Scott Mauldin

Talk about hitting the ground running: in 2022, Scott Mauldin, CGCS, came to Bayville Golf Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia to lead the club through an extensive renovation by golf architect Andrew Green. Helping him along the way was USGA Course Consulting Services. Says Scott: “They have helped validate my programs, and they have also helped me stay away from what potential problems might be.”

Q: Why do you use the USGA course consulting services?

Scott: Sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes, someone who can spot things you might overlook because you see the golf course the same way every day. It's helpful to have someone who can ask the right questions and offer new perspectives. They might share examples or scenarios from other clubs in the area that are doing the very things you're considering.

Q: Did any of the CCS visits influence the renovation to any degree?

Scott: We’ve always used them here; it’s always been standard practice. During the renovation, I brought them in to help validate the decisions we were making throughout the process.

Q: When you have a CCS visit, do you have specific goals or outcomes in mind?

Scott: Something always comes up between now and next April or May that I’ll need to talk through, and that’s when I really lean on them. They help validate the programs I’m implementing and make sure I’m getting the results I’m looking for. For example, if I’m trying to make the fairways firmer and faster, I might ask them to come in and give me their thoughts; what do they see that I could change, add, or scale back? It’s also helpful to have another voice when communicating with the membership or the board, rather than everything coming from me. They’ve not only supported my current plans but have also helped me avoid potential problems. In that way, I see them as a safety net for superintendents.

Q: How do you communicate that to your Green Committee or board?

Scott: The USGA does a great job with their reports. What I typically do is take the report and share it with the board. I believe success comes from showing and explaining any issues before the USGA agronomist arrives. If you're not already aware of the problems, there may not be a strong reason to have them visit.

Q: Do you keep all the historical USGA CCS reports that you've received?

Scott: I do think it's good idea to keep them on file. Over time, we’ve gone back, reviewed, and discovered more in those reports than we initially realized.

Q: What would you say to somebody who hasn't had a USGA course consulting visit?

Scott: Some people might ask, 'What am I really going to get out of it? What are they going to tell me that I don’t already know?' My answer is that these guys visit so many clubs, from high-end to low-end, and they see all the different ways people 'make the sandwich,' so to speak. Their experience makes the visit valuable. You are trying to get $3,000 worth of value from the visit, but by the time they leave, they could end up saving the club $10,000. I think a consulting visit is a safety net, for both the club and the superintendent.

Q: How long have you had the GS3 ball?

Scott: I've had it probably a year and a half. We drop and roll with it about five days a week. I was already collecting clippings before getting the ball.

Q: What do you like most about the GS3 ball?

Scott: The GS3 ball is a management tool, and it ties back to the return on investment. The data tells me what I can or don’t have to do and get the same consistent performance. For example, this year we probably only mowed greens 15 times from January 1st to probably April 15^th. They like warm weather but didn't need to be mowed. However, we rolled them. If all it takes is one person to roll greens, that frees up the rest of the crew to handle other tasks. That alone saves me money.

Q: What performance metric is most important to you?

Scott: I’d like our surfaces to be a bit firmer, but I’m not too concerned about that during the summer. Speed is something everyone talks about, but I believe smoothness is a valuable number. I think you can have slightly slower greens, but if they’re firm and smooth, everybody will be happy.

Q: How many greens are you collecting data on?

Scott: We do all our data testing with the GS3 ball on five greens.

Q: What would you say to a superintendent that doesn't have the GS3 ball.

Scott: It’s a game changer. I think it's a game changer more for the lower budget clubs. We use GS3 to try to improve our metrics. I think some of the middle level clubs without the money or big budgets could see more of a return on investment. They might not need to mow and roll or whatever that maintenance practice might be. It also helps you set the golf course up more consistently. It's a tool to be more consistent. If you start getting that consistency, then your playability will improve. Use the data to help you make decisions, instead of just looking at the course with your own eyes.