Memorable Player Experiences While Delivering a Healthy ROI with Golf Cart GPS Tracking
With the help of actionable and easy to use Tagmarshal’s golf course management technology and golf cart GPS tracking system, it is now possible to elevate your operation and turn guests into repeat players. All while improving operational efficiencies, saving costs and increasing revenue.
From the moment a guest arrives at the course through until they have settled their tab at the clubhouse restaurant or bar, understanding what really matters to them and learning how to define that experience are key to creating a seamless and unique customer journey.
Time, on-course flow and experience play a critical role in the success of a golf course and how to effectively generate additional revenue through optimizing operations and enhancing the on-course experience.
The NGF annual golfer participation survey for 2018 showed that there was an increase in people who played at least one round of golf, but a decrease in total rounds played. There was, however, an increase in off-course at driving ranges, Topgolf, indoor simulators.
Although there was a decline in rounds played, these off-course golfers can act as feeders to on-course golf. Increase in rounds played though. So fewer golfers played more rounds.
Here are some other interesting facts:
- 45% of young golfers prefer to connect with golf businesses through social media
- 51% indicate social connections with businesses increase loyalty and spend
- 79% of all golfers say email still resonates
Key experience factors for golfers/measuring the experience
According to a USGA survey course conditioning (82%) and speed of play (playability) at 74% as a crucial experience. What’s great is that these factors are controllable.
Placing more focus on course conditioning, tee availability, and flow of play to deliver an exceptional player experience can go a long way in retaining valuable customers.
PGA Head Professional at Erin Hills, Jim Lombardo, “People come with high expectations, and our focus is to match those expectations, ensuring we develop and retain customers.”
“Part of our success is our well-conditioned course. But what would ruin a player’s day is standing around on the course all day, so flow and pace are extremely important to us and Tagmarshal helps us create an exceptional on-course experience,” continued Lombardo.
So it’s something that pays to really invest in because great flow and pace and consistency in terms of time, quality service delivery and how you are presenting that course equates to experience, as well as on-course and off-course amenities revenue generation opportunities.
Use Golf intelligence software (incl. Golf cart GPS) to optimize staff efficiencies
Optimization staff at peak hours, confirming operational efficiencies, and giving the on-course team the data to manage the pace and flow in a professional and objective manner are some of the immediate benefits Tagmarshal offers.
The golf course intelligence software (including Golf cart GPS) empowers managers and staff to set the pace and seamlessly manage expectations in a positive, non-confrontational manner, backed by intuitive data and analytics.
When the on-course staff is trained to be experience-managers, it becomes easier to know when and how to use the data to eliminate on-field issues before they arise, thereby optimizing the experience.
This ensures that the staff achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort.
The importance of the player experience going beyond expectations
Today, more golfers are willing to pay a premium for a faster round at an ideal tee-time slot while enjoying a good outing. Golf clubs are then obligated to giving committed golfers the experience they want.
Data learnings captured by Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS tags or 2Way mobiles, by collecting information such as guest history and player handicaps – and how it affects the pace of play – enables courses to be more efficient in their operations and meet these expectations.
This provides operational oversight and data-backed set-up. If courses are providing fast rounds they need to ensure guarantee and commitment behind giving players what they have signed up for.
USGA research shows that on-course golfer enjoyment boosts loyalty to your course and, with additional time available to spend, converts into substantial post-round pro-shop and food and beverage revenue opportunities.
In essence, Tagmarshal’s innovative and industry-leading golf course intelligence software plus golf cart GPS, streamlines operations to give players an experience that matches their expectations.
In the next part, we will look at how, with a focus on ROI, streamlined operations can reduce costs and generate additional revenue.
About Tagmarshal
Tagmarshal is a golf course intelligence and pace-of-play management solution that turns pace into an asset. The system uses small “tags” clipped onto golf bags or installed on carts which transmit geolocation data. Industry-leading algorithms identify risk groups with accurate, objective support to alleviate pace challenges before they arise. Public, private and resort courses using Tagmarshal realize substantial returns on investments through improved on-course experiences achieved with less staff as well as increases in daily rounds. Impactful and easy-to-use data analytics, weather data integration and geo-fencing complete the offering.
