Keep up the pace

John Shortt looks at a new system available for golf clubs to monitor & correct pace of play

We all know that pace of play is an issue and the GUI have done, and continue to do their part to try and help clubs combat the issue. However, for any real change to have a lasting impact all golfers need to adhere to the time restrictions and correct themselves where necessary. Easier said than done! A revolutionary new system called Tagmarshal has been introduced to monitor pace of play and identify problem groups on course, looking to turn Pace of Play into an opportunity for a better member and guest experience as well as improving operational efficiencies and revenue.

The system is very successfully in operation at a number of clubs around the world notably Erin Hills (venue for the recent US Open), Whistling Straits, Valhalla and Kiawah Island. It has now made its way to Ireland and is in use at Ballybunion and Trump Doonbeg and it will be announced at a number of other clubs around the country shortly and it certainly seems like a reliable and unintrusive way to combat pace of play.

So what is it? Well, essentially Tagmarshal is a small tag which is affixed to a golf buggy, a golf bag or a caddy and it monitors the pace of a group of golfers around the course in real time. The technology is relayed through the system and is displayed on a laptop in the clubhouse for the management team or in the proshop and can also be displayed on iPads or tablets for the course ranger or starter etc. They can then see live feedback of where the problem is and they can go straight to the problem group and assist them.

BENEFITS:

1) The club can reduce the amount of hours and manpower required for ranging and can manage the system from the first tee or pro shop

2) The club can improve playing experiences for members and visitors without having any negative affect on their customers

3) Trouble group(s) identified by the system’s algorithms can be pinpointed and dealt with quickly and easily

4) Trouble group(s) can be approached with the iPad showing all data which is indisputable so the awkward ‘please speed up’ conversation is averted

5) The club can provide an accurate ‘round time’ at any time of the day for prospective green fee visitors or member wishing to play

6) Any slow players will know that they are being monitored in advance which will encourage them to play a little faster and not be the source of a hold-up

7) The tags are small and can be affixed to a golf bag or placed in a pocket so have no impact on players. They can be located via GPS and geofences alert if one is taken off course by accident, so they can be located easily

8) The system is relatively inexpensive to implement and once in place it can provide a wide variety of additional benefits to the club

9) It is easy to use with problem groups highlighted in red with other slow groups (where it isn’t their fault) highlighted in yellow and all others showing in green.

10) For busy courses the system can add much needed tee times at key points in the day where traditionally things slow down. It can also reduce overall round times, keep players happier, enhance the player experience and ultimately help the club be more profitable.

All in all it seems like a wonderful system and having had the chance to use it on a number of occasions both at home and abroad IGM are delighted to say that Tagmarshal ticks all the boxes. The feedback from golfers, club managers and other club staff has been overwhelmingly positive and once you’re on time you forget it’s there, but if you start falling behind it definitely encourages you to get back on track.

For more information on the system visit www.tagmarshal.com or contact Stephen Knoop on stephen.knoop@tagmarshal.com

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