Tom, everybody in their line of work has strengths and areas of opportunity (weaknesses....don't like that word). In my case I use my love for the game of golf to help me better communicate and build relationships with members and fellow superintendents.
The way I look at it is that I am providing ever changing end product to a group of customer’s everyday. That end product is not some type of material thing that they take home with them when they leave the property it is the experience. Much like the experience of going to a fine restaurant. If I never, or almost never, experience what I am supposed to be delivering how can I sincerely have a meaningful conversation with the customer about their experience?
When I play golf with a group of members I always seem to learn something new in terms of how they look at the golf course or what their concerns are, which are often very different from mine. Sometime their concerns are legitimate and it is something I need to pay more attention to and sometimes the concerns are based on misinformation or not a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve. This time on the golf course allows me to disseminate and receive a lot of good information first hand directly to and from the customer. Everyone almost always walks away with a better understanding. Just like anybody playing customer golf I have a captive audience for four plus hours and it is a great opportunity to get my message across.
Also, right or wrong, being an avid golfer gives me instant credibility with most members. They know that I play in GAP events, Superintendent events, and that I try to play as many different courses as I can each year. I truly believe that, that credibility has always helped me sell my programs or approach to golf course management. For instance, if I am discussing F/F conditions, personally I am more convincing when I can relate to my own experiences as a player, not as a superintendent.
Just taking time to pay different courses has allowed me the opportunity to see and learn form other facilities. It helps me stay current by knowing what is going on in the world of golf around me. Lat year I played 27 new courses that I have not played before and in over half of the circumstances I got to spend time with the superintendent for a little info share session. One example was last October after experiencing Fishers Island for the first time I lucky enough to corner Donnie Beck for a quick info share session. Although sitting by the clubhouse in the late afternoon talking turf and course restoration with Donnie was so enjoyable it didn't feel like work, I did leave with a lot a of good information not to mention feeling very motivated.
This is just a couple examples as there are many more. Need to get back to work. I am sure you get the point.
Back to the topic on Supers and playability. I would say more and more superintendents today, than anytime in recent history, are placing playability ahead of aesthetics. Ideally sound agronomics comes first, then playability, and third would be aesthetics.