The art and science of maintaining a golf course’s grounds is complex. To ensure that a golf course meets standards there are many requirements, including the turf height and speed of play. To do the job right and keep up with demanding maintenance times, crews must rely on reliable equipment for golf course maintenance.
Two important considerations should be made when buying the equipment. The first is should you buy or rent your equipment? Do you want to buy new or used equipment?
You can buy or lease
This question is often asked when people look at new cars. However, when a fleet of maintenance workers are equipped with the necessary tools to do their job, it becomes more complex.
A major benefit of leasing equipment is the fact that no one has to deal with obsolescence. The latest equipment is then available for renewal after the term of the lease ends. The latest technology and machinery will be available to crews without the need to concern themselves with obsolete models. There are some pieces of equipment that have remained the same over time. An earthmover or a turf mower will not see any significant improvements beyond a few additional amenities.
In many instances, purchasing the equipment you need is the best option. Although loan payments may be more expensive than leasing payments, equipment remains on the course after the term ends. Maintaining mowers and tractor properly will give you years of use without worrying about making monthly payments. This will allow for better financial flexibility, as the crew won’t have to pay monthly fees for equipment that isn’t being used.
As with renting versus buying a house, each year brings more value to the owned assets than making new rental or lease agreements.
Useful or new turf equipment
However, maintenance equipment for golf courses can be expensive. Most people end up borrowing money to buy new equipment if they don’t have a lot of capital. The most recent models offer some peace of mind, knowing the machine will run smoothly for many years. But there are alternatives.
It is obvious that used equipment costs less than new models. You can save money on interest by purchasing a tractor right away. Although repairs and maintenance can be more costly for turf equipment, monthly savings are worth it. The majority of large mowers and machines can be used for many years.
These decisions should be made with the long-term in mind. Although leasing can be attractive in short term decision making, and is a good option for smaller companies that have limited cash resources, it will not pay long-term dividends to purchase the necessary tools.