A man I know with more than 30 years in the international golf business had this interesting observation. He stated in the nations whose founding tended to be British, golf play rates are generally declining. While other nations golf play rates are generally increasing.
When asked to explain he said in English speaking nations golf is typically recognized as a man’s game. In fact many men in such nations look at golf as an escape from the concerns of family and work.
Whereas in many other non-English nations, golf is considered more of a family and/or a group activity. In fact men look at golf as a way to invest in valuable family time.
This illustrates both a fantastic opportunity for the American golf industry and a huge challenge.
The Opportunity
How many more golfers would we have if golf would be considered a family game? A family of four who play golf together quadruples the number of players from that family. One must assume that families would also encourage other families to come play golf with them which could mean exponential growth.
And, given the kids would grow up playing golf with their parents, wouldn’t they then go on to play golf with their kids? Not only maintaining the pool of active golfers, but possibly growing it along the way?
It is obvious the old golf culture is changing. Younger families are very busy so club memberships and time spent at clubs has dwindled among them. The old country club lifestyle has evaporated. Public courses feel it too. Younger people may respond very nicely to a family oriented golf culture.
All the new golfers would be spending money at the golf courses for food, drink, equipment, etc. They would need a lot of new equipment and supplies. Young kids will outgrow their equipment. Pro-shops would be stocking and selling a lot stuff they are not used to in ways they never have.
A shift causing golf to be seen as a family sport could be of great value for the industry!
The Challenge
Culture is a hard thing to change. Societies hold onto their cultural group-think very tightly. How could such a shift be fostered and made to happen quickly?
Would American men accept a shift away from golf as a guy thing to golf as a family thing?
Would serious American golfers accept playing a course populated by families with lessor skill levels? Not that they don’t like families, but many serious golfers have a narrow view of how a golf round is played. Some are annoyed by those who slow down the game or don’t play at an acceptable level. We must face the fact that a family group will be slower, especially as the younger members develop their skill. Would there need to be another tee for shorter hitting kids?
Would golf courses be able to cater to more women and the large number of young people? We must admit that most courses are flush with facilities and stuff geared towards grown men. To a lessor degree grown women. But hardy anything for young boys and girls.
Golf becoming a family game would drastically change the game and golf courses! Whatever complaints there may be, the benefits are probably worth it. The flood of ladies and young people joining the golfing ranks could be a goldmine for golf courses nationwide.
