Club time sheet full

THEIRISHMOB

Anyone else have the same problems?
The time sheet in our club in full weeks in advance.
Getting very sick of it as the main reason I pay 1200 a year is to play in the Sunday members competitions.

peepee

You should really bring this to the attention of someone at the club who can do something about it.They can simply add in an extra slot to accommodate you. If you have a complaint about how the bookings are taken you should make this known also. Otherwise status quo.

golfwallah

THEIRISHMOB wrote: »

Anyone else have the same problems?
The time sheet in our club in full weeks in advance.
Getting very sick of it as the main reason I pay 1200 a year is to play in the Sunday members competitions.

Looks like your club has sold more memberships for this price than they have the capacity to cater for.

As they can't add more daylight time, their options are price differentiation of different membership packages based on demand, restricting the membership offerings for people wanting to play on Sundays or shortening the time intervals between timeslots on the timesheet.

Of course, you also have options, like not renewing next year and shopping around for a different club that better meets your needs.

You could also bring up the issue at your club's AGM and see if there is enough support to get the committee to solve the problem.

THEIRISHMOB

golfwallah wrote: »

Looks like your club has sold more memberships for this price than they have the capacity to cater for.

As they can't add more daylight time, their options are price differentiation of different membership packages based on demand, restricting the membership offerings for people wanting to play on Sundays or shortening the time intervals between timeslots on the timesheet.

Of course, you also have options, like not renewing next year and shopping around for a different club that better meets your needs.

You could also bring up the issue at your club's AGM and see if there is enough support to get the committee to solve the problem.

Club used to have 500+ members now about 300.
Shopping around is tough as:
1. Club is within 1 mile.
2. Best course by far in area.
3. all same sub so no competition.

I just need to find out when the time sheet opens exactly and book more in advance but I know other members have same problem.

Other thing that pisses me off is same old singles stableford EVERY WEEK.so boring.

golfwallah

THEIRISHMOB wrote: »

Club used to have 500+ members now about 300.
Shopping around is tough as:
1. Club is within 1 mile.
2. Best course by far in area.
3. all same sub so no competition.

I just need to find out when the time sheet opens exactly and book more in advance but I know other members have same problem.

Other thing that pisses me off is same old singles stableford EVERY WEEK.so boring.

I see where you're coming from, as many clubs, including my own have lost a lot of members but the ones who stayed and the new ones who joined all want weekend golf.

That puts a lot more pressure on weekend timesheets (in our case Saturday being the congested day), than was the case when we had a lot more members, many of whom weren't playing weekends as often as our membership in the current "recessionary" times.

People, more and more, are looking for value for money and want to play at the times that suit them - leaving many peaks and valleys in capacity utilization.

In my view, the fact that a lot of people in your (and my club) are finding it harder to get the weekend times they want, points to a big mismatch between supply and demand at peak periods. This issue is compounded by the inertia inherent in voluntary committees, where the predominant sentiment is to hold onto the "status quo" (mainly do nothing except wait for your competitors to go under). These are issue that require more open informed debate and change in many clubs (including my own), especially as supply grossly exceeds demand in a totally changed golf market. Until they are addressed, clubs will just muddle along with a bit of cost cutting, hoping for the best and there are no quick fixes.

It requires activities like:

• market research -i.e. asking members what they want and finding out what prices they are prepared to pay for different packages of player benefits (club could try surveying their membership, focus groups, etc.,
  This can be done using either members who have marketing skills or by contracting in some expertise to carry out such a project.
• analysis of timesheet usage data to get a better understanding of peaks and valleys.
• analysis of member database to get a better understanding of member age profile.

In point of fact the GUI / ILGU / PGA produced a booklet about 4 years ago on "Promoting Golf Club Membership" (http://www.ilgu.ie/uploads/docs/2138_ClubMembership.pdf), which pointed to the need for a more market focused approach and the need to prioritise marketing / strategic planning (as opposed to just hoping to survive from year to year with the same tired old membership offerings that have ceased to attract and retain members).

Might be worth a read but my observations are that the suggestions in this booklet are being acted upon by the more professionally run establishments (the dreaded "non-member" owned courses) and largely being ignored by the member owned clubs, who arrogantly assume that they know better.

The plot thickens!!

golfwallah

Sorry folks, the link to "Promoting Golf Club Membership" didn't work, but you will find it by Googling this term (seems to have dropped from the GUI site but you can still find a pdf version of the booklet from the ILGU site).

Extracts from this booklet are:
"Introduction:
Current social trends in relation to golf are to do with people’s time availability, the wider availability of pay-as-you-play facilities and the impact of the recession on discretionary spending. In terms of attracting and retaining members clubs need to create added value relative to the perceived value of limited time availability and the cost of casual green fees, or open-day entrance fees.

Age Profile
According to the GUI Club Survey 2008 the average age of male members of affiliated clubs is 49 and according to the ILGU the
average age of female members is closer to 55. These surveys and others around the world reveal almost a “lost generation” of 25 – 44 year olds in terms of club membership. What these surveys have also identified is that a majority of nomadic or casual golfers are actually in this same 25 – 44 age group. In other words clubs as currently structured have failed to create any added value relative to the perceived value of limited time availability and the cost of casual green fees for these casual golfers.

Club Finances
It is not within the remit of the GUI or ILGU to provide advice in relation to club finances. However it is clear that no club is immune to the present recession whether in terms of loss of members, inability to charge entrance fees or a significant reduction in green fee income. Clubs that have recently completed major redevelopments may now be finding that their repayments model is no longer valid. It is important therefore that clubs revisit their long term financial planning model to ensure a coherent financial plan is in place which ensures the viability and future of the club.

Retention of Membership & Attracting Members

Club Finances
• The financial cost around joining, allied to the benefits of club membership must be such as to create added value when compared with remaining as a casual/nomadic golfer.
• Measures being considered and implemented by clubs to reduce the financial burden on members include:
o Reduction or elimination of entrance fees.
o Spreading payment of entrance fees and subscriptions (direct debit).
o Arranging bank finance for entrance fees and subscriptions.
o Reducing the cost of transition from junior to full member. This is very relevant in view of age profile statistics.
o Low annual fees option plus purchased credits that can be used to pay for golf, practice facilities, food etc. with off-peak
time pricing.
o Half of the full subscription and a cost per round up to the full subscription with off-peak time pricing.
Club Structure
Club Structures should consider the following:
• Categories of membership should reflect the amount of time an individual wants access to the course and facilities. Clubs should consider categories of membership that are flexible and geared towards the demands of different lifestyles.

Examples:
• Four/Five day mid-week membership
Six day membership – which allows access to the course of one of the weekend days
• Seven day membership – full access
• Distance membership (Overseas/ Country).
• Pavilion/House Member
• Intermediate Membership (eg under 45) – introduce discounts to attract younger members, remove/reduce entrance levy based on number of years as a junior/juvenile".

Dtoffee

THEIRISHMOB wrote: »

Anyone else have the same problems?
The time sheet in our club in full weeks in advance.
Getting very sick of it as the main reason I pay 1200 a year is to play in the Sunday members competitions.

Are you looking for a specfic time ie you want to play between 10 and 11?

Personally speaking, for €1200 I would be out the door and looking for my money back if I could not find a spot on a timesheet with probably over 140 spots available..... dont put up with it, save yourself the stress and walk.

Dr_Colossus

THEIRISHMOB wrote: »

Anyone else have the same problems?
The time sheet in our club in full weeks in advance.
Getting very sick of it as the main reason I pay 1200 a year is to play in the Sunday members competitions.

What club is it? Or as people seem so recluctant to say what club they're members of as if there is something to protect at least what region is the club based, it might help make other members info decisions when joining a club

GreeBo

THEIRISHMOB is no longer frequenting these parts, permanently.

doublej

This surprising intervention requires explanation surely?

GreeBo

doublej wrote: »

This surprising intervention requires explanation surely?

Breach of rules, and don't call me Shirley.

For Paws

Just so we don't all, save your all-knowing self of course, fall into the same errors, could you please point out which rule or rules were breached ?

FixdePitchmark

For Paws wrote: »

Just so we don't all, save your all-knowing self of course, fall into the same errors, could you please point out which rule or rules were breached ?

I'd say you have as much chance of finding that out as Ireland taking the All Blacks.

For Paws

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'd say you have as much chance of finding that out as Ireland taking the All Blacks.

Nemo iudex in causa sua, as my old granny used to say.

FixdePitchmark

For Paws wrote: »

Nemo iudex in causa sua, as my old granny used to say.

She was a smart lady - had to look it up .

Where we were from - we had

"Who died and made you god"
"Who the **** does your man think he is"

ShriekingSheet

The time the sheet opens online is written on BRS. Click any competition date and in the paragraph above the sheet it should be there.

A handy enough solution, if you're even moderately tech savvy, is to save your time sheet booking page as an icon on the home screen of your phone.

Then set a recurring alarm/note to buzz and remind you to book.

Why was yer man banned?

Surfing_Xboxer

why was he banned ???

ForeRight

I assume he posted something against the charter but it was deleted by greebo???

stringy

For Paws wrote: »

Nemo iudex in causa sua

Agreed, the mob needs to know, spill the beans, fair is fair

charlieIRL

He used this thread as a smokescreen to advertise his own company which is against boards rules.

doublej

charlieIRL wrote: »

He used this thread as a smokescreen to advertise his own company which is against boards rules.

Thank you for the explanation, it's obviously a problem for many weekend players and deserving of an airing.

In our club, we have tried a number of variations of booking for Sat/ Sun competitions.
There really is no absolutely fair system that will facilitate all members, not everyone has internet access or access to a phone when bookings open.
In our club, and this is NOT an exaggeration, bookings for Sunday through BRS opens automatically at 09.30 on the preceding Thursday( three days before). At 09.31 the first four hours are fully booked, whether the format is singles or Fourball/ Foursomes.
When you consider that there are 8/9 min intervals, this is only max 30 "slots" which is the crux of the problem, most bookers use the slot to include not only their own name, but also those of their preferred partners, making it very difficult for a new member or a member that doesn't have a "regular" partner to get their name down.
It is forbidden for players to enter into a competition that straddles Sat/Sun to enter twice with the same partner, but it is permitted to play with a different partner from within the 4, allowing two bites of the cherry.
I can honestly say that our Club has listened and acted in the best interests of the members and still there are uneven and unfair outcomes.
The greatest problem arises when a person does not turn up and makes no attempt to cancel; in these instances, because golf is a game of honour, if the "sinner" offers any type of excuse, it is accepted without question, even though one may have serious reservations( no pun intended) about the veracity of the explanation!

Wombatman

doublej wrote: »

At 09.31 the first four hours are fully booked, !

How does this happen? All members should have an equal shot at booking surely?

Dealerz

Wombatman wrote: »

How does this happen? All members should have an equal shot at booking surely?

Maybe a mix up to do with GMT and CET? 😋

doublej

Dealerz wrote: »

Maybe a mix up to do with GMT and CET? 😋

What happens is that when the Timesheet opens each slot has "Book now" alongside it, each member then dives into the times, if he is beaten to the punch, he clicks a different time until one is available, when he is inside the system, any other prospective booker is "locked out" until the original booker completes the slot( which invariably is full with 3 or 4 names)

Arsenium

doublej wrote: »

What happens is that when the Timesheet opens each slot has "Book now" alongside it, each member then dives into the times, if he is beaten to the punch, he clicks a different time until one is available, when he is inside the system, any other prospective booker is "locked out" until the original booker completes the slot( which invariably is full with 3 or 4 names)

I believe this. Exact same thing happens in my club. Sheet becomes active at 17:00 and by 17:01 the early slots are all gone. If you are sitting at your PC waiting to book it, then you have no real problem. Otherwise you are looking well down the timesheet.

lettuce97

Any chance we could name the clubs with desperately full timesheets? Due to moving house I'm thinking of moving clubs, but would hate to end up in a club that's crazy busy as my current one (Roganstown) has plenty of timeslots free all the time. That's one of the big attractions to be honest.

