Why the increase in amount of players

[airjammer]

I don’t play that much anymore and when I do it’s with my regulars so I don’t get paired up with new comers. Around my area the courses are quite a bit busier. So for those who just picked up the game or those who just came back to the game during or after lockdowns..can you tell me why you did so?

 

Golf has been losing players once the Tiger boom eased and there has been much debate on this site why more people don’t stick around..from money, time, or a outdated game just to name a few.  So I’m very curious why so many continue to play after lockdowns eased? 
 

 

[golfandfishing]

I’m sure SOME new players have come to the game this year but I think what you are seeing is an increase in the amount played by players already in the game. I know I have played more this year than the last 5 or so years. It’s a simple reason - time. We are working from home, not commuting, doing errands during lunch or other times during the workday.  We’re using vacation days and not traveling. We’re also able to use work time wisely and get out for weekday rounds during work hours. Throw some sort of any or all three of those at golfers and traffic at any course is on the rise. 

[sheppy335]

We have noticed a lot of new players also, it is cause golf is one of the few things going full bore in the Crisis. 

[SUPERG]

People can't play adult softball, or their goofy Frisbee leagues anymore due to the Rona. They now clog the courses with horrible etiquette. 

[golfortennis]

Don't forget as well, with a lot of youth sports cancelled, either those kids are coming to the golf course(parents in tow), or one of the parents now has time to play since they aren't ferrying kids around.

 

 

[VNutz]

Rounds are way up at the courses around me this year. Entertainment options have been severely limited or eliminated entirely. No attendable professional sports, no beaches, no movies, no new television shows, no gyms, bars/restaurants and even get togethers are frowned upon, etc. There's not much else to do. All those people who over the years said they love golf but didn't have the time suddenly have the time. Goes for lots of other outdoor activities as well. Biking and walking paths are busier than they've ever been, more boaters and kayakers than I can remember on the rivers. Go try to buy a bicycle right now, in many places your options are extremely slim. People that have shunned outdoor activities over the years have been forced back to it.

[wkilpatrick]

Yeah I haven't gotten to play as much because of the increase in people at our local courses. Last 18 hole round I played lasted almost 6 hours. I don't have that kind of time to waste on a weekly basis. Trying to play more 9 hole rounds instead. 

[PhilsFanDrew]

Its obvious COVID-19 is the biggest reason because entertainment options are limited due to closures and prohibition of mass gatherings.  With that said the numbers at least in my neck of the woods are starting to tail off some.  In early May - early August you had to book weekend tee times at least a week in advance if you wanted to get a foursome out anytime before 9 hole twilight.  The courses are still busy and you can't just walk up any time expecting to be accommodated but pretty much anything during the week and late mornings-mid afternoons on weekends can be had by booking a day in advance and if you just need a two some same day.

 

[aenemated]

I've DEFINITELY seen an increase in new-comers. In before-times, I could roll up to my nearest range for a practice session and there'd be maybe a dozen or so folks out there. I go now? It's practically full ... and there're A LOT of stations. And obviously a lot of new players as it's largely people that ... struggle. 

 

Also super tough getting tee times now. I know they're spacing them out a bit more but still ... if we don't book something for the weekend by Tuesday; everything that isn't afternoon is gone. 

[platgof]

And the prices have gone up as well.

[Sniperman]

I’ve heard that there are more people taking up the game due to Rona.  Perhaps they are folks who used to play league sports like basketball, softball, etc.  I also have not seen weekend riders in large groups.  Where I live they used to be in groups of 20 or more just riding the main roads.

A golf shop manager also informed me they’ve never sold as many buses clubs in their history.  
There’s definitely an influx of new players to the game.  

[MattyO1984]

I am coming to it from a slightly different perspective in that I am in Scotland however, here, certainly in my local area, the numbers of people playing have certainly shot up. A lot of them who are playing or joining clubs now perhaps dabbled before now and would play on the odd occasion but with the lack of other sports available to them, have decided to join up and play more regular. It will be interested to see if this is simply a spike that disappears when they can get back to doing what they are more used to doing or if they will stick with it.

