What are the best practices for managing tee times to avoid pace of play issues?

3 Adjust and accommodate demand

The third step to avoid pace of play issues is to adjust and accommodate the demand for tee times on your course. This means using data and feedback to identify the peak and off-peak times, days, and seasons, and adjusting your pricing, availability, and incentives accordingly. You also need to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs and preferences of your customers, and offer them options and alternatives when possible. For example, you can use online booking systems, loyalty programs, dynamic pricing, or cross-selling to manage and balance the demand for tee times.

4 Educate and engage your customers

The fourth step to avoid pace of play issues is to educate and engage your customers about the importance and benefits of maintaining a good pace of play. This means providing them with clear and consistent information and tips on how to play faster and smarter, as well as creating a culture and community that values and respects the pace of play. You also need to solicit and act on their feedback and suggestions, and recognize and reward their efforts and achievements. For example, you can use signage, newsletters, social media, or competitions to educate and engage your customers about the pace of play.

5 Anticipate and resolve problems

The fifth step to avoid pace of play issues is to anticipate and resolve any problems that may arise on the course that can affect the pace of play. This means being prepared and proactive in dealing with any situations or incidents that can cause delays or disruptions, such as weather, maintenance, accidents, or complaints. You also need to have a contingency plan and a service recovery strategy in place to handle any complaints or dissatisfaction from your customers, and to restore their trust and loyalty. For example, you can use alerts, apologies, explanations, or compensations to anticipate and resolve any problems that may affect the pace of play.

6 Evaluate and improve your performance

The sixth and final step to avoid pace of play issues is to evaluate and improve your performance in managing your tee times and the pace of play on your course. This means collecting and analyzing data and feedback to measure and monitor your results and customer satisfaction, as well as identifying and implementing any areas of improvement or innovation. You also need to benchmark and compare your performance with other courses and industry standards, and to seek and share best practices and lessons learned. For example, you can use surveys, reports, audits, or forums to evaluate and improve your performance in managing your tee times and the pace of play.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?