Understanding How GPS for Golf Carts Benefits Players
Technology is now part and parcel of almost every aspect of our lives, and GPS for golf carts is a great example of how it is changing what were once traditional spaces, such as golf.
We use DoorDash to track food en route to our door, we use Uber to track when our ride will arrive and when it will drop us off at our destination, and we use Amazon to have parcels delivered on the same day to an address of our choosing.
It’s no surprise that so many golf courses have embraced the use of on-course management technology, given the operational benefits, but there are also many reasons why this technology is a win for players.
Below, we will cover 6 ways that technology makes for a better player experience.
1. Using GPS for golf carts to enhance pace of play
The correct use of GPS for golf carts will have a huge impact on an operation’s overall pace of play.
To understand why this is so important, consider that USGA research found that 74% of golfers listed pace of play as critical to the enjoyment of their rounds.
Similarly, research carried out by the NGCOA found that 76% of owners rank pace of play as a very important player experience factor.
On-course management tech like Tagmarshal allows operators to be proactive, rather than reactive, in how they deal with pace and flow issues. With real-time oversight of the course, player assistants know exactly where each playing group is and can go straight to the problem, rather than driving around the course from one group to the next trying to find where the issue lies.
In addition to being able to directly address the group(s) responsible, courses using Tagmarshal can set up pace-based alerts for staff. As soon as a group falls out of position by a specified number of minutes, staff receive alerts that aid them in early intervention.
If problem groups (also referred to as disruptor groups) can be attended to before they have a large impact on the rest of the field, the pace and flow on that day will improve considerably.
It is helping us manage the course more efficiently and pace has been good even on our busier days.
Once you get behind pace early on during a busy day, your day is done. With the system, we can be very proactive in managing the field so things keep moving.
Cart tracking also makes it easier to automatically measure and record starter accuracy, which has a significant effect on pace and flow of play. If a course tracks that groups are consistently starting behind schedule, it can put in place steps to rectify this, ultimately leading to a better player experience.
The data gathered by on-course management tech also allows operators to measure the impact different hole setups have on course flow, so that they can optimize this. On busier days, they may choose a simpler pin position to prevent bottlenecks, with trickier hole placements reserved for days when the volume of play is reduced.
Every course should have a pace of play policy clearly communicated to golfers. With extensive data sets, courses can set fair pace targets for players to aim towards, which helps drive player buy-in.
At courses using Tagmarshal’s 2Way cart screens, each group’s current pace is measured against the goal time and displayed on-screen. This is beneficial to players as it allows them to self-police and preempt any discussions with player assistants.
Knowing which groups are falling behind means we can now be proactive, which has a huge and immediate impact on course flow.
The data and real-time view of the course is a huge bonus and our average round time is now below our goal time. The member benefit and value add are plain to see.
2. Improved service with GPS for golf carts
One of the added benefits that comes with using GPS for golf carts is the ability to know who is in each playing group.
Tagmarshal integrates with more than 20 leading tee sheet providers so that player names are automatically pulled into the system and linked to the GPS tracking devices.
This means that operators can tailor their service based on who is playing, offering a personal touch that helps set a course apart from its competitors.
Optimization software like Tagmarshal allows a course to automate many of the more time-consuming tasks, freeing up labor hours that can then be directed toward offering exceptional on-course service.
In addition, if the course is using the 2Way cart screens, which are available in either 8inch or 10inch sizes, players and staff are able to directly interact with each other. Should a player lose a club or require assistance, they can alert staff timeously and the issue can be addressed.
The 2Way screens are great. They help players measure distance and they can communicate with us and vice versa. It also keeps them informed on their pace so the course operates at maximum efficiency.
I had a member who was blown away at how we know exactly where she is so that we can offer tailored service on the course, without them even asking.
The 2Way cart screens also come with food and beverage (F&B) ordering capabilities.
Via the high-res, ultra-bright screens, which are comparable to the latest iPhone models, players can toggle through the menu and complete orders. These are then prepared and can be delivered directly to the group in question.
Courses will often use GPS tracking to prompt orders on the 7th or 8th holes, with the orders collected from the halfway house. This prevents bottlenecks from occurring around the turn and enhances the pace and flow on the course.
Having line of sight of where each drinks cart is at any time also means operators can ensure each group receives sufficient opportunity to order what they need. Should a group request drinks via the 2Way messaging system, they can also be given a fair time estimate of when and where they can expect to see the cart.
One of our goals is to manage our on-course staff, and Tagmarshal has equipped our staff to proactively manage the field, freeing up their time to spend on player satisfaction and service.
Our partnership with Tagmarshal has been integral to our player experience and service strategy, by providing us with the data-driven management we need to optimize player experiences, helping us to deliver consistent excellence that keeps our players coming back again and again.
3. How GPS for golf carts aids turf protection
Course conditioning is perhaps the most important factor impacting a player’s enjoyment of their round, so using GPS for golf carts to protect sensitive turf areas is invaluable to courses and players alike.
