Private clubs - "adopting a hole"

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

If you teach everyone to always fix 1 extra ball mark on every green and to leave bunkers better than you found them then this isn't necessary. One pro said, you may have hit that green and made a pitch mark, but the people playing behind you will think you did while you are fixing a mark!

[just plain bill]

i think it's a point of pride, taking care of the course/courses i play...i dont play private courses, but i like to take a few moments to fix a coupla pitch marks anywhere i do play...i even pick up loose trash if i'm near it, like a cup that got away due to wind....no big deal at all....just keeping the experience/course nice...

[Chomper]

I agree w the premise - I take a lot of pride in my course as a member, and want it to play well for me, for other members, and for guests.

 

I may propose a similar thing to our gm and see what he says!

[Zjurich]

why not just start a caddie program?

[Zjurich]

i think it's a point of pride, taking care of the course/courses i play...i dont play private courses, but i like to take a few moments to fix a coupla pitch marks anywhere i do play...i even pick up loose trash if i'm near it, like a cup that got away due to wind....no big deal at all....just keeping the experience/course nice...

 

The game needs more people like you

[just plain bill]

not THAT big a deal, lol...but the game and the courses we play it on need to be babied... :)

[deadsolid...shank]

I'm starting to see a lot of unfixed ball marks and divots not replaced or sanded at our private. It's getting frustrating. There's been a pretty good push for members the last couple of years and the number has increased. I really don't know if it's the new members causing this or if it's just a coincidence, but it's not good.

 

Seems like I'm fixing numerous ball marks every green and sanding divots on the tee box. Unfortunately I don't carry enough sand to take care of the divots in the fairway.

[Roadking2003]

Its your course you should take care of it, it shouldn't come to a point where this has to happen. It's not that hard to fix 3 or 4 pitch marks on the greens or fill an extra divot with sand. A couple of up here have it based on your last name you're supposed to fix an extra mark or two on x hole. (i.e. Last name starts with W you fix on 4&16)

 

I agree. I always empty my sand bucket and sometimes two in 18 holes. If I'm waiting in the fairway, I walk around and fill divots.

 

Peer pressure is the best lever. If my buddy doesn't fill his divot I grab my sand and tell him "I'll fill your divot for you". Pretty soon they will remember.

 

On the green, I fix any ball marks I see. But our members are pretty good at fixing ball marks and our greens are firm so this is rarely a problem.

[scottc25]

I average fixing 5 ball barks per green at my course. I think all the old people can't bend down or something. Pet peeve #2 is them driving about 3 feet away from the green surface.

[caniac6]

I have a turf degree, but quit the golf buisness about 20 years ago. My experience was with the old Penncross Bentgrass. The course where I am a member has Crenshaw Bentgrass, and I have never seen more ball marks. Another course I play has A1/A4 Bent, and they don't seem to mark up as much. I was wondering if some of the new hybrids show more damage than others?

[Pepperturbo]

I'm not a private club member so I don't understand the dynamic. This is actually a unique study in incentives. If this club incentivizes maintaining just one hole doesn't it also, by way of default, deincentivize the practice of taking care of the other 17 holes? The incentive to repair divots and ball marks on other holes is lost because someone else may reap the benefit of your actions by way of the $50 credit. If it were my club, I would be more in favor of a maintenance day with incentives to show up and help (open tap for 90 minutes, swag, etc.)

 

I teach college-level economics so this scenario may make its way on to a free-response question come September.

 

The idea is after the days play get a number of members working on each hole. Obviously, it benefits course condition and helps course superintendent, also creates member interaction, but has no bearing on competition. Having been on the committee that decides issues like this, I would NEVER support offering incentives.

 

Membership and club culture is, in itself, the incentive. Members should be proud of their club facilities and take a limited degree of ownership though supportive activities. Of course, equity club members see ownership literally so get more involved.

[Petethreeput]

We do it. The response wasn't great, in fact, I didn't sign up for it. I empty 2-4 sand bottles a round. Like Powermatt mentioned it actually occurred to me my vigilance on other holes might diminish.

 

Also, in morning or evening light when the sun is low you can see EVERY pitch mark. I think many of the unrepaired marks are left by seniors. Not because they are lazy, but bc they aren't as deep and can't be seen as easily. Some of the older women will tell you they don't make any marks, but of course they do. They just aren't visible until the sun is lower.

 

Lastly, a $50 credit isn't enough. If Freakonomics is to be believed a small incentive in the future isn't enough to keep interest. Likewise, pride is more motivation than $50 to a club member. Our program is incentive free and I think it is OK, but not great, but I prefer it to a small credit.

[Jonesey07]

Even better idea. Get non-members to go out and the reward is a free round at the course. =)

[TheDailyDuffer]

can't wait for next months "Adopt a Meal". 4 members will be asked to volunteer each day to bring food from their own houses, and cook it at the club for everyone to enjoy.