Why is it important for the superintendent to play the course regularly?

The importance of the superintendent regularly playing the course primarily revolves around gaining the customer's perspective. By playing the course, the superintendent can experience firsthand the conditions that players are facing, including the quality of the greens, fairways, and overall course playability. This direct involvement helps the superintendent understand how maintenance practices are translating into the playing experience for golfers.

Furthermore, experiencing the course from a player’s point of view allows the superintendent to identify areas that may need improvement or adjustments, ensuring that the course meets the expectations of its patrons. Understanding player satisfaction is critical for any course’s reputation and can directly impact member retention and new player acquisition. This perspective helps in making informed decisions about maintenance schedules, design adjustments, and resource allocation that align with the desires and needs of the golfers.

While monitoring maintenance costs, observing wildlife, and testing new equipment are all important tasks, they do not directly provide the insights related to the playing experience that are crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction.