Golf Needs More of This

[smashdn]

https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/congaree-foundation-segeant-jasper-recharge/

 

More entry level opportunities for new players and kids.

More collaboration between courses and industry supporting businesses.

More opportunities in rural areas.

More courses that aren't perfect down to the blade of grass.  Golf is fun and challenging when it is imperfect and a little rough.  And it is just as much golf as it is at the immaculate places.

More sustainable choices being made.

[rp4golf]

Don't disagree with any of that - but to me the way to grow more entry-level opportunities for new players and kids is to build more par-3 and executive courses.

[RmoorePE]

That is a good story. Proximity to golf is definitely the best attraction to it.

 

I think the PGA and LPGA should sponsor grants for hitting bays and launch monitors attached to HS gyms and weight rooms. I have seen a few high schools with nice golf training facilities, but they are mostly sponsored by alumni.

 

I think getting a group of kids the opportunity to hit golf balls casually at school and to find "diamonds in the rough" pun wholly intended could be a great boon to the game. If the golf coach can be around to help keep it organized, all the better.

[DavidH88]

I agree, kids are the future of pretty much anything nowadays, libraries, golf and sport in general. 
 

If golf was added to PE (what we call gym class here in the uk) it would not only be the start of something good but also get the kids wanting to try it. The governing bodies however dont stop to think how it could generate interest the usga, lpga are Doing a grand job but i think the r&a could also help by creating more 3 to 6 hole pitch and putt courses built, club rentals for around $2 (£1) and a couple of free balls. Good news is that the local course i play here in the uk are planning to build a city wide golf academy and a par 3 course in the near future. Hopefully driving ranges will help also with toptracer range having great games for kids 👍

[dbleag]

Golf needs more caddie programs and fewer electric/gas carts.....to get kids involved with the game.

 

Provides income, a proper exposure to the game, improved social skills and contacts for future career opportunities.

 

Inverness Club, Toledo, OH is one of the best.

[NoTalentLefty]

Tee variations with options to play up on certain holes and being able to get an accurate rating and slope for that distance. Some courses do this already but seems to go by the wayside . Not sure why . Maybe the cost from the associations  , if so get them on board without an upgrade in price? 

[phizzy30]

On 6/10/2021 at 12:02 PM, RmoorePE said:

That is a good story. Proximity to golf is definitely the best attraction to it.

 

I think the PGA and LPGA should sponsor grants for hitting bays and launch monitors attached to HS gyms and weight rooms. I have seen a few high schools with nice golf training facilities, but they are mostly sponsored by alumni.

 

I think getting a group of kids the opportunity to hit golf balls casually at school and to find "diamonds in the rough" pun wholly intended could be a great boon to the game. If the golf coach can be around to help keep it organized, all the better.

Those schools you talk about that have state of the art facilities are all at private schools where some of the alumni are making bank.  I have a few high school kids at a local private school that I train that have a flightscope on campus. 

[Strategery]

Disagree. Golf is doing fine, with the one exception that courses should be shorter/smaller.

[Quasimoto]

On 7/4/2021 at 5:37 PM, Strategery said:

Disagree. Golf is doing fine, with the one exception that courses should be shorter/smaller.

Like someone already said, build smaller/shorter courses. But the existing long ones need to to stay alive as well.

[tatertot]

How many more golfers do we need?

[diddy2]

Golf needs to become slightly cheaper, greens fees going up, golf ball prices going up, clubs, bags, shoes, tees, gloves...on and on and on

 

The same machines are finding all this new “technology” in golf clubs with the same people working with the company for years and yet clubs prices go up for some reason

 

Maybe we should go in strike with golf companies for a year and not buy any new products, watch the prices drop drastically 

[596]

Prices go up in any sport.  When I first started racing triathlons a high end carbon bike in the late 80s was about $1200. Walk into a bike shop now.  The high end bikes are $12,000 and more.  A good set of wheels are $3,000 and more. A seat will set you back $400. It's crazy.  

 

Golf is no different.  Prices go up as economies go up.  Prices go up as businesses have to show increased profits year after year after year or everyone thinks something is wrong.

Edited July 10, 2021 by 596

[Fairway14]

On 6/10/2021 at 9:00 AM, rp4golf said:

Don't disagree with any of that - but to me the way to grow more entry-level opportunities for new players and kids is to build more par-3 and executive courses.

 

Agreed. Par 3 courses, executive length courses, and also driving ranges are all great . Not just for beginner players but all skill levels.

[Pepperturbo]

Though jobs are limited, the Golf industry, overall, is doing well.  Top Golf is helping to grow golf, but building even short/executive courses, is unlikely due to cost vs. profit.   It's simply more costly than most other sports.  For many reasons, some youth may have to forgo golf till later when they can afford it.  Golf is similar to renting or owning a condo on the strand or beach, neither are entitlements.

