For more than 30 years, Forrest Richardson (below right) has been designing and restoring many of the country's most prominent golf courses.
His portfolio includes more than 50 original designs and renovation projects throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe. He also has authored several books, including Course Brains (On Course Publishing, 2023, 69 pages), which poses a series of 25 questions for golf course stakeholders to generate their "course IQ" and plot a path toward future success. The book, which is available by digital download, was inspired in part by Richardson's mentor, Scottish architect — and former golf course superintendent — Arthur Jack Snyder.
"Golf courses must realize that a decision to change and be better involves each individual decision you make — and that includes all of the sections and questions posed in this (little) book," Richardson wrote in the book. "Every decision in your path has the potential to bring about a more successful end result. No excuses for not striving for greatness. No apologies for not delivering a better product. No regrets for looking back and wishing you had done a better job."
After each topic, the book solicits an honest appraisal, or grade. At the end of Section 25, readers can tally the numeric value for each grade from each of the 25 questions. The total of all 25 will determine each course's I.Q.
The grade choices are:
- 140 and over Genius or near genius
- 120 -139 Very superior intelligence
- 110 -119 Superior intelligence
- 90 -109 Average intelligence
- 80 - 89 Dullness
- 70 - 79 Borderline deficiency
- Below 70 Definitely feeble
"I recommend having several people in your club take the test," Richardson wrote. "Compare the results and see where you might focus some time."
The 25 items to be addressed are:
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Do you have a comprehensive evaluation of your managed turf area?
- Does your course drain well enough to not cause complaints, lost play time & extra cost?
- How are your greens?
- Bunkers, are they truly great ... or something less than great?
- Is your course capable of yardage flexibility so it can be fun for all ages & abilities?
- Is your course attracting new players?
- Are you guilty of selling just one "size" of golf?
- Is your course a resource hog, or are you conserving water and power?
- Is your course dangerous? Have you had a safety analysis performed?
- Is your course policy smart, or policy happy?
- Pace-of-Play? Does your course flow evenly, or do round times vary from okay to too long?
- How good are your practice opportunities?
- Is your clubhouse up to par?
- Is your image & marketing smart?
- Is the land you control being well utilized?
- Mowing Priorities — Mow what matters!
- Do you know your legacy?
- Trees, trees & more trees...do you have too many or too few?
- Where does your course rank on embracing new technologies?
- Is your irrigation system ready for the next several years...or is it costing you money?
- Have you been open minded to bringing non-golfers into your facility?
- What differentiates your course?
- Is your course ranked? How many awards and honors have you received?
- Who is your golf course architect?
- Is success an option at your course?
In conclusion, Richardson wrote: "As Gary explains, 'Ford does not deliver a vintage 1970s car to the showroom. They deliver the best they are able to produce with all of the best ideas they can include at the price of the car.' In golf however, we see some very old and tired products being delivered and offered when there is no reason to settle for such a practice. Take a hotdog for example. If my attitude is that success is not an option, what is preventing me and my team from delivering the best hotdog possible? When success is a decision, the culture of your course will be to deliver successful, bright, good, award-winning, wow, tasteful and stellar service, goods, food— and golf. The 'A' grade is for those of you who can truly point to a culture where nearly every detail and every decision follows this thinking."