[golfortennis]

4 hours ago, MattyO1984 said:

I am coming to it from a slightly different perspective in that I am in Scotland however, here, certainly in my local area, the numbers of people playing have certainly shot up. A lot of them who are playing or joining clubs now perhaps dabbled before now and would play on the odd occasion but with the lack of other sports available to them, have decided to join up and play more regular. It will be interested to see if this is simply a spike that disappears when they can get back to doing what they are more used to doing or if they will stick with it.

 

There is also the fact of, at least in the US and Canada, federal governments have handed out money. Not looking to comment on the propriety or not of such, but particularly when you hear a number of people have made out better than it they had been working, you have to wonder how much that has also has added to the players, and once that stops, obviously so will their playing golf.

[MattyO1984]

40 minutes ago, Bluefan75 said:

 

There is also the fact of, at least in the US and Canada, federal governments have handed out money. Not looking to comment on the propriety or not of such, but particularly when you hear a number of people have made out better than it they had been working, you have to wonder how much that has also has added to the players, and once that stops, obviously so will their playing golf.

 

Yeah same thing here. The word furlough was not one that I was familiar with but a huge amount of people were placed on the same...the frustration for a lot of them was that the courses were closed at the same time but having not had a day off all year, my sympathy levels for them not being able to play during the day are relatively low.

[Murphy76]

My home course hosts the local high-school golf team.  In previous years, they had 6-8 kids on the team.

 

Now they have 30+.  Why?  No football. 

 

It's kind of funny to see the coach working with 5-6 kids, while the football player golfers are told to go practice their chipping far away.  At least the kids are instructed in golf etiquette and are told to get out of the way of people actually playing.  I hope it generates more life-long golfers.  Hopefully the 'football kids' might realize that golf is a game you can play your whole life.

[8602081]

Golf is great sport with Social Distancing.. along with Tennis..

 

To play that is..

 

Edited September 2, 2020 by 8602081

[Roody]

I belong to a private club that had a no-tee times system before this season. Because of covid, they've had to implement tee times. 

 

The tee sheet opens 6 days in advance at 8:00 am that morning. I am on there at 7:59 am spamming the refresh button to make sure I can grab something. For weekend times the slots between 6:30 am and 11:00 am are gone in about 2-3 minutes after the tee sheet opens. 

 

I've heard a few of the other members are upset about the tee times, and think it's unnecessary. I debated with one of them and my thought is if we didn't have tee times, you'd be showing up on weekends to 80 people waiting on the first tee. I would rather have to be vigilant about getting tee times each week than having to deal with one to two hour waits. As mentioned above, there's not much else for people to do so they're golfing more than ever. 

[Medson]

Yup. All the comments are spot-on. 

 

I know many kids picked up or resumed golf because all other sports (indoor, contact sports) are canceled. 

 

Golf is great for social distancing. 

 

It is harder to get a tee time in the courses near me, but that's a good problem to have for golf as a whole. Almost every round I played is a four-some. Pace of play has been surprisingly okay considering more people are on the course. Lots of new folks have self awareness. I saw when they lost a ball OB, they'd take a minute to search, then drop another one and move on. 

[andrue]

10 hours ago, MattyO1984 said:

I am coming to it from a slightly different perspective in that I am in Scotland however, here, certainly in my local area, the numbers of people playing have certainly shot up. A lot of them who are playing or joining clubs now perhaps dabbled before now and would play on the odd occasion but with the lack of other sports available to them, have decided to join up and play more regular. It will be interested to see if this is simply a spike that disappears when they can get back to doing what they are more used to doing or if they will stick with it.

Same down here in England. I'm pretty sure it's people who have dabbled a bit in the past but then gave it up and who now have few other personal sport options available to them. It's become a bit less busy of July/August but getting a tee time in the evening has been tricky ever since courses re-opened. It's now irrelevant because with the shorter evenings I don't have enough time for 18 and don't feel like only doing 9.

