Last week, the forum saw a rich tapestry of discussions ranging from the practical to the philosophical. Members were particularly engaged in sharing strategies for selecting the best continuing education credits, with a focus on sustainable golf course design. There was also a lively debate on the role of CEUs in improving course conditioning. On the lighter side, we explored the impact of snack cart operations on the golfing experience, and members shared their opinions on which golf course truly embodies the spirit of the game.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Best CE credits for sustainable course design
This thread dives into how continuing education can influence the future of course architecture, especially in terms of sustainability. It’s a must-read for those looking to make a positive environmental impact. Read more here
CEUs that actually improve conditioning
Members are exchanging ideas on which continuing education units have tangible benefits for course conditioning. It’s an insightful discussion for anyone looking to enhance their course management skills. Read more here
Snack cart slowdown is statistically real
A fascinating dive into the statistics behind snack cart operations, shedding light on how they affect the pace of play. This could change the way you think about mid-round refreshments. Read more here
Which course defines golf’s soul
A philosophical exploration that asks a simple yet profound question: which course truly captures the essence of golf? The answers might surprise you. Read more here
Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions. Have a great week ahead!
At our muni, we cut snack cart slowdowns by switching to pre-orders via a QR on the 5th tee and scheduling the cart to hit 6/7/14 at:15 past the hour — average pace improved about 6 minutes per group. Learned the scheduling trick in a ‘CEUs’ module on sustainable ops; only caveat is training the driver to skip par-3 greens when two groups are waiting.
And we started a “ten-and-go” rule: max 90 seconds per group at the cart, then they get a claim sticker and the cart catches them at 10 tee or 11 fairway, which shaved 8–10 minutes off turn backups. It works best when @RangerDave rides shotgun on weekends; the caveat is you need stickers and a POS that can split tickets — otherwise it feels like chasing a taco truck.
Quick fix that helped us: we made the cart tap-to-pay only and trimmed the menu to five grab-and-go items from 9:30–1:30; average waits dropped without chasing anyone. I like the timing idea, @Guide, but add a small sign — “no custom drinks before the turn” — because , blender orders stall everything, though a couple cash-only regulars grumbled.
Piggybacking on @alex_carter93’s timing idea, we added a simple red/green bag tag — flip to red if you don’t want service — and the driver skips you, which nudged pace up without dinging sales; only snag was wind flipping tags, so we switched to a spring clip — a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on wheels. Worth a try?