[MexicoCity]

I think many of the causes of golf's potential demise have been covered. I would add one more, however: intimidation. It is difficult enough to make the decision to enter the sport, but when more experienced players are huffing at you with impatience, making obnoxious remarks about the degree of suckitude of your swing, and generally making you feel as if you should just pick up your ball and ride in the cart, well, frankly, it can be a less-than-pleasant experience. (And many pro shops seem to reflect these attitudes as well.)

I mean, someone on another board actually suggested that beginners should not play during prime times because it is unfair to the more advanced players. So, if I'm a beginner, I'm only supposed to play at times that are inconvenient and uncomfortable to me, simply for the sake of the more advanced players? How is that welcoming? How does that further the sport? As someone pointed out earlier, skiing does a much better job of welcoming people, despite the high cost of entry.

End rant.

Anyway, golf may need to become more capitalistic if it is going to survive. Lower prices, particularly for lessons and gear, may be the way to go. Yes, I know this represents the WalMartization of the sport. But unless it does so, it may find itself going the way of hockey. If you make the prices low enough, newcomers may not care about the poor attitudes of more advanced players.