 

Luckily my experience of these 'tourists' is that they understand golf etiquette and whilst it's harder to get a tee time when on course they let us regulars through as/when appropriate. For my part I try to be polite and helpful - maybe it will encourage some to stick around long term which has to be good for the sport.

Edited September 2, 2020 by andrue

[Chip Out Sideways]

Here in the Uk an unexpected consequence of Covid has been an increase in golf club membership. My own course is up 60 and another local course has a joining fee for the first time in almost 10 years. Another friend of mine has 120 new members at their club. An experienced gold club pro and administrator told me it that it has, at least in the UK, been a myth that the cost of golf club membership reduced numbers but it was the amount of time golf took that made membership poor value. With more people working from home, less commuting, gyms shut, being outdoors etc golf is thriving. Long may it continue but it also shows the need to be vigilant about slow play. At least in the UK golf club membership had been in decline and clubs closing before Covid. For most clubs membership, then visitors were key to finances, not bar takings so this will hopefully not be a short term boost.

[Sean2]

I have seen a big increase at my home course. I think it has to do with people working from home, or not working at all. 

[Curmudg3on]

4 hours ago, Sean2 said:

I have seen a big increase at my home course. I think it has to do with people working from home, or not working at all. 

 

this..

[moorekl89]

I think its a way for a group of friends to drink a beer (or 10)  and enjoy themselves versus having to comply with a bar's new rules/mandates....although i dont think you can call any place a bar right now.

[asianslaw]

Working from home, nothing else to do with quarantine, getting outside and walking.

 

Just started last year but I have been full injecting this sport into my veins since Feb.

[MattyCO]

Corona is my reason for playing again.  I mean really playing.  I've always played a few rounds a year socially, but work always got in the way of any serious commitment.  But since I've been grounded at home (or at least my local office), I've had lots of time to play evenings.  It's been a great opportunity to get lessons and improve.

[North Butte]

Two factors. Golf is one recreation that's still happening (in most jurisdictions) even as most others have been canceled or outlawed. And millions of people are on "work from home" which somehow seems to translate into being able to go to the golf course at times they formerly would have been in their office. 

[golfandfishing]

22 hours ago, North Butte said:

Two factors. Golf is one recreation that's still happening (in most jurisdictions) even as most others have been canceled or outlawed. And millions of people are on "work from home" which somehow seems to translate into being able to go to the golf course at times they formerly would have been in their office. 

This is a simple answer - we’re also working at times we would normally be home. If the opportunity to play at 3:00 arises it is just as appropriate as doing an RFP at 6:00am or answering calls before 8:00 or after 5:00. The work from home for normal office dwellers has intruded on our homes, we have dedicated part of our real estate and part of our at home time to our companies now. My company recognizes this and encourages us to take advantage of opportunities to get away regardless of the hour it occurs. 

[SterlingArcher]

Personally for me it has been the lack of the daily commute, saving close to 2.5-3 hours each day from the nightmare of greater Boston traffic.  Membership at my club is at capacity for the first time in years and many of the newer members are all saying the same thing.

[miamistomp]

 I miss football !

 Not because I care about it but it kept people off the course Saturday and Sunday afternoons   

    Only playing weekdays now because of crowds

[LeftDaddy]

I belong to a club that has “no tee times” as one of it’s selling points, and prior to the pandemic you could get on at virtually any time you pleased and have the course almost to yourself. Now, tee times are required, and they are sending out emails to members in the middle of the week basically saying don’t bother coming out Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday AM if you don’t already have a tee time. I’ve been fortunate to be able to get on whenever I wanted even through the pandemic, but I’ve had to park in areas of the grounds I never knew existed and the course is often quite full. We also have an outdoor dining area that for a while may have been one of the few “restaurants” you could attend, and so it has been packed also. They’ve actually just shut down the interior dining options for now. 
 

People have few other entertainment options...golf is “king” right now!