Calling Supt. for tee times Cancel The title field is required!

1. Matt Hewitt_2

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 1:12 PM

   As a long time GCSAA member, should we still be calling or emailing Supt. at golf courses we are interested in playing golf at to set us up with tee times and a discounted rate? Or should we just call the pro shop and tell them who we are and hope we get a discount? It's winter time and I am ready for a vacation.
   
   Matt Hewitt

   
   
   
   
2. Curtis Nickerson

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 1:12 PM

   Not sure what others will say, but I prefer to be called. I have it set up that no one gets a discount with out calling me first....so you can call the pro shop and set a tee time but you wont get a discount... but that's just me, I feel like its just a common courtesy. I always call before playing just as an FYI and courtesy, not because I want/expect a discount.

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   12/10/2012 1:12 PM

   Matt if I remember in our code of ethics or if I am to interpret them correctly, you should contact the superintendent regardless. It would be up to there company policy if they were to let you play or give you a discount. I believe that applies even if you were invited as a guest by a member or if you were planning on playing golf and paying the going rate.
   
   I have seen many times on the forum that if you call the pro shop they will not provide a discount, it can only come with a call from the course superintendent.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
4. Gary Carls

   

   19 posts
   
   12/10/2012 2:12 PM

   Matt,
   
   While there may be a few cases where you don't contact the superintendent prior to playing you should try to make the effort whenever you can. If I know in advance I am going somewhere else to play I try and contact the superintendent as far in advance as possible and ask him how he would prefer I handle the reservation, whether I make it or someone else does. It's nice to get comped or a discount but I don't expect it when I call. Most guys help you how they can and calling in advance gives them a better chance to help you out. After I play I usually try and leave or send a short note to thank the superintendent if I don't see them out on the course while I'm there.
   
   FYI, the policy at our course is that if I don't set it up for you in advance the pro shop will not offer you any type of discount. I also try and honor requests from other superintendents who may call on behalf of any of their staff that might want to play our course. Not a lot of demand here but it's nice to be able to do it when the few requests we do get come in.

   
   Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative
   
   
5. Robert Crockett

   

   4 posts
   
   12/10/2012 3:12 PM

   Matt Hewitt said: As a long time GCSAA member, should we still be calling or emailing Supt. at golf courses we are interested in playing golf at to set us up with tee times and a discounted rate? Or should we just call the pro shop and tell them who we are and hope we get a discount? It's winter time and I am ready for a vacation.
   
   Matt Hewitt

   
   Matt
   I don't have the luxury of utilizing that benefit very much. However, I will call both sides. Superintendent first. He might just get me on free of charge

   
   
   
   
6. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/10/2012 4:12 PM

   Mine is a municipal course that a number of superintendents play regularly. They never ask for a discount and I rarely hear about it. That is completely fine with me. I get 2-3 a year, normally from up north that ask for a discount. We have a frequent players club and I believe that is the price they are quoted.

   
   
   
   
7. Bryan Taylor

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 5:12 PM

   Yes it is good to either email or call the superintendent ahead of time, not the day you want to play. For us we get lots of calls when the person is already on island and most are actually not superintendents. We get lots of Industry reps or friend of someone that works on a golf course. If you are coming to Hawaii for golf it is not a last minute trip, it is planned weeks ahead of time. I like the time to verify GCSAA membership before I can quote a rate. Like the posts above unless they contact me there is no discount. We have the GCSAA online directory with all the contact information so members have no excuse for not asking ahead of time. I like to get out and visit plus will sometimes play with the superintendents myself if I can so I can get some feedback. Another set of eyes can sometimes help spot potential problems or help solve one.
   
   Bryan Taylor
   Makena Beach and Golf Resort

   
   
   
   
8. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   12/10/2012 6:12 PM

   If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
9. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   12/10/2012 6:12 PM

   Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   What's that number again?

   
   
   
   
10. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/10/2012 8:12 PM

    Keith Lamb said:

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    What's that number again?

    
    
    Keith, I'm wondering do you have the same number for Steve that I do? All I know when they answer the phone they say they have never heard of the guy?
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
11. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    12/11/2012 3:12 AM

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    Keith Lamb said:

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    What's that number again?

    
    
    Keith, I'm wondering do you have the same number for Steve that I do? All I know when they answer the phone they say they have never heard of the guy?
    
    Mel

    
    
    I can't post what they say to me.

    
    
    
    
12. Douglas Palm

    

    0 posts
    
    12/11/2012 7:12 AM

    I was wondering what everyone's preference was, a phone call or an email? Mine is an email just so I am not playing phone tag all day.
    Thanks,
    Doug Palm

    
    
    
    
13. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    12/11/2012 7:12 AM

    Keith Lamb said:

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    Keith Lamb said:

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    What's that number again?

    
    
    Keith, I'm wondering do you have the same number for Steve that I do? All I know when they answer the phone they say they have never heard of the guy?
    
    Mel

    
    
    I can't post what they say to me.

    
    
    You guys are both on the "No Call" list

    
    
    
    
14. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    12/11/2012 7:12 AM

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said:

    Keith Lamb said:

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    Keith Lamb said:

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: If you call me, I will get you out for free. If you don't call me, you are on your own.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    What's that number again?

    
    
    Keith, I'm wondering do you have the same number for Steve that I do? All I know when they answer the phone they say they have never heard of the guy?
    
    Mel

    
    
    I can't post what they say to me.

    
    
    You guys are both on the "No Call" list

    
    
    Steve, can you call Tom for me and get me a tee time?

    
    
    
    
15. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    12/11/2012 7:12 AM

    In all seriousness, I prefer a call ahead of time and 9 out of 10 times I can hook you up. If you call the Pro Shop and tell them you are a Supt. and want a deal you are going to be out of luck. I've also had guys make a tee time and then call me out of courtesy to let me know they will be at my course and I always go and say hi and usually cut them a deal. Like other have said, I'm in the book and if they can't take the time to call me then too bad. I always call a Supt. ahead of time just to let them know that I am playing their course and usually they try to do something for me without me asking.
    
    And Steve, that's what caller ID is for.

    
    
    
    
16. Justin VanLanduit

    

    0 posts
    
    12/12/2012 5:12 PM

    I feel giving a heads up is great courtesy to the Superintendent of the club you are going to play. Knowing another Superintendent is on propery gives an opportunity to network if you dont know them or giving that Sup peace of mind that you're not out there trying to take his job. I always try to get ahold of the superintendent if possible either by phone or email. I do like the question earlier though; phone call or email preferred? I can see where an email would be more preferred as they can address when they have the time rather than getting a phone call out in the middle of the course. Follow up with phone call if needed.
    
    Justin