Wombatman

Arsenium wrote: »

I believe this. Exact same thing happens in my club. Sheet becomes active at 17:00 and by 17:01 the early slots are all gone. If you are sitting at your PC waiting to book it, then you have no real problem. Otherwise you are looking well down the timesheet.

For goodness sake. You have the same chance as the other guy. Just take the time to book it when you need to, or would you like the cub to make an exception for you?

Arsenium

Wombatman wrote: »

For goodness sake. You have the same chance as the other guy. Just take the time to book it when you need to, or would you like the cub to make an exception for you?

I have no issue with it. If I decide to play in a competition I check when it opens, and ensure I am in a position to book it. Simple job. If you are ready to book it, as I already said, there is no issue.

The issue, which I presume the OP was referring to, is if somebody decides they would like to play a Sunday competition on maybe the Monday or Tuesday of the previous week and find they havent much hope of getting on the timesheet because the slots are all gone.

And to answer your question, yes, I very much WOULD like the club to make an exception for me and reserve 8:50 AM every Sunday morning. But for some reason they just dont seem willing to......

Russman

Arsenium wrote: »

The issue, which I presume the OP was referring to, is if somebody decides they would like to play a Sunday competition on maybe the Monday or Tuesday of the previous week and find they havent much hope of getting on the timesheet because the slots are all gone.

I know its not ideal, but I would assume that in most clubs, if you turned up on spec, you'd get out within an hour or so of arriving ?
In my own club we have the same situation with timesheets going live at 11am on a Thursday, but invariably on a Saturday morning they guys will mix 'n' match to ensure everyone gets out, eg we might have two lines of 4 and 9 players looking to get out and we'll just make 3 threeballs. Granted I play early and the first 4 or 5 lines on the timesheet are usually the same groups of guys who know each other years.
But even later in the day, lots of guys just arrive up and get out.

onlyfinewine

quis custodiet ipsos custodes

Always worth considering, keeping in mind the number of times it happens on this forum.

GreeBo

next one is a ban, drop it please.

whitefoot

What contributes to the problem is people who already have the discipline to book immediately the timesheet becomes available but have not checked if their regular fourball want to actually play but routinely reserve the slot by booking 9 days in advance.

My observation is that for the first 8 days Sunday will be fully booked but then demand fade sets in and come Saturday evening there are lots of slots available for the next day Sunday. This is such a suststained trend that I no longer worry about full time sheets and know that I will get out at some stage reasonably but it is all very unnecessary and makes it a hassle as you cannot schedule your time.

Out of curiousity I once printed the time sheet on Day 1 and compared it to the actual players on Day 9 at the end of that competition, the amount of original names still in their original slot was less than 65%, pure churn.

I doubt this went on pre-BRS or the club would have spent a fortune on Tipex but so easy to do with the anonymity of on-line access.....having said that I love the BRS system if only everyone respected that by tentatively booking they are denying someone else the slot.

Macker1

For three weeks running me and the other two members that regularly play together have not been able to get out on a Sunday due to full time sheets. On Monday morning one of the guys was on the site within a minute of the time sheet for Sunday opening and was unable to get a slot. Its very frustrating as a member being unable to play on a Sunday in the weekly competition. I asked was the club looking at some way of improving the situation but was told no. That's another reason why I will be not renewing membership and looking for a club nearer home with a better chance of getting out on the weekend.

