Trump: I'm still making money off golf industry

Ahead of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at the newly renovated Trump National Doral in Miami , Donald Trump spoke to CNBC about the state of golf—an industry that by many accounts is struggling . Despite the game's declining participation, golf course closures that exceed openings and sluggish equipment sales, it hasn't deterred the real estate mogul from investing heavily in the sport.

"I actually think golf at the high end is doing phenomenally well," he said

Trump Bullish on Golf

Just to add another perspective.

Not surprising considering growing inequality in the US.

I believe him. Just yesterday it was announced that his new Ferry Point golf course that's opening up in NY is going to have greens fees as high as $215, despite being across the Sound from Bethpage Black, where non-residents pay $150, and elsewhere on LI, where a $100 round is tough to find. There has to be some market for what he's doing.

Doesn't pretty much every industry do well "at the high end?" That's what a high end is.

I disagree, when his casinos in Atlantic City were losing money he admitted it and sold them off.  While he is a huge self promoter he doesn't like to lose money and he knows that just saying everything is great isn't going to fix a losing business.

I believe his golf courses are doing well because they appeal to a high end customer and they aren't just golf courses, they are resorts.

Yea, what are we gonna do about that? It's not just the US by the way.

You have to start your own business and work for yourself.  The way corporations and management are measured these days (via stock market) the inequity is only going to get worse.

But if we all did that where would we get employees to work for our businesses??

OT, I guess, but that doesn't seem to be an answer.

That's a bargain, compared to what the green fees are here in so cali. 280.00 usd, and the price drops according to the time of day.. Oh, and if you want a Trump ball cap, $30.00 + tax..really..?

I've still never paid more than $30 for a round of golf, haha. I'm thinking that if I can get my drives reasonably under control at the 250ish I carry now, I may treat myself to a $75 round at Bethpage Black for my birthday right since it's right at the time of the season when my game is in the best shape. But that's as close as I'll get to paying Trump prices, haha.

Never paid more than $30 for 18 with a cart?

I walk with a pushcart. Also try to play twilight times if light permits midseason because it gets the round in in the low $20s. Had a riding cart a few times through a Hot Deal on Golfnow, but I like the exercise of walking and having my clubs right next to me at the ball in case I change my mind.

Very cool. I actually got a push cart towards the end of last year and I did enjoy it. 18 would be a little much walking for me but I hope to change that by the end of this season.

I think you'll love it! Nothing makes you feel like a tour player more than letting your cart go ahead of you down a downslope and you can just walk down a fairway with your hands free, haha. I don't wanna talk about this too much here because it's off topic, but walking is great if the course is conducive to it.

You have misquoted him or simply misunderstood Trump. He said the high end is phenomenally, not "all is going great". Donald is one of the few investors in modern day golf, yes a self promoter. but look what he has done for golf. Anyone who is building a course and surrounding golf infrastructure is taking a huge risk. I admire him for his passion for the game.

High end Golf is like real estate in NYC or Tokyo. Even in a downturn, there is enough demand. Catering to the very high end usually means people who are recession proof. And golf courses who cater to that demographic are less affected than by private courses whose lose memberships when the economy goes South. Partly because many people, although they can afford the club, cannot continue if their finances take a hit. Unlike forgoing other expensive purchases for more tangible assets, golf clubs and high end destinations that cater to wealthier people usually get enough business from people insulated from downturns. In my area there are a number of private courses that went semi-private due to this. however that would never happen at a couple that I know of. They'll be exclusive and expensive forever.