More people can (and should) be playing golf!!
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This week I read Dale Hayes’ piece about growing the game, in which he suggests three easy ways to attract more people into the game. “Make golf less expensive, easier and faster to play”. He then went on to say that we should simply shorten the courses, making it easier, quicker and cost less to maintain.
Last year I attended a seminar, The Golf Summit at Fancourt, where the renowned golf authority, club design expert and former heavyweight with the USGA, told the room that we should introduce “bunny slopes” for learning golfers – place some tee markers well up the fairway leaving no forced carries – yet, still providing the “game” that makes golf, golf; by allowing all of the shots around the greens.
When I was attending my PGA Residential School (a couple of years ago in Dallas, Texas), our lecturer and top-rules official in the USA, Robert O. Smith, also gave a suggestion for growing the game – reduce the number of the clubs in the bag to 10, play six hole loops – ie. 2, 6-hole loops for a 12-hole game or maybe 3, 6-hole loops for an 18-hole game. 10 clubs and 12 holes – less expensive to equip and play – less time required.
Then there is another school – forget the clock, buy as many clubs as are available to be able to play every shot required, throw in an all-you-can-eat (and drink) halfway that lasts an hour and play ‘til the sun goes down. Who cares how long it takes – it’s quality time!
| Unfortunately, none of the ideas work by themselves. We, as “improving golfers”, like the risk and the reward. We actually like and look forward to playing the world’s best courses and their challenging holes. I have never heard a golfer tell a story about his greatest hole where it didn’t include “over water” (like the 18th at Fancourt or Gary Player or Leopard Creek or St Francis Links) or “with this big carry” (like 1 or 10 or 13 or 18 at Pezula or 12 or 13 or 18 at Wild Coast or 5 at St Francis Links) or simply a “perfect par 3” (like 7 at Pebble Beach or 7 at The Hills of Lakeway, or 12 at DCC or 6 at Simola or any of the par 3’s at St Francis Links). Greatest ever rounds aren’t told without including the fact that the wind was pumping or the sun was baking or the rain was blowing sideways and “I still shot…” |
Prince of Wales – Durban CC
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At St Francis Links, you will be challenged and rewarded, you can play a course with no carries from 4900m to SA’s sternest test at 7300m. You can enjoy 300 days of sunshine and rest assured that there will almost always be a nice breeze to keep you cool. SFL will encourage you to play all of the clubs in your bag, whether you are carrying 10 or 24. The visual “side show” here is second to none. You will not play a round where you don’t play a fantastic shot – for eagle, birdie, par or bogey! Every hole ranks with the best.
| So, my advise to speed up play, reduce cost and add to overall enjoyment – come here – play a length of course that suits YOUR game, enjoy the packages on offer that enable you to play, eat and sleep for less than anywhere in the country and play it more than once – because you will enjoy it more with every round you play. You can play quickly by simply playing ready (get to your ball quickly when you are the next to play). You can go find a short course with no trees or hazards; you can find courses where you can bomb drives and approach greens (if you are not under trees or coming in from another fairway) with wedges. You can play greens that are flat and uneventful… or you can play GOLF – with a smile, playing one great shot at a time. Stay nice to yourself on the course. |
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Have you made you holiday travel plans YET??
“VISAGE” - GPS for golf carts… the most advanced system in the world is the FIRST in Africa… and now on our carts at St Francis Links.
About 10 years ago, I introduced GPS to South Africans at Pezula. That system not only improved the golfer’s day by providing accurate distances from tee to green, it also aided the golf department by tracking the carts on the course. Today, the GPS system known as VISAGE (from GPS Industries) is the latest and greatest on offer. Now, please understand one thing – it is designed to speed up play by giving quick and accurate information to the golfer. It also gives a flyover of the hole to be played and a brief explanation
| (by some monotone American – I’ll change that). The system also makes life easy for the course staff, with designating areas where carts should not travel can be ‘zoned out’ on the system with a message appearing on the screen. It is NOT cluttered with ads – but we can add information about events, specials or updates at the club. It’ll remind you to order halfway and of course, it will show you important carry points and pin placements. It will NOT, however, play your shot or FIND your ball! Private cart owners may purchase the system; rent it on a monthly basis or even install on a daily basis. Contact me or Ryan for pricing and options. |  |
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Cheers for NOW…
Jeff
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