Why isn't golf attracting more new players?

[JxQx]

Originally Posted by Rick Martin

$40 for a round of golf isn't cheap in my book. Can't see where young people will be shelling out that to play the game when $40 can get them so much more elsewhere.

That's true, cheap is very much relative to the person. That's $40 peak season at prime time at some fairly nice courses. IMHO it isn't to bad given other places I have played you can't find a decent round of golf under $60 for similar time frames. It all depends on how into the game a young kid is, if they are really into golf you can get student or junior memberships for a good deal.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Rick Martin

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxQx

Golf seems to be doing well around my area. I see a lot more people getting into the game because it is fairly cheap ($40 a round). Overall, I'd say its a money thing. People are less likely to play when they don't have as much disposable income.

$40 for a round of golf isn't cheap in my book. Can't see where young people will be shelling out that to play the game when $40 can get them so much more elsewhere.

Yeah.... they'll spend it wisely, like for a carton of cigarettes, or another week worth of minutes on the cell phone.

[antnee94]

In my opinion, I think the economy has a lot to do with it. I justify my 35-40 rounds a year and my equipment obsession because it's all I do as a hobby. But when I lost my job in 2009, I had all the time in the world to play and had to restrain myself. I played about 20 weekday rounds that year, half of what I normally play. I don't drink, smoke, gamble, play video games, join an expensive gym, or spend money on anything else because I save it all golf. I also have a great wife who is not high m aintenance and realizes golf is my realease.

Time has a lot to do with it as well, but let's face it, $75 bucks or more a round is a lot of money for a privately owned public course. Even if you play at one of the Long Island muni's like I do ($35-$45 walking at Bethpage and/or Eisenhower Park) the tee times that are family friendly are very difficult to get unless your are like me and get on line between 3A-5A to make sure you are one of the 1st tee times each Saturday morning. But I realize I'm nuts. It's my only other true love in life besides my family!

[jdavidson15]

I haven't seen much change in my area, which we have 77 courses in my county. Which it does help having a wide variety in price range and quality of courses. I know starting out golf has a big commitment both financially and in time. I know when I was younger I was seeing two rounds of golf as a pair of Jordans. One of which I would have a lot longer. Now I have learned to appreciate the game and the time out.

[PinHead]

I think it's the fact that golf is seen as the game of the old and rich. Combined with the high cost of entry (clubs, the cost of a round, etc.), young people will choose a sport where all you need is a ball to play. I read a book called Golf For The Rest Of Us by E. Vargo that makes the case for sped up play and fewer clubs to get young people involved.

[RetroJFrancisco]

Because its boring.

[walk18]

Because its boring.

You think it's boring but you're posting on a golf forum?

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by RetroJFrancisco

Because its boring.

Originally Posted by walk18

You think it's boring but you're posting on a golf forum?

The question was about "new players."  Dude's a 1 handicap, so I don't think he qualifies as "new."  And I think he's very right.  That is absolutely one answer you'll get when you ask non-golfers for reasons why they don't golf.

[el shanko]

Originally Posted by RetroJFrancisco

Because its boring.

rili........

[ejimsmith]

before i started the game, i thought it was dumb.  i'd roll my eyes at people that said they were addicted to golf.  i'd be annoyed as all hell to see golf on tv on sundays.   i'd say that golf isn't even close to a sport, and was more like billiards or bowling.   i started to play during trips to palm springs during the summer, and well, discovered how much of a fool i was for my former negative feelings.  karma caught me though, as its taken several years to play "reasonably" well.

[RetroJFrancisco]

Originally Posted by walk18

You think it's boring but you're posting on a golf forum?

No, I dont.

But the question was about 'new' players.

And I simply gave an answer.

[bkuehn1952]

Perhaps we are on the cusp of an increase in interest in golf in the USA.  The "Baby Boom" generation started in 1946 and the original boomers are now 67.  More of us (I am 60) will join the ranks of the retired as the years go on.  I consider myself fortunate to have a passion for a game like golf that takes up so much time and energy.  When I retire, what the heck am I going to do from 7am to 7 pm every day?? Yes, I plan on some community service-type activities but golf is going to fill a large part of the time.