Edited July 10, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[ChipStrokes]

4 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Though jobs are limited, the Golf industry, overall, is doing well.  Top Golf is helping to grow golf, but building even short/executive courses, is unlikely due to cost vs. profit.   It's simply more costly than most other sports.  For many reasons, some youth may have to forgo golf till later when they can afford it.  Golf is similar to renting or owning a condo on the strand or beach, neither are entitlements.

LOLOL

 

”get outta here, kid, you’re too poor!”

 

do you even read what you type?

[Pepperturbo]

9 minutes ago, ChipStrokes said:

LOLOL

 

”get outta here, kid, you’re too poor!”

 

do you even read what you type?

Yes, I read and comprehend.  You should try it without ignorance or bias.  America is NOT socialistic... it operates quite well on supply and demand, capitalistic economy... Yep, some kids won't be able to afford to play golf, have a bike or cell phone or computer.  I came from a welfare poor ugly family, I know first hand.  I won't go into details, except, I am self-made.  Are YOU? 

[ChipStrokes]

26 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Yes, I read and comprehend.  You should try it without ignorance or bias.  America is NOT socialistic... it operates quite well on supply and demand, capitalistic economy... Yep, some kids won't be able to afford to play golf, have a bike or cell phone or computer.  I came from a welfare poor ugly family, I know first hand.  I won't go into details, except, I am self-made.  Are YOU? 

it’s not socialistic, but there’s no reason it has to be elitist. 

 

i’ve done quite well for myself. it might come as a shock to you, but you can own several companies and sit on the boards of several others without reminding strangers on the internet about it with every other post. 

 

and since i have it, i enjoy being able to help those that don’t by contributing to local organizations for kids. loosen those purse strings, Pep. it doesn’t hurt, i promise. 

[Soloman1]

On 7/6/2021 at 8:39 PM, tatertot said:

How many more golfers do we need?

Great (rhetorical) question.

 

For golf to have millions of more fans, it would have to change dramatically.

 

First, it would need to develop a team franchise system where cities have a team of 10 golfers. The franchisees will only be billionaires or close-to billionaires who are chosen by their other billionaire friends. (American capitalism...)

 

The owner drafts the players and pays them enormous salaries.

 

They all get the franchise cities to ding the taxpayers to pay for the new covered, but with a sliding roof, Golf Stadium. (insert patriotic music).

 

The Golf Stadium will have a virtual 9 inning/hole course with large visual screens for the fans. Team members drive into a net and a launch monitor show the results. The brand of the launch monitor will be based on who pays the most cash to be the "Golf Stadium Partner." Putting is done on large undulating simulated greens that change to match the hole.

 

Teams have designated positions. Players are Drivers, Long Iron players, Mid irons players, Short Iron players, Putters, Short Game players, etc.

 

Perhaps the rules will allow designated bunker players?

 

The team owner will make hundreds of millions of dollars every year by selling cheap plastic crap made in China with the local team logo on it to fans who buy the season tickets and the companies who buy the corporate boxes. The corporate boxes will be the most ostentatious, gaudy, flamboyant suites with waterfalls of champagne, hot tubs and cart girls.

 

The fans will happily pay ridiculous amounts of money for hotdogs and peanuts ($40 hotdogs, $25 bag of peanuts and $19 beers, etc.) for the privilege of screaming madly during the swings of the golfers. They will even sell $30 bowls of Mashed Potatoes to fans.

 

Jet flyovers costing taxpayers over $100,000 will be arranged as often as possible. Kardashians and InstaGram model can throw out the first drive. Hats, team logo'd putters and drivers that people will overpay for to show off their devotion to the team.

 

This is how "real sports" is done. A small amount of people sucking money from taxpayers and fans who don't realize that they get nothing when "their team" wins.

 

That's how you grow the game.

 

 

Edited July 10, 2021 by Soloman1

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

...designated bunker players....🤣🤣🤣

[LuxUnit]

On 6/10/2021 at 11:00 AM, rp4golf said:

Don't disagree with any of that - but to me the way to grow more entry-level opportunities for new players and kids is to build more par-3 and executive courses.

I would love a local par 3 course. Especially like a 3-6 hole course that was free or extremely cheap. Played on a free one once and I went 3 days in a row just to mess around. Very fun.

[bonvivantva]

On 6/10/2021 at 11:18 AM, smashdn said:

https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/congaree-foundation-segeant-jasper-recharge/

 

More entry level opportunities for new players and kids.

More collaboration between courses and industry supporting businesses.

More opportunities in rural areas.

More courses that aren't perfect down to the blade of grass.  Golf is fun and challenging when it is imperfect and a little rough.  And it is just as much golf as it is at the immaculate places.

More sustainable choices being made.

Enjoyed the feel good article.  Thanks for posting.

On 6/10/2021 at 3:02 PM, RmoorePE said:

That is a good story. Proximity to golf is definitely the best attraction to it.

Proximity and accessibility are very important.  My closing driving range is 15 min away, but worse in traffic.  It's county run, and if it didn't exist, I'd be over 45 min away from one even in best case scenario traffic.

