HOW GOLF CART TRACKING AND OPTIMIZATION TECHNOLOGY INCREASES EFFICIENCY
With the rise of golf cart tracking and optimization technology, courses can increase labor efficiency and manage operations more effectively.
As a result, golfers now expect to see a steady improvement in both the player experience and the pace and flow of play.
In an increasingly difficult labor market, with costs rising and qualified candidates harder to come by, Tagmarshal’s industry-leading optimization software gives management and staff the ability to streamline operations without compromising on exceptional levels of service.
Tagmarshal is currently trusted by more than 35 of the top 100 US courses and more than 500 private, daily fee and resort courses in total, including many $30 to $50 courses.
GOLF CART TRACKING AND 2WAY 8INCH CART SCREENS
Making use of military-grade accuracy for the most precise golf cart tracking possible, Tagmarshal’s 2Way 8inch cart screens provide a revolutionary line of sight solution to on-course management.
With a real-time course view paired with optimization data, within the best-in-class Analytics Hub, management can improve pace and flow of play, uncover efficiencies and generate additional revenue.
LABOR EFFICIENCY
Modern course operations require intelligent solutions to help smaller teams achieve more with fewer resources.
Effective marshaling has traditionally been highly labor-intensive and inefficient, with marshals reactively patrolling the field and seeking out slower playing groups. Worse still, interactions with these groups can negatively affect the player experience when there is little to no data to inform the discussion.
THE ROLE OF GOLF CART TRACKING
Using golf cart tracking data from Tagmarshal’s 2Way 8inch devices, management has full operational oversight of where groups are and can monitor pace and flow of play in real time.
Algorithms identify potential issues arising on the course before they affect field flow, with different color icons on the Tagmarshal dashboard used to represent each group and their adherence to pace of play goal times. This can be viewed on multiple devices, including tablets and phones, by a single person in the pro shop or on the move.
The position of each marshal is also available on the system map and the tracking shows which routes they have taken and how long they spent in each area.
“Tagmarshal provides us with a bird’s eye view of our operations, helping us to manage field flow and to allocate resources effectively, based on data.”
Jeff Simonds, Assistant GM and Senior Director of Operations Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Whereas a team of marshals was previously required, messages can now be sent directly to specific playing groups to encourage them to get back in position. The 2Way 8inch cart screens also promote self-policing as the icons indicating pace of play are clearly visible on the screen.
Should the issue continue, a marshal can be sent directly to engage with the group, armed with objective data from the software. This ensures that discussions remain neutral and brief, with players aware of their pace each time they check yardage to the pin on the cart screens.
Clubs and courses can develop a clear pace of play policy that is accessible to golfers – for example, via mailers or through display in the clubhouse – who then self-manage accordingly.
Resources are thus freed up to ensure that high-impact player experience touchpoints can be prioritized.
GAP INTERVAL MANAGEMENT VIA GOLF CART TRACKING
Optimal gap intervals differ from course to course, depending on factors such as the layout and type of course.
In addition, certain times of the day and week tend to play quicker, which can be identified from data gathered via golf cart tracking technology. These periods create opportunities for tighter gap intervals and thus increased tee sheet capacity, immediately generating additional revenue.
“The data has helped us to gain tee times and increase our capacity. That is incredibly valuable to us.”
Devin Gee, Oakmont Country Club
Tagmarshal’s technology also tracks and measures starter accuracy. The optimization software is able to quickly and automatically analyze whether starter accuracy has had a negative impact on round time.
Private courses that optimize gap intervals to increase tee sheet capacity benefit by offering members greater opportunities to play themselves, as well as bring guests. This leads to a more satisfied member base and ultimately greater retention.
The software is also integrated with the likes of GolfWeather, so course management can monitor and adjust interval goals as weather conditions shift.
SUPERINTENDENT MAINTENANCE EFFICIENCY
Golf course owners and operators polled for the 2022 NGCOA Pulse report named course conditioning as the most crucial factor to player experience. Similarly, the USGA found that 82% of players listed it as an important enjoyment factor.
As a result, a large portion of a course’s annual budget is usually assigned to conditioning, and increased operational efficiency in this area can reap sizable savings.
Tagmarshal’s technology provides efficient, cost-effective and scalable solutions to a multitude of maintenance and conditioning issues.
