Golf Cart Tracking: 5 Features That Set Tagmarshal Apart
The golf cart tracking industry has several well-established companies that dominate the market share. Over the years, cart manufacturers have developed software to aid with course management and standalone solutions have also come to the fore, as operators increasingly turn towards technology to aid with running their operations.
Tagmarshal has established itself as the industry leader in on-course optimization, helping more than 500 daily fee, resort and private courses proactively manage pace and flow of play, improving the player experience. The extensive range of features and powerful proprietary algorithms yield incomparable data insights into on-course operations, setting Tagmarshal apart from other systems in the golf cart tracking space.
Providing real-time line of sight of the entire course, the system gives operators the tools to improve efficiency through automation, saving valuable labor hours and opening up opportunities to generate additional revenue, such as optimizing tee sheet capacity.
Below, we will discuss 5 of the features that have made Tagmarshal the go-to optimization system for leading courses.
1. AI And Machine Learning From Golf Cart Tracking Data
Further strengthening its position as the market leader in golf cart tracking, Tagmarshal has launched an innovative new system.
With enhanced data visualization and analytics, the system makes it easy for users to customize their Tagmarshal experience, highlighting the data they need to make smart operational decisions.
Before the system’s launch, it was put through its paces at renowned courses like Bandon Dunes, The Country Club at Castle Pines, Kiawah, The Medalist and Erin Hills.
“The system represents a significant upgrade. The enhancements and new features offer even greater functionality and efficiency, helping us provide an exceptional experience.”
An industry-first, incorporating AI technology and machine learning based on data from more than 50 million rounds now also provides these operators with an all-new level of insight, with unprecedented prediction and forecast abilities.
Powerful algorithms process and analyze the golf cart tracking data gathered, using more than 10 dynamically calculated factors, and draw on historical trends to predict which groups could cause on-course delays before they impact the field.
“Prior to Tagmarshal, we were frustrated with being reactive to pace and flow issues. Now we can look at the system, determine pace, and be proactive to ensure as few disruptions as possible.”
“The ability to really hone in and be proactive before things get out of control has paid huge dividends for us, having those guests come back again.”
Proactive pace management is crucial to ensuring a steady on-course flow. It also means that teams can be more focused with their pace management efforts, increasing efficiency and allowing for a greater focus on exceptional service delivery.
2. Golf Cart Tracking And The Analytics Hub
Tagmarshal’s Analytics Hub, which brings together all the golf cart tracking data gathered by the system and presents it in a central, simplified hub, is unlike anything else on the market.
By showcasing the data in an easily understandable way, the Analytics Hub highlights multiple ways to improve an operation’s pace and flow of play, which directly impacts player experience.
Key metrics tracked within the Analytics Hub include:
- Average round time: Shows the average playing time versus your goal time for a particular day or day segment.
- On-course interactions: Broken down into interventions (formal interactions designed to assist players in moving back into position) and check-ins (friendly, proactive interactions with players).
- Weather: Shows the weather for the selected period – either daily or the average for the period selected.
- Playing group performance: Shows the average play time, the goal time, the average pace and the number of rounds for a specific day.
- Hole stats: Shows your target hole times and the actual hole times
- Pace distribution: Shows the percentage of rounds on pace compared to your goal.
- Starter accuracy: Shows much of an impact a late tee-off has on each round and the rounds that follow.
It’s now easier than ever to identify days of the week that play quicker or slower, measure starter accuracy and the impact this has on pace and flow of play, spot opportunities to optimize hole setups and understand exactly how many rounds are actually finishing on pace.
“Through our partnership with Tagmarshal, we have consistently improved pace of play. The Analytics Hub eliminates pace discrepancies, providing precise data down to the second, elevating the guest experience and efficiency.”
“Using Tagmarshal’s Analytics has made us much more effective at making player experiences better and improving loyalty. The value of a player enjoying a 4.05h round? It allows you to increase your fees.”
The new system features advanced data visualization tools to showcase trends and insights highlighted by AI so that operators can make better decisions with actionable data.
Every aspect of an operation is measurable and goals can be set to drive continuous, incremental improvements that will have a sizable impact across a season.
Tagmarshal also integrates with many leading tech solutions, including more than 25 tee sheet providers and CaddieNow, so that AI and machine learning can draw from the maximum amount of data to provide the most comprehensive insights possible.
The Analytics Hub can also generate reports for specific time frames, stretching from a single day through to multiple months, to inform any discussions with golf committees and owners.
“The Analytics Hub is amazing and helps get an accurate, complete picture with data backing this up as opposed to guessing what’s going on.”
Courses that are shrewd in how they utilize this data may be able to identify days of the week, or specific times of the day, where additional tee times can be added without impacting the pace and flow of play.
Reducing the average round time through proactive pace management helps with tee sheet optimization, but the most important aspect is pinpointing precisely where opportunities exist to tighten gap intervals.
With increased capacity, daily fee and resort courses will see an immediate revenue impact, and private clubs can keep members happy by offering them additional tee times while still ensuring that rounds finish within the desired goal time.
“Our improved pace means we have added extra tee times throughout the day, and using the data we are looking at shortening intervals to get a few more in.”
“The data has allowed us to optimize tee sheet capacity and improve flow – increasing golf revenue by 85% within 3 years.”
3. Automation Using Golf Cart Tracking
In light of rising operational costs and labor issues impacting operations, golf cart tracking technology often needs to empower teams to do more, with fewer resources at their disposal.
At courses using TagmarshaI 2Way devices, if a playing group falls out of position, automated pace alerts can be sent to the players so that they can self-manage and speed up their pace of play. The players see a message on the 2Way screen that they must engage with before they can once again be shown yardage to the pin and other useful information.