On 7/6/2021 at 11:39 PM, tatertot said:

How many more golfers do we need?

🙄

On 7/10/2021 at 2:30 PM, Pepperturbo said:

Yes, I read and comprehend.  You should try it without ignorance or bias.  America is NOT socialistic... it operates quite well on supply and demand, capitalistic economy... Yep, some kids won't be able to afford to play golf, have a bike or cell phone or computer.  I came from a welfare poor ugly family, I know first hand.  I won't go into details, except, I am self-made.  Are YOU? 

Chipstrokes may have come at you too hard, but I think reminding us that golf is not an entitlement was unnecessary.  Your follow up to chipstrokes though was ill-conceived.  I don't think we need to argue about what socialism is, nor how capitalism works, but is any of that really relevant to a story about getting kids increased access to golf?  I mean maybe if the article was about a tax increase that was funding youth golf programs maybe, but I'm pretty sure the article was about a club's philanthropic foundation improving access to golf for underprivileged children, which sound pretty dang capitalist to me...  The link was to a feel good article about giving back, donating, and helping young people have access to the game.  “Our overall mission is to just have a place for kids to come out and play, learn the game and not have a tough place for them to enjoy learning golf,” Lavelle said. “We’re not necessarily developing the next Tour players. Instead, we’re developing people who are going to contribute to the world. We’re using golf as a vehicle to bring kids out here to learn golf and the life lessons like playing by the rules and getting them into a functional setting where they can learn and grow.”  You're likely right about short and executive courses being less profitable ventures, and that limiting many young people's access.  That's why budget friendly inclusive golf opportunities geared towards young beginners are necessary and important.  As the OP said, "golf needs more of this."  

 

[BHI 99]

I always thought some of the best aspects of golf were manners, honesty, character, and sportsmanship. 

 

Sadly a lot of today’s game is folks in gym shorts, playing music, hitting 3 balls of the tee and treating the course like a play ground while acting like somebody owes them something for their efforts and greens fees. 

[llewol007]

Unfortunately it is going to take a lot to grow the game now. When I took up the game during the Tiger Woods phenomenon, I could connect with Tiger on some level. Not from money, at that time still a minority, and he was raw and different. Now you have guys making multi millions of dollars as the sport has flourished from the Tiger Phenomenon to create a bigger divide from those interested in the game today. Now with the interest span of the younger generation, golf can be seen as something that takes a lot of time invested and money to play. I believe that golf is still growing in popularity but by those wanting to go to their local Top Golf and play some games at the range while they eat some finger foods and drink some beer. Golf really needs a player they can cheer on and right now the up and comers don’t have anything interesting enough to pull a new player into the game. 

Edited July 31, 2021 by llewol007

[OldCuss]

"For many reasons, some youth may have to forgo golf till later when they can afford it.  Golf is similar to renting or owning a condo on the strand or beach, neither are entitlements."

 

We could argue the notion of entitlement and once factoring in competing perspectives turn the concept inside out surely causing discomfort for some, but such is not a GolfWRX topic to pursue. But the following is something acceptable to the forum even if it does not enjoy wide support: I hope the golf industry - and the myriad things and people related to it - will continue its value of making the sport available to all notwithstanding one's economic and social standing.

 

Old Cuss

[KMP23]

 Good post smashdn and agree with most of your points. Youth on Course (YOC) is a great program providing kids and teens with $5.00 rounds on a large number of courses. Also agree with those mentioning cost as a prohibitive factor; without YOC it would get damned expensive for a family of 4 to play.

 One issue to overcome with "growing the game" is the "obsession" with electronic devices and social media. With many smartphones costing $1,000 plus the monthly plan, are we saying that golf with used clubs and $5.00 YOC rounds is unattainable by the masses? If so, then why is TopGolf so popular? It can be just as expensive (or more) as golf. We recently spent nearly $300 for a family of 4 with only snacks and a few drinks as extras. Or does TopGolf satisfy the same impulses/feelngs generated by use of electronics? Maybe sports participation by kids as a whole is more of an issue? I don't see a lot of difference in the stats below from sport to sport; maybe other than the field hockey success story.  

[larrybud]

On 7/10/2021 at 1:43 PM, diddy2 said:

Golf needs to become slightly cheaper, greens fees going up, golf ball prices going up, clubs, bags, shoes, tees, gloves...on and on and on

 

The same machines are finding all this new “technology” in golf clubs with the same people working with the company for years and yet clubs prices go up for some reason

 

Maybe we should go in strike with golf companies for a year and not buy any new products, watch the prices drop drastically 

With real inflation worse now than in the 70s, all you're going to see is prices going up.

[brutus27]

We don’t need more social programs. Golf is a game that should be played by kids in along with other sports that require higher physical exertion. Youth are trending to be more and more overweight and inactive. If Cities, Counties, school districts and other public entities want children/new players to have access to the game they are more than welcome to build facilities. Bottom line is it’s a business. Let’s not social engineer the game of golf too.