It’s here that the increased use of technology really earns the plaudits. By combining GPS tracking with the power of extensive data and analysis, astute clubs can minimize the impact that slower-playing groups have on the rest of the field – making sure that rounds flow and are enjoyable.

Tagmarshal, an industry-trusted pace of play management and on-course optimization system, tracks playing groups using the most precise GPS technology available. Powered by advanced algorithms that have learned from more than 30 million rounds’ worth of data, its technology proactively identifies pace and flow issues before they arise, making it a powerful tool to optimize pace of play.

John Fields, the Director of Golf at Belmont Country Club, has long understood that pace of play must be an industry priority.

“We wanted to give our team accurate data to ensure rounds are played in the most efficient manner possible. For us, the biggest benefit of having Tagmarshal’s system in place,” says Fields, who has been in his current role for 25 years, “is that we are able to approach slower groups armed with objective information we need to help them get back into position, in a manner that is polite and respected by our membership.”

There’s nothing worse than repeated conversations with rangers asking you to speed up when those in front of you are really at fault, and these interactions remain one of the biggest negatives impacting post-round sentiment. If clubs can have objective, fact-based discussions with players who understand that technology is in place to help make their round more enjoyable, that completely changes the dynamic.

While a decrease in average round times shows that pace is front of mind, rounds during periods of the day that play quicker skew the overall statistics, balancing out rounds when you are stuck behind slow groups and finish 40 minutes later than you’d like. Courses using Tagmarshal have seen a significant improvement in the volume of rounds finishing on or below the goal time, indicating that course flow for the majority of players is being well-managed.

Established in 2014, Tagmarshal has grown to partner with more than 35 of the Top 100 US courses. Co-founder and CEO Bodo Sieber has been recognized as “One of the Most Innovative People in Golf” by Golf Inc, and he leads the company’s commitment and drive for continuous improvement.

“Implementing steps to improve a course’s pace and flow of play will show immediate results and players will thank you through their loyalty. By providing clubs like Belmont with the data they need to give their players the best experience possible, we’re doing our bit to help grow the game we love,” Sieber said.

New England clubs that continue to successfully utilize Tagmarshal’s technology, in addition to Belmont Country Club, include Renaissance Golf Club, New Haven Country Club, Wee Burn Country Club and Woodway Country Club, among others.

With players benefiting from an improved on-course experience, impressive advancements in technology bode well for golf’s continued growth across the New England region.

Source: New England Golf Weekly, August 2023

Watch our latest webinar, “5 Ways Terravita uses tech to improve the player experience, while saving labor hours”, on-demand and in your own time!

In the webinar, Matt Kloppenburg, PGA, Head Golf Professional, Terravita Golf Club, details how the course utilizes technology to provide the optimal player experience for members while operating at maximum efficiency.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Webinar Topic: 5 Ways Terravita uses tech to improve the player experience, while saving labor hours.

Expert Guest: Matt Kloppenburg, PGA, Head Golf Professional, Terravita Golf Club

Tagmarshal was proud to attend the exclusive Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat 2023 (MCOR23) in July, with the two-day event taking place at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in beautiful Monterey, California.

In attendance were CEO Bodo Sieber, VP of Business Development David Hamilton and GM Joey Walters, who joined many leading figures in the golf course and resort business, sharing insights and ideas and forging new connections with those at the forefront of the golf industry.

As a presenting sponsor that has worked closely with the NGCOA for a number of years, MCOR23 was a great opportunity for Tagmarshal to listen to the needs and concerns of course owners and top executives of golf management companies.

For Hamilton, who has a long and storied career in the industry, it was also a chance to reconnect with old friends. “There’s a reason MCOR has been so successful over the past 28 years. Gathering this volume of expertise and having those present share their knowledge and insights is invaluable, with the added benefit of seeing so many familiar faces.”  After an initial registration and meet and greet on Monday, July 17, Tuesday kicked off with a golf outing at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, followed by the Toptracer Opening Reception and a Q&A with award-winning golf writer, Alan Shipnuck.

Wednesday saw an official welcome from Host and Master of Ceremonies, Suzy Whaley, as well as addresses from NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and Greg Nathan, the President and COO of the National Golf Foundation (NGF).

The foundation’s data showed that, for the first time ever in the US, the volume of off-course golf (real club, real ball, full-swing driving range or simulator-related) being played is higher than that of on-course golf. What was clear was the openness of the off-course audience to technology as part of their experience and their expectation that this extends into the on-course environment.

This presents an exciting opportunity for the industry to connect with an already enthusiastic and tech-savvy market segment, and pull them onto the golf course itself, unlocking on-course opportunities like gamification and shorter formats of golf.

There is also a persisting trend of the number of midweek rounds increasing due to hybrid work models freeing up more time and flexibility, with the market adjusting to better utilize off-peak tee times.

Closing remarks came from Dr. Tyler Goodspeed, the former Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, who shed some light on the multitude of factors that make up America’s current financial climate.

The prevailing consensus is that the golf industry is in very good shape across all aspects, including investment, growth of the player base, and the number of rounds being played.

“We pride ourselves on being proactive when it comes to the market needs,” said Sieber. “It was a privilege to attend MCOR23 as the feedback and insights help us to innovate and lead the way in on-course optimization technology.”

As the golf industry goes from strength to strength, Tagmarshal looks forward to continuing to work with the NGCOA and the best in the golf course and resort business to help grow the industry.