QR Code Experiment

Communication. It's very important in our sport and our businesses. Communicating between staff, members and with other colleagues are likely the main goals of most superintendents who start a blog. But one of the most common concerns about this method is "it's mostly other superintendents, I wish my members would take more interest in my blog".

This is why Turfhugger is trying an experiment with golf courses where members and/or staff carry smart phones while on the course.

A Quick Response Code ("QR Code") is a 2-dimensional barcode consisting of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. I'm sure you've seen and likely used this before. It's simple, inexpensive and an interactive way of effectively communicating through your blog. It also shows the power of putting the right things in the right place, helping you accomplish more.

QR Codes allow you to integrate the material and virtual worlds 

Business Cards use QR Codes to link to their websites and in this case, a contest!

Once scanned with your smart phone, the QR Code usually leads you to a website, an app, email address or even text message. This method of linking can easily be used for non-commercial uses, in fact it was originally developed to keep track of vehicles on assembly lines. 

So how can a Golf Course use this method? Here's some ideas:

• By posting the QR Code on the club's bulletin board you could link it to your blog to provide the most recent course maintenance updates. You could even have the link land on a "Newsletter Signup Page" to help grow your member following. 
• By posting the QR Code on a golf hole you can link it directly to your blogs posts that cover activities on that specific hole. 
• By posting the QR Code on specific Bird Houses, Gardens, Bridges over streams or Landscape Features you can educate them about those specific features and their importance to the environment.
• By posting the QR Code on equipment, fuel tanks, MSDS and other product label sheets you can remind staff of protocols and procedures associated with their tasks. This is a great winter project!
• Sell advertising or use it to generate sales at the club, for example:
  - "How's your swing? Scan this to sign up for lessons with our Pro"
  - "Getting hungry? Scan this to see the specials of the day"
  - "Your on #6, feel like another round? Book now!"
• By Posting the QR Code on the first tee and linking it to your golf club's tee time page with a statement that says "I'm about to start my round at Pretty Lake Golf Club" and have options to post it on their Facebook, Twitter or Google+ Page.
  
  ...and of course this method is not limited to directing traffic to your own site, you could link the QR Code to weather reports, USGA Golfer Etiquette page... or even Turfhugger!!! ha!
  
  Here's a couple articles that discuss how golf courses are already using this method:
• Providing hole info to golfers
• Link to Golf Clubs YouTube Video

We've outlined instructions and provided a QR Code generator for you to create a code and link it to your blog.

Step #1 - Create the QR Code

With the QR Code Generator provided below, you have the opportunity to link the code to any number of communications streams i.e. Link to URL, Link to Message, etc... Here are some basic instructions for each QR Code link input option, some more examples and the QR Code Generator.

Creating a link to URL:

Full site feed:
- Atom 1.0: http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
- RSS 2.0: http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Label-specific site feed:

- Atom 1.0: http://www.googleblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default/-/hole-number-one
- RSS 2.0: http://www.googleblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss/-/hole-number-one

Creating a Message:
Type a simple message, something like "Cart Path only today, thank you for cooperating"

Linking to Phone Number:
Type in the phone number of the club, Pro Shop, restaurant, etc...
In your maintenance department you could have the code posted on a shelve that when stock is low it is revealed and prompts staff to call to order more. Emergency numbers related to environmental health and safety may also serve to cut response time when located at source.

Linking to SMS Message:
Type a simple message, something like "I'm on the 6th hole and would like the beverage cart to meet us on the 7th"

Linking to Email:
Subject: 8th Green
Body: Why isn't this green rolling faster!!

QR-Code Generator by Mobile-Barcodes.com

Step #2 - Once you've generated the code, right click on the image or drag and drop to desktop, save it, and paste it into a poster, or into a sticker sheet template to print. Remember to not resize or distort the code at all, otherwise it will not link properly.

Step #3 - Print it on a weather resistant sticker, laminate it or send to a print shop to be printed on permanent signage. Here's some tips on choosing a weather proof label for InkJet or Laser Printers.

Step #4 -  Let us know the results! Fill out this survey below to help us understand if this is an effective way of improving the base of your member followers or has improved communication in any other way. Get creative!

Check out the results to date of our QR Code Experiment.