GreeBo

are they cutting members time for visitors or is it just you can't get the time you want?

Dr_Colossus

Macker1 wrote: »

For three weeks running me and the other two members that regularly play together have not been able to get out on a Sunday due to full time sheets. On Monday morning one of the guys was on the site within a minute of the time sheet for Sunday opening and was unable to get a slot. Its very frustrating as a member being unable to play on a Sunday in the weekly competition. I asked was the club looking at some way of improving the situation but was told no. That's another reason why I will be not renewing membership and looking for a club nearer home with a better chance of getting out on the weekend.

Not surprised you're leaving, that's a pretty crap member benefit. What club is it?

PARlance

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Not surprised you're leaving, that's a pretty crap member benefit. What club is it?

Pretty sure Macker is in Grange Castle with me.
It's madness to be honest.
Saying that, I'm a late booker most weeks and I have always got a slot.
But there's no chance if you're looking for a 3 ball very shortly after the timesheet opens.

They always keep a block booking free on Sat for visitors or societies. That wasn't a major issue until they decided, for some crazy reason, to bring in a separate Sat and Sun comp recently.

Not sure if they're going to change it back but I'll be finding out before signing up next year.

PARlance

PARlance wrote: »

Not sure if they're going to change it back but I'll be finding out before signing up next year.

On quick reflection it might be better for me if they kept it that way. Just because I'd happily slot in as a 3rd on a line.
I am away a bit and I could double up on weekends I'm around...
But on the whole, you have to respect the need to cater for people that want to golf in a regular group. There's a big membership, too big for 2 comps over 1 weekend.

Macker1

GreeBo wrote: »

are they cutting members time for visitors or is it just you can't get the time you want?

No I don't think so. The time sheet for this coming Sunday opened at 07:30am on Monday and by 07:31am was all filled. The were 29 time slot all filled with 3 players so only 87 players could be catered for. We would have been flexible to play at any of the times but all slots were gone. There is a waiting list which we joined in case of cancellations but when I asked about this it is very rare that cancellations happen on a Sunday. I did suggest reducing the time that is currently between time slots (8mins) so as to increase the number of slots but was told this wouldn't be a runner.

It will be my turn to book next Monday and I guess I will have to be quick whilst keeping my trigger finger over the button as 07:30am approaches.

Great fun for a Monday morning but I didn't pay full membership for this.

Russman

I can totally understand people's frustrations, its the same in my club at 11am on a Thursday.
But, and its not having a go at anyone, seriously, what does anyone suggest is a solution ? Unless the club is secretly opening the sheet 5 mins early for a chosen few members, there's not a lot to be done.

Going back to a hard copy timesheet might have merits, but it no matter what time it opens at you'll have the same issues with guys saying they can't get up to the club, or they were out on the course when the sheet opened etc etc.

Making people pay when they book might work to a degree, but then again, there's probably less chance of getting out on spec as anyone on the sheet will likely turn up. Also it doesn't really solve the problem (if it is indeed a problem as opposed to just the way things are).

IMO as long as there's a timesheet of any sort in operation you're going to have people who can't get on it for any number of reasons. Its the same in almost every club that has online booking.

Arsenium

Macker1 wrote: »

No I don't think so. The time sheet for this coming Sunday opened at 07:30am on Monday and by 07:31am was all filled. The were 29 time slot all filled with 3 players so only 87 players could be catered for. We would have been flexible to play at any of the times but all slots were gone. There is a waiting list which we joined in case of cancellations but when I asked about this it is very rare that cancellations happen on a Sunday. I did suggest reducing the time that is currently between time slots (8mins) so as to increase the number of slots but was told this wouldn't be a runner.

It will be my turn to book next Monday and I guess I will have to be quick whilst keeping my trigger finger over the button as 07:30am approaches.

Great fun for a Monday morning but I didn't pay full membership for this.

