December 2012

While I write this article, the golf course is covered in a layer of snow and we have now moved into the winter season in regards to golf course maintenance. Our work now is, for the most part, indoors performing a variety of maintenance tasks. A focus over the next few weeks or so will be on fabrication of items that will make us more productive in the year to come. We are presently building/renovating trailers for golf course use. Tasks like this are time consuming but well worth the effort-having these items will not only make our work in season safer but more productive as well.

Vince 22

Smaller utility trailer in foreground

Larger trailer being renovated in background

Taking my lead from Tom, I also have taken the liberty of posting some golf course observations from a website-I have highlighted some of the items that are particularly interesting.

Golf Course Business Trends

Understanding what’s really happening in the industry and how to deal with it successfully will determine long-term profitability for golf clubs. Here are a few random statistics, facts and, perhaps, a few surprises to think about. We can help you sort them out, determine what they mean to your future and figure out how to use them to build success.

  • Golfer demographics are changing. The hot demo today is 29-49. This group doesn’t have time to plan… doesn’t have time or the finances to travel to faraway golf destinations, preferring to play at courses and destinations within a three-hour drive. Time is the new currency of today.
  • Golf brings in 1.5 to 3 million new players each year. We lose about the same number. Why? Playing a round of golf takes 4½ hours at best. We too often beat up the average player. Plus clubs don’t put enough concentration on developing casual players into avid players and investing in the service needed to make the experience less intimidating. Growth is basically flat. There have to be consequences.
  • "Overbuilt" describes an increasing percentage of regions, many of the nation’s major metropolitan regions. Yet even within undeveloped regions many golf clubs are still struggling. The problem lies outside the ratio of golf holes to population.
  • How far in advance do golfers plan their golf vacation? Not that many years ago it was one to five months. Today it’s two to six weeks.
  • Most travelers plan their vacations on the Internet. A great percentage of travelers complete their travel transactions on-line. Golfers travel more frequently than all other affluent sports participants. In fact, more golfers took a domestic trip in the last year than skiers, tennis players and sailors combined.
  • Golf course construction over the decade has been primarily high-end... and a competition for who could build the toughest challenge. Yet most golfers are high-handicappers who feel beat up by the course and the fee.
  • According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of rounds nationally were down 10 to 20% in 2008-2009. But the range in performance – from desperate to thriving – is enormous … even within regions. Specific situational analysis is needed – not blanket generalizations.
  • In the face of declining rounds, the focus at courses nationwide has been on cost containment and cost cutting – with limited impact, since so many expenses at golf clubs are relatively fixed. And reducing the level of customer service is not the answer. In fact, level of service and value for money spent are primary factors in choosing where to play. Those clubs focusing energy and resources on increasing revenues have the best chance of success.
  • High staff turnover is one of the major problems in golf course management. As the economics of golf course operations tighten, more and more golf clubs are recognizing that the human resources part of the business requires more attention. More staff recognition, better communication and competitive compensation to retain quality people should be a priority.

From www.golfprofitbuilders.com

On a final note, old tee signs have been selling-slowly but surely. We still have numbers 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, and 17 available for $75 each. We do not ship the signs but would be happy to reserve the signs for you when you make the trip up here in the spring, summer, or fall. The signs weigh about 50 pounds and are roughly 18” by 36” in size. A picture of one is located below.

Vince 23

Tee sign with 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper for scale

Have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Vincent Dodge

Ready to Reserve your Tee Time?

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