THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

Now that the price of a round of golf seems to have stabilized, at least with the majority of our courses, perhaps this would be a good time to examine what our visiting golfers expect to find, when embarking on a winter golf break.

Gleaned from conversations I have had with thousands of golf tourists over the past few years, this is their idea of a perfect day's golf:
On arrival at the club's car park, a valet parking service, which includes loading buggy with clients' golf clubs.

At the golf club's reception, being greeted by a caddymaster with a welcoming smile and dealt with efficiently, uninterrupted by constant telephone calls; paying a reasonable rate to hire a buggy.

Starting from the proper teeing ground on the first hole (as opposed to a "tee of the day", some 50 metres forward) at the confirmed start time, without having to wait in a queue of buggies (delays caused by unrealistic intervals between start times).

Finding the course in good condition, without work in progress on the greens and fairways, and with access for the buggies onto the fairways at 90º. Knowing the pin positions, important when selecting an iron for an approach shot. Finishing their round in a reasonable time, (say 4 hours 30 minutes for a 4 ball), with well-trained marshalls to keep things flowing. And to round off the perfect day, a drink and a meal in the clubhouse, without having to pay extortionate prices.

Apart from the valet service, which is essentially an American concept, but definitely do-able, the rest of our golf tourists' expectations should be easy to meet. In fact, none of these expectations is unreasonable, yet it is difficult to recall a single golf course on the Costa del Golf which can meet all of them. This indicates an ongoing trend to place the wellbeing of staff and management above that of the customer. Reverse these priorities and the Costa del Golf will soon reclaim the right to all itself Europe's no. 1 winter golf destination.