
The course marshal's duties typically include some or all of the following:
- Respond to golfers' questions, requests, concerns.
- Direct golfers around the course, if they are unfamiliar with the layout.
- Inform golfers about course policies, and let a golfer know when he might be in violation of a course policy.
- If the opportunity arises, help golfers search for lost balls (or gently suggest they give up the search to keep the pace of play going).
- Try to mediate any disputes that might arise between groups.
- Look for opportunities to care for the course, maybe repairing a ballmark here or filling a divot there.
- Most important of all, look for ways to help the pace of play.
What is a marshal at a golf tournament?
Marshals at a tournament are helpers, aides, assistants to the players and spectators whose job boils down to helping things run smoothly. And those marshals are almost all (probably all) volunteers. You can be a marshal at a pro tour event, if you contact the tournament office in advance and sign up.
What does it mean to volunteer at a golf tournament?
Tournament volunteers are the lifeblood of professional golf tournaments, helping to ensure that the players, spectators and charities that benefit from these events get the most out of the week. In many ways, they’re just as critical to the success of the event as the players themselves.
How do I become a golf Marshal?
In order to become a Golf Marshal, you do not have to have any previous experience, although this might depend on the tournament. Obviously, tournaments like the Masters and the Open will most likely require marshals with experience as they will be oversubscribed.
What are the benefits of volunteering at the Masters Tournament?
Other benefits of working as a Masters Tournament volunteer at Augusta National include getting to interact with the players, especially if you take on a marshalling, locker room assistance, or player registration volunteer role.

What do Marshals do at golf tournament?
The primary mission of the marshal is help ensure fair play by facilitating player movement and efficient operation of the tournament, to assist with crowd control on the golf course, to promote physical safety and enjoyment of the gallery, and to contribute to uninterrupted play by locating stray shots.
What do PGA volunteers do?
Volunteers are critical to the success of a tournament, managing functions ranging from ShotLink scoring and concessions to guest services, pre-course set-up, on-course marshalling, merchandise, operations, Pro-Am, TOUR player registration, locker room, practice facility and much more.
How do you become a PGA marshal?
At recreational golf courses, marshals typically need a high school diploma and previous customer service experience. Employers often provide training but prefer applicants who have experience playing golf recreationally. You can gain experience by working as a volunteer marshal during a local or regional tournament.
What do you wear to a volunteer golf tournament?
Most golfers choose to either wear long khakis or, if allowed, dressier shorts. The safe bet is to wear pants of a cotton or blended fabric material, and for women skirts in such material are also accepted. If you have them, we recommend wearing specifically designed golf pants.
What does a spotter do in golf?
A spotter is responsible for watching balls and locating them for the players. Please do not touch or move balls. Do not offer advice or make Rulings. Small flags are sometimes used to mark a ball that is off the fairway.
What does ShotLink volunteer do?
A location-based ShotLink volunteer will be operating a fairway laser, fairway or greenside tablet, or act as a Rover. The fairway laser and tablet operators track the landing position of all shots in and around the fairway. The greenside tablet operators record the landing position of shots on and around the green.
What makes a good golf marshal?
Course managers would agree they serve three prime functions: Ensuring pace of play, the safety of the golfer, and to provide overall customer service. Safety issues are rare but what if a player is hit by a ball, stung by a bee, faints, is having a heart attack, or simply needs a band aid?
What does a golf starter do?
Starters are responsible for the orderly and timely movement of tee times, controlling the pace of play, and ensuring the golf course policies and dress code are followed in addition to providing guests high quality customer service.
What do ladies wear to a golf tournament?
Believe it or not, there is also a dress code for golf spectators. Female spectators tend to wear comfortable flat or tennis sneakers, shorts or skorts, a sundress, or a wide edge hat. Some things to avoid at all costs are graphic tees, tube tops or strapless garments, Spandex, jeans, heels, or flip flops.
What should I wear to a golf tournament when it's cold?
The protocol is generally collared shirts (cotton, breathable microfiber or polyester material). Some managers allow turtleneck-style collars. T-shirts and tank tops are generally not permitted for men or women.
What do you wear to a country club gala?
If you're attending a country club gala, you'll want to dress to impress. This means going for an elegant and formal look. A long dress or evening gown is always a good choice. You can also opt for a black or navy cocktail dress that falls just above the knee.
What does a golf course marshal do?
Golf Course Marshal Duties: What does a Marshal Do? Marshals are the largest group of volunteers and play a vital role in ensuring players are not disturbed during play, enforcing crowd control and golf etiquette among spectators, and locating errant shots. The committee requires standing for extended periods of time and Marshals should be capable ...
