Is cost the reason for decline in new golfers?

[mcanadiens]

Yeah.ok.

Actually, even at my worst, we rarely ever held people up unless they were a single or fast-moving double. I probably hit the range twice before giving it go on an executive course.It was probably another 4 range sessions and 2 rounds on the par 3 before I played a regulation course.

[Lihu]

Yeah.ok.

Actually, even at my worst, we rarely ever held people up unless they were a single or fast-moving double. I probably hit the range twice before giving it go on an executive course.It was probably another 4 range sessions and 2 rounds on the par 3 before I played a regulation course.

That's sounds like pretty good progress.

To be honest, I should not have gotten on a course for 6 months. I spent my fair share of time on courses I should not have been on as a rank beginner, I just feel a little guilty about it now.

[David in FL]

I shot a 90 the other day by myself. Took me less than 2 hours to finish 18 holes. About 1:45.

So using simple math, assuming you mean bad to be worse than 90, we'll assume 120. If we extrapolate the time evenly (which it wouldn't be...it would actually be less), I could still finish in 2:20.

I've played foursomes with bad golfers who keep score, and we've finished 18 in 3 hours.

Bad golf can take longer, but it doesn't make you slow.

That, my friend is moving right along, by my standards!  My buddy and I can get around in about 2:15 as a two-ball, so I can see sub 2-hours easily for a riding single if no one holds you up.  Good job.....and you're right.  Just because someone isn't very good, doesn't mean that they have to be slow.  You're welcome in my group any time!

[Slice of Life]

That, my friend is moving right along, by my standards!  My buddy and I can get around in about 2:15 as a two-ball, so I can see sub 2-hours easily for a riding single if no one holds you up.  Good job.....and you're right.  Just because someone isn't very good, doesn't mean that they have to be slow.  You're welcome in my group any time!

It just doesn't take that long. Honestly, if there was nobody on the course, and I wanted to get 18 done as quickly as possible, I think I could get around in an hour and 15 minutes.

[Spitfisher]

It just doesn't take that long. Honestly, if there was nobody on the course, and I wanted to get 18 done as quickly as possible, I think I could get around in an hour and 15 minutes.

Just the other day I did 1;22 minutes for 18 @ 6650 yards, I hit quite few fairways, never lost a ball, removed the pin as needed, never ran just kept moving. In some cases I hit and played two balls.

when playing with a three some we did 2:30, not rushing but no lolligagging (sp) either, we did forgo the honor system on the tee box only.

3-3:15m hours for  a foursome of good players seem quite comfortable.

[Golfingdad]

Honestly, if there was nobody on the course, and I wanted to get 18 done as quickly as possible, I think I could get around in an hour and 15 minutes.

I'd be interested to see that.  Not doubting you at all, just curious to see what it looks like.  I can't see how it would look like anything other than rushing.

[mcanadiens]

You all got me beat like a drum. I was pleased with getting around by myself walking at 2:30 on Sunday.

[David in FL]

I'd be interested to see that.  Not doubting you at all, just curious to see what it looks like.  I can't see how it would look like anything other than rushing.

Even I've got to agree with you there!

[Slice of Life]

I'd be interested to see that.  Not doubting you at all, just curious to see what it looks like.  I can't see how it would look like anything other than rushing.

No question it would look like I'm rushing. But I tend to rush when I'm by myself. Doesn't seem to affect my game either. I'm not saying everyone should golf in an hour and a half...I just fly around the course when I'm alone.

[Lihu]

No question it would look like I'm rushing. But I tend to rush when I'm by myself. Doesn't seem to affect my game either. I'm not saying everyone should golf in an hour and a half...I just fly around the course when I'm alone.

