Hendren from Hendren’s Hyperbole here! Glad you decided to take a minute to read this week’s post. I have had a great week… so far. I got to play Creekmoor Golf Course, a fairly new course in my area, this last Saturday. Creekmoor is located in Raymore, Mo., and is a great track. It is 7,200+ from the tips, not that I played from the tips. I actually played alright considering the amount of beer that was consumed and how hard the wind was blowing. So I guess I didn’t play very well if I need two excuses for my performance.
Congratulations to David Toms for his win last week at Colonial. It takes some serious stones and intestinal fortitude to lose in a playoff one week and come back the next week the way he did. If my math is correct this is Toms’ thirteenth win on the PGA Tour and first since 2006. The win places him 4th in the Fed Ex Cup standings. Nice work David!
Listen, I’m sure there isn’t one guy who hasn’t wanted to get in a quick round on a Saturday morning and still get home to knock off a few items on your wife’s honey-do-list, but in the end decided not to play due to the simple fact that it is next to impossible to get in a round under 4.5 to 5 hours. I’m sure we all know the feeling of weighing a round of golf versus the wrath that is going to be waiting for us at home after a long round and what your wife considers a wasted day.
Well, Angel Park Golf Club in Vegas has implemented a policy that makes everyone a winner. The following is from a press release from Angel Park Golf Club:
ANGEL PARK GOLF CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW EXPRESS LANE TEE TIMES
First five tee times on Saturday mornings set aside for golfers who agree to finish in at least 3 hours and 45 minutes
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Angel Park Golf Club now provides Express Lane tee times on one of its two 18-hole golf courses each Saturday morning to golfers who commit to finishing 18 holes in 3 hours and 45 minutes or less. Although the exact times vary with the season, currently the five Express Lane tee times are from 7 am to 7:28 am.
“One of the things we consistently hear throughout the golf world is that it takes too long to play,” said Greg Brockelman, Director of Golf at Angel Park. “In an effort to combat this issue, we created Express Lane. The reality is that most people live very busy lives. Whether it’s trying to catch up at work or other responsibilities at home, people have a hard time carving out five hours to play a round of golf. Not to mention that some golfers just like to play fast.”
To ensure that there is no misunderstanding, the reservationist reminds the guest when they book their tee time that they must maintain at least a 3-hour 45-minute pace. A note is placed in their golf car, and the starter provides a final mention. They also sign an agreement stating that if they fail to maintain pace, their round may be interrupted to accommodate faster play. This interruption could include moving them to the other golf course, moving them forward into position, or moving them backwards behind the last Express Lane reservation. While every attempt is made to avoid an interruption, Angel Park must honor the agreement it made with the other Express Lane golfers (i.e. 3-hour 45-minute finish times, guaranteed).
“We love it,” said Las Vegas resident, Lowell Masters. “It’s a win-win situation for us. We can tee it up in the morning, and get back to the house with the entire day still ahead of us.”
I think this is a great idea and a great way to attract new business to your club! We all know how important it is to set your club apart from the competition and this is a great way to do that at no cost to the club’s bottom line.
I wish I had thought of this idea. If I would have I might have a life-size statue of myself next to the putting green! Probably not, but hey, a guy can dream can't he?!?
What are some ideas you have instituted at your course to help speed up the pace of play? Leave me a comment and let me know what works or possibly didn’t work for you and your course.
--Matt Hendren
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