golfHUB: The perfect tool to house all course related data

With such a diverse range of clubs now using the golfHUB it’s really interesting to see the projects that are being managed through it and the practical applications it’s now being used for.

by Steve Richardson, managing director of Clere Golf

We always believed the golfHUB was the perfect tool to house all course related data; be it a topographic survey, as-laid plans, records of ecology zones, photographic evidence of works completed and so on but now seeing the system adding value and showcasing the great work done by green keeping teams is really pleasing.

It’s also a system that constantly evolves with new features regularly coming on-line following client feedback and requests; having an in-house software development team ensures a high-level responsiveness and a commitment to ongoing support.

Many of our customers are undertaking new irrigation and / or drainage installs, a key asset that a contractor will ask for on such a project is a topographic survey; our systems house information and is capable of sharing it in any format why enabling users to visualise the slope data on screen (one huge benefit of the golfHUB is that its web based so access can be made anywhere without the need of software install). Contractors can even create lines across a hole and measure changes in elevation, it really is that simple.

Other customers use the golfHUB to compare changes that have taken place across their courses by overlaying surveys from various time periods to review cutting lines, green depths, gorse and so forth, we call this course compare.

Being able to visualise work taking place (planned or completed) against an up-to-date aerial survey really does have its merits and brings another dimension to project management. Many clubs now use the golfHUB to document ‘winter programmes’ and ‘ecology programmes’; Berkhamsted, Northamptonshire County and Worplesdon would be great examples of this ensuring the project work is photographed at each stage and captured in the golfHUB as a record for stakeholders to access when needed and as an archive to refer to in future years.

With GPS self-mapping capabilities greenkeepers can even map proposed changes such as new tees or bunkers while on the course; these will automatically display in the golfHUB for further analysis such as measuring the hole or the run-out of a drive to ensure the correct positioning. When you consider the accuracy of the survey data in the golfHUB being sub 10cm you can carry out this type of work from the desktop as accurately as you could if on the course!

We’ve certainly added instant value to course managers by simply providing incredibly accurate hole-by-hole summaries of all course feature areas, be it greens, tees, fairways, aprons, bunkers; having this data is a great sense check to ensure efficient ordering and budget control.

Interestingly we have learned that clubs who have engaged with course architects over potential course developments which may be located some distance from the course (and in some cases abroad) use the golfHUB in order to analyse, mark-up, map and visualise ideas safe in the knowledge they are working with accurate up-to-date data.