What is the best day to be a golf marshal?
One of the best days to be a Golf Marshal is on the Pro-Am golf day . Quite often there will not be big crowds on this day so that you won’t have a huge amount of work to do. Also, the players are relaxed and friendly and quite happy to chat to people, have the photos taken and sign autographs.
Why do the roving marshals go out?
The Roving Marshals are placed in teams and each team goes out with a particular group of players to make sure the crowd obeys all the rules of the tournament and keeps quiet when required .
What are the duties of a golfer?
Essential duties and responsibilities including the following: 1 Engaging all guests, warm welcome, and a fond farewell 2 Greets all golfers within the first 6 holes of their round 3 Maintains pace of play on the golf course 4 Assists guests with errant golf shots 5 Maintains communication with the golf shop & management regarding the pace of play 6 Assists with tournament setup
What does a golfer greet?
Greets all golfers within the first 6 holes of their round. Maintains pace of play on the golf course. Assists guests with errant golf shots. Maintains communication with the golf shop & management regarding the pace of play. Assists with tournament setup.
Do you have to have previous experience to be a golf marshal?
In order to become a Golf Marshal, you do not have to have any previous experience, although this might depend on the tournament. Obviously, tournaments like the Masters and the Open will most likely require marshals with experience as they will be oversubscribed.
Is golf knowledge an asset?
Golf knowledge is an asset however not essential . Golf Course Marshal Duties are in place to reduce distractions and maintain the pace of play. But have you ever been “dogged” by a golf course Marshal for no good reason and to the point of the Marshal’s actions upset and ruin your game?
What does a marshal do at a golf tournament?
Marshals at a tournament are helpers, aides, assistants to the players and spectators whose job boils down to helping things run smoothly.
What is the role of a golf marshal?
All of which goes back to what we said at the top: A marshal’s duty is to help manage the flow of golfers around the course. Some of the value in marshals is in their mere visibility. If golfers know a course has marshals, they are more likely to police themselves.
What does a course marshal do?
The course marshal’s duties typically include some or all of the following: Respond to golfers’ questions, requests, concerns; Direct golfers around the course, if they are unfamiliar with the layout; Inform golfers about course policies, and let a golfer know when he might be in violation of course policy; If the opportunity arises, help golfers ...
What happens if you compare two golf courses?
And if you compare two golf courses with the exact same amount of business, one of which has course marshals while the other one doesn’t, the one with marshals will have a better flow around the course. The pace of play will be better and – likely – the paying customers will be happier.
What is a golf marshal called?
The marshal is often called a “ranger” or “course ranger,” and some facilities that are trying to act fancy might even refer to their marshals as “course ambassadors.”.
What is a marshal in golf?
A “marshal” or “course marshal” is an individual whose duties generally focus on helping manage the flow around the golf course. The marshal’s specific duties, though, vary depending on whether the marshal is working during a golf tournament or during regular, ...
Can you be a marshal at a pro tour?
You – yes , you! – can be a marshal at a pro tour event, if you contact the tournament office in advance and sign up. Marshals may be used at pro events, high-caliber amateur tournaments, or even during a company outing or charity tournament at a local course.
What is a volunteer golf tournament?
Tournament volunteers are the lifeblood of professional golf tournaments, helping to ensure that the players, spectators and charities that benefit from these events get the most out of the week. In many ways, they’re just as critical to the success of the event as the players themselves. If you’ve ever considered taking your golf fandom to ...
What is a scoring volunteer?
Scoring: Scoring volunteers are essential members of the competition team helping to collect scorecards, verify their accuracy, enter them within the official scoring systems and call them in to the rules or broadcast teams.
Can you volunteer for the LPGA?
Yes, some volunteers do have the chance to get up close and meet LPGA and PGA Tour players, but at the end of the day, their main responsibility is to help pull of a premier sporting event, so it’s best to keep things professional and mind your etiquette as a volunteer. To find out if an LPGA, PGA, Symetra or Korn Ferry Tour event is coming ...
What do volunteers need to do during play?
During play, volunteers should be at every hole and station making sure everything is running smoothly. Key volunteers need to be issued communication devices, such as radios, so they can contact individuals in charge when situations arise.
How to get volunteers involved right away?
Once volunteers are recruited, develop opportunities for them to get involved right away. They could brainstorm gift ideas, make follow up phone calls, or help prepare mailings. It will help both of you to have clear goals and expectations for each volunteer.
