I just responded to a Facebook post from Links Magazine, which bills itself as “The Best of Golf,” a billing I find it hard to disagree with, even if it is going to take me at least one, maybe two, full Powerball hits for me to reach a stratum that would get me onto the remarkable courses they write about.
Anyway, the post has to do with declining numbers of people playing golf.
Here is the post, followed by my response. I’d be interested in hearing other people’s takes. By all means, please respond here.
Every year, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) publishes a study on how the game is doing, both the numbers of players and the reasons for the game’s growth or decline. Right now, it’s in decline: Participation slipped just a bit from 2011 to 2012 (25.7 to 25.3 million, small enough to be a statistical error), but since 2005 the game has lost 4.7 million players, a disturbingly large number. Studying those who dropped the game, the NGF divides them into two types: “Once Committed” and “Never Committed,” with the latter—who never played more than 10 rounds in their lives—the much larger group. The “Onces,” who used to play like the rest of us, cited time and money as their principal reasons for giving it up, followed by health, lack of playing partners, and other activities. The “Nevers” primarily gave up golf for other activities that were more fun. Golf, they said, is too hard, too frustrating, and makes them too uncomfortable. Not enough fun. Interesting. Think about it.
My response:
As a “Once,” I respectfully disagree with the “Nevers.” Golf is indeed fun, in a damnable sort of way. Those of us who golf know what I mean. But golf likely never would captivate the “Nevers” who don’t believe it is fun, and it never would have — just as my idea of fun wouldn’t be to hoist a jib (is that what they do?) in a sailing league. To each his own. Golf shouldn’t mount a campaign to install 10-inch-diameter cups and concave greens as a way to make it “more fun.”
The “Onces,” if you ask me, are more crucial to the game of golf than the “Nevers” are. As a “Once,” regrettably, I agree that time and cost are huge barriers. It pains me to say that, and I can’t say I know what to do about it — though I am willing to pay less for a round of golf on a well-plotted course that isn’t what we consider to be in immaculate condition.
Speaking of fun, can I interest anyone in a fun offseason golf read? “Fore! Gone. Minnesota’s Lost Golf Courses, 1897-1999.” Due out within weeks. Find out more at ForeGoneGolf.com. Yes, it’s a shameless plug
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I have been an avid golfer for several decades now, and I am fascinated by idea behind the book you are in the process of developing/printing. I have always been interested in why some communities have decided they can do without a local golf course or, maybe more simply, cannot continue to afford to maintain due to lack of rounds played, or due to forces beyond their control. I DO believe, however, that many of the golf courses in the Twin Cities would see an increase in rounds played if two important issues were addressed: expensive green fees (especially with a motorized cart) and slower pace of play. Some courses do absolutely nothing to combat a five-plus hour round (which, of course, many golfers simply choose not to play at these facilities any longer), or charge an unreasonable amount of money to play eighteen holes of golf. I have found there are many ways to combat these problems without reducing the number of rounds we can play over the course of the MN golf season (MGA card from birdie marketing, coupons in Golf Minnesota magazine, coupons in the two daily newspapers, unpublished deals available at some courses, etc.), but feel that much of the decline in rounds played in the past decade can be attributed to these two factors. Just chiming in with a reply to your article and letting you know how much I look forward to purchasing and enjoying your book. Please let us all know when and where it becomes available. Thanks!!
Great post, Dave. The book should be out in two to three weeks. Check back here for updates, and tell your golfing friends about the book. Thanks for weighing in!