Thoughts on why people are walking away from the game...

[hybrid25]

5 hour rounds.

 

I'll say it again, it's that simple. It's the reason several friends have stopped playing and the reason the Juniors get bored when we take them on the course. People don't want to sit around all day waiting to hit. It's boring. The governing bodies really really really need to demand enforcement of the sub 4 hour round of 18. If we can't get things sped up, the kids will just keep finding something else to do. Just to clarify again, I teach juniors in the spring and summer several days a week and ask them all the time why their friends don't want to play or when the kids quit asking them why they don't want to play. They constantly say it's boring and I don't like having to sit around and do nothing on the golf course. They want to hit, go to the ball, hit, etc. Not wait on a 4 some to spend 5 hours farting around in front of them all day. Pretty much like I and everyone else I know.

absolutely, it only takes a few slowpokes to ruin it for an entire course. Rangers need to find these people and tell them to either move quicker or find another place to golf. Courses are so afraid of bad publicity, but slow play is a worse cancer then getting an occasional bad rap for overzealous Rangers. Ready golf is so simple to play it's silly.

[Curtdr]

Yep... what's killing golf is SLOW PLAY.

[Jacob37]

I stepped away for a few years. Small kids , plus work, plus other hobbies. I just about don’t hunt or fish anymore so i prioritize so i can play golf.

[GL3]

I don't think people are walking away from the game because of equipment prices, if that's what you are implying. If you love the game, play with what you have. In my league last year I got beat by a guy playing 20 plus year old knock off irons, with an old Callaway BB Warbird 4 wood off the tee. He's a gem. IMO its more time, mobility, and course prices for me. I won't play a course that I know plays like a 5 out of 10 with a price point of a 9 out of 10. Some of these courses are asking 80 plus with bunkers that are sand packed as hard as concrete. But then the cheaper priced, moderately conditioned courses are flooded and take 5 plus to play a round.

[MountainGoat]

I have to step back from the game, because I'm no longer mentally strong enough to play it. I recently learned my daughter is dying of a brain tumor. I find no comfort in an activity that constantly reminds me what a hopeless failure I am.

[GL3]

That is very upsetting, and I am sorry to hear that. I'll say this, if you suck as golf embrace it, don't fight it or get embarrassed, and let your personality shine. IMO playing with a person with a great personality who sucks beats playing with a good player with a crap personality any day of the week. I wish your family nothing but the best.

[extrastiff]

I have to step back from the game, because I'm no longer mentally strong enough to play it. I recently learned my daughter is dying of a brain tumor. I find no comfort in an activity that constantly reminds me what a hopeless failure I am.

that's brutal...so sorry to hear that. Hope you find a healthy outlet man. My thoughts are with ya

[MarkFromTheUK]

I’m walking away from the game. Goodbye.

[stimpmeterp]

The most I’ve spent on a single golf purchase in recent memory is $499 for a set of premium Srixon irons. Been playing for 25 years. You don’t have to fork out that kind of dough if you know what you are looking for and search the second hand and reseller markets.

[Barfolomew]

There is a direct correlation between Tiger's golf life and golfs popularity.....the graphs prove it

[LUMA]

The internet. No patience. Need instant gratification...

[Mikey5e]

Let them walk, golf is better without them!

[3jacker]

The game seems to exist to support the equipment industry.

Nothing makes sense about the economics of the industry. Declining participation? Raise prices!

[Jc0]

> @3jacker said:

> The game seems to exist to support the equipment industry.

> Nothing makes sense about the economics of the industry. Declining participation? Raise prices!

 

This actually makes perfect sense economically. You've shifted left in the demand curve where there are less people but they are willing to pay more money. The price of clubs didn't change for about 10 years until about 2 or 3 years ago. Drivers were $400 for forever. Second manufacturers realized there was a new market segment for higher end clubs which pxg, homna, and others are starting to embrace.

[3jacker]

Willing to pay more money is the key part I suppose.

Golf effectively shedding all the hoi-paloi that flocked to the sport starting in the 90s.

But that's ok. Let's be honest, some people just don't belong. ;)