Why don't we play more fall golf?
Fall is usually a busy time of year for golf course
architects. Construction projects kick
in as every year play slows down after Labor Day. I was out visiting three courses last week
and it always strikes me why the courses get such little play in the fall.
I’d like to see the golf course owners make a stronger case
for golf in the fall. The weather in the
Midwest was great last week. Temps in
the mid 70’s and clear, blue skies. We
have received little rain this fall so the courses were firm and fast, just how
you’d like them. Why not promote that
and get more people out. Here’s a
comparison to golf conditions over the course of a year.
March and April – Usually the beginning of the golf season
here and golfers are eager to get out after a long winter. But course conditions are usually not the
best. The grass is just starting to grow
and the ground is still soft from the frozen turf. This gives us many mud balls and the courses
don’t play like they should. You also
have barren trees so the courses are not very attractive. Yet it still remains the one of the busiest
times of the year and a good spring can mean a great year for revenue.
May and June – These are probably the best months to golf. The days are getting longer, the weather is
getting warmer, trees are leafing out and flowers are blooming. What more can you ask for!
 |
| Pinecrest Golf and Country Club on a perfect fall day. |
July and August – Nice warm weather but sometimes it gets
too hot and humid. Courses begin to
battle diseases and dry areas. Still a
great time to get out, but not that comfortable when its 95 and 100% humidity.
September and October – To me, these months are just as good as May and June for golf. Great weather and firm
conditions. If you can get around the
aerification days, and they do this in the spring as well, you can get courses
in their best condition of the year. The
leaves are turning giving great fall color.
After a summer of playing your game is in the best shape giving
you the chance to post low numbers.
Courses need to take advantage of the fact that our fall
weather is perfect. Here’s a few things
you can do.
Promote your course to the stay at home parent. The kids are off to school so they can get
out and get in a round. Get a stay at
home league going for the month. If the
parent is a first time golfer, offer them a lesson and golf day. Since it’s not as crowded you won’t be
disturbing as many golfers.
A lot of people are going to say that courses are always
aerifying in the fall. This is true and
much needed. But if your community has a
couple courses they could complete this in different weeks. Tell your golfers to try out the other course
on the week you’re completing the work and vice versa. You’ll get less play one week, but that will
allow your staff to increase their productivity. This means completing the work faster and
giving you more time to heal.
I’m sure there are a few others, but you get the idea. Take advantage of these last days of good
weather. You got all winter to recharge
the batteries for next year.
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