Seems I answer this question a lot..or, is it I am asking this question a lot?
In this environment of high unemployment and failing economy golf industry is not fairing well. Those in the golf industry, and golf lovers around the world, obviously want to know the answer to this question. I don’t blame them. There are a lot of factors working against golf. What will it take to turn things around and Help Golf survive? The answer is in the grassroots golfer’s hands
Golf is not looked at as a serious contributor to the economy..at least not looked at in a positive way. In some cases parts of the golf industry are not really helping change that image by staying in their little world of denial. What has to change in Golf to Help Golf is not going to make the executives at the top of the golf industry food chain very happy. However, the image of golf being kicked around the gutters of society is not making the golfers of the world very happy either. Which do you feel has to change in order for golf to survive as we know it.
Where the Help Should Come From
Take the private country clubs for an example. I am asked all the time by my followers to address what Country Clubs will have to do to survive. Obviously, many golfers see the same thing as I, Country Clubs play a huge part in Golf’s survival as a viable activity for the masses to enjoy. Country Clubs keep the heart of golf pumping.
Country Club and Golf Clubs set a benchmark for many golfers to strive to get to so they can better afford to play unlimited golf. This keeps the driving ranges and golf retails stores in business. Country Clubs sit in the center of many communities’ economy. So how goes the Country Club, goes the community around it.
Unfortunately, Country Clubs are not the only area of golf that could do a better job of helping golf survive as we know it today.
Golf equipment and golf travel/hospitality segments of the golf industry could do a better job of keeping golf in reach of the golfing population. If golfers can’t afford to buy the equipment to play the game and then carry the equipment with them as they travel for business then the mindset of golfers changes quickly to..
Why am I bothering to play golf?
This question is brought to me over and over by the people I meet each day. Why should they bother playing golf when the dues for their country club membership went up instead of going down: to replace the old set of Golden Bear clubs they got at JC Penny’s is more than a house payment” and then to pay for all of this they are having to work 80 hours a week to cover being doubled billed for carrying their golf clubs with them when they travel for business.
The Equipment, manufactures and travel/hospitality have to rethink their cost structures. No, the solution is not to lay off works or close golf courses..that thinking is not helping golf. The thinking that has to change, or stop, is golf needing to go back to the days when the lords and nobles where the only people to afford to play golf. That thinking is futile and that is just not going to happen.
The thinking all golf businesses should be having is to help golf and maybe rethink that elitist attitude to maybe being more of the lords and nobles of today’s golf world taking a pay cut. I see taking a cut in pay to keep more people playing golf is better than them all not paying anything for golf.
I am sure everyone else has a thought on what would work to get golf out of the gutters and back on high ground. I would enjoy hearing them all. Let me know how I can help.
First golf needs to help itself. Those of us in the business are always a bit amazed and mainly dismayed at the customer (golfer) interaction between the staff and themselves. The customer is not always right but I’ve stepped in probably a few times too many to defuse shouting matches between the staff and the golfer. We’ve got staff that’s under an incredible amount of pressure and golfers knowing the economy is lousy taking extreme advantage to get their round for as close to free as possible.
But with the courses where the relationships are established with long-term clients they tend to joke about the same issues but both are looking for a compromise that won’t destroy either person’s bottom-line.
In our Golf vacation division we’ve almost gone to existing clients only and give them the very best in service with fair pricing. Many new requests from unknown potential clients are demanding unrealistic pricing and we decided that we’d prefer those that are only looking for cheap to spend more time at our competitors.
Golf needs to scream out exactly what we do for the economy. Three BILLION + raised through golf for charities. Screw those who say golf is elitist, they either don’t know or just wish to find something to point at.
My idea of stimulus is a national shotgun event with all the politicians involved. Let’s see them tell the charities that feel golf and those that sponsor golf irresponsible. I dare em!
Golf needs to take a page from Steve Jobs, Facebook, WordPress… allow Open Apps for innovation.
Golf is way too hung up on kissing the asses of the old guard and Big Brands.
First move, sign a major online player… a Google, Facebook, Amazon as a sponsor of a PGA event.
Farmers Insurance? Waste Management? Yeah… better than no sponsors, but golf MUST change their image, or the game will become even more a game for the few with big bucks.
Golf has marketed a personality that bit them in the ass rather than marketing the value of the game.