you take some extra chips and putts the group behind you gets mad. There really is no solution other than the fact that the singles need to know when they can't play through.

I hate 5 hour rounds as much as the next guy (and can play 18 in 2 hours walking if the course is empty) but they aren't all that bad, and from playing in tournaments I've played a lot of them. You just need to stay focused, or teach yourself to juggle golf balls on your wedge.

[iacas]

$4 beers, $7 burgers, and $3 cokes all have their place - at the strip club.

No wonder Tiger wins so often. He has to be able to afford the food at the strip clubs!

OK, but seriously... Slow play is an individual thing. Courses can do a little but too often they puss out and fear pissing off customers by telling them to speed up. It sucks, but in the end, the golfers are to blame, not the golf course management. It's a bit of a chicken and egg thing, too. If golfers could play in 4 hours instead of 6, they could spread tee times out to 15 minutes apart. You might never see another foursome the whole day! And they could start tee times two hours later in the day, too, since they'd finish. But golfers have to speed up first. If you start golfers 15 minutes apart now and it takes them 6 hours, you've lost a WHOLE lot of money. Second, they set their food prices because they believe they work well at those rates. It's that simple. If you don't want to pay their rates, don't. Singles shouldn't expect to play through, and you can't be blamed for not letting them through if there's nowhere to go. Again, it goes back to individual responsibility, not having rules forced on you by the folks running the joint. If they have to wait a few holes maybe they'll join together.

[kennay92]

I like to play a lot by myself as i usually play better. The only way i play through is if the group in front of me actually comes to me and ask if i want to play through and even then a lot of the time i wont play through because id rather be able to take my time rather the worrying about the people behind me. just me though.

[j_moo]

What is a slow group suppose to do? Let everyone play through, not putt out?

Not sure if good or bad players take longer, but IMHO bad and deliberate players take the longest. However, rushing them seem contrary to allowing them to get better by having a pre-shot routine and learning to play tee to hole.

[Shindig]

What is a slow group suppose to do? Let everyone play through, not putt out?

Maybe we need to repeat slow play (awareness) week; we did this in 2007 and it was nice. The short story, though, is that bad players don't have to take the longest: players

at all levels need to avoid doing things that unnecessarily slow down play. For example, watch the ball - yours, and that belonging to anyone in your group. Don't read every putt from four sides (difficult ones OK). Don't bicker over who is away: play ready golf. A 120-shooter who doesn't waste time unnecessarily can play faster than the guy who won the San Diego Open this year.

[j_moo]

Maybe we need to repeat slow play (awareness) week; we did this in 2007 and it was nice. The short story, though, is that bad players don't have to take the longest: players

Agree and hope everyone pracitce ready golf. I played high-school golf so ready play is second nature, but understand it's not so with everyone, especially if their only exposure is what's on TV.

However, the slow play I generally encounter is bad players who take 4-6 shots to reach a par 4s and then 3-4 putts, while going through their entire pre-shot routine on every shot. I've played with people like this. They're serious players who take the game very seriously. They count every stroke and putt everything out. What are you suppose to do, tell them to not take it so seriously so the rest of us can get on with our day? I've also played with 120 shooters who are fast. But they shorten their routines on some shots, don't putt everything out, and picks up when they know they are holding up the group. It's a better experience for my, but not sure if it is for them.

[Fartmist]

I would also like to add Please make a rule that you can't spit sunflower seed shells on the greens...what is up with people these days spitting shells on the greens. I have been to many courses in the past year where there has been shells all over the green. Please a little respect for the people behind you and spit your shells anywhere but the greens.

[killerduck]

My mate actually found a book in the library a few years ago called something like "How to play faster golf, and shave 30 minutes off your round"
A MUST READ for every dimwitted hack golfer, and every dimwitted club golfer who always seems to be the last to play and keeps everyone in their own group waiting!

Simple things like -
* Putting your glove on as you approach the ball, not after you get to it
* Leaving your bag/buggy between the green and the next tee, not on the other side of the green
* Marking scorecards at the next tee, or after your round, IN THE F'ING CLUB HOUSE (that's what it's for!) - that fries me at my home course

and the most commonly broken speed rule on the golf course (and every scorecard I've seen has it written somewhere on it)...

* Walk BRISKLY between shots.

You'll easily save up to 30min per round.
Happy times

[iacas]

Maybe we need to repeat slow play (awareness) week; we did this in 2007 and it was nice. The short story, though, is that bad players don't have to take the longest: players

FWIW:

http://thesandtrap.com/site_news/slo...week_2k7_recap

[Par Fore]

Thanks for all your thoughts.....I was hoping to get more ideas to improve all facets of the business so more people will enjoy their rounds and be more apt to spend their hard earned $$$ at the golf course.....didn't intend to start a slow play thread, my apologies for that.....

One last perspective, at least from me, on slow play - I've been paired with 3 scratch golfers before that took FOREVER.....also paired with a group of 40 cappers that all shot over 120, yet we got in under 4 hours......when my grandfather taught me to play, he would only take me out on a weekday afternoon because "you are still learning - it's better to play when hardly anyone is on the course so we can take our time and not HOLD UP THE GOLF COURSE".......you don't have to be smart, rich, or a scratch golfer to be considerate and aware of your impact on others......

Anyway, what other ways would you improve the course you play on????

Thanks for all the replies so far....

[j_moo]

Something I've encounter quite a bit recently, I think as a consequnce of slow play, is people hitting into us multiple times during a round. Sometimes this gets resolved peacefully, sometimes with some screaming, wondering how long before someone gets hit by a ball and punches fly. What's after that? Shoot-out in the fairways?

We generally keep up with the group in front of us. So if they play slow, there's no incentive for us to play fast, especially if there are groups ahead of them. I've called the clubhouse when there's one group that's especially slow. Sometimes rangers come out and the pace picks up, at least for a couple of holes, usually not.

Perhaps I've already given up on ever finishing a weekend round less than 5 hours. As long as there's not a super slow group ahead and the beer lady is cute and comes by often, I'd consider myself lucky.