Pace Aware

Awareness is the proven core component of pace-of-play. Most golfers simply are unaware of their expected location at any given time on the course. Even the most experienced golfers can get distracted during a round. Since the average player has a handicap over thirty, left unchecked and without the Personal Ranger, groups with the best intentions have the potential to fall far off pace.

The Personal Ranger is most effective when used as the primary tool in a course's broader pace-of-play policy. What are the key elements of an effective pace-of-play policy and how do you enforce them? “We recommend the following program we call SPEED, which incorporates all essential elements of an effective pace-of-play policy.

Set the expectation. 
Set realistic goals for pacing your golf course. For example, setting a 4-hour round for a championship course with little repeat play is probably unrealistic. However, you can expect permanent tee times on weekend mornings to play at a quicker pace than any first timers on your course. Also, you may want to set specific paces for cart path only days and special outings.

Provide the tool. 
The Personal Ranger is the ideal tool. Enforcing a pace expectation is difficult without a tool that empowers your golfers to objectively evaluate and meet your expectations. 

Explain the policy. 
Make yourself clear. By properly explaining your overall pace-of-play policy and how the Personal Ranger supports it, you will get buy-in from your golfers. They will leave the first tee wanting to meet your pace goal. From the tortoise to the hare, the Personal Ranger keeps every golfer on a perfect pace. 

Enforce the policy. 
Stand behind your word. While the Personal Ranger will have a positive impact by raising pace awareness, you inevitably will face the occasional groups of golfers who cannot or will not keep the pace. With such groups, you must act quickly and decisively since the faster you alleviate the problem, the better chance of those behind the problematic group getting back on pace. The Personal Ranger will quiet the group's personal position, and then you can refer them to the course policy as explained prior to starting the round.

Demand will increase.
Your reputation will improve. Consistently following the above steps will help you build a reputation as a course that cares about the value of its customers' time. On any course, a better pace means a better golfing experience. This, in turn, builds loyalty within your golfing community. You regularly will attract the best golfers–those who enjoy the game and its rules.