Feb. 1 was team day at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla., with several events and education sessions that day focusing on the golf course superintendent, manager and owner. The United States Golf Association Green Section Education Program participated with its own education for the entire facility.
Chris Hartwiger, Southeast region agronomist, provided these ideas designed to keep customers happy and boost business on the course:
- Create larger targets on the course. Be sure they’re well defined to keep less experienced golfers from becoming discouraged.
- Personalize the range stations. Keep track of the yardages achieved by golfers and post them with magnetic signs on each station. “This says to the golfer or member, we pay attention to detail and this practice facility has your best interest in mind,” Hartwiger says.
- Create a user-friendly range station with raised artificial turf. It’s easier on the joints.
- Leave an assortment of supplies with the starter, including extra tees and ball markers.
- The visual effect is a factor in people’s course preference, Hartwiger says. Pattern mowing with sharp mowers and plant growth regulators can make a difference.
- Turf paint is becoming more widely used. Bermudagrass tees, greens and eve fairways are being painted to keep the green look maintained.
Pat Gross, director of the Southwest Region, offered several more tips that courses in his region have employed. They fell under three main categories:
- Attitude: Greet golfers. The practice range provides an ideal venue for this. Tell members what’s new on the course, if there are any upcoming events and if there are any problems on the course. “If you’re having a difficult year, it is not the time to run and hide,” Gross says.
Keep the women’s restroom neat. If you keep it spotless, you’ll keep the women golfers coming back. - Organization: Before tournaments, create a checklist so there are no surprises later. Delegate a staff member to meet with the tournament representative.
- Escort vendors personally to prevent any problems or confusion. If you have a good relationship with vendors, they might consider planning their event at the course.
- Aeration: “Get in and get the job done,” Gross says. He cited Barona Creek Golf Club for its efficient system. The crew aerates two holes a day before the golfers arrive by having four crew members follow each other around with equipment. They use an aerator, a sweeper, a fairway mower and a blower to get the job done quickly and proficiently.