Why is it that while superintendents play a lot of golf they are not considered to be an integral part of golf’s inner sanctum, or true players of the game? The direct answer to this question is because superintendents essentially play golf outside golf’s mainstream arena; i.e., roughly 85% of the rounds the typical superintendent plays are with peers via monthly chapter meetings, chapter tournaments, late afternoon rounds with staff and friends, etc. This is tantamount to drinking beers in the parking lot and not in the fraternity house with the pace setters on campus.

The missing element here is that golf course superintendents must learn to identify with the game of golf’s inherent values and not just use it for social exercise…

The missing element here is that golf course superintendents must learn to identify with the game of golf’s inherent values and not just use it for social exercise. Caring for and maintaining the nation’s golf courses is a different thing, entirely. Identifying with the game is a two-step exercise:

Step One Requirements:

1. Your first concern must always be giving the necessary attention to optimizing the quality of your golf game because this is the only way you will be comfortable playing golf in the “mainstream arena” before the world. This nets down to taking golf lessons, practicing on the range and practice putting green to the degree necessary and, of course, playing enough golf.

2. It is important to understand that how well you score is far less important than playing the game comfortably within the accepted norms of the players’ community; i.e., at a good pace, within your game’s limits, by handling adversity well and by showing a respect for the Rules Of Golf.

3. Dress like a golfer and play with a set of modern age clubs and golf bag. Tired clubs and golf bags convey an image of indifference to the game.

4. Schedule your season long golf game into the mainstream arena via rounds with members of your governing boards and committees; playing a weekly game with your course players that would include informal course maintenance Q&A sessions before, during and after each round; participating in several weekly PGA ProAms a season with fellow course players; and scheduling post-season international golf trips with course officials/players as golf professionals often do – and more.

It is a well-accepted axiom that playing golf will provide insight into your and your fellow golfers’ personalities like no other way in life. Accordingly, use the opportunity of playing golf in the mainstream arena to show the world (and your club/course constituents) who and what you truly are. Best job security in the world.

5.   Always establish and maintain a USGA-based handicap via your course’s score reporting system by posting a minimum of 20 scores a year. There is no greater way to tell the world that you couldn’t care less about the game of golf than by failing to maintain an official handicap.

There is no hurry; take the time you need to effectively grow into and implement the above “player” qualifying recommendations. Once you have met the criteria, you will have earned the right to be considered a players’ player and all the otherwise not available career and life altering benefits associated with this status will begin to accrue to you.

…which will profile what further commitments will be required of you to assume, not just a membership in, but a leadership role in the Family of Golf…

For the moment, however, I leave you to speculate what specifically these job enhancing and securing benefits might be until next week’s blog message, which will profile what further and final commitments will be required of you to assume, not just a membership in, but a leadership role in the Family of Golf.