How to get more people to play and get interested in golf

[The Recreational Golfer]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Golf takes too long to play, it's too expensive, and it's extremely boring relative to other activities.

Fishing or boating or quadding or skiing or hiking can all be described in the same way depending on your point of view.

Why do you play?

How can we get newbies to hook into the joy and satisfaction you get from golf?

[skates]

I grew up with sports. Mainly baseball but I have played most sports(not lax, could not get into that) growing up. Golf was usually my last choice. I love the crowd, I love making a play and hearing a cheer. When I hurt my shoulder golf was the natural choice to make as I can still swing without pain. I think the older people get the more they enjoy golf(older as in not playing highschool or college sports) I have had buddies who went to play a course with me and never played again bc golf does have a very high learning curve and really isnt fun when you shoot 150. I found that if people are wanting to get into golf going to the range is the best way. I have brought different girlfriends to the range and just let them hack away at the ball. Usually they hate it at first but then they slowly start hitting the ball further and further. Then mixed in with a little swing advice they start to get hooked.

People need to be slowly introduced into golf. Not to many people will pick up clubs go to the course and have a great time, sure there are those that are naturally gifted and will just want to get better and better but they are in the minority. So maybe go to the range or find a pitch and putt. Do not do mini golf that does nothing for the interest of golf. just my .02 cents

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Golf takes too long to play, it's too expensive, and it's extremely boring relative to other activities.

Fishing or boating or quadding or skiing or hiking can all be described in the same way depending on your point of view.

Why do you play?

How can we get newbies to hook into the joy and satisfaction you get from golf?

Fishing is very very boring, but I don't have a boat. I don't care for quadding because it's akin to riding around in a powercart to me. I prefer gravity sports like skiing (snowboarding or sledding actually) which are actually exciting regardless of skill level. Either way, all of the above can be done in whatever increments of time I see fit to partake in them. Other than fishing, which I find extreeeeemely boring, as I already said, none of your examples find the participant spending the vast majority of his time waiting for his turn. It would be like playing softball, but your turn to bat lasts for 5 hours, and you only get to see one pitch during your at bat.

[zipazoid]

Great post by Moxie. But one thing needs corrected. I told her she's going golfing with me when she visits me. But she's not playing - she's driving the cart while I play.

[newtogolf]

Golf like most sports takes as long as you'd like it to take.  Nothing says you have to play 18 holes of golf.  Some days I play 9, some 18, some I just hit the range.

The few times I've been skiing, it's been an all day affair because the lift pass was priced by the day.  Once you paid it, it was up to you how many times you went down the hill.  Softball can be just as boring, if not more so than golf, just depends on the league you're in.  Get placed in a DH slot and you'll sit there 2 hours and if you're lucky get to bat twice.  League bowling is pretty similar to golf in terms of overall time required and time wasted waiting for others to take their turns.

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[Topper]

Sean...let me know how that progresses.  I have a wife and 3 daughters and I've tried to introduce them to the game.  My wife plays occasionally but her limit is 9 holes which is OK by me.  She doesn't really like golf as a sport as much as it represents quiet time away from the kids.  I've tried to get one of my daughters interested and even sent one to a week-long golf day camp for girls last year.   But when we showed up, she was the only girl.  Somehow, the course couldn't get any other girls from the entire community so they opened the camp to boys and quickly filled the class.  I was amazed.  She had an OK time but felt somewhat uncomfortable and out-of-place.  Basically, my daughters all feel golf is boring and too hard to play.  Driving a golf cart is a different story!

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I need an individual pursuit that I can share with my daughter. For now, golf fits the bill. When my son is her age we may be onto something else. Maybe canoeing.

[dak4n6]

Just wondering, why do we need golf to have more participants? Or, is this a continuation of the typically Western ideology that bigger is better, and more is more, and your affiliation or organization is an utter failure unless it totally dominates all others?

I remember the pre-Tiger days when golf was viewed as a sissy or dork sport...ah, the good ol days. Now, it's hard to get a tee time at my own home course (although my starters will always get me out if I show up early - they're a good bunch), and courses are packed with bad players, and the 5 hr round is a norm.

What's with the obssesion with trying to make golf more popular than basketball?