Tagmarshal’s system allows staff to automate time-consuming tasks, increasing efficiency and ensuring they are alerted to valuable information as timeously as possible.
Automated pace alerts can also be sent to staff who may need to intervene, via phone call, SMS or email, depending on how the alerts are set up, so they are instantly aware of any issues.
Tagmarshal’s Live Map, which shows where each group is on the course in real-time, means that staff can tell exactly who is out of position at a glance. Different color icons illustrate the groups that are delayers (affecting others) and those that are delayed. Staff can remotely identify where the issues are and go straight to them, rather than having marshals (player assistants) patrolling the course trying to see where the problems are.
“We have proactively been using the 2Way messaging to save time with groups that are out of position. Tagmarshal keeps play going!”
Tagmarshal has also automated the process of assigning devices to playing groups.
The system combines the tee sheet data with precise golf cart tracking GPS technology, automatically assigning the device in use to the player names in that group. This occurs as the device enters the trigger zone entry point at the first tee they are due to play.
Not only does this save pro shop staff and starters valuable time, but it also means that all the data gathered is now linked to these player names.
“The Auto Tag Assignment is unique and flawless. Every morning when we open up the tee sheet, all the names are integrated and plugged in and all we are doing is assigning the tags.”
Operators can also set up alerts to notify relevant staff as soon as a geofence is breached.
Players with 2Way devices will receive an on-screen message notifying them of the breach, along with an audible beeping, whereas players with the unobtrusive Classic Installed devices will receive the beeping warning.
These alerts mean that staff don’t need to be constantly monitoring for geofence breaches. With the data being linked to player names, in real-time and historically, they can also be held accountable.
“The geofencing is really outstanding and very user-friendly and effective. Once the alert pops up and the beeping starts, our guests understand and can get back into a designated area.”
The 2Way cart screens can also be used to prompt F&B orders at strategic locations around the course.
Automatic alerts can be set up to display ahead of a group’s arrival at the halfway house, potentially decreasing any wait time, and many clubs use these alerts to advertise pro shop specials and events.
“Our F&B menu pops up on the 2Way screens on our 8th hole and it speeds up the turn time, preventing any backup. This improves course flow and boosts our revenue.”
4. Track Map: Full Round Records Via Golf Cart Tracking
Live golf cart tracking has a wealth of benefits, but so does being able to revisit this data at a later stage.
Every Head Golf Professional or Director of Golf will be used to players complaining about a slow place after their round.
With no data to rely on, for what is a sensitive conversation, this often ends with an apology from the staff member so the situation is defused diplomatically.
Tagmarshal’s Track Map feature stores a record of every single round played, with accurate data readily accessible.
“After a round, or the next day, I can show our members their pace in the Track Map and it’s point blank right in front of them, making it so much easier to have those discussions.”
It will show:
- The exact round duration
- Whether the group was delayed or delaying others
- Any geofence breaches
- Any logged interactions with staff
- Any direct messages sent to the playing group
Now that conversation can be reframed and handled more effectively, removing emotion and relying on impartial data.
Tagmarshal users can access a particular round’s Track Map via the Analytics Hub, by finding the relevant tee time, or they can access it via the player profile of one of the players in that group.
“The Track Map data is extremely helpful when you have to chat with someone about their pace, or where they have driven their carts. It’s not just our word against theirs.”
5. Build Player Profiles From Golf Cart Tracking Data
Knowing who is on your course and where they are, thanks to golf cart tracking, opens up a range of opportunities.
A club can offer tailored, ‘white glove’ service to players based on their historical preferences. With USGA research showing that marshal (or player assistant) interactions play a vital role in the overall golfing experience, these extra touches go a long way toward ensuring repeat play and happy members.
Understanding which players are quick and which are slower is a big help in managing on-course flow. Using the historical records of each round played, operators can assign tee times paced on pace history.
“Where Tagmarshal stands apart from competitors is building out player profiles with historical data, giving a complete picture which is available whenever we need to use it.”
“From the data, we know who our slower and quicker members are and we set the tee sheet up accordingly, which helps us a lot with course flow.”
For private clubs, profiles with extensive pace histories are a great way to communicate with members and create a pace of play culture that everyone can buy into.
Many private courses send regular updates to members showing their average round times, whether they’re being delayed or delaying others, and other information that drives compliance and leads to increased self-policing around pace.
Should any warnings or disciplinary action need to be taken against members who regularly fail to meet the desired goal times, the club can once again point to impartial and precise data to keep these discussions neutral.
“Tagmarshal gives us the data we need to quantify how we measure success in terms of pace of play and our overall culture. The fact that a member comes into my office after a round and is excited about their improved pace means it’s front of mind and a club culture is built.”
Conclusion
The continued growth of golf and the influx of off-course players moving to play on-course make optimization systems like Tagmarshal increasingly vital.
Last year, more than 3.5 million Americans played on a golf course for the first time, all of whom will have grown accustomed to a technology-enabled world.
Leveraging technology to ensure more reliable, higher quality, controllable outcomes – in this case, consistent pace and flow of play and the overall player experience – is something that players now expect from each course they play.
Tagmarshal has taken learnings from many of the best operators around, like Pinehurst, Valhalla, Cog Hill and Baltusrol, to create a system that is as beneficial to a high-end private club as it is to a $30 to $50 daily fee course.
Constant innovation and listening to the needs of course partners have kept Tagmarshal ahead of the game, cementing its place as the leader in pace management and optimization systems.
WATCH DEMO
