Golf In America- Boom or Bust?
Let me tell you something folks. For those of us who golf, we think of this as the greatest game and hope to play it til we’re not able to walk any more. But did you ever consider the business of golf…I mean the industry as a whole. How healthy is it considering the economy, real estate slump and rising energy costs? Are more people playing or less and what exactly is going on.
Paul Vitello from the NY Times wrote an exceptional piece on the state of affairs of our beloved sport in the America. You can see it here. I encourage you to read it through its small entirety. I’m pretty concerned myself and frankly a bit dissapointed at the stark reality of the situation. I sincerely hope we can do whatever is necessary to get the game of golf back to it’s deserving good health.
Now don’t get me wrong, less golfers on courses might not be a bad thing…more room for all of us real golfers. But seriously, I do believe this trend is really more applicable to the mid-higher end courses and clubs in America. The muni tracks still get a ton of play as far as I can see.
This brings me to my point. After reading the article, what do YOU think can be done to improve the game of golf for all of us rank amateurs? Maybe faster play, making a commitment for one day per week/month to play or free instruction? What do you think of this trend?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
February 21st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
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February 21st, 2008 at 6:42 pm
[…] jack wrote an interesting post today on Golf In America- Boom or Bust?Here’s a quick excerptFor those of us who golf, we think of this as the greatest game and hope to play it til we’re not able to walk any more. But did you ever consider the business of golf…I mean the industry as a whole. How healthy is it considering the … […]
February 21st, 2008 at 6:44 pm
[…] Donn Glenn wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFor those of us who golf, we think of this as the greatest game and hope to play it til we’re not able to walk any more. But did you ever consider the business of golf…I mean the industry as a whole. How healthy is it considering the … […]
February 21st, 2008 at 7:01 pm
[…] jack added an interesting post on Golf In America- Boom or Bust?Here’s a small excerptFor those of us who golf, we think of this as the greatest game and hope to play it til we’re not able to walk any more. But did you ever consider the business of golf…I mean the industry as a whole. How healthy is it considering the … […]
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I believe that anyone playing on a regulation 18 hole course should have to show; 1) They can actually play the game, 2) Know what is expected for pace of play, replacing divots, fixing ball marks, etc…
In some countries if you want to play golf, you must pass a proficency test before you are allowed on the course. If you don’t pass you don’t play. Beginners and hackers should be playing on the executive and par 3 courses. Even before that they should receive some sort of training before they embark on their first golf course experience. Everyone has to start somewhere but a tough championship track is not the place for these people. I’m tired of playing 5 + hour rounds of golf when I know full well that I have played 18 holes in less than 3 hours walking and carrying my clubs.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Slow play is extremely frustrating, even to us “weekend hacks”. I play to about a 17 handicap and feel that I should be finishing a round in 3 1/2 hours. On most courses, unless I tee off at sunrise, a round is now taking 4 1/2 to 5 hours during the week and 5 to 51/2 on the weekends, which takes a lot of the fun out of it. What I have found, especially on weekends, is that courses don’t have as many Marshals patrolling the course to keep up the pace of play. While you do see Marshalls on courses that charge in excess of $100, most of us play on courses that are more affordable. Also, designers need to realize that on public courses, having holes 11, 12 & 13 be a Par 3, par 5, Par 3 just slows down the entire process. You back up on 10 as people hit the clubhouse, then wait on 11, since its a Par 3. Then play a Par 5, then wait again at a Par 3. If a little more care was taken into how a course is set up “To Play” and not as concerned with how it looks on paper, we would all benefit. And finally, if courses wouldn’t be so quick to send the next group out, everyone would enjoy a much more fun round. I know that they are trying to get in as many rounds as possible, but when you have 4 groups waiting on the 1st Tee and then you are waiting again at #2 and then #2 before pace picks up, it leads to frustration, which kills your game, and makes people think twice about playing “next weekend”. More Marshals, fewer tee times and better course set-ups on some of these courses would work wonders to keeping people coming back, imo.