Driving Range Use Cancel The title field is required!

1. John Faber

   

   0 posts
   
   9/5/2012 1:09 PM

   We have just opened a new driving range at our semi-private club. Under the advisement of the teaching pro, my GM has said no range use for staff as 1)its not fair that proshop staff have to cleanup/pickup balls from other staff and 2) they want to save the turf for paying customers and members. (I passed on Preferred Divot Pattern info to pro and GM to promote prior to opening (2 weeks) and it did not get out till a week after opening; meanwhile my staff have been taught the preferred way).
   Just looking for thoughts/ideas/info as I feel I need to go to bat for my staff as they seem to end up doing the range duties (picking balls, washing, divots, cleanup, etc) as the proshop and support staff have too much to do . Meanwhile we have 13 shotgun tournaments in September and I have 9 staff including my Assistant and myself.
   Does your club allow staff use and under what restrictions or guidelines?

   
   
   
   
2. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   9/5/2012 3:09 PM

   You do not need to do a thing because your staff, the bartenders and way staff will take care of the problem for you. The GM will find out how strong the staff can be when they are not treated fair..
   keep your opinions to yourself for a time. soon you will be asked, then be fair and balanced.
   
   Keith

   
   
   
   
3. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   9/5/2012 5:09 PM

   We are allowed to use the range at our Country Club when the members are not, so in between starting times when they are not there I can use the range to practice as can others. Many do not play golf so very few use it. I often hit in areas members never use, the rough along the sides of the range tee, or the ends of the area in use. I always fill my area uses with divot mix/seed. I am a good player so usually do not tear up much turf compared to others/ hcp 8. We do not use range when members are utilizing it or it is busy giving lessons. I hope this helps. Mondays is employee day to play, but that day the range is closed to all, for rest and filling divots, mowing ect...
   
   Gregg

   
   
   
   
4. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   9/5/2012 8:09 PM

   I don't necessarily find it a big deal as long as the rule applies to the entire staff. As petty and self serving (for the teaching pro) as this rule may be, it's a range. Not worth the fight.
   
   Eventually the teaching pro will ask you for favors. Keep the range issue in your back pocket for just such an occasion.

   
   
   
   
5. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   9/6/2012 5:09 AM

   Sounds like us vs them with a new toy.It probley won't be a big issue once it gets beat up.

   
   
   
   
6. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   9/6/2012 12:09 PM

   John,
   Take Keith's advice don't be too rash. These are not the war's to wage at work. If they are not allowing any staff (including Pro Shop) to use the range then it may be a fair request. Hang in there soon it wont be so new and you can be sure someday that Teaching pro is going to need something from you. I learned long ago that sooner or later they all need something from me.

   
   
   
   
7. Wydra David A

   
   9/6/2012 2:09 PM

   I find it ironic that they feel like it isn't fair that they have to pick up the range balls used by any staff. How do you feel about fixing their (the teaching pros) ball marks, raking bunkers after them, filling their divots ,etc. etc?

   
   
   
   
8. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   9/6/2012 5:09 PM

   Are the employees balls labeled or something so the guy picking them up knows what to avoid? How is this an issue? Wouldn't they be out picking all the balls anyways?
   
   What the heck...sounds trivial to me to restrict this benefit. I'd keep my mouth shut, let it play out. Chances are someone else will get fed up and fight it for you. Or, they'll relax the policy and sooner or later they all will be using it.

   
   
   
   
9. Wahlin Scott B

   
   9/7/2012 7:09 AM

   I am thinking it is less of an issue in South Florida than it is in the north. Our divots fill in quickly, so use is not as much of a consideration. I think there has been an employee's practice area at the end of every range of every course I've worked.