"I eat too much. I drink too much. I want too much. TOO MUCH." - DMB

"Everybody wants to rule the world." - TFF

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Topper

Sean...let me know how that progresses.  I have a wife and 3 daughters and I've tried to introduce them to the game.  My wife plays occasionally but her limit is 9 holes which is OK by me.  She doesn't really like golf as a sport as much as it represents quiet time away from the kids.  I've tried to get one of my daughters interested and even sent one to a week-long golf day camp for girls last year.   But when we showed up, she was the only girl.  Somehow, the course couldn't get any other girls from the entire community so they opened the camp to boys and quickly filled the class.  I was amazed.  She had an OK time but felt somewhat uncomfortable and out-of-place.  Basically, my daughters all feel golf is boring and too hard to play.  Driving a golf cart is a different story!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I need an individual pursuit that I can share with my daughter. For now, golf fits the bill. When my son is her age we may be onto something else. Maybe canoeing.

At this point we're still doing the driving range and pitch and putt. She wants to go on the big course, But I said not until she can reach the first hole on the pitch and putt in one shot (it's 65 yards - she'll be 6 next month). Right now she's good for about 4-5 holes then we walk together and she plays little games, running on ahead and just being herself. Each time out she gets it a little more and last time we went to the range with a friend she pleaded to go out and play the holes (real golfing). She might not stick with it, but we're giving her the opportunity to find her niche because studies show girls who play sports are better equipped to cope with life's struggles. She loves to run and she's naturally quick so golf might just be a way for me to spend more time with her and still do something golf related.

[Jwat381]

Like I said in my previous post, my first sport that I was passionate about was motocross, and this could not be more true. Once upon a time motocross was a core sport that was (relatively) inexpensive. Now that the promoters are trying to branch out to every dorky kid who got cut from their schools football or baseball team, the tracks and races are littered with the worst groups of people imaginable. Energy drink advertisements everywhere, and more "extreme" stuff than anyone could handle. It's a joke now, like Monster Trucks, and I wish it would go back to the more low key sport it used to be. I can't vouch for what golf used to be like, but less expensive and less crowded sounds superb to me.

Originally Posted by dak4n6

Just wondering, why do we need golf to have more participants? Or, is this a continuation of the typically Western ideology that bigger is better, and more is more, and your affiliation or organization is an utter failure unless it totally dominates all others?

I remember the pre-Tiger days when golf was viewed as a sissy or dork sport...ah, the good ol days. Now, it's hard to get a tee time at my own home course (although my starters will always get me out if I show up early - they're a good bunch), and courses are packed with bad players, and the 5 hr round is a norm.

What's with the obssesion with trying to make golf more popular than basketball?

"I eat too much. I drink too much. I want too much. TOO MUCH." - DMB

"Everybody wants to rule the world." - TFF

[newtogolf]

The issue today is that golf isn't as popular today as it was 5+ years ago and as a result private and public courses are going bankrupt and closing.  In addition, corporations such as Callaway and Cleveland have not right sized to the lower demand and have been losing money.   Either the golf industry must right size which means less course and equipment choices or they need to expand interest so that demand is increased.

The demographics are also getting older so it means long term there will be even less demand unless they get more kids and women involved in the sport.  It's financially driven, but we also have selfish interests in making sure our favorite local courses and vendors doesn't go out of business.

Originally Posted by dak4n6

Just wondering, why do we need golf to have more participants? Or, is this a continuation of the typically Western ideology that bigger is better, and more is more, and your affiliation or organization is an utter failure unless it totally dominates all others?

I remember the pre-Tiger days when golf was viewed as a sissy or dork sport...ah, the good ol days. Now, it's hard to get a tee time at my own home course (although my starters will always get me out if I show up early - they're a good bunch), and courses are packed with bad players, and the 5 hr round is a norm.

What's with the obssesion with trying to make golf more popular than basketball?

"I eat too much. I drink too much. I want too much. TOO MUCH." - DMB

"Everybody wants to rule the world." - TFF

[meenman]

Originally Posted by dak4n6

Just wondering, why do we need golf to have more participants? Or, is this a continuation of the typically Western ideology that bigger is better, and more is more, and your affiliation or organization is an utter failure unless it totally dominates all others?

For a lot of people on here to be able to afford the game in the future, golf needs to grow.

As we have seen already, $5 polos and $15 shorts are more than some can afford. Imagine if the average muni had to charge $50 to walk 9?

Course maintenance, taxes, employee costs are not decreasing (someone has to pay for those minimum wage hikes)

Even at my private course, the only time the tee sheet is full is Saturday mornings. If food + beverage did not blow away its budget last year, we would have been looking at an 8% increase in dues (even though it supposedly isnt supposed to go up more than 3% a year.)

Everything needs growth to survive - golf is not an exception.