All I can say is that since we can beat cost and time, more people could play. Even a 2 hour round would be plenty fast.

http://speedgolfinternational.com/

[Golfingdad]

All I can say is that since we can beat cost and time, more people could play. Even a 2 hour round would be plenty fast.

http://speedgolfinternational.com/

A lot of guys here on TST that would/should love this.  Killing two birds with one stone:  Slow play and those pesky stroke and distance rules. http://speedgolfinternational.com/speedgolf_rules

[Lihu]

A lot of guys here on TST that would/should love this.  Killing two birds with one stone:  Slow play and those pesky stroke and distance rules. http://speedgolfinternational.com/speedgolf_rules

Not for me. I just spent the last couple years trying to learn them.

[BuhBAM]

Hello All, new golfer here.

I am in my mid-20s and I started golfing a few months ago. The cost of the game is expensive, but living in the heart of Orange County, CA there is a lot of competition in the market. A range by my house offers unlimited range balls for $75 a month. 2 buckets a week gets your money back. Morning times during the week are high $30s, and some excutive courses are around $18. The low budget executive courses are a little beat up. The greens on these course are okay. Being new to golf, I do not mind at all. Time is a huge factor, I have to put in hours just to figure out what is wrong with my swing, then more hours to fix it. Lessons in the area range from $30-50 for a half hour. Lessons have been suggested by so many people, but that is expensive.

I bought an Adams Golf set for about $300 which has a driver, 3 & 5 woods, 4 & 5 hybrids, 6-9i, pw and sw. Suggested retail for this set was $500 but I have a friend who sells golf clubs.

I have been lucky to be able to golf around 4 p.m. and there are some competitive priced twilight times. It ranges from $15-20 with cart. The sun still does not set till 6:50 p.m. or so. Right now I usually get about 10-12 holes.

I usually go solo when I golf in the evening because I don't have many golf friends. I have not had any problems going solo. Usually in the evening, a group of 2 or 3 will ask me to join, which I am happy to because I need the experience. However, if I do not golf alone, I feel rushed since I am not at their level. Once again, I'm learning so it becomes tough to keep up.

I graduated H.S. in 2006, I seriously do not remember hearing much about the golf team, even though I played another sport. The marketing for youth golf isn't what it could be, in my opinion. The price to get your child started probably has a lot to do with that.

I have searched all over the Internet for a beginner group of golfers that I could join. I have found a few groups of intermediate golfers, but I don't want to be holding anyone up. If there was some kind of community that supported and encouraged new golfers to come play and learn, I would be in! I don't think the game is very welcoming to new participants from what I have learned over the last few months. I guess that is what you all had to overcome as golfers.

Till then I practice my butt off until I can find the comfort to go golf more and build my confidence. It would be nice to not feel so insecure about the learning process and just have fun without feeling like I'm stepping on peoples' toes. This is what I have experienced as a new golfer over the past few months. Thanks!

[LeftRightLeft]

I like hearing new players like BuhBAM are getting into the game.  I heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers played the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup.  Golf Digest has revamped their format to appeal to a younger audience.  The powers-that-be are starting to market to a younger generation.  That being said, there's still a lot of hurdles to joining in.  I feel very fortunate.  My local muni when I was growing up (in the 70s) had a monthly playing card for juniors.  It was $10 a month for unlimited play after 10:00 AM Monday thru Friday.  In the summer, there would be up to 40 kids showing up to play.  We were a blue-collar town and I also remember when they raised it to $20.  We lost quite a few kids after that.

With all those kids playing our high school golf team was pretty tough.  My 9-hole scoring average was under 40 (something like 39.6).  I only occasionally made the traveling team.

Funny story: We played a pre-league match against a well-to-do suburban high school at a private club.  I remember my teammate asking the country club kids, "Whadda you want to play for?"  They thought we were nuts. My teammate then says completely stone-faced "What?  You think I'm here for my health?"  Pretty good intimidation factor.  We destroyed them.

[BuhBAM]

I like hearing new players like BuhBAM are getting into the game.  I heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers played the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup.  Golf Digest has revamped their format to appeal to a younger audience.  The powers-that-be are starting to market to a younger generation.  That being said, there's still a lot of hurdles to joining in.  I feel very fortunate.  My local muni when I was growing up (in the 70s) had a monthly playing card for juniors.  It was $10 a month for unlimited play after 10:00 AM Monday thru Friday.  In the summer, there would be up to 40 kids showing up to play.  We were a blue-collar town and I also remember when they raised it to $20.  We lost quite a few kids after that.

