The best superintendents are golfers? Yes or No

[Charlie Goerges]

You don’t need to create a shot to see the result.

A totally true statement. And yet still not a reason to keep the super off the golf course in a playing capacity.

[A.G._Crockett]

I have been a club member one place or another for a little over 40 years now.  I think every super I’ve ever had has played, and I love seeing them on the course.


Two cool stories:  The longtime super at my club left to take the head job at another club in the area where his father had been the super forever.  As soon as he left us, he joined, and is one the MGA Board, plays in many of the tournaments, and is a valued member and respected player.  The other one was last year in the annual Turkey Shoot tournament, a combination Texas scramble and Tough Day.  The super, an assistant super, and two other guys from the crew played in the tournament using Gators as their golf carts.  It was incredibly cool, and I didn’t hear a single member express anything but pleasure about it.  It’s a good club.

[Adrian_Stiff]

Its a plus.

[David Cronan]

At one of the clubs I've belonged to, the longtime Super (25+years) didn't play. He also wasn't the hardest working guy as he routinely would clock in around 9:30 each morning. To be fair, while the Club was a full membership, it was one of the most laid back places on earth. For some reason, I was appointed Green Chair and, at one point, an employee of the USGA had scheduled a site visit at the Club. The Super didn't tell me but the Head Pro informed me. So I made arrangements to be there for the morning for an education. It was the Super, Head Pro, USGA employee and me. It was apparent the USGA guy wasn't impressed with the Super and as we went around the course he eventually pulled out a Stimpmeter. As we walked on to the flattest green on the course, he USGA guy asked the Super what the greens were rolling at that day. Without so much as second's hesitation, the Super responded "10.5-11". The HP raised his eyebrows, as the course was never known for particularly fast green. After 2 rolls on the Stimp, the USGA guy announced, "7".


The Super that replaced the aforementioned Super played a great deal, usually at dusk, and was constantly inspecting the course and potential hole locations. He and the HP played at least at night, at least once a week. The reasoning behind it was that the HP was the conduit to the membership and heard the complaints/comments/compliments from the members as soon as they came off the course. The new Super didn't want to bombard the membership with correspondence, so he set up a Facebook page with updates, tips, etc, which went over well.

[Tom_Doak]

The first caveat is that most of us in the golf business no longer play nearly as much as we once did.  The toll of working so many hours on the course is pretty hard, and if you've got a family, it's hard to find time for fun golf afterward.


I have known some very good superintendents who don't play golf, but most of the best ones I've known loved to play.  [Selection bias:  it is also much easier to become friends with the ones who like to play.]  Personally, I think if you don't play you have a different standard for yourself -- turf that looks great instead of turf that plays great.  Sadly, most American clubs value the former over the latter.

[John Kavanaugh]

Can anyone give a single example of something a member can tell his superintendent that they didn’t already know?

[Ira Fishman]

JK,


I had the same thought. There may be a time where I hit it so far off line that I "discovered" something, but of course it was not relevant for anyone else. We have a great young Super who does not get to play very often because he has a young family. But he is all over the course all of the time and chats with any interested member whenever he can.


Ira

[Kalen Braley]

JK,

While I agree with your last statement....  a wise Super (or any Manager for that matter) would do well to communicate informally and frequently with the membership to learn what's on their mind and gain a sense of what they value. And even if what they want is lush, green, and soft conditions in the middle of summer, at least you know and can try to get ahead of it.

[Tim Martin]

The supers that don’t play are the outliers.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Can anyone give a single example of something a member can tell his superintendent that they didn’t already know?

Speaking with members does a few important things. It lets members know that he is interested in what they think. He fosters good relationships with the membership. He is reminded of what differing handicaps value. Whenever he would talk with me, I would reinforce the value of good bunker maintenance.  I liked how he maintained them. Sometimes, he would ask about green speed. You seldom can get too much information, but you don't always have to follow their advice.  I did similar things in the parish. Sometimes, parishioners would ask why we did this thing or that thing. I could explain why we did it. I wanted to know what they valued.

[David Cronan]

Can anyone give a single example of something a member can tell his superintendent that they didn’t already know?

Yeah. "If you don't start showing up before 9:30, you'll need to start looking for a new job."

[M. Shea Sweeney]

 Personally, I think if you don't play you have a different standard for yourself -- turf that looks great instead of turf that plays great.  Sadly, most American clubs value the former over the latter.

Makes sense![size=78%] [/size]

[John Kavanaugh]

Can anyone give a single example of something a member can tell his superintendent that they didn’t already know?

I did similar things in the parish. Sometimes, parishioners would ask why we did this thing or that thing. I could explain why we did it. I wanted to know what they valued.

I once asked my priest why he took a vow of celibacy. Three months later he quit the priesthood.

[Chris Tritabaugh]

Good topic. Most of the supts I know play at least some amount of golf. I know both extreme's, those who play all the time and those who play never.


I enjoy playing much more than I have time to play. My time after work is dedicated to my family, so I only play during work hours. Sorry to those who may feel that is 'playing during work time.' The past two years, I have often (once or twice a week) gone out to play early, before the first tee time with just my irons and putter. I play from the forward tees and play either the front or back nine and I always walk. I've always wanted to do this with regularity, but have made it a priority lately.


I usually play by myself, but have been joined for various rounds by the HP, GM, our equipment manager and green committee members. I also walk the course quite a bit, so I don't feel the need to play to see the course, but it's an enjoyable way to observe the course.


It is probably better than not for a supt to play golf, but it is by no means essential. Good examples have been given of supts who don't play and have been successful. 

[William_G]

 Personally, I think if you don't play you have a different standard for yourself -- turf that looks great instead of turf that plays great.  Sadly, most American clubs value the former over the latter.

exactly