Its a pain in the ass I know. A little thing to remember when doing this. The BRS system shows the server time as you are waiting for it to open. Make sure to refresh about a second or two before it hits 7:30 AM. Dont watch the time on your PC / phone / tablet or whatever you are using in case it is different to the server time.

Best of luck :-)

Macker1

Russman wrote: »

I can totally understand people's frustrations, its the same in my club at 11am on a Thursday.
But, and its not having a go at anyone, seriously, what does anyone suggest is a solution ? Unless the club is secretly opening the sheet 5 mins early for a chosen few members, there's not a lot to be done.

Going back to a hard copy timesheet might have merits, but it no matter what time it opens at you'll have the same issues with guys saying they can't get up to the club, or they were out on the course when the sheet opened etc etc.

Making people pay when they book might work to a degree, but then again, there's probably less chance of getting out on spec as anyone on the sheet will likely turn up. Also it doesn't really solve the problem (if it is indeed a problem as opposed to just the way things are).

IMO as long as there's a timesheet of any sort in operation you're going to have people who can't get on it for any number of reasons. Its the same in almost every club that has online booking.

To be honest this had crossed my mind....... Certain players have no issue in getting a slot. ;)

GreeBo

we use brs and I assays get my slot, sheet opens at 8am on Friday mornings.
reducing the time between slots would probably cause havoc to be fair...no point in having the sheet always running late.

we just started online payment, you lose it if you cancel too late you forfeit your cash.

PARlance

Macker1 wrote: »

To be honest this had crossed my mind....... Certain players have no issue in getting a slot. ;)

I had my own suspicions as well, and maybe it does happen, but I think it is more the case that there is just really organised groups of golfers out there.

I know of a bunch of golfers that attack as a herd... unlike your group who rotate the responsibility to one individual to book each week...these guys are all logging on and trying to book. All very organised too.

Player A: 8:12 or if no joy straight to 8:36
Player B: 8:20 or as above
Player C: 8:28 or as above

So they'll have 6 shots of getting their slot within seconds of it opening.
As soon as someone gets in and assigns all names, then there is no chance of double booking and the herd retreat...it's a minefield out there.

BraveDonut

Another thing to remember that may help is that players have a time in mind that they would like to play - Say 08:30 or 09:00. In my experience there will be more competition for these "round number" time slots.
So, target the non round number times like 08:20 or 08:50.

I also find that no matter how full the timesheet is after it initially opens, if you are patient, times will always open up.
You may not get to play with your preferred 4-ball every week, but I find that this is good to get you out playing with people that you don't know, which is good for building club spirit.

Dtoffee

If it was me, I would save a screenshot of the sheet each week and see if theres any changes ...... if the same players are going out at the same time each weeks its a total fiddle.

golfwallah

Following up on Greebo's post about online payments in his club, this sounds like a good idea to me.

I remember the feasibility of implementing the BRS "Competition Purse" module being discussed a few times on committee at our club, but like every new innovation, it takes a bit of time and effort to organise, communicate with members and make happen.

That being said, it is feasible in BRS, provided the club can get someone to take it on, explain to members, etc., plus it results in big improvements in cash flow and no shows. The technical side is straight forward enough - the biggest piece of work would seem to be around bringing the members along with the idea.

See following link to case study from BRS Site: http://www1.brsgolf.com/castlewarden.0.html

GreeBo

golfwallah wrote: »

Following up on Greebo's post about online payments in his club, this sounds like a good idea to me.

I remember the feasibility of implementing the BRS "Competition Purse" module being discussed a few times on committee at our club, but like every new innovation, it takes a bit of time and effort to organise, communicate with members and make happen.

That being said, it is feasible in BRS, provided the club can get someone to take it on, explain to members, etc., plus it results in big improvements in cash flow and no shows. The technical side is straight forward enough - the biggest piece of work would seem to be around bringing the members along with the idea.

