Over the last few years I think it is safe to say that golf
has been on the decline or at the very least stagnant in terms of rounds played,
dollars spent on equipment, new golfers taking up the game, past golfers
dropping off etc. The reasons for this trend can certainly be argued and
debated but what we do know is there are a number of initiatives aimed at
growing the game of golf.
As a golf professional who has been around the game some 40
years (21 yrs in the business) I have seen many trends come and go as well as
the growth and decline of the sport, and like many I have an opinion on why
this great game we love has been on its heels as of late.
I think we first have to look at the state of where we are
as a country, economy still trying to recover, less disposable income and a variety
of outlets trying to capture a piece of our disposable income, busy lifestyles
going in 10 different directions and a mindset that wants instant
gratification. If I could only add a drive up window to my golf academy I could
start a revolution!
Certainly too many areas to cover in one blog, but speaking
from personal experience I think a good starting point would be first; A
golfing experience that is affordable, doesn’t take 5 or 6 hours out of your
day and something the whole family can enjoy and second; Setting realistic
expectations in a fun environment for those that seek instruction to
help improve their game and the enjoyment of it. There’s a double edged sword
at play that I think directly relates to golf’s current state.
So to implement my master plan to get golf back on the rise
we need to start refocusing on the executive, par 3 and pitch & putt
courses. Think about it, 2 ½ hours of your time you can get the family together
for a morning or afternoon on the links, spend time being active outdoors all
at a cost equivalent to an evening at the movies (and in some cases maybe
less). These courses have never received
the value they deserve and yet they offer so much to the game. A place to hone
your short game skills (where a majority
of you shots are made; 70% within 100 yds or less and 40% of all shots are
putts), learn (or teach your kids)
about rules and etiquette in a rather laid back atmosphere all before lunch
time. As a child my father would take me after dinner EVERY night to the local
par 3 course and we would play until dark. When I got a bit older he then
brought me to the BIG course a local 9 holer. To me that is the idea sequence.
But in a land of $400 drivers and a mentality of wanting to hit it 400 yards, the
forgotten “short” courses don’t stand much of a chance. I guess in a sense I
should be grateful to the manufacturing giants who tag their latest offerings
with promises of solving world peace and better golf games. They set the bar
high and when things don’t go quite as advertised, my phone rings, otherwise I
might be forced to get a real job..Yikes!
I also believe for golf to take a turn for the better, FUN
needs to be injected for growth. Think of “fun” as a growth hormone. Nobody wants
to spend their hard earned cash on doing something that isn’t fun. With that
said, we all enjoy the game much more when we are playing well, hence another
pitfall. I see golfers every day coming to me because they want to improve
their game, that’s what the tell me but is it what they actually want to do? To
truly improve takes hour and hours of boring practice and practicing correctly,
most folks don’t have the time nor desire to truly devote what it takes to
reach their desired goals. This leads to frustration which leads to playing
less which leads to rounds per year being down. It is a trickle down or domino
effect so to speak. Golf has no short cuts, I repeat no short cuts! Here’s an
example, someone comes to me for a lesson and as I always do with first timers,
there is a brief Q & A regarding strengths, weaknesses, etc. I then finish
by asking the student what is their desired goal or expectation for the
lesson(s) and almost 75% of the time the answer is “consistency” which by the
way is a great goal. When I get the “C” word as a goal the next question is
ALWAYS how often do you play and/or practice? The answers vary of course but
many times it’s in the neighborhood of a couple times a month. Well there in
lies the problem; consistency doesn’t hang out much with twice a month so it
becomes a vicious cycle. Unattainable expectations = frustration + 5 ½ hour
rounds + less disposable income = rounds per year down. So how do we put FUN
back in this great game? For those who focus on teaching the game, lessons need
to be fun and exciting! If a lesson with me or at my academy isn’t fun, then we
have failed as professionals. For those who run courses and clubs, have “fun”
days. A “Beat the Pro” day once a month, or periodically hold a putting
tournaments on the practice green. At one of my former clubs I held a putting
tournament inside the clubhouse! As professionals we need to start thinking “outside
the white stakes” in a manner of speaking.
And when the day comes that you can pull up to the golf
academy drive thru window and say “I’d like to order a slight draw and 3
knockdown shots” you’ll know where the idea first originated.
Blog written
by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy
