Comments on: Americans Giving Up Golf

By: Bithead

Bithead — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:53:58 +0000

On the cost issue:

* Environmentalists, who have been making life for Course owners problematic at best.

* NIBMY, and the local zoning boards. Nuff said.

* Insurance, particularly liability.

* Taxes. Zoning a Golf Course "Commercial". Think that's going to raise the operating costs?

* Energy costs, in maintaining the place

By: graywolf

graywolf — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:07:06 +0000

I'm the demographic that's expected to play golf (affluent white male).

The first (and last) time was as a guest at West Point. Very difficult course (especially for a first-timer) and..... rude people.

I don't see any point/fun in paying for golf lessons for the right to play with rude people.

How many other people have been turned off by the "attitude" at golf courses?

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:38:33 +0000

Personally, I very seldom play an 18 hole course. There just isn't time and my game falls off around the 13th to 15th hole. I play a 9 hole course voted one of the best in the USA and for only $13. I walk the whole course in 2.5 hours. I also practice on a 9 hole par 3 course for $6.00. I just love the game and won't play with people or at places who don't know how to enjoy it.

By: another matt

another matt — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:34:15 +0000

Gee,

Last time I played a round of golf I plunked down $60 for 18 holes, received several disdainful glances at my lack of proper golfing attire, and then was subsequently rushed for 18 holes to make sure my group's pace of play was fast enough. I haven't had that much fun since getting a cap put on my tooth. I can't imagine why golf may not be appealing to a younger generation...

By: Steve Plunk

Steve Plunk — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:40:34 +0000

I blame golf course designers. The two most recently built courses in my neck of the woods (john Fought and Robert Trent Jones designs) are so frickin hard it takes the fun out of play. The greens are so fast putting off of them is common. The rough so penalizing you either lose the ball or waste a couple of strokes getting out. The length of the courses require huge drives followed by long irons into the green.

With the pros playing 230 yard par threes, 500 yard par fours and 600 yard par fives, new courses emulate what we see on TV not what a local player would enjoy. Instead of 6900 yard courses we need 6100 yard courses for a more enjoyable round and faster play. Wide fairways and little rough would lessen lost balls. Slower greens could cut the three and four putts. While we're at it sexier cart girls.

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:09:11 +0000

I blame Bush. Just look at the dates. Can't you see that Bush is just trying to wreck the golf industry. The only problem is I haven't figured out why. But it is quite obviously Bush's fault.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:58:01 +0000

That's why I'm starting in astronomy again. Put the kids to bed and get a hour or so of solitude staring at the sky before I head to bed.

By: The Florida Masochist

The Florida Masochist — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:25:59 +0000

The lack on interest by Americans for golf can be seen via the lack of twenty something winners on the PGA tour. Charles Howell III is almost universally declared best 29 and under American on the PGA Tour. Tour resume- 2 wins.

For ladies professional golf, the fall off in interest is no where nearly as strong. You have Pressel, Castrale, Gulbis, Creamer, Michelle Wie(who shot 69 yesterday), Christina Kim, Prammanasudh, Francella, and more. Defending US Open champ Cristie Kerr turned 30 after winning the open. More women are coming up, notably Korean-American golfers. Jane Park finished second at the SