Women’s Golf Day: Debunking the myths about women are slower than men

On June 4th, golf facilities around the world will come together for a four-hour experience where women and girls will participate in golf for the first time. The day will also serve as a platform for current players to play and engage with women interested in golf.

Women’s Golf Day is a global community dedicated to engaging, empowering and supporting women through golf. The initiative was founded by Elisa Gaudet for women to enjoy golf and learn the skills that last a lifetime.

Participation in sport is one of the most important socio-cultural learning experiences for many people, and this is a great initiative which aims to future proof the game, make it inclusive and tackle golf’s perceived diversity challenges.

One of the many common misconceptions about women in golf is that they are slow around the course. In support of Women’s Golf Day, we would like to debunk the myth that females are slower golfers than men.

Here are a few facts:

• Women are more likely to play appropriate tees.
• Women are more likely to be mindful of etiquette and pace awareness.
• According to USGA Golf Innovation Symposium research, gender is NOT a typical attribute of pace variations.

Women are no slower than men and generally more mindful of playing appropriate tees. As leaders in golf course intelligence and pace of play management, Tagmarshal has tracked the pace and field flow at golf course facilities and tournaments worldwide. One of Tagmarshal’s leading partner courses dedicates Thursdays to women’s golf, and so we decided to compare Thursday to an alternative regular club day.

The data showed that there was no significant difference in the average round time. Using Tagmarshal’s pace of play management system, the women playing groups average round time was 04:32:02, while on a regular club day, players averaged 04:34:41 while the goal time is 04:35:00.

However, a deeper look at the data using the pace distribution feature shows that on the regular day on 31% of the field is on pace and 76% within 10 minutes if the goal time. On Thursdays, however, 51% of the field is on pace and 100% of the field is moving within 10 minutes of the goal time which shows that women are more mindful of golf etiquette and pace awareness.  

So… it’s in the data! We can clear that misconception up – women are NOT slower than men!

Used by golf courses globally, Tagmarshal’s revolutionary pace of play management software improves the playing experience by giving management and staff up-to-the-minute insight, automated notifications and alerts, at the click of a button, to manage the flow of the field effectively and provide objective support to alleviate pace challenges before they arise.

Slow play is a pandemic that affects every golfer. Spreading greater awareness about understanding universal pace-of-play principles and the use of pace of play management tools is the key to resolving the problem and ensuring an enjoyable golf outing.

A QUICK 9 WITH FRANCISCO CADETE – WEST CLIFFS GOLF LINKS

West Cliffs has been regarded as one of the best golf courses to open in Europe in recent times. Managed by Praia D’el Rey, one of the best resorts in Portugal and a Tagmarshal partner course, West Cliffs is a world-class facility that offers an eclectic and ever-growing range of services and activities in terms of accommodation, golf, food and beverage, and leisure.

We get to know Francisco Cadete who is the Director of Golf at West Cliffs and Praia D’el Rey. He shares why pace of play management is critical to the on-course experience and how Tagmarshal is helping to provide an exceptional experience.

1. Who was your golf hero growing up?

My first hero was Sir Nick Faldo, but then Tiger came up.

2. Has golf always been your first love? What other sports/team are you a fan of?

I only started playing golf at the age of 28. In Portugal, there are not many players, but at the time we knew all of them. I came into golf after I got married because it was a family sport.

My wife has never played and, of my three kids, just one of them plays golf. My favorite sport at the time was motor racing – I followed all kinds of races. I also enjoy running from time to time.

3. If you could be a caddie on Tour, whose caddie would you like to be and why?

Pedro Figueiredo, on the European tour. He’s Portuguese and I have known him since he was 12.

4. Who’s the Slowest / Fastest player on tour?

There are a lot of slow players on Tour. It’s not a pleasant sight to see pros take 4 to 5 hours playing in a two-ball. It’s not a great example to set for amateurs, young golfers and for the future growth of the game.

5. Where does Pace of Play rank as an industry priority? Top 3?

Pace of play is absolutely a top-3 industry priority.

6. Why has your course decided to invest in Pace of Play?

To have better control and understanding of what is happening on the course, better service and to be known as a course with a fast pace of play.

7. So far, what have been the top benefits about having Tagmarshal to manage the field, efficiencies and the pace of play?

Tagmarshal has given us the ability to have a line of sight and full control on the course. It allows us to know where the players are, when they finish etc. We can now provide an exceptional on-course experience to our members and guests.

8. How easy is it to manage/utilize our product?

Although some of the staff is used to working the old fashioned way, Tagmarshal has been easy to use and we’re still learning more about the great features it offers.

