We need to engage in a much-needed discussion on the future of the golf industry.
Golf faces a critical point. Play has been sluggish the past 10 years, even though the Baby Boomer generation is upon us. The reason is that people who are now in their 20s, 30s and early 40s are not playing golf. Our old ways of doing business will not get them on the course anytime soon.
Without change, the golf industry will shrink dramatically over the next 20 years. We can either accept this decline and fight over the remaining scraps or plan for change.
I believe that golf can thrive in the future. Too often, we assume that the newer generations are solely focused on a fast, digital lifestyle that has little room for the slow game of golf.
But many of our younger Americans value integrity, nature and relationships — things that golf delivers better than any other sport or activity. A new vision for the future of golf can position our industry for unprecedented growth.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this blog here and we will integrate them in our upcoming Fall Golf Inc. Conference, to be held Sept. 14-16 in La Quinta, Calif.
Jack Crittenden
President
Golf Inc.