Playbooks for Golf announced in 2017 its initial plans to develop a revolutionary software platform called Conditions. For the past 18 months, they have tested the product through a Beta program with leading clubs in the nation. After fantastic feedback from superintendents and golfers alike, the platform has cleared beta and is fully launched as of today. Playbooks will be debuting the finalized platform at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
Conditions app is designed to help golf course superintendents communicate critical course conditions faster and more directly with the people who matter most: members and key golf facility staff. The easy-to-use app promises to increase member satisfaction, save superintendents time—and minimize the heat they take for factors beyond their control.
“As a former superintendent, I know how challenging it can be to get the right information to the right people at the right time,” said Greg Wojick, co-owner of Playbooks for Golf. “We try everything to keep the right people informed—Twitter, Facebook, email, and even Instagram. But we can never be sure the message gets through. Conditions renders these and other forms of communication obsolete by making it possible for superintendents to share real-time course conditions and project updates at any time—quickly and easily.”
Conditions addresses one of the most challenging aspects of the superintendent’s job: avoiding the misunderstandings or misperceptions that arise when members and staff don’t fully understand the “what” and “why” of course conditions, and ensuring they actually get the message.
“Let’s say it’s been raining every other day for two consecutive months,” Wojick said. “During this time, the course is soggy and slow—even on those days when the sun is shining. The superintendent knows the reason for these less-than-ideal conditions, but the golfers don’t, and they’re grumbling. The Conditions app eliminates this situation by making it possible for golfers to check real-time conditions anytime and anywhere. They have immediate access to course conditions and project status, complete with update narratives and photography that can be made available throughout the day, week, and month.”
Playbooks for Golf co-owner, Matt Leverich, said: “The problem with all current forms of communication is that they require the golfer to visit them on their own or filtered through a social feed with all kinds of distractions. In particular, maintenance blogs and Twitter have become more of a sharing environment between turf professionals, and golfers get left behind or not engaged. With Conditions, we take the critical course information straight to golfers’ phones where they can easily see the entire operation, and get alerts via push notifications, in a great app format. Plus checking Conditions becomes part of their routine just like checking other critical apps.”
