How can we put more people on the course?
To the credit of the golf industry, there are a number of national grow-the-game initiatives in place. Play Golf America, The First Tee and Get Golf Ready all offer a variety of programs aimed at teaching beginners – both youngsters and adults – the game. And most have done a good job of exposing large numbers of people to golf.
What’s less clear is what happens when that newcomer to the game “graduates” from these programs. All too often, golf course operators seem to think their job is done when the instructional period is completed. But savvy managers know that’s just the beginning.
Does your course have a “mentor” program that pairs these newbies with some of your regulars? Do you offer special prices on equipment or greens fees to those who complete a training sequence at your property? Do you or your staff do quarterly follow-up phone calls or e-mails to the graduates personally inviting them back?
There are plenty of other ideas for encouraging more play from new golfers. At the Golf Inc. Conference, to be held Sept. 14-16 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif., the session entitled “If golf isn’t working, why not and how do we fix it” will examine some of these critical issues, offering ideas for operators and owners.
What other related topics would you like to see explored at the conference?
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Recent comments
- For the sake of the game,
13 hours 7 min ago - Traditional golf has trumped
13 hours 18 min ago - Put simply, we need more
14 hours 43 min ago - The state of the game needs
17 hours 15 min ago - The state of the game is
18 hours 14 min ago - Thanks for the lesson in
1 day 13 hours ago - What a nice way to merely
1 day 15 hours ago - Couldn't agree more with
2 days 13 hours ago - (Lack of) INNOVATION is one
2 days 17 hours ago - This is happening to muni's
1 week 3 days ago
Comments
October 24, 2009 9:56 am GMT
Nicklaus has always been a proponent of practical golf. I think he even started the hybrid movement long before it became popular?
It's these "traditionalists" with their jaded views, who think the golf game will return to pre 2000 form. They're in denial of the fact, that game is evolving into new quicker play formats and it's hard for them to accept.
October 20, 2009 2:50 pm GMT
I'm now working more with less free time, so I started playing the new Hybrid format with my friends. Now walk 18 holes of championship golf in 3 hours. Same game, just quicker, cheaper and less frustrating.
October 20, 2009 10:46 am GMT
Time & Difficulty are killing the traditional golf game. Nicklaus was right, we need shorter and more efficient courses with quicker venues.
October 20, 2009 10:20 am GMT
The traditional golf game is fast losing appeal in our modern culture. People today just don't have time, inclination or effort for a game that takes lot's of time to learn & play, as evident by the lack of golfer's entering the game and those leaving the game. Traditional time consuming non-sustainable golf will continue to lose appeal at an ever increasing rate until it matches the expectations of the modern era.
However, quicker & shorter forms of practical golf will continue to grow.
October 16, 2009 6:36 am GMT
One final note. Operators take note your real customer the guy who buys memberships, clubs, apparel and eats and drinks at your facility does not want hybrid golf or any change to game he loves.
We won't watch flag football over the NFL on TV or 3 inning baseball. Quit trying to alter the game we love and support. The problem is not with the core golfers it stems from greedy developers, poor management and the fools at the National Golf Foundation who were certain the game needed a golf course a day to be built just to keep pace with demand.
October 16, 2009 6:30 am GMT
You want more golfers on your golf course? I have the only real solution, eliminate 25% of the golf courses in your direct competitive set. Every operator needs to realize the lack of profitability in this sport(busines/industry) is due to the fact that their are more pies (golf courses) than their are people who want to eat pie (play golf).
Eliminate 25% of the facilities in each active market and those left standing will become profitable. I assure you golfers will not quit the game just because XVZ course closes down.
August 14, 2009 7:54 pm GMT
We've switched to the new Hybrid golf format. Significantly shortens the learning curve, requires few lessons and keeps golfer's coming back to the game. People today just don't have the time or patience for extensive golf lessons anymore! This modern hybrid way of play & learn allows proficient play with less practice.
The Hybrid Way: Economy, Efficient & Enjoyable golf at it's best.
August 14, 2009 12:23 pm GMT
We conduct new hybrid golf leagues at several executive courses in our area. These courses are busy all day! Can't say the same for the larger courses in our area, they're all crying for golfer's, with many struggling to stay alive.
August 14, 2009 8:39 am GMT
I work in the industry on the wholesale side, teach in the industry as an LPGA Professional and teach a First Tee program, a LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program and multiple EWGA clinics so I see the industry on a big and small perspective. I teach a great deal of new golfers. My goal is to get them on the course the first or second week, no later. By the third lesson I have them playing short holes. The key is the follow up. Courses need to start evening 3 or 5 hole rates that are for newer players. Start at 6 or 7pm and run the events for an hour to 1 1/2 hours. Discount greens fees, something like $10.00 and if possible have a professional around to help out. If we had a regional on national "Tee it up" Program that included multiple courses doing this it would help.
August 11, 2009 10:12 pm GMT
Here's the real issue with growing the modern golf game. There is no easy & effective "introductory system" to keep new golfers interest when learning the game. Using the standard golf ball to learn the game, quickly kills off the initiative to stay with the sport, resulting in high attrition rates. Yet we keep trying the same old, time consuming and difficult teaching methods using this tool and continue to loose both new and older golfers.
Why? Who said we have to learn this way, our fathers?
For the sake of the game, don't you think it's time we came up with a more effective learning means?
Address the standard golf ball as the major obstacle for introductory growth, develop a practical golf ball solution for this problem.
