Tackle slow play with Course Ranger technology
Slow play is costly for golf clubs but a Kerry-based company believes it has a viable and affordable solution.
Course Ranger, the pace-of-play technology powered by the Swatch Group, will allow reduced round times and a better flow around the golf course.
Officially launched at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, the Course Ranger system is based on a simple concept — tell golfers their pace of play at each hole and let them adjust their pace before it becomes a real problem.
The golf club manager will then be able to see who’s on the course, where they are and decide whether or not assistance is needed from staff to speed up a particular group.
Course Ranger’s solar powered post and long life intelligent tag straps (the membership tags traditionally attached to a golfer's bag) allow for minimum on course visual impact and disruption during installation.
Solar powered post
With no change to the input from the golfer, except carrying their member’s tags as usual, the system allows for easy integration with members as they renew their annual club membership subscription.
The system offers comprehensive, live data analytics of what is happening on the course, such as who plays the course and how often.
The Course Ranger app allows staff to monitor the positioning and pace of play of all groups.
The system will facilitate an increase in green fee revenues and reduce round times, while enhancing the golfing experience for members and visitors alike.
Slow play poses a real threat to the future and sustainability of the game globally.
Pace of play can also have a significant negative effect on a golfer off the course in terms of work and family commitments.
Killarney's Peter Dunlea, CEO of Course Ranger, said: “Our Course Ranger system is quick and easy to install for host golf clubs. With features that offer multiple pace of play settings, all golf clubs will be able to find the correct round time that will allow all golfers flow through the golf course and enjoy the benefits that come from that.
"The visual aspect of the Course Ranger technology can easily integrate into a golf club surrounds, whether using the mini post or signal, the correct placement will have minimal impact on the presentation of the course.
"Customisation of design is also available to protect and integrate with any golf club’s company brand and logo.
"The real business benefits for golf clubs with the Course Ranger system will be made clearly visible by the availability of additional tee times, resulting in increased green fee revenue.
"The most significant benefits of all is the increased membership and visitor satisfaction, which is greatly enhanced by the smooth running of play on the course.
"A happy customer means return business and a chance of more spend when in the club.
"For golf club management an important feature is the detailed statistical information that Course Ranger provides to golf clubs, allowing them to extract a wide range of data regarding their membership playing profile and the effect that certain course lay outs may have on pace of play, hole by hole.”
Course Ranger Pace of Play technology is available for a 12-month free trial simply by signing up at the Course Ranger booth, located at 3718 at the 2017 PGA Golf Merchandising Show, Orange County Convention Centre from 25-27 January.
The 12-month Free Trial allows golf clubs and their course management teams an opportunity to install and successfully use the Pace of Technology before committing.