Setting up geofences to ensure carts stay out of restricted areas is a popular way for courses to keep players in check. Should a cart breach a geofence, Tagmarshal’s system will be triggered to alert the player(s) in the cart.
The alert can range from a message on the 2Way screen to a loud buzzing noise, depending on how the course has set it up, which will continue until the cart exits the restricted area.
Our greens are integral to the playing experience and this year they have been in superb condition. Tagmarshal’s geofencing helps us protect those areas. Oftentimes members aren’t even aware of the system, but they are certainly feeling the benefits. Our pace has been great and the feedback on course conditioning is the best we’ve ever had.
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.
Geofence breaches are also logged by the system and tied to each round, meaning that repeat offenders can be identified. This ultimately benefits players who don’t transgress, as they won’t be held responsible for course damage and will enjoy better conditions going forward.
Tagmarshal’s Heatmap Visualization feature, which uses tracking data, is a great tool for superintendents to understand which areas of the course receive the most traffic.
By using this feature they can identify areas at risk for soil compaction, direct water and fertilizer where needed, and provide the best possible course conditions for players.
Maintenance teams can also use the Live Map to spot gaps in the field, so that their duties can be carried out during the day without impacting on players. Nobody likes to see maintenance teams hard at work while on the course, so slotting in where possible ensures upkeep without visibility to players.
I’ve noticed a marked improvement in compliance. The geofencing is very easy to draw and can be turned on and off depending on weather conditions.
Geofencing is critical for us. If there’s a breach, the screen turns red and the beeping starts. We very rarely have another incident after that.
4. Increased player safety with GPS for golf carts
With an unpredictable element such as weather, knowing where every group is using GPS for golf carts proves invaluable.
High-altitude courses are often at risk of lightning strikes and the ability to communicate quickly across the entire field drastically increases player safety.
The same can be said for areas where high winds and storms can set in quickly. With 2Way messaging, courses can instantly let the entire field know where the safety points are and whether they should wait for things to clear or return to the clubhouse.
We have proactively been using the 2Way messaging to save time with groups that are out of position. We also love being able to send weather alerts to everyone if there is a storm approaching.
Tagmarshal has revolutionized how we handle weather delays and warnings, with the ability to send messages to every cart and then track who complies.
On courses where the terrain is more mountainous or undulating, there are often certain areas where carts are at a higher risk of accident. Operators can set up alerts to be triggered as groups enter these areas, warning them to drive carefully and be mindful of sloping ground.
Blind shots, where a group cannot see how far ahead the group in front is, are a common cause of bottlenecks and flow issues. Rather than risking hitting into a group that hasn’t quite cleared the fairway, for example, a group may wait longer than is necessary to ensure the safety of those ahead.
Conversely, groups that are frustrated with course flow may tee off when it is not quite safe to do so, endangering the players in front of them.
Using Tagmarshal’s 2Way cart screens, players are able to see in real-time where the group ahead is, speeding up play and ensuring nobody is at risk of being struck by a golf ball!
We have 4 blind shots on the course, which would really slow down play. Now golfers can see exactly where the carts ahead are and can play through.
The 2Way messaging really helps from a player safety perspective. We used to blow horns and have no idea who heard, but now it’s very efficient and easy to bring the field in.
5. Planning your shot using GPS for golf carts
The more information a golfer has at their disposal, such as using GPS for golf carts to know the precise distance to the pin, the more confident they will feel standing over the shot.
Usually, a golfer would need to carry a rangefinder with them to have this data at their disposal, but Tagmarshal’s 2Way cart screens have made this unnecessary. As a player tees off, they can tap the screen and get their exact yardage to the fairway, as well as checking the distance to each hazard.
For approach shots to the green, they will see the distance to the front, center and back of the green, which is helpful depending on that day’s pin placement.
Players think the Tagmarshal screens are awesome, they love the range-finding capabilities. We get a lot of credibility from younger golfers who can see we’re invested in the player experience.
Before, I carried a rangefinder and used my watch for GPS and still didn’t know where some hazards were on my shot. Now the Tagmarshal 2Way screen tells me all of that.
6. Live scoring with GPS for golf carts
For tournament play, it’s hugely time-consuming for officials to have to manually update each player’s score as they receive the information. Instead, prompted by the tracking capabilities of GPS for golf carts and Tagmarshal’s integration with Golf Genius, players can input the scores themselves at the completion of each hole.
Nobody likes waiting around after a round for all the scores to come in, and the scores to be manually updated by organizers, to see where they placed. Now, via the 2Way cart screens, players have access to live tournament scoring and can see, in real-time, exactly where they stand relative to the rest of the field.
Conclusion
Tagmarshal’s on-course optimization system provides operators with the tools they need to effectively manage pace and flow of play, which is at the core of a memorable player experience, along with increased operational efficiency and additional revenue generation.
By properly utilizing the full power of the system, clubs will set themselves apart from their competition, driving repeat play and loyalty and ensuring that they are equipped to manage the increase in the volume of rounds played as the game of golf continues to rise in popularity.
WATCH DEMO