August 11, 2009 1:19 pm GMT
I'd like to hear any new ideas regarding altering the elitist traditional aire that so permeates this sport. Now, if we could just get past old misguided perceptions now retarding the sport, we could actually create enjoyable golf for the average folk.
August 11, 2009 5:12 am GMT
Recently I asked in a forum the very same question, but regarding the Hungarian situation where golf is considered as a elite sport? What would you do to change Hungarians' attitude toward this beautiful sport?? People who answered me they recommended many great ideas. If you want to know I am ready to share with anybody.
August 11, 2009 4:46 am GMT
Changing market dynamics say, create a more efficient golf game. Market economics say it will soon happen.
August 07, 2009 3:31 pm GMT
My job takes me by many golf courses during the week. I noticed most of the fullsized championship courses being used very little during the day. However, the shorter par-3 and executive courses alway seem to be busy with golfers?
August 07, 2009 1:50 pm GMT
Keeping with the thought about GolfNow.com and what the Golf Channel is doing?
What is Golf Inc.'s stance on creeping bent grass...? :-)
August 07, 2009 11:44 am GMT
Let me try to understand this thought process.
1. You try to attract new people to the game through growth initiatives.
2. You expect graduates to keep coming back.
3. When they don't return, you wonder why?
4. You then call or send out reminders to invite them back?
5. When the promotion wears thin, you reinvent the same process again, under a new name, with the same results.
Ever think of employing a new marketing strategy?
Wouldn't you think they would come back if they enjoyed the game? Ever ask the people why they don't come back? Maybe they didn't care for the golf game or the initiative?
Where's the savvy or logic in this process?
August 07, 2009 9:24 am GMT
I don't see the stick-to-it attitude of the past in the modern golf game. This may be due to economic changing trends for quick & cheap. There are just to many other enjoyable competing activities out there that don't require the time and effort dedication of golf.
August 07, 2009 9:00 am GMT
Why should it be left up to the golf course to personally invite people back, if the game is so attractive? What you're saying is, that today's golfers have to be hounded and conjoled into coming back. That doesn't sound like they're having a good time to me.
Try making the game fun!
August 07, 2009 8:49 am GMT
What do you expect, we've killed off the feeder system? We've created a golf game with the perception of being To Time Consuming, To Difficult, To Frustrating & To Costly for the average person to enjoy! Now couple this with using outmoded traditional growth techniques of the past, that don't work well in today's world. Then throw in the "super-size me" attitude of design/build golf courses that waste precious land & water resources. Also, you've got to add into this mix, the snooty old guard attitude of traditional golf. Did I forget anything? How about, competition from other sport activities and non-activities like computer games etc..
Anyway, you're doomed from the getgo!
How to put more golfer's on the course is simple, but keeping them coming back is the hard part.
Here's our suggestion:
Open Your Minds...Bring FUN back into the game! We did it, so can you!!
1. Create an INTRODUCTORY HYBRID GOLF BALL that is Easier & More Efficient (Time, Difficulty, Cost & Safety) to play on the shorter golf course.
2. Create shorter, well designed, less time consuming & affordable HYBRID COMPACT GOLF COURSES (18-Holes; 40 to 70 acres; 2800 yds to 4500 yds; 2-3 hours to play max). Affordable to build & maintain, utilizing less land and water resources. Also, don't forget the many existing Executive/Par-3 & Mid-length golf course courses that are available.
Combining the HYBRID GOLF BALL with the HYBRID GOLF COURSE creates a Quicker, Less Frustrating "same game mentality" with a modified traditional golf experience.
New & older golfer's enjoy and stay with the game and the "crossover (feeder system) effect" will greatly benefit and help grow the standard golf game.
We have tried & tested this simple concept, it meets USGA golfing requirements, it attracts a new breed of golfer, It Works and you don't waste $$$ on old fashion non-performing growth initiatives!
The caveat to this working big time and helping grow the game, lies with the course designers and developers who have a grossly forgotten the average golfer in their rush to design with a "bigger is better championship golf course mentality". My question to them is, who will be around to play these courses in the future since you helped drive the average golfer away?
Create an effective feeder system and you grow the game...a practical introductory game, for practical times!
Why beat yourself up?...Update your thought process.
Now what don't you get about this?
August 07, 2009 6:04 am GMT
The comments and concerns are spot on. Here are Meadowbrook Golf we have developed "Golf for the Fun of it!", an adult player development program. Our real concern is the same; "what to do after graduation?" We now believe that new golfers must be provided specific opportunties for personal growth for a full year. Last month, we developed "Golf Sisters" a program for all women graduates. We continue to think of ways to promote the game and provide programs for the 700 people in our program. I applaud the article as timely and thought provoking.
Jack Dillon
August 06, 2009 12:26 pm GMT
What does Golf Now and Golf Channel have to do with this discussion?
August 06, 2009 11:57 am GMT
We've been running a successful mentoring program for many years that we call "Nine and Wine" in which we pair seasoned golfers with newer (and sometimes brand new) players. The program is very effective at providing new or rusty golfers an on-course experience in a non-threatening environment during which they can gain their sea-legs, so to speak. Retention numbers are strong. It's the perfect "graduation" event for Get Golf Ready.
August 06, 2009 11:47 am GMT
What is Golf Inc.'s stance on GolfNow.com and what the Golf Channel is doing?
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