DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Ideas or ways to get new participants into the game of golf

**Lauramalina** · 06-09-2010, 02:11 AM

Cost is certainly a factor but I believe that there are two other things that need to be considered as well.

The first is that like so many other pursuits, golf has become specialized and technologized (is that a word?) to the point that I think the perception is that pro golf sits at one very high and very technical level and golf for the rest of us is far below and I believe that the notion that "anyone can become a pro" (and the impetus to get better at the game) is virtually gone.

Years ago, I think most people thought that if one had a love of the game and enough time on their hands that anyone could take a shot at turning pro someday. But these days, between the college golf factories and the ever increasing dependence on gear and specifications, I think that for the first time in history there is a real disconnect between the people and the pros.

I'm not saying that everyone used to have a desire to turn pro, but it was rather the idea that it was possible and the reason was the perception that the equipment the pro's used and what the average player used wasn't that different because technology wasn't there to make it all that different. But today, I think people see getting into pro golf as a million dollar undertaking and that kills the dream (however fanciful) and thus the interest.

-JP

While I agree with a lot of what you say, I think the equipment side of the equation is actually the opposite. The marketing that is done today has people believing that they can hit it as far as the pros. They also look and see Taylormade being the #1 driver on tour and see it as a chance that they can play the same as the pros. Same with the every 30 seconds a Titleist ball ad talking about playing the same ball the pros play.

I think consumers now are connected to the equipment more than ever before because there is more of it and it gives them the option and opinion to believe that they are in the same league as the pros.

The disconnect from the pros comes from in my opinion from the advent of video and grooving swings that are all similar. Sunday hackers dont look at the TV and say my swing looks like that. I really dont think less people pick up the game though because they thought they had a chance any more or less today than before. Just like any other sport.

According to surveys done every single year by CCA (club corp of america) there are only 3 reasons that people give for the reasons that they do not play.

1. Cost
2. Time
3. Elitism

It has been the same three things on their survey for the last 15 years and they list about 15 other reasons. It always comes down to those three choices each and every year that the survey comes out in February.

06-09-2010, 02:11 AM	#17
Lauramalina Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 461 Senior Member	Cost is certainly a factor but I believe that there are two other things that need to be considered as well. The first is that like so many other pursuits, golf has become specialized and technologized (is that a word?) to the point that I think the perception is that pro golf sits at one very high and very technical level and golf for the rest of us is far below and I believe that the notion that "anyone can become a pro" (and the impetus to get better at the game) is virtually gone. Years ago, I think most people thought that if one had a love of the game and enough time on their hands that anyone could take a shot at turning pro someday. But these days, between the college golf factories and the ever increasing dependence on gear and specifications, I think that for the first time in history there is a real disconnect between the people and the pros. I'm not saying that everyone used to have a desire to turn pro, but it was rather the idea that it was possible and the reason was the perception that the equipment the pro's used and what the average player used wasn't that different because technology wasn't there to make it all that different. But today, I think people see getting into pro golf as a million dollar undertaking and that kills the dream (however fanciful) and thus the interest. -JP While I agree with a lot of what you say, I think the equipment side of the equation is actually the opposite. The marketing that is done today has people believing that they can hit it as far as the pros. They also look and see Taylormade being the #1 driver on tour and see it as a chance that they can play the same as the pros. Same with the every 30 seconds a Titleist ball ad talking about playing the same ball the pros play. I think consumers now are connected to the equipment more than ever before because there is more of it and it gives them the option and opinion to believe that they are in the same league as the pros. The disconnect from the pros comes from in my opinion from the advent of video and grooving swings that are all similar. Sunday hackers dont look at the TV and say my swing looks like that. I really dont think less people pick up the game though because they thought they had a chance any more or less today than before. Just like any other sport. According to surveys done every single year by CCA (club corp of america) there are only 3 reasons that people give for the reasons that they do not play. 1. Cost 2. Time 3. Elitism It has been the same three things on their survey for the last 15 years and they list about 15 other reasons. It always comes down to those three choices each and every year that the survey comes out in February.
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