Daily Play at A Golf Course: Using Spreadsheet Simulation to Identify System Constraints

Andrew A. Tiger - atiger@sosu.edu
Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Dave Salzer - dave.salzer@ejgallo.com
E. & J. Gallo Winery

Abstract

We present a spreadsheet-based simulation model of daily play at a golf course and how it can be used in teaching. The model represents the variability and interactions that impact pace of play on a golf course as measured by throughput (rounds played) and cycle time (round length). The model predicts that most of the waiting time will occur on par 3 tee boxes. Alleviating this bottleneck by allowing the following group on par 3 holes to tee off while the group ahead is walking to the green, was shown to improve throughput by 13% without increasing cycle time. The model was developed using MS-Excel and @RISK, a Monte Carlo simulation package.

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10.1287/ited.4.2.28

Citation Information
Tiger, A. A. and Salzer, D. 2004. Daily Play at A Golf Course: Using Spreadsheet Simulation to Identify System Constraints. INFORMS Trans. Ed. 4(2) 28-35. Available online at http://ite.pubs.informs.org/.

DOI: 10.1287/ited.4.2.28