9. How responsive are Tagmarshal Customer Experience Agents to questions or concerns about our product?

Can’t be better!

Interactive Golf Management Software To Complete The Player Experience

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There are a number of elements that go into creating an enjoyable player experience on the golf course, some of which are beyond the control of the club’s staff, while others can indeed be controllable. However, imagine having an interactive golf management software that can help you to effectively prepare, that connects you with golfers, and holds your staff and the golfer accountable in ensuring a memorable golf day.

Now you can take your customer experience to new levels with Tagmarshal’s 2Way, the leading provider of pace of play, golf management software.

From the moment the member and guest arrive at the facility, though, right through to the clubhouse restaurant or bar, constant interaction becomes vital and an opportunity exists to create unforgettable playing experiences and members and guests who feel valued.

“Our goal is to improve the experience for our guests while maximizing our revenue potential and Tagmarshal has helped us to do both. We have reduced our labor expense, increased our round capacity, and realized many operational efficiencies.” – Mike O’Reilly,PGA Head Golf Professional at Whistling Straits.

With the 2Way system, real-time data is instantly available to the staff and the players, who are accountable for the time they spend on the course. This will enable golf courses to boost their operational efficiency with enhanced course flow, leading to quicker rounds and improved service delivery.

Offering 2Way screens for carts and 2Way mobile handhelds for walkers and push trolleys, additional features include:

• Dynamic pace notifications: For advanced golfer awareness and accountability, to ensure better flow, pace and player experiences, as well as effective, non-confrontational management.
• Weather, player safety and geofence alerts: Providing smart management tools to communicate effectively and ensure player safety, player compliance and reduced turf damage.
• Range finding: System delivers accurate yardages to front, center and back of the putting surfaces.
• Course staff interaction: 2Way System allows communication between golfer and club staff members in the clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant.

Tagmarshal’s 2Way golf management software, and the smarter, self-service capabilities it provides, creates effective and frequent communication lines between staff and members and guests on the course. The intuitive frontend technology gives the golfer the power to manage and enhance their own on-course experience, while keeping staff on their toes.

Such improved awareness and management enhancements, together with opened golfer-staff communication channels, shows golfers that the club is actively seeking to improve and tailor their offering and that it values its members and guest experience and time.

Thus, maintaining a consistently superior player experience will prompt happy golfers to attract more players, especially time budget sensitive younger members, which in revenue terms will be a boost to the club’s success

A QUICK 9 WITH JOHN FIELDS – BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB

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John Fields is the Director of Golf at Belmont Country Club, a premier New England country club that marries modern amenities with a traditional country club feel. With Belmont being a new partner to adopt the Tagmarshal pace of play management platform, John shares his team’s initial experience utilizing Tagmarshal at their course.

1. Who was your golf hero growing up?

Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and, believe it or not, Tiger Woods, who was only a kid at the time, but even I could tell at the time that Tiger was something special. I used to pretend that I was playing against these guys.

2. Has golf always been your first love? What other sports/team are you a fan of?

When I was younger, I played golf as a get-away from the other four sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Track & Field) that I played as a teenager. I went to college to play Football, had an injury and started playing golf exclusively.

3. If you could be a caddie on Tour, whose caddie would you like to be and why?

Tiger Woods, I would love to get into his head and see what he sees and his approach in hitting shots that no one else has ever matched.

4. Who’s the Slowest / Fastest player on tour?

JB Holmes and Jason Day are human rain delays, while I think Dustin Johnson is probably the fastest player with the best resumé.

5. Where does Pace of Play rank as an industry priority?

I believe that it ranks and should rank as the # 1 priority. We need to make sure the game is played more quickly, so as to keep more players from thinking the game just takes too long to play.

6. Why has your course decided to invest in Pace of Play?

We needed a solution that would arm the golf staff with the best informational data to do our part in assuring that the game is played in the most efficient manner possible.

7. So far, what have been the top benefits about having Tagmarshal to manage the field, efficiencies and the pace of play?

The first thing we found, was that rounds were being played faster than initially expected. We are able to approach slower groups armed with the info to help them get back into proper position, in a manner that is polite and respected by our membership.

8. How easy is it to manage/utilize our product?

It took our staff no time to get up to speed on how to read and manage the system while learning and asking good questions from the Tagmarshal support team.

9. How responsive are Tagmarshal Customer Experience Agents to questions or concerns about our product?

The absolute best! I have not had to wait for more than a few hours for someone from the Tagmarshal team to get back to me on any issue that we have had. In all cases, they have solved our issue and educated us in the process.