5/13/2012 1:05 PM
Interesting points being made here. Let's face it, 99% of the golfers in the world should be putting on an "8" green. After their first hole, they can adjust their putting stroke. Kurta doesn't stimp, but he could just as easily tell the members that they're rolling at 10.5 and they would believe it, even if they weren't rolling at that speed. I was at Huff's course a couple of years ago and the greens were perfect. As in, true and equal throughout the course. Isn't that what we are all trying to strive for as superintendents?
I would also add that both "Steves" have an incredible rapport with both their membership, and upper management. However "upper management" is defined, and whatever challenges we face, having that rapport is crucial.
True, the "Syndrome' is not dead. Yet. But it's getting there. Articles like the one Mel brought to our attention will only help in its demise. I have been very fortunate in my career, and have had the opportunity to meet superintendents and tour their golf courses, all over the world. I'm convinced that this Syndrome is an American distraction. There are local varieties in Africa, Asia, and South America that would cause some golfers to turn their nose up...just hearing the name, but they putt true.
The golfer that signs their card with a 6 under will have a different opinion of the golf course than their partner, who may have signed a 12 over. Both played the same course, but the partner is angry. Why? Because they had a bad round, and it was the golf course's fault. Go figure.
I've visited courses that had just applied Fe, in whatever formulation, and the golfers thought it was beautiful. However, the conditions were terrible, and the golfers never mentioned that. Right down the road, the superintendent had chosen not to apply Fe, so the color wasn't as striking, but the conditions were amazing. The golfers complained.
I know this because I sometimes ask the superintendent if I can borrow a cart and just "cruise around". And I always tell them why.....I'm spying. I never met a superintendent yet that didn't allow me to do that. Maybe the golfers think I'm a marshal, or one of the staff, but golfers love to chat. Especially if you quietly come up on their group, while they're placing the clubs back in their bags, and say, "That was a beautiful shot!".
Talk about opening the floodgates. Within 60 seconds I learn where they're from, and what they think of this particular golf course. Maybe the flattery had something to do with their answers, but why they choose to bitch in the clubhouse, but not on the course, I believe depends upon their scorecard.
My apologies if I've said this before, but perception is everything. First, a congenial staff. No......employees should NOT be invisible. In fact, they can be a crucial tool in explaining why that other employee is trying to finish mowing that fairway so that they, the golfers, can continue on with a great day. Second, address your tee grounds. That is the only area where golfers are standing around and have the opportunity to "spot the ugly".....if there is an ugly.
Third, if your greens are rolling consistently, at whatever speed, most won't look farther than 5 meters off the putting surface. They're watching their partners putt. Fairways and rough? Well...it's doubtful that any two golfers (tour pros excepted) will be hitting from the same part of the landing area.
So, we return to color. Some species stripe easily, others require repeated mowing patterns in the same direction to achieve that striping. But man, green is cool. That's our job. What do you apply? Hey, you get to decide, after looking at whatever reports you've ordered. That's why you make the big money.
But......clean up! A 12" high weed right beside a ballwasher is completely unacceptable. A one square meter bare spot in the fairway is "temporarily" okay.....as long as there are rake marks in it. That would be a "work in progress".
We can't all work on a world-renowned golf course, but we can try and make sure the golfer is impressed, even modestly, with what they're seeing and that they're having a good time. Go ahead...lie to them. Say that WAS a beautiful shot.
Good grief! Can someone tell me when to stop typing? Sorry, I'll do these in chapters next time.