In a world confounded with details doesn’t it make sense to simplify whenever or whatever you can? Wouldn’t it be grand if you always had a handle on what the golf population wanted at your course in the way of maintenance? Do you dread the budgeting process and sometimes lack appropriate details to support spending in areas of the maintenance operation?
Developing maintenance standards, labor studies, operational budgets and an adequate long-range plan is time consuming but so essential to a superior golf course operation. However, once completed it can add clarity and simplify your maintenance procedures. Today a successful superintendent must be a savvy businessperson and should have a solid, detailed business plan. The linkage between time studies, golf course standards, yearly operational budgets and long-range plans is critical to sustaining a properly managed course.
Think of a well-drafted set of standards as goals for the methodical daily practices that prepare the course each day and that maintain the level of conditioning and grooming required. These standards formally spell out what should be done to achieve conditions at the golf course that are most valued by the golfers.
The necessity to set standards
There are many reasons to formalize a set of maintenance standards. As committees and decision makers change from year-to-year, a set of standards will assure continuity and help guard against "pet projects" that deviate from normal operational standards.
Standards will also uncover what’s important to golfers. As an example, perhaps edging cart paths is important to you for a certain look, yet golfers may not be concerned with edged cart paths and would rather see that labor spent on an extra weekly mowing of green surrounds.
Another item that tends to get attention is the request to "take the course to the next level." With good standards in place a superintendent can illustrate the necessary steps and cost required to achieve an increase in grooming and conditioning necessary to accomplish that "next level" of course conditioning.
Golf maintenance budget cutbacks have become a reality in this economy. However, primary play areas should be properly maintained. Standards can help determine what level of maintenance is required and what cost benefits can be achieved with fewer cycles of maintenance and other inputs in those out-of-play areas.
Carefully draft the best standards
Most superintendents already have standards, perhaps not written, but standards nevertheless. For instance, in season, the greens are mowed six times per week, at .110 of an inch, with a Toro Greensmaster Flex 18, in four different directions alternately, by six workers in two and one half hours. Is it possible to refine these routine practices, elaborate on them and take them to the next step, such as height of cut during shoulder seasons, chemical applications, cultivation and rolling? Apply ongoing practices and record those in document form and voila, you will have a set of standards.
Maintenance standards don’t have to limit creativity or hamper the ability to manage and react to day-to-day issues. The standards can be written to quantify what needs to be cared for on a daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual basis. If established, standards will keep everyone on the same page and this is important when considering the many moving parts of a golf course maintenance regime. Be sure to include a section dealing with abnormal weather conditions that may facilitate a deviation from planned standards.
The linkage: Standards, labor and budgets
The link between the standard of maintenance and labor is unmistakable. Labor hours are the engine that drives course grooming, conditions and standards upward. The more intense the golf maintenance standards, the higher the maintenance cost. However, as a businessperson and superintendent you must have knowledge on costs to accomplish an individual standard. If a decision maker wants to make budget cuts to achieve a certain dollar amount, the superintendent armed with the cycle time and cost analysis for routine tasks can advise which areas would be of less impact to the player to accomplish these budget goals. Thus, reduction of costs can be achieved in a manner that least effects play and is agreed upon by all parties concerned. The standards in this case are the guide to labor expense and can justify appropriate allocation or reduction of resources.
Start at the beginning
To survey or not to survey.
Starting fresh with a membership survey of a club’s golfers is helpful in developing a first draft of standards. Much has been proven about surveys and their value both in the positive and negative. A survey should be conducted by an outside company with experience specific to the golf business. A short membership-player survey will open eyes to issues that may have been undiscovered. Golfers who play away from home often do experience different conditions in contrast to their home course. If a majority of golfers require a condition that can be easily obtained, it may be wise to create a standard to fulfill this condition or practice.Mission and vision.
Standards should include a brief vision statement, for what the aspirations of the golf course are. Keep it simple; just one short paragraph should describe what is important for course maintenance in the greater context of the club’s mission.Special seasonal conditions.
Standards and job tasks might have a dedicated season, heights of cut and cycle times change from spring, summer and fall a guideline of seasons may be appropriate for the course.In summary
Establishing golf course maintenance standards helps maintain proper levels of maintenance, allocates labor and supplies appropriately and provides continuity of maintenance from year-to-year and helps guide decision makers with established guidelines.
Successful, well-managed courses are not managed by trial and error. Much planning is involved and good communication at all levels is critical. A clear and concise understanding of expectations is essential to exist between superintendent, decision makers and players. Course standards are an essential piece of the puzzle that establishes golf course success.
GCIContributor Michael Vogt is head of McMahon Group’s golf division.
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