I am interested on your thoughts about pace of play and the issues slow play causes at a busy facility

Pace of Play is a management issue and is resolved in how you manage the expectation of the player not only when they are out on the course, but also before they tee off. There are though many things you can do to help alleviate causing the issue in the first place.

How busy is your course? How many rounds yearly or on your busiest day?

What is the main issue and what is average time of round on busiest day?

Ive operated courses in busy metropolitan areas of US that were doing in excess of 100k rounds per year. We though did alot of 5somes and 9hole players in the early am to have this amount of players.

Course setup was a key factor, along with how the first tee starter and course marshal communicated together to manage the pace. Keep Par 5's as long as possible so players are spread out from group ahead and keep Par 3's around 150m to 170m where possible. The average player at your facility needs to be able to reach or get close to the green in one shot (par 3).

What effects are there on your financial bottom line from having poor pace of play?

And how would you improve without upsetting everyone?

Hi nut

To answer question 1- it can have a detrimental effect on your bottom line from lost revenue, poor service, and potentially loss of repeat play.

a) Lost revenue- if you have the entire t sheet full, and a slow round, players tend to not stick around after the round since they are probably late for something. So lost F/B.

b) Poor service- player/member will complain, not refer player to come try to course, Tell 15 people about bad experienc etc, which leads into ...

c) Players not coming again becuase they think it will be slow, though you may not be that busy on every day as a norm. A golf facility rounds are not made up of total unique players, but a smaller core group that plays frequently

Summary- the sooner you can get players off the course, the sooner you can get more players on the course, which equals more $$. If you dont have a very busy course, pace really isnt that much of an issue, unless your the group stuck behind them.

Best way to implement is to come up with a management plan for course pace, which outlines the issues, and then how you will fix. Discuss with board/owner and get their blessing, and then communicate in advance to your players, then implement. You must follow through with whatever you decide to do- otherwise players will not take you very serious and plan will fail. So end of the day its a management issue.

So dont be scare to kick a group off every so often, you may lose 4 players, but the 150 players behind them will become very loyal.

Thanks for the info-  Ill chat with my team and one of the guys on the committee- At least if we have a plan in place- I can use it as a tool at meetings etc.

Its always good to cover your butt- by being proactive in management.

Hi Golf nut

How is your plan going?  Has the committee been receptive?

Cheers

Thanks     the response has been good- were now working on a course policy that we will submit to the board next month.

cheers

GN

I am located in the States and am planning a Golf Vacation next Summer in Australia.

I have handicap  of 22 and play about once a week here. Money is a factor so I am asking what are some recommended courses in Queensland for someone who is trying to follow a budget? What are some good courses for the money in the Low, Middle, and High end so I can just get and idea of what to expect?

Also, are the Australian Golf rules the same as here in the USA?
Not at the professional level, but more for us amatuers.

Thanks in Advance!

Paul

Hey Paul

check out www.iseekgolf.com, they have alot of special rates for golf. The courses that are above the $50 per round are typically the better courses. With the currency exchange rate pretty low- they would be a bargain.

Rules are pretty much the same but follow the R &A Rules- set in England.

Thank you very much for the info and the link!

There is some great info on the Course Directory- I will spend some time and read up abit more.

I'll let you know if I have some more quesions as it nears our Vacation-

Thank again

No worries Apaulo

Let us know when you decide and well update you on what is happening here.

Congrats on Barack!!

That really help!

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