Frankly I am not too worried about the future for golf.

[garzongo]

In Scotland my club has a shortage of members just now. It is regarded as arguably the best course in the area and is in a strong position financially and membership numbers in comparison to neighbouring courses. I would have to say 3 reasons to why this is the case........ 1 economy 2 length of round time and practice time required to get good 3 increasing work demands balanced with a good family life.

[juanrjackson]

Originally Posted by supoffset

I try to tee off at 530 AM just to avoid the endless waiting after every shot! I am done and home by 10 or 1030 and gives me plenty of time for other things!

Personally, I try to get out early & play too.  Only issue with that is you have to go to bed early the night prior which cuts out time you might spend with the wife, family, and/or friends.

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by stogiesnbogies

Thanks, mate.

I think we can all recount tales of the shoddy manner which women golfers are often  treated at many clubs-private and public.  I can assure you that it is no better for Blacks, Latinos or any other minority which attempts to play golf .....then the golf establishment scratches their collective heads and can't understand why the game is in decline...perhaps it has something to do with the manner in which these "New Majority" golfers are "welcomed", eh?  LOL

Women have had to put up with a lot to play golf.

Women have taken to the courts and won lawsuits about access to the main dining room, and premium tee times. Here's the latest:

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020463034_apwaspokanegolfbias1stldwritethru.html

Phoenix Country Club ended up in hot water for claiming they provided, get this: "Separate but equal facilities" for men and women. One long-term male member got expelled from the club for telling a New York Times reporter he thought the policy was discriminatory. Here's base story from a couple of years ago: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/03/17/20100317phoenix-country-club-lawsuit0318.html?nclick_check=1

One note on terminology: US whites are shifting to plurality status: the largest subgroup of a population which has no majority group.

As for good news, I see plenty of African-American, Hispanic-American and Asian-immigrant and Asian-American players at the upscale semi-private clubs in the area. Lots of good players among them. (Interesting mini-trend: Korean-born karate instructors who are switching over to being golf teaching pros)

A big change from the 1950s, when black World War II veterans resorted to federal court lawsuits to gain access to municipal courses - we're not even talking country clubs!

Back to present day... As for adding new players across the board, I see two drags: the continuing Recession, and parents who are so involved in their kids' lives that there's no adult time for those under age 40.

[rehmwa]

Originally Posted by ejimsmith  i'd say that golf isn't even close to a sport, and was more like billiards or bowling. (remainder of post notes learning curve and appreciation of the sport)

I have a general comment about the age old "it's not a sport" divergence.

It probably isn't if you want to really dig at it.  So what?

It's still fun - (people also like billiards and bowling)

for that matter - even if one doesn't want to directly call it a 'sport' (whatever that means today) - it's still an activity that, at the professional levels, someone who is very 'athletic' will have a big advantage.  So maybe it's not an athletic activity, but athletes will still do better because of a commit to fitness.  (with a few ridiculous exceptions, look at the best pros, they are very serious about strength and fitness - I think that's great).

There a LOT of activities like that and non-participants really shouldn't minimize the activity when they don't understand it.  With the varied levels of fitness of the population today, I'm grateful that there are so many activities to address whatever level of intensity people can handle.  Recreational golf serves to cover a range that badly needs a reason to get out and play vs sit around while still being challenging to everyone of every fitness level - that's pretty unique and very cool.

(of course, I also think it's silly to try to argue the other way.  it is what it is.)

[MS256]

Originally Posted by rehmwa

I have a general comment about the age old "it's not a sport" divergence.

It probably isn't if you want to really dig at it.  So what?

It's still fun - (people also like billiards and bowling)

for that matter - even if one doesn't want to directly call it a 'sport' (whatever that means today) - it's still an activity that, at the professional levels, someone who is very 'athletic' will have a big advantage.  So maybe it's not an athletic activity, but athletes will still do better because of a commit to fitness.  (with a few ridiculous exceptions, look at the best pros, they are very serious about strength and fitness - I think that's great).

