2008 Leadership Survey results
The GCSAA Leadership Survey is a real-time, computerized, opinion poll that was conducted at GCSAA's 2008 Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Orlando and available on the GCSAA Web site. This year’s survey included questions from the first Leadership Survey in 1999, to track changes in the golf course management industry, and in superintendent’s perceptions over the past nine years.
The survey is designed to position the golf course superintendent as an expert in trends affecting the golf industry.
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How would you describe the "image" of the golf course superintendent among players?
|
|
Excellent
|
161
|
17%
|
|
Somewhat positive
|
687
|
73%
|
|
Neither positive or negative
|
76
|
8%
|
|
Somewhat negative
|
11
|
1%
|
|
Poor
|
0
|
0%
|
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Don't know/no answer
|
0
|
0%
|
|
How would you describe the "image" of the golf course superintendent among course owners/board of directors?
|
|
Excellent
|
307
|
33%
|
|
Somewhat positive
|
567
|
61%
|
| Neither positive or negative |
46
|
5%
|
| Somewhat negative |
11
|
1%
|
| Poor |
0
|
0%
|
|
Don't know/no answer
|
3
|
0%
|
|
How would you describe the "image" of the golf course superintendent among golf professionals/club managers/other management?
|
|
Excellent
|
225
|
24%
|
|
Somewhat positive
|
527
|
56%
|
| Neither positive or negative |
134
|
14%
|
| Somewhat negative |
42
|
4%
|
|
Poor
|
6
|
1%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
1
|
0%
|
|
What breach of etiquette is most prevalent on your golf course?
|
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Walking in a player's line
|
2
|
0%
|
|
Not raking bunkers
|
111
|
12%
|
|
Not repairing ball marks
|
643
|
69%
|
|
Not fixing divots
|
78
|
8%
|
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Lack of knowledge of rules of the game
|
93
|
10%
|
|
Talking when someone is putting or driving
|
4
|
0%
|
|
Cheating on one's scorecard
|
5
|
1%
|
|
What single improvement in technology or turf management has had the most positive effect on the game of golf in the last 5 years?
|
|
Lightweight mowers
|
131
|
14%
|
|
Greens rollers
|
220
|
24%
|
|
Fairway topdressers
|
23
|
2%
|
|
Increased use of hand raking
|
8
|
1%
|
|
Computerized irrigation controls
|
368
|
39%
|
| The Internet and e-mail |
143
|
15%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
43
|
5%
|
|
What has been the most significant change in golf course playing conditions in the last five years?
|
|
Fairway conditions
|
138
|
15%
|
|
Increased height and cut of rough
|
14
|
1%
|
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Height of turf
|
121
|
13%
|
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Increase of "perfect bunkers"
|
209
|
22%
|
|
Green speed
|
414
|
44%
|
|
Increased overcrowding
|
19
|
2%
|
|
Don't know/no answer
|
20
|
2%
|
|
Currently, how often do you buy maintenance equipment and/or turf supplies over the Internet?
|
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Almost all the time
|
4
|
0%
|
|
Most of the time
|
11
|
1%
|
|
Sometimes
|
394
|
42%
|
| Never |
524
|
56%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
2
|
0%
|
|
In your opinion, what is the greatest single challenge to the continued improvement of golf course conditions in the next five years?
|
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Increased regulation of the environment
|
171
|
18%
|
|
Increase in operating costs
|
485
|
52%
|
|
Decreased labor pool
|
167
|
18%
|
|
Increased overcrowding
|
3
|
0%
|
|
Extreme weather conditions, (drought, flood, tornadoes, hurricane)
|
111
|
12%
|
|
In your opinion, who is the greatest golfer (current or former) of all time?
|
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Jack Nicklaus
|
249
|
27%
|
|
Arnold Plamer
|
50
|
5%
|
|
Tiger Woods
|
502
|
54%
|
| Bobby Jones |
65
|
7%
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| Ben Hogan |
29
|
3%
|
| Byron Nelson |
10
|
1%
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| Greg Norman |
5
|
1%
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| Payne Stewart |
4
|
0%
|
| Sam Snead |
6
|
1%
|
| Tom Morris |
12
|
1%
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| Other |
5
|
1%
|
|
In your opinion, has ownership consolidation of golf courses increased pay for golf course superintendents?
|
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Increased pay a great deal
|
5
|
1%
|
|
Increased pay somewhat
|
174
|
19%
|
|
No change
|
237
|
25%
|
|
Decreased pay somewhat
|
220
|
23%
|
| Decreased pay a great deal |
45
|
5%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
256
|
27%
|
|
How do the golfers at your course view you and your course management staff?
|
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Very positively
|
430
|
46%
|
|
Somewhat positively
|
413
|
44%
|
|
Neither positive or negatively
|
78
|
8%
|
| Somewhat negatively |
16
|
2%
|
| Very negatively |
0
|
0%
|
|
What single trend has most led to the rising cost of golf?
|
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Shrinking labor pool
|
58
|
6%
|
|
Changing course operating standards
|
399
|
43%
|
|
Development of new courses has not matched demand
|
89
|
10%
|
|
Competition among courses for best course conditions
|
265
|
28%
|
|
High cost of development of courses
|
64
|
7%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
61
|
7%
|
|
In your opinion, what is the single future trend that could most negatively affect the game of golf in the next five years.
|
|
Rising cost/lack of availability of chemicals
|
447
|
48%
|
|
Limited use of chemicals on targeted pests
|
169
|
18%
|
|
Increase of contract maintenance -- outsourcing
|
90
|
10%
|
|
Universal adoption of contract maintenance among operators
|
55
|
6%
|
|
Restrictions on future golf course development when they are most needed
|
19
|
2%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
154
|
16%
|
|
What do you consider to be the most valuable tool in daily management of your golf course?
|
|
Personal computer
|
103
|
11%
|
|
Irrigation system
|
530
|
57%
|
|
Golf car
|
60
|
6%
|
|
Top dresser
|
7
|
1%
|
|
Mower
|
122
|
13%
|
| Two-way radio |
99
|
11%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
15
|
2%
|
|
In your opinion, how important is it for superintendents to be regular golfers in order to succeed in their field?
|
|
Very important
|
337
|
40%
|
|
Somewhat important
|
438
|
47%
|
|
Somewhat unimportant
|
71
|
8%
|
|
Not important at all
|
49
|
5%
|
| Don't know/no answer |
0
|
0%
|
TOP
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