5 Types of Costs Associated with fixing golf course equipment

With a good mechanic, it will run forever. But a good mechanic is not a substitute for regular replacement of equipment.

-Chris Hartwiger



The statement is spot on when it comes to the scenario of a golf course. Most golf course owners generally overlook the need for a replacement to save the increased cost. Remember, it will run forever, but the cost increases exponentially.



When you take a tour of your golf course, any delay in fixation of machinery doesn't bother you much. Why do you think that is? It's because you have hired a perfectly able mechanic who can fix anything. Or there is always some excuse for the delay. Isn't it?

The real cost of fixing golf course equipment

We measure the expenditure of anything by comparing the same with the opportunity cost. It's because there are direct and indirect costs associated with a particular maintenance operation. The following are the costs of fixing golf course equipment.



In the case of a mechanic fixing turf equipment, he has perfected his skills for the task. The time he has invested in that perfection requires regular compensation. It is an additional part of what your equipment use as consumables.




Also, when the golf equipment mechanic concentrates on a broken down piece of equipment, he has to shift his focus from other preventive measures. It's one of the indirect costs associated with fixing golf course equipment. In this case, the mechanic has to delay other tasks to fix a piece of machinery. The loss arising from the delay can be measured as an indirect cost. Not to mention, there are subsequent consequences of any delay.



Another cost associated with fixing golf course equipment is the increase in expenditure every time it breaks down. As a replacement is expensive, most golf course owners try to repeat the fixation process until the piece of equipment refuses to function. As a result, the maintenance budget needs to increase. We have come across various golf courses that have a repair budget in 6 digits. When we compare the replacement cost with this, it comes out to be lesser.



Golfers, while visiting your facility, won't look for the maintenance process. They will only notice disruptions they experienced in the playing conditions. As a result, the popularity of golf course takes a big hit. The future profits have the potential to decrease which can also be called the indirect cost.



The final type of indirect cost associated with fixing golf course equipment is the reduced quality of playing conditions. Take, for example, golf course mowers have blades underneath to cut the grass in exquisite detail. Once the blades wear out, you can resharpen them. But a saturation point comes when the blades just stop working (or don't cut finely). As a result, the greens are not appropriately maintained. The reduction in the value of the damaged turf is the indirect cost here.

How to create a balance in fixation and replacement?

The Golf course needs to create some type of replacement plan for the kind of equipment it owns. Don't focus on the effectiveness of the program. Just have a plan and amend it gradually. Ask yourself if it is cost-effective, at the same time, meets the initial objectives of quality. Managers can consider cost reduction methods like replacement with used turf equipment.


A mechanic is of immense value to any golf course but regular replacement of equipment (and parts) is equally important (if not more). Remember, an excellent working condition is not a result of coincidence but a result of excellent planning.