[golfclubjunkie]

I have been an athletic person all my life, and always have loved ALL sports.  Started playing at 16, after getting a job at a golf course (only applied b/c I thought driving golf carts seemed like a cool job).

Reasons I did not start playing at a younger age:

1.  My dad thought it was too expensive

2.  As a softball, ice hockey, basketball, track playing women, I didn't think golf was nearly as "cool" as those other sports.  Thought golf was just for old people

3.  I probably would have started playing at a younger age if I had a friend, parent, or mentor that would have encouraged me to play.  I remember the two or three times I went to the driving range as a kid, absolutely loving it. I just didn't have anyone close to me that encouraged me to play.

In general, I think the money thing is a very large "barrier to entry".  A set of clubs + shoes = $200 if you are lucky and get a beginner set, or used clubs.  Then greens fees are what, $20-$80 per round... it is rather expensive!  I got lucky, that I had a job at a golf course (free golf), and made friends that gave me their old clubs to start out with.  Now I'm luck that I belong to a very affordable club: $300/month for my boyfriend and I, no initiation fee, and includes cart fee.

Another point.... take basketball, baseball, or football.  Any kid can play those sports in their neighborhood, at the park, or during recess at school.  With golf, you really need a driving range or actual course to play on.

lol after writing all of that, I conclude that golf is a high maintenance sport!

[Gramma Jo]

I really like what you have said; I have never played golf in my life but I am fascinated by the game... I DVR every tournament.  My goal is to be out on the course before my 65th birthday.  Since I am retired, money is a factor.  I want to have fun, enjoy the game, and not kill myself physically or go broke doing it...

[newtogolf]

Depending on where you live ice hockey is just as expensive, if not more than golf.  Ice time here on Long Island is not cheap, factor in cost of skates (especially for growing feet), pads, helmet and I'd bet the costs are pretty close.

Originally Posted by golfclubjunkie

I have been an athletic person all my life, and always have loved ALL sports.  Started playing at 16, after getting a job at a golf course (only applied b/c I thought driving golf carts seemed like a cool job).

Reasons I did not start playing at a younger age:

1.  My dad thought it was too expensive

2.  As a softball, ice hockey, basketball, track playing women, I didn't think golf was nearly as "cool" as those other sports.  Thought golf was just for old people

3.  I probably would have started playing at a younger age if I had a friend, parent, or mentor that would have encouraged me to play.  I remember the two or three times I went to the driving range as a kid, absolutely loving it. I just didn't have anyone close to me that encouraged me to play.

In general, I think the money thing is a very large "barrier to entry".  A set of clubs + shoes = $200 if you are lucky and get a beginner set, or used clubs.  Then greens fees are what, $20-$80 per round... it is rather expensive!  I got lucky, that I had a job at a golf course (free golf), and made friends that gave me their old clubs to start out with.  Now I'm luck that I belong to a very affordable club: $300/month for my boyfriend and I, no initiation fee, and includes cart fee.

Another point.... take basketball, baseball, or football.  Any kid can play those sports in their neighborhood, at the park, or during recess at school.  With golf, you really need a driving range or actual course to play on.

lol after writing all of that, I conclude that golf is a high maintenance sport!

[El Rustito]

These points will probably echo everyone else's, but here's my two cents.

As others have said, the cost is the biggest thing golf has going against it in terms of getting new people into it, or at least I think so. Even to just get into the sport I tried to find ways to keep it cost-effective, but it still ate up more funds than I would have preferred. After I first started playing, I got frustrated and gave up for a while not because the game is hard, but because it's often overly-expensive and I felt the sport, by and large, catered to the rich or upper-class, which I am thoroughly not. I also felt there was a strong inclination by golf in general to keep it that way. It wasn't until I got back into it and had more exposure that I found this wasn't totally the case, which leads me to my second point.

The idea that golf is a sport only for rich snobs needs to go, and society/the media/the entertainment industry must stop encouraging this stereotype. Embarrassing Story: the first time I went to the driving range I was terrified I would offend the golf gods or real golfers if I wasn't decked out as noble as possible. So I got a nice polo, some khakis, and a pair of golf shoes. I go to the range and find a solid percentage of people there are just wearing t-shirts and tennis/running shoes. I felt kind of silly afterwards for thinking I'd tick off everyone there if I dressed like that. Wholly average joes play golf. Everyone can. For some it will require more work to get in than others, but it's one of those things you CAN make happen, but it would be a lot easier if the cost would just simply go down.

Plus, other sports require far less commitment to get into, are just easier, and have much more exposure. Compare the requirements of getting into and good at golf to going down to a toy store or sports shop and buying a basketball for ten bucks. You can play with a basketball just about anywhere; playing golf anywhere, not so easily done. Once you have that basketball you don't have to pay a fee to go play with it. More youths are into basketball and thus will pick up and play a lot, so it's easier for them to get together doing that. Sports media pushes people like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant onto viewers and kids dream of being like them when they grow up--it's easier for them do that than to dream of being Mickelson or Hogan or even Tiger. They just don't connect with them, partly because of that "only for upper-class" mentality.

I think there are a few good things that golf has going for it, though. Take Rickie Fowler. He's bringing in new audiences to the game with his style and that certain appeal he has to younger viewers. And if he starts winning more often there'll be more exposure to that crowd. Plus, they're always coming out with golf video games that get better with each iteration. I mean, real golf is different from Mario hitting a five iron only to have his ball be eaten by a piranha plant, but it's still fun. Every little bit helps.

[Kapanda]

Originally Posted by El Rustito

These points will probably echo everyone else's, but here's my two cents.

As others have said, the cost is the biggest thing golf has going against it in terms of getting new people into it, or at least I think so. Even to just get into the sport I tried to find ways to keep it cost-effective, but it still ate up more funds than I would have preferred. After I first started playing, I got frustrated and gave up for a while not because the game is hard, but because it's often overly-expensive and I felt the sport, by and large, catered to the rich or upper-class, which I am thoroughly not. I also felt there was a strong inclination by golf in general to keep it that way. It wasn't until I got back into it and had more exposure that I found this wasn't totally the case, which leads me to my second point.

The idea that golf is a sport only for rich snobs needs to go, and society/the media/the entertainment industry must stop encouraging this stereotype. Embarrassing Story: the first time I went to the driving range I was terrified I would offend the golf gods or real golfers if I wasn't decked out as noble as possible. So I got a nice polo, some khakis, and a pair of golf shoes. I go to the range and find a solid percentage of people there are just wearing t-shirts and tennis/running shoes. I felt kind of silly afterwards for thinking I'd tick off everyone there if I dressed like that. Wholly average joes play golf. Everyone can. For some it will require more work to get in than others, but it's one of those things you CAN make happen, but it would be a lot easier if the cost would just simply go down.

Plus, other sports require far less commitment to get into, are just easier, and have much more exposure. Compare the requirements of getting into and good at golf to going down to a toy store or sports shop and buying a basketball for ten bucks. You can play with a basketball just about anywhere; playing golf anywhere, not so easily done. Once you have that basketball you don't have to pay a fee to go play with it. More youths are into basketball and thus will pick up and play a lot, so it's easier for them to get together doing that. Sports media pushes people like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant onto viewers and kids dream of being like them when they grow up--it's easier for them do that than to dream of being Mickelson or Hogan or even Tiger. They just don't connect with them, partly because of that "only for upper-class" mentality.

I think there are a few good things that golf has going for it, though. Take Rickie Fowler. He's bringing in new audiences to the game with his style and that certain appeal he has to younger viewers. And if he starts winning more often there'll be more exposure to that crowd. Plus, they're always coming out with golf video games that get better with each iteration. I mean, real golf is different from Mario hitting a five iron only to have his ball be eaten by a piranha plant, but it's still fun. Every little bit helps.

Actually, the cost of the sport wasn't mentioned all that much in the latter pages.

It's a given that golf is a rich-man's sport.

I never expected to play golf. I'm not from the States, just doing a Masters' here. But I thought to myself - this mu****a better have some free golfing for the money I'm paying them! And they did!

[Jimbo Slice]

Rickie Fowler!

[newtogolf]

It does have that stigma, but in reality it doesn't have to be.  You can buy clubs pretty inexpensively if you look for used from eBay, Craigslist, PlayitAgain, etc, garage sales, and thrift stores.  Greens fees will vary depending on the course, but some 9 hole executive courses are pretty cheap ($20).  If you're not playing private clubs you won't see too many unreasonable dress codes and as stated in other threads a polo shirt and shorts shouldn't cost more than $40 combined if you shop around.  Even golf shoes are around $40 but not sure how comfortable they are.

If you just want to go to the range it's even cheaper.

Originally Posted by Kapanda

Actually, the cost of the sport wasn't mentioned all that much in the latter pages.

It's a given that golf is a rich-man's sport.

I never expected to play golf. I'm not from the States, just doing a Masters' here. But I thought to myself - this mu****a better have some free golfing for the money I'm paying them! And they did!