Course Marshalls. Is it more of a Southern Thing?

[mapa94]

Palm Springs here. Like Arizona, October-March is our season and just about every course has starters and marcshalls. In the summer time, you have the course to yourself so there is no need for them.

[laconic517]

what is the level of courses you are playing? Very few places here in mid michigan that are under $40 for 18 have a starter. Almost all courses have rangers though. Any of the "nicer" (read: more expensive because the course conditions over the past few years at the nice courses have been abysmal) always have starters.

[rogerw]

We have them here in PA at many of the courses that I play at, but not all. It seems the lesser expensive places manage without them.

[injury]

my course (in TX) only has a starter out when theres a line of people with tee times. Marhsalls usually also only when it's busy. I typically play in the evenings during the week so I rarely see them.

However if there's a slow play issue and no marshals out the staff in the shop can send notices to the GPS systems in an individual cart. I didn't even realize they could track the carts til one of them had that screen up in the computer one day.

[jerrywilkin]

Here in ohio,at our course we have rangers who are suppose to helping golfers,and speeding up play,but all they seem to do is hunt for balls,put carts away,or just sit in the clubhouse. I feel rangers/marshalls are a good thing,if they do their job.Most courses cant justify paying their wages unless they can add to the amount of rounds per day that get played by the speed of play. I feel 4 hours should be the MAX for 4 golfers to play 18 holes. Even that ,when I get done, seems like too long! Golfers need to get some kind of instruction as to how to play efficiently, rangers should be the ones giving the advice.

[Cornbread]

Its also dependant on the status of the Club or Course.
Find an extra busy course, or one in good financial status and you will encounter more rules and course staff than one needing your money.
Course struggling to make budget each month won't risk running off potential customers.