6/25/2025
Earlier today the grounds crew completed a project to install new turf next to the cart path at the 10th tee. A few other places will be fixed this week, as we attend to a few areas worn over time by regular traffic.
With increased play in recent years, and some general member feedback lately, the Member Relations Committee spent some last week discussing...well, "member relations things" like course etiquette and pace of play. With the fresh turf in mind, I'll add cart traffic here and share some points to consider.
Cart Traffic
Whenever possible, keep carts on the cart paths away from tees and greens. Of course, SGCC doesn't have cart paths everywhere. Fairways and wide-open spaces distribute traffic in a natural way to avoid wear and tear. Still, players should be careful where they drive and avoid spots that are too wet or too dry and stressed. And where there is a paved or gravel pathway, always keep the whole cart on the path. The 10th tee is (was) a good example of this. There’s no need to “pull over to the side” with 1 or 2-wheels off the path. It’s a habit we all have and when repeated throughout the day will damage grass next to the path.
General Etiquette
Several members have asked me recently to send out a reminder on course etiquette. In my mind, it really shouldn’t be necessary at a club like SGCC. However, a growing number of members have observed a concerning trend of disregard for course etiquette. Members join and play at SGCC for better course conditions, better etiquette, and better pace of play. Members bring guests to show them a higher standard. It seems to make sense that members, and guests who don’t fix divots, don’t fix ball marks, and don’t rake sand traps, are simply in the wrong place. My standard line on this has always been that “these are not optional activities”. I'll add that the members who come to me about this have all suggested a more direct and penal approach. Hopefully a reminder here is all that is required.
Pace of Play
Opinions are plenty in this matter, and they all have merit. From the tee-time intervals to course design (and everything in between) there really isn’t anything that hasn’t been considered at length. Management and the Board recognizes the importance of pace for our members and will always be working to maintain a reasonable course pace of play.
One thing that has no operational or financial cost is “ready golf”. Simply put…be ready when it’s time to play. Be efficient when you play. Thinking about time matters and small regular delays add up very quickly. An extra 30 seconds on each tee-box adds 9 minutes to your round. Another 30 seconds somewhere else on each hole will make it 18 minutes. That’s when a round of golf becomes too long.
I should point out that SGCC has many experts in ready golf and plenty of groups who have mastered the art of playing fast. You'll see them waiting in the fairway, leaning on a club. They don’t use rangefinders, and they don’t always putt. Conversation is limited, and they’ll play in less than 3 hours if you get out of their way. Not all members need to play this way, but everyone should consider a few ways to save time and get it done in 4 hours or less:
- Reconsider the order of play. “I’m ready” and “I’ll never get there” should play first off the tee and anywhere on the course when it’s safe to do so.
- Pause the conversation whenever “it’s time” or “it’s safe” for someone to hit.
- Get ready before it's time to play. In other words don’t wait until it's clear to get ready. Check the yardage and select a club while you wait. If you're sharing a cart, take a club, or several clubs with you and go to your ball while you wait.
Bottom Line: If you’re waiting for the group in front from time to time, then you're probably in position. If you're not ready when it's clear to play, then you might be falling behind. And if it's often clear to play when you get to the tee or an approach shot, then you're probably falling behind.
Members are also reminded that a little patience is important too. Our pace typically runs slower in the first 4 holes. Golfers are hitting the ball further and often need to wait longer to tee-off on these holes. Hole #3 is particularly challenging as players clear the hill but aren't visible again until they approach the green. We working on some ideas to address this. In the meantime, groups in the fairway should hold the hill on #3 until everyone is across the creek, and players on the tee should be ready to play when the hill is clear.
Thanks,
McLaren Taylor
General Manager