Tagmarshal, the leader in on-course optimization and golfer flow management software, has launched an alarm system that alerts golf cart drivers – and course managers – when carts have travelled into off-limits areas of the course.
Developed from input provided by Tagmarshal’s partners, the new ‘Geofence Buzzer‘ makes a loud warning sound when a cart travels off a designated cart path or enters a restricted area. Unlike other types of cart control this innovative feature does not disable the golf cart via a kill switch mechanism, but rather the sound continues to alert the driver until the cart returns to the path or back onto a designated area. An optional Geofence Buzzer light is also triggered when a geofence is breached.
Craig Kleu, Tagmarshal’s chief operating officer, said: “We wanted to introduce a new player-friendly alternative to managing geofences that is effective as deactivating carts in restricted areas, but less intrusive and importantly, less frustrating for players. Our new Geofence Buzzer feature gives courses and players the best of both worlds.”
High player demand and high volumes of cart traffic place additional pressure on courses and superintendents to restrict sensitive course areas to better control wear and tear – at the same time, golfers are frustrated with existing cart control features. In working with its more than 300 partners around the globe, who have more than 10,000 active cart tracking units currently in the field, Tagmarshal developed the Geofence Buzzer, which forms part of the company’s ‘Classic’ installed product for its Track and Premium Optimizer software packages.
The feature can be installed into existing or new car fleets, as well as privately-owned carts, and does not require cart screens to operate. This is particularly useful for resorts or courses located in private developments.
Kleu added: “Our partners’ experience was that so many players found traditional cart control unsatisfactory, as their carts were disabled and they were unable to or unaware of how to maneuver the cart out of the restricted area. Others cited health and safety concerns in the event of an emergency occurring on-course that required carts to go straight from A to B and breach geofences to obtain assistance – and being unable to do so, due to the carts not being shut off and unable to operate.”
Tagmarshal has spent years refining its cart tracking and geofencing features to meet the needs of its partners. Other features include the ability to track maintenance equipment and for superintendents to have full line of sight of the players on the course, allowing them to work around players, increasing efficiency without having an impact on the player experience. Tagmarshal’s Visualization Heatmaps for Superintendents and the Maintenance team, helps them with accurate data to identify high traffic areas, where high wear and tear or compaction is a risk. A key tool in ensuring sustainably managed and cost appropriate course conditioning.