Fall Planning's 4 R's

Autumn or fall has finally arrived and, for some, the golf season is winding down. It is tempting to just let a few things go and take some well-earned time off and maybe watch a little college football. However, with a little planning and some effort you can maximize this time of year by focusing on a few key areas of opportunity and still enjoy some amazing time off.

Did you ever notice that the four months of autumn (September, October, November and December) all end in an “R”. The savvy success driven superintendent can use this as a reminder to accomplish four important “R’s” before the winter solstice arrives.

Repair
Take a look throughout your operation and see what needs a little repair. Repair or replace handles on hand tools (how about bunker rakes), take a look at the small engines and do some preventive maintenance. Tighten bolts, change light bulbs and install that paper towel holder in the locker room. Take a little note pad with you and walk through the operation on the first day of autumn (Fall equinox) and identify the things that are in need of repair and then get out the tool box and maybe even recruit some helpers from the staff or better yet make a team building exercise out of it and give a prize for the most repairs or the most impactful repair (a free lunch can go a long way). Be creative but take a little time to repair the tools of the trade and assets that make your job easier. You will be glad you did.

Review
I usually try to fit this one in during October and that is to review either formally or informally all of my staff and direct reports performance year to date. This is a good time to take a look at employee issues and goals because the events of the season are still fresh but you still have a few months to wrap up some outstanding items before the end of the year. Take your time on this process and don’t rush through the forms/meetings and neglect the chance to truly improve the communication and relationships between you and your staff. Take this time to build a foundation or add layers of trust and achievement throughout your staff. This is also the time to coach and counsel the ones that need a little push to make it into the success zone.

Record
Perhaps of all the areas that superintendents tend to procrastinate in (especially during football season) it is the recording of those millions of details that comprise the golf season. November is the perfect time to record (and confirm) budgets, chemical application records, environmental data, profit and loss statements, goals (personal and professional) and the list goes on and on. Documentation or recording is so important to the successful superintendent on many levels but I assure you that even the most revered superintendent occasionally needs a reminder to double check the accuracy and accessibility of their critical information so remember to record your data in November, you will be thankful that you did.

Rest/Recover
The last of our four “R’s” of autumn planning.  It has been a long year full of peaks and valleys and now you have arrived and it’s December, the holiday season and you must take some time to personally rest and recover in order to renew your strength. This is a must if you plan to be at your professional best for the upcoming year. I know it’s tempting to work every day, especially for a golf course superintendent,  but life is too short not to fill it with adventure beyond the course. When December arrives do the things that make you happy. Relax, take a vacation see family and friends or check something off your bucket list. Commit the last part of the year to investing yourself and the things and people that matter most to you. Make the last month of the year the best month of all so that before the Winter solstice arrives make sure you are well rested and recovered from the year’s challenges and triumphs. There will be time to stress over golf course issues in January but that is another story.

Be sure to focus on the four “R’s” (repair, review, record and rest/recover) as you start the transition into shorter days and cooler temperatures. Remember to always plan the work and work the plan and may you find success in every season as you make your way through the winding road that is the golf course management profession.