For golfers who want a taste of the game, but don’t have time to play 18 holes, a new initiative that ClubCorp launched a year ago seems to be offering time-crunched golfers a perfect solution.
ClubCorp’s FasTee option is currently available at all of its golf facilities, except PGA and LPGA Tour-event courses. The play option is geared toward beginners, juniors, women, or avid golfers short on time.
“Our memberships have certainly grown the last couple of years. It’s definitely something that has helped us,” says Darrell Fuston, Director of Golf at The Clubs of Kingwood (Texas), near Houston, where the program originated in 2005.
FasTee areas are positioned about 100 yards in front of the forward tees on par-4 and par-5 holes and have a special scorecard to match the new yardage. The concept behind the approach is to make the golf courses more accessible to players of all abilities.
THE GOAL:ClubCorp was looking for a way to offer a golf format geared to juniors, beginners, women and avid golfers pressed for time.THE PLAN: The courses now put new tee areas 100 yards ahead of the forward tees on all par 4s and 5s.
THE PAYOFF: The courses are easier and more approachable for juniors and beginners. They are also being used more often by members pressed for time. |
“We definitely wanted to become more family-oriented,” Fuston says. “This makes it easier for juniors and beginning golfers to play. It also helps the golfers who want to play, but are short on time.”
Currently, the Dallas-based company owns or operates almost 170 golf courses, country clubs, resorts and private business and sports clubs worldwide.
Although ClubCorp has fielded inquiries from numerous professionals at other facilities about the FasTees, Fuston adds, the concept might not be right for every property.
“You have to know your members. You have to know your clientele. It probably wouldn’t work at smaller clubs or busy, 18-hole facilities,” says Fuston.
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