Very interesting analysis of the condition of the game today. Great use of historical data. The question needs to be addressed: How does playing golf do against competing venues of entertainment? That's the scarry question with the younger generations....we'll have to wait and see.
Good on you for posting a photo of walking golfers to introduce this article. I and my buddies are fortunate to be able to walk our public course here in beautiful Western NC. It's my hope that more people in golf management see fit to include walkers. It's good for our health and good for the health of the game!
The price point of pay to play higher end courses needs to come down. At $225-350 per round only corporate or the elite with be participating on a regular basis. Golf needs to be more accessible and affordable. Do we expect a young 17 year old from an urban area or the country to shell out $550 for a new driver?
In order to reach seniors a corps of ambassadors who are seniors needs to address them. And courses should have quality equipment available to use as well as transportation to and from the course.
Seniors have to see peers participating and the benefits of the activity.
Thanks for listening.
L
I see no mention here about the time it can take to play a round of golf. Many courses back in the day put as many golfers as they could on a course and created situations where five or six hour rounds became the norm. That's what drove golfers away and will again if too many people are enticed into playing again. I played today with my buddies(four of us) and were done in 3.5 hours. That's fun, not five and six hours! Non of us is spring chickens either, our youngest is 70 and the oldest is 81.
Great point!
Tiger is back... popularity will grow again... he was the reason golf reached the ‘common’ folk
....down side could be epic when Mr. Woods can no longer compete at the PGA Tour level
The bigger problem is affordability for the game. I'm in Vegas and the average round here is about $65.00 in high season and $45 in Summer. The food and beverage cost are off the charts. I have paid as much as $7.00 for 1 can of beer ??????? and $3.00 for a soft drink (this is why a growth in bags with cooler compartments built in) Understanding the course maintenance is indeed expensive to keep it well manicured but green fees must come down to make the game affordable especially for beginners and Jrs.
WRR, you need to move a little south to AZ. Here in our active adult communities (45+), we pay $45 high season and $20 summer (often less). Beer is $1.75/can. Food is equally inexpensive. We as a community own our golf courses, and we operate in a non-profit fashion.
How does USA golf participation compare with other Countries...?
Is this participation information available by age group...?
I live on a golf course and I practice a lot on the range. At both spots, the number of people who don’t understand the golf swing is scary. And the comments on the range with people telling their friends what they are doing wrong is scary. Until golf instruction improves, a portion of the population that would take up the game won’t because they are too frustrated.
Golf is about the never ending challenge of self improvement. Hackers on the range who just want to wail on a bucket of balls aren't golfers....yet..Unless they make a conscious decision to be the best they can be...they will just be hackers who do nothing more than slow down play.
Amen, seeing the blind attempting to lead the blind is frustrating. Hearing "swing advice" which is total CaCa drives me nuts. Sometimes I have to pack my stuff and exit the range.
I agree with your comment. I suggest that the golf pros at the club should be out there on the range volunteering to help these poor folk. I know the argument is that they are "too busy" and that the folk "should take lessons" but if the course wants to grow their memberships and rounds-played, helping out new golfers is a great investment!
I absolutely agree with you Kevin.
My first swing of the club was three years ago and I fell madly in love with the game and haven't stopped obsessing about it since.
Being a "self taught" golfer I had no idea what I was doing on the driving range let alone on an actual course.
It was very intimidating but I was determined to learn for the love of the game.
Now only two years later I find myself in conversations at the driving range with "newbies" asking questions about club ball connection to etiquette on the course.
Always happy to give advice when warranted. But makes me wish I had someone with alittle experience to help me out without having to pay +$100 for an hour lesson when I just need a few suggestions answers and/or pointers