“The system is phenomenal. The data is fantastic, extremely insightful and valuable. Plus the value it adds on due diligence and management reporting. The service and support has been great too, couldn’t ask for better. I really can’t see any course out there not using it.”
Jim Morris, Head Golf Professional National Golf Links of America
HEATMAP VISUALIZATION
Superintendents are able to utilize Tagmarshal’s heatmap visualization, compiled using geolocation data via the software, as a critical component to aid better decision-making.
By identifying gaps in play on the course in real-time, maintenance occurs during the day, rather than after-hours, in a way that doesn’t impact on the player experience.
The heatmap visualization also provides a data-based representation of wear patterns and cart path use, highlighting parts of the course where maintenance efforts need to be prioritized.
The optimization software offers superintendents an aerial course view of mow patterns and the movement of maintenance teams and machinery. This is extremely useful in identifying areas where operational efficiencies are possible, such as reduced spend on irrigation where it isn’t necessary.
Highly detailed maps allow for zooming in to see specific greens and fairways for precise solutions with maximum efficiency.
With optimization technology, Tagmarshal’s system is the ideal tool to ensure course conditioning is maintained while adhering to sustainable management and cost practices.
USING GOLF CART TRACKING TO SET UP GEOFENCING ALERTS
With so many carts on a course at any given time, ensuring golfers remain on designated paths and avoid restricted areas becomes increasingly tricky.
Rather than using valuable labor resources to drive compliance, Tagmarshal’s software gives management the opportunity to create automated geofencing alerts.
Appearing on Tagmarshal’s 2Way 8inch cart screens in the event of a breach, alerts can be set to low, medium or high priority.
Management is also notified so they can actively monitor the cart’s position, with the option to send a marshal or call the group in question if the situation isn’t promptly resolved.
“I do not know how we could not have Tagmarshal until now. It is a great tool that is allowing us to optimize the job of our Marshals, monitor pace of play, control restricted areas on the golf course and be able to make decisions based on information.”
Agustin Mazarrasa, General Manager Real Club de Golf Sotogrande
Players must acknowledge receipt of the alert in order to make use of other 2Way cart screen features, such as yardage to the pin, and have the ability to request assistance to adhere to geofencing regulations if so required.
The geofencing boundaries are not static and can be easily adjusted to react to weather conditions, areas that may be under maintenance and other factors. Alerts can be set based on variables such as time of the day, days of the week and tournament needs, and toggled on and off via the Analytics Hub.
F&B ORDERING FROM THE CARTS
As player movement is monitored in real-time by the golf cart tracking system, course owners and operators can prompt F&B orders at specific locations.
When the cart enters the fairway on the 8th hole, for example, an automated alert can be set up to notify golfers that they can place their orders for the halfway house.
THE BENEFITS HERE ARE MULTIFOLD:
- Kitchen staff can prepare ahead of time and function optimally, increasing order capacity
- Increased player spend due to cart screen alert prompts
- Increased pace of play as players spend less time at the halfway house, arriving when their order is ready
- This allows for more time to be spent at the pro shop, generating additional revenue
- On-course bottlenecks around the halfway house are avoided
- Front of house staff are freed up to ensure the service experience is optimized
The 2Way cart screens show the full menu, customizable to display daily specials and promotions, with the touchscreen making it easy to complete the order process.
“I see Tagmarshal as another employee, getting stuff done, freeing up time for our team to focus on other tasks.”
Kevin Paschall, Owner and Operator Serenoa
In addition, as the golf cart tracking software builds out specific player profiles, staff can tailor services based on preferences. This personal touch is great for increasing loyalty from club members, as well as encouraging guests and daily fee course players to return.
ABOUT TAGMARSHAL
Tagmarshal’s industry-trusted software, which has tracked in excess of 25 million rounds to date, provides proactive field management and data insights that drive optimization and efficiency.
The advantage of using precise, real-time golf cart tracking to optimize on-course operations is recognized by the likes of Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, Forest Glen, Baltusrol and Erin Hills, all of which are seeing excellent results using Tagmarshal’s technology.
To learn more about how Tagmarshal’s golf cart tracking software increases efficiency while enhancing the player experience, as well as boosting revenue, email contact@tagmarshal.com or visit www.tagmarshal.com/roi.
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