The sound of change – Golf Inc Magazine

As a young boy growing up in the early 60’s I was given a life-changing gift. On the surface, it was a simple $10.00 item: a transistor radio. Instead of another toy, it was a gift my Dad thought to be a nice diversion for a solitary 8-year-old.  In reality, that small white plastic box was my door to the world of music, a door that would soon open to The Beatles, Motown, The Rolling Stones, and many other talented artists. Music has become a part of my every day as it has for billions across the globe. Music makes us feel good, helps us to bury our troubles, and gets us pumped for the busy day ahead. My lifetime love of music began with that little transistor radio. 

As we look at the world of golf hospitality, our eyes are opened to a very different experience than many of us had decades ago. In the old days, golfers left their hobbies outside the club gates to concentrate on the match, the score, and the chance to get away from their busy worlds. Now, golfers carry their hobbies with them, wherever they go, including to the first tee. With mobile phones and sophisticated speakers, golfers can get jiggy with it after making a downhill 5-footer or squeezing a drive just beyond their friendly rival. Because music is now part of the golf experience, clubs and their operators walk an interesting line in working to draw in and serve new guests as they labor just as hard to stay connected to and measure the needs and tastes of those who expect their traditional, very quiet rounds to continue. In this In My Opinion, I will provide three ideas about standards and how you might manage change going forward. Here are my three ideas:

Everyone will have an opinion: Change, when it involves club standards, will be noticed by everyone. There is no slipping one past the crowd here. When you are preparing to soften a standard or change a club rule, it makes sense to first meet with your leadership group, followed by a few of your experienced staff from every department, in order to understand, from the highest possible perch, how this change might be received.

Communication is essential: When you plan to make a change, it will be important to create a complete communication story before any word gets out. You may even consider outsourcing a part of the messaging to someone who is an expert in this area if the change is even a bit controversial. Understanding there are no secrets, be mindful of who is made aware of your idea at the start. Bottom line: be certain your…