Letter to members Cancel The title field is required!

1. Larry Taylor

   

   0 posts
   
   1/15/2015 10:01 AM

   Looking for some advice. I was asked by my ownership to write up a letter to our membership about golf cart use. Their idea is that I have a high level of respect from our membership and that it would "hit home" coming from me. This letter is basically just to relay the message to stay on the cart path, worn areas, etc. Just wondering if any of you have done this in the past and could help me get started. I can grow grass but writing letters is not something I'm all that strong at. Thanks.
   
   Larry Taylor

   
   
   
   
2. Richard Lavine

   

   3 posts
   
   1/15/2015 11:01 AM

   I'll start this off with a few suggestions.
   1. Don't be too technical. Nothing will glaze over their eyes faster than technical jargon.
   2. If you can find a couple of graphics of compacted vs. non-compacted soil, that might be good. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Check with the folks at GCM. They might have or can point you in the right direction to get such a graphic. (You might even point out that good aerated soil is best for their home lawn as well.)
   3. Most Important. Have someone you trust (non golf) proofread your letter, to check for clarity, grammar and spelling. You come to this with technical knowledge the lay person would not have.

   
   
   
   
3. Adam Stottlemyer

   

   0 posts
   
   1/16/2015 7:01 AM

   ^ agree completely with the above poster. You don't need to get too technical with everything, just maybe summarize some of the adverse effects of carts driving where they' shouldn't, but remember to word it in a way someone who knows relatively nothing about maintaining turf can grasp. Pictures are key too. I would imagine if you're spending the time to address this, there's areas in question that you can pin point with a picture and say this looks like it does because of too much traffic from carts, and are areas people should avoid driving through.
   
   Even doing so, you're still going to have those players or members who either didn't spend the time to read it, or they don't want to inconvenience themselves. But if you can get through to some then that will always help. I've gone to roping/staking sections off to prevent people from driving over thin areas of turf. It's basically just herding sheep

   
   
   
   
4. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   1/17/2015 5:01 AM

   been there done that!
   
   Like yourself the mere thought of writting letters to anyone scared me. But in todays world with computers I can generally get by without too many graqmmar and spelling mistakes (gotta love spell check). The best thing about doing what you are going to be doing is that you can read it and re-read it to get it like you want. I agree with the above post about letting someone you trust read it. I did the same thing using my wife but her 6 years of 4.0 college work left her way too smart for my backwoods thoughts so after a while I learned to get it right myself opting to let my personallity take over most times. Now I basically write from the heart, what I feel with the thought of not trying to get anyone pead off by picking on individuals.
   
   What I do know is that the shorter you keep it the more chance they will read the entire thing. Pictures are worth a thousand words! if you can incorporate into the letter the better chance they will have to understand it. While getting tech. can show them how much you know it can also go right over their head! instead of using complicated words throughout try putting it into a format they can read but better yet understand.
   
   If it is your first time writing one then write down on a piece of papper the main points you want to go over. then write the first letter. Just let the info flow and write without worrying about how it sounds. Try not to make any changes to your first draft while writing. then take a few minutes break and come back and read it. Then sit down and write a second one with any changes you may of thought of. this one you can read and change as needed. The first draft is just to get you onto the writing zone!
   
   Thants about all I can tell you. feel free to write one and copy and paste it to this post and we can proof read it for you if you want. Good Luck

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/17/2015 7:01 AM

   Dear Members,
   
   The golf course is beginning to wake up from the winter months and starting to show some life again. As we head into the golfing season, there are a few items that you can assist us with to make your experience more enjoyable. Repairing ball marks, filling divots and raking bunkers are all important in keeping the golf course ready and in good condition for the groups behind you.
   
   However, one of the most important items that you can do to help with the long-term condition of the golf course is being cognizant of your golf cart use. It is very important to follow the cart rules for the day, whether 90 degree or cart path only, keeping all four tires on the path near tees and greens and scattering your traffic around worn areas will assist us and limit the amount of corrective maintenance that will need to be performed.
   
   We are hoping that you can find additional time this year to enjoy all the amenities the club has to offer. Your enjoyment of the facilities is very important to all of us. If I can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact me at: 555-555-1234.
   
   I look forward to seeing you on the course!
   
   Sincerely,
   
   
   
   Larry Taylor
   Golf Course Superintendent

   
   
   
   
6. Larry Taylor

   

   0 posts
   
   1/19/2015 8:01 AM

   Thank you all for your time and thoughts! Very much appreciated!