Making On-Course Golf Possible for Every Beginner

In most beginner golf programs, players don’t get on the course. Not because coaches don’t want them to—but because it’s nearly impossible to organize without help from the golf shop, spreadsheets, and a lot of back-and-forth. There’s never been a simple easy way to get beginners on the course, or a tool tailored made for coaches to organize their tee times, build pairings, and communicate details with families.

Operation 36 was built to change that.

We created the first development model that gets beginners—adults and juniors—on the course early and often. And now we’re building the technology to make that scalable for every coach, without needing to be an expert in running and managing an on-course event.

Our tools are designed to give coaches control, keep parents informed, and help golfers build confidence by playing real golf on the course.

Introducing the 9-Hole Event Manager

The 9-Hole Event Manager is a game-changing tool inside Operation 36 that makes it easier than ever for coaches to get players on the course—without the hassle.

Here’s how it works:

1. Automated Rosters
   Coaches start with a dynamic roster based on their program signups.
2. Smart RSVP System
   The app reminds families to RSVP and surfaces events in each player’s schedule.
3. Simple Pairings Builder
   Coaches create pairings in minutes using a drag-and-drop builder with auto-grouping options.
4. Real-Time Communication
   Tee times and pairing groups are shared instantly via email and the Operation 36 app.
5. Progress Tracking + Celebration
   Coaches log scores, and the system handles the rest—automatically celebrating personal bests, leveling up players, and updating the community leaderboard.

Why It Matters

The challenge has never been about getting beginners interested in playing—it’s about making it simple for coaches and golf professionals to make that happen consistently.

"One of the first challenges we ran into over 10 years ago was figuring out how to get beginners on the course—both from a pace-of-play perspective and with purpose. That’s where the Operation 36 model of 'start close, shoot 36 and backup' was born.

But it quickly became clear that managing groups and tracking progress manually wasn’t scalable. We built elaborate spreadsheets that just couldn’t keep up.

With support from our parent company, Golf Genius—experts in tournament management—we set out to create something entirely new: a tool built for coaching programs to get beginners on the course and help them see real improvement.

Now, coaches can build pairings, send them out, log scores, and the Op 36 app does the rest. It’s the first tool of its kind ever created for golf instruction—and another step toward our vision of creating the #1 program and technology for introducing and developing golfers.”
— Matt Reagan, Co-Founder, Operation 36

Behind the scenes, Operation 36 is the only company in golf tracking a beginner’s journey from their first 9 holes to shooting par from the full tee box.

With over 200,000 golfers introduced to the game, it is clear that there is a large time gap between day one and when a golfer is ready for a Handicap. Operation 36 is committed to creating more lifelong golfers by closing the gap in beginner retention, providing the tools and programs that make learning fun and motivating at every step.

Interested in bringing Operation 36 to your Facility?

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