With all those kids playing our high school golf team was pretty tough.  My 9-hole scoring average was under 40 (something like 39.6).  I only occasionally made the traveling team.

Funny story: We played a pre-league match against a well-to-do suburban high school at a private club.  I remember my teammate asking the country club kids, "Whadda you want to play for?"  They thought we were nuts. My teammate then says completely stone-faced "What?  You think I'm here for my health?"  Pretty good intimidation factor.  We destroyed them.

I wish I could fins a deal as good as $10 a month to play as a beginner, I feel it would attract more beginners and youngsters. Thanks for the story!

I've searched all over the internet for any type of beginner groups-no so such luck in So Cal so far. I sometimes play 9-hole course called "Ironwood nine," a PW and putter course, and at times it will have a good group of young kids on it. The course runs about $13 at any time. It is also the course Tiger got his first birdie when he was 4 or so.

[BENtSwing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftRightLeft

I like hearing new players like BuhBAM are getting into the game.  I heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers played the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup.  Golf Digest has revamped their format to appeal to a younger audience.  The powers-that-be are starting to market to a younger generation.  That being said, there's still a lot of hurdles to joining in.  I feel very fortunate.  My local muni when I was growing up (in the 70s) had a monthly playing card for juniors.  It was $10 a month for unlimited play after 10:00 AM Monday thru Friday.  In the summer, there would be up to 40 kids showing up to play.  We were a blue-collar town and I also remember when they raised it to $20.  We lost quite a few kids after that.

With all those kids playing our high school golf team was pretty tough.  My 9-hole scoring average was under 40 (something like 39.6).  I only occasionally made the traveling team.

Funny story: We played a pre-league match against a well-to-do suburban high school at a private club.  I remember my teammate asking the country club kids, "Whadda you want to play for?"  They thought we were nuts. My teammate then says completely stone-faced "What?  You think I'm here for my health?"  Pretty good intimidation factor.  We destroyed them.

I wish I could fins a deal as good as $10 a month to play as a beginner, I feel it would attract more beginners and youngsters. Thanks for the story!

I've searched all over the internet for any type of beginner groups-no so such luck in So Cal so far. I sometimes play 9-hole course called "Ironwood nine," a PW and putter course, and at times it will have a good group of young kids on it. The course runs about $13 at any time. It is also the course Tiger got his first birdie when he was 4 or so.

I've heard of that Ironwood course but never played it...is it fun? There is an 18 hole (all short par 3's) called Heartwell that is pretty fun if you're just starting out. It's in Long Beach/Lakewood off Carson just passed the LB Town Center. Tiger played there when he was little. I've taken my girlfriend there a few times. Fun and cheap. Check that one out for sure @BuhBAM

[BuhBAM]

I've heard of that Ironwood course but never played it...is it fun? There is an 18 hole (all short par 3's) called Heartwell that is pretty fun if you're just starting out. It's in Long Beach/Lakewood off Carson just passed the LB Town Center. Tiger played there when he was little. I've taken my girlfriend there a few times. Fun and cheap. Check that one out for sure @BuhBAM

@BENtSwing , I saw Heartwell when looking for tee times and it looks really nice and fun. I have been wanting to play it so bad. I like par 3s because it keeps your swing under control and really helps with my small game. I think it's a good way for beginners to learn. Ironwood is pretty fun. It's has some challenging holes for beginners. Ryder Cup time!!

[Moppy]

One thing as a bad golfer I always did was write off lost balls quickly. As I have improved, finding them matters more to me because I still have a chance at a decent score for the hle even with one bad shot, but at the beginning, if it was in the woods, in the tall grass, in the weeds, whatever, it was hit a new ball and move on. I would tear my hair out playing with one guy who was determined always to leave the course with more balls than he came with, and would never give up on a ball, even though he sucked and would lose several per round.