See following link to case study from BRS Site: http://www1.brsgolf.com/castlewarden.0.html

yep, it's all done through BRS, just turn up and print your card and it's all taken care of, no more rummaging for change, even the twos is part of it.

@Dtoffee
I play at pretty much the same time every week, 10:26 or so, my secret?
be ready and waiting for the timesheet to come out, it's not rocket science tbh.

Arsenium

GreeBo wrote: »

yep, it's all done through BRS, just turn up and print your card and it's all taken care of, no more rummaging for change, even the twos is part of it.

@Dtoffee
I play at pretty much the same time every week, 10:26 or so, my secret?
be ready and waiting for the timesheet to come out, it's not rocket science tbh.

I think you have it there...be ready and waiting. Waiting until the time and then logging on wont bring you much joy.

Be at the computer and logged in 5 mins before the competition opens and ready to refresh the page at just about the right time. You;'d need to be very unlucky not to get access to a timeslot.

thewobbler

Arsenium wrote: »

I think you have it there...be ready and waiting. Waiting until the time and then logging on wont bring you much joy.

Be at the computer and logged in 5 mins before the competition opens and ready to refresh the page at just about the right time. You;'d need to be very unlucky not to get access to a timeslot.

The BRS system is excellent. But like every system, it follows a series of rules, and some people are just better at understanding rules, and can make it work better. It's not exploitation so much as optimisation.

Either way it's infinitely better than a paper time sheet.

Dtoffee

GreeBo wrote: »

@Dtoffee
I play at pretty much the same time every week, 10:26 or so, my secret?
be ready and waiting for the timesheet to come out, it's not rocket science tbh.

I suggested a screen shot to see if the same players are going out at the same time each week ....... your comment is a cheap shot as you know I was referring to 'players' and yes we can all look to play at roughly the same time every week but it is suspicious if the sheet replicates week in week out with the same line up. Under normal circumstances randomers would appear and the regular bookers would move around by 15 mins depending on demand.

redhill

golfwallah wrote: »

Following up on Greebo's post about online payments in his club, this sounds like a good idea to me.

I remember the feasibility of implementing the BRS "Competition Purse" module being discussed a few times on committee at our club, but like every new innovation, it takes a bit of time and effort to organise, communicate with members and make happen.

That being said, it is feasible in BRS, provided the club can get someone to take it on, explain to members, etc., plus it results in big improvements in cash flow and no shows. The technical side is straight forward enough - the biggest piece of work would seem to be around bringing the members along with the idea.

See following link to case study from BRS Site: http://www1.brsgolf.com/castlewarden.0.html

The BRS Competition purse is the best way to solve this problem as it presently stands. From reading this thread i can't believe the lack of clubs that are not using it. Our club has had similar problems to nearly every complaint listed in this thread, but the Competition purse was initiated around 3-4 years ago and most of these problems are a thing of the past.
As mentioned earlier it can take a bit of initial time to set up etc, members have to set up a "purse" (basically putting 20-30 quid into it). This purse then is used to pay for your weekly competition fee, its gets taken out of your account the week after the comp. As Greebo mentioned earlier if you don't show on the Sat/Sun then you still get the money deducted, we also brought in a rule that if you didn't take your name off timesheet by friday 1pm then you got billed.
After some initial very minor problems this started to free up weekend times pretty well, though some never took their names off the timesheet and just forfeited the fee each week.... after 6 months they introduced another great rule, if your name was on sheet and you didn't show you firstly got a gentle reminder to remove name etc, 2nd offence and you had a one week ban from booking onto sheet, 3rd offence was a one month ban...needless to say this has freed up timesheet markedly and apart from maybe 2 weekends a year (Capts day etc) you could log onto BRS and book a slot for any period during the day, indeed complete 4 ball slots are regularly free and plenty of slots with 2/3 places free.
At the AGM last year the club highlighed a few other benefits of the competion purse, can't remember them all, one was much better cash flow, so less bank charges, it has also increased income from competitions & a couple of others.