There a LOT of activities like that and non-participants really shouldn't minimize the activity when they don't understand it.  With the varied levels of fitness of the population today, I'm grateful that there are so many activities to address whatever level of intensity people can handle.  Recreational golf serves to cover a range that badly needs a reason to get out and play vs sit around while still being challenging to everyone of every fitness level - that's pretty unique and very cool.

(of course, I also think it's silly to try to argue the other way.  it is what it is.)

I've played just about every "sport" that I ever had access to and golf is as much of a sport as any of them. You don't have to run or jump but that's not included in any definition of sport that I can find.

Sport:

1. competitive physical activity: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally

2. pastime: an active pastime participated in for pleasure or exercise
3. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature , as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.
4. a particular form of this, especially in the out of doors.
5. diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.

[dave67az]

I didn't like any of the answers you provided, but a few of them were close.  I think there's a LOT to the issue.  (I can see this being a long post, so I apologize in advance)

Most of the people I know personally got into golf because they were mentored into golf, either by a friend or family member.  When I was a teen (80s) I had quite a few mentors I respected, and one of them was the Youth Pastor at my church who was an avid golfer.  He had a set of clubs in his office at church and that's how it all started.  I asked him about the clubs, asked him about the game, he taught me the interlocking grip, taught me how to putt like a pendulum, and it wasn't long before we were on a golf course driving range with him teaching me the basics of a golf swing.

Where are the mentors today?  Who are YOU mentoring (not just in golf, but in life)?

We grew up hearing about generation gaps.  At some points in history they're large.  Sometimes they're small.  But thanks to many things, I think today's generation gap is larger than I can ever remember.  When I was growing up, I would NEVER talk to an adult with the disrespect that MANY (maybe most) kids today have.  They think just because they reach the age of 18 and are still breathing that they are somehow equal to every adult in the world, and that's simply NOT the case.  If you're one of the people who thinks that, let me clue you in.  Just because you are legally an adult does NOT mean you deserve the same respect as someone who has achieved far more in life than you probably ever will.  Tell ya what...go get a degree and/or become successful in a career, become self-supporting, and start giving back to your community and I'll give you the same level of respect that I give others of us who have done the same.  Until then, accept the fact that you have NOT arrived, you have FAR more work to do, and you are NOT the stud that you think you are.

No matter how much I'd love to mentor kids with these attitudes, the simple fact is most of them don't WANT to be mentored.  They want to do it THEIR way and refuse to "conform" because their peers have brainwashed them into thinking that conformity is the enemy of personal freedom.  And as long as they're not receptive to mentoring, it's impossible to lead them into anything, much less a hobby/sport like golf which requires STRICT conformity to the rules in order to be appreciated.

Lisa and I hit the range at Valley Golf Saturday and again had to put up with some guys, probably late teens or very early 20's, who have a lot to learn about etiquette.  As near as I could tell, the three of them were having a challenge on who could kill the ball the deadest, and yelling after every shot.  Sometimes they'd sky the ball and end up hitting the roof just over the practice tees, yelling and laughing about that, too.  After about 30 minutes of listening to them, one of the guys from the pro shop came up to see if they needed something.  My wife explained it later.  It's an automated facility, and you adjust the height of the tee using a little touch pad.  Well, apparently they were also having a little contest to see what would happen if one of the other guys was constantly changing the height of the tee while the one guy was hitting (probably the cause of the shots hitting the roof) and one of them accidentally hit the "CALL" button for the pro shop.

The younger generation has equated self-discipline with following rules, and following rules is conformity, and conformity is bad.  Taking advice...well, that's like following rules, too.

The only way to get kids these days to do things is to convince them that they WANT to do it.  Then you have to convince them that there is a logical reason for every rule.  Otherwise you get people who argue with every rule, saying things like "you can't prove there's a need for the rule so it shouldn't be a rule" (anyone read the anchored putting ban thread?).

Golf is doomed as long as the younger generation is so high on themselves that they refuse to follow any of our advice, much less our traditions.

Oh, it may survive on the PS3 or XBox, but the game itself doesn't have much of a chance with the current "youngsters" in my opinion.  I can only hope that THEIR kids reverse the trend and actually learn to show respect for others, respect for history, and a desire to maintain tradition that their parents didn't seem to have.