One of the things we wordsmiths often do is ask someone else to proofread a column or article before we hit the publish key. That's one reason why newspapers have editors, of course.

Other than correcting grammatical errors or catching typos, the real benefit of a second set of eyes (SSOE) is determining if the piece reads well or otherwise makes sense.  You see, when one is intimately involved in writing or creating something (or tending to a golf course for that matter), everything makes sense because we know what we mean or intend. It's sort of a 'forest for the trees' thing. It takes the SSOE -- that doesn't know what you mean -- to identify any areas of confusion or other mistakes that escaped the author's eyes.

In the case of a golf course, the superintendent scripts the maintenance plan and manages the execution of it.  He knows what he means and how he intends to maintain the golf course. But could there be things that escape him but might be picked up by that SSOE?  Of course.  That's the foundation upon which the Green Section's Turf Advisory Service visits is based.  There's some political benefit, naturally, but we won't get into that.

I have long advocated inviting another superintendent -- from nearby or not, friend or merely an acquaintance -- to visit and ride the golf course with you.  This has to be a no-holds-barred exercise.  The visiting superintendent -- the SSOE -- has to holler out or make note of ANYTHING he sees that could be out of line, he isn't quite sure about or otherwise doesn't understand. 

Drive the course as the players play it.  Stop at each tee complex.  Observe the setup, location and condition of accessories, detailing, views from the tees, and all that stuff.  Then drive the fairways, noting things like yardage markers, condition of drainage grates, signage, markers, etc. Stop by some bunkers, then the green complex and the path to the next tee.  The SSOE shouts out anything he sees that triggers a question mark regarding intent, methodology or execution.

This has to be a no-holds-barred exercise.  The visiting superintendent -- the SSOE -- has to holler out or make note of ANYTHING..."

This is also a learning exercise for the SSOE, of course.

Another trick that writers use (less so now, I suppose, than in the pre-spell check era) is to read the piece backwards.  You're not evaluating content in this manner, only looking for typos.  And they do jump out at you.

So, turn around and then drive the course backwards, from green to tee.  There could be a whole 'nother set of items that pop out from a different vantage point.

Same thing could be done with the maintenance facility, particularly in the off-season.

I'm thinking with my fingers as I write this, but for a truly unbiased course evaluation with zero preconception or prejudice, why not do the same with an intern on your staff? Maybe not a complete noob, but someone who has something on the ball and a future place in the industry (yeah, it's pretty easy to tell even at that stage). I'm sure they would be tickled to ride with the boss and have him or her invite questions or comments.

In this New Golf Economy, an SSOE visit or two a year could be a low-cost way to ensure that your ducks ARE in a row and that you're not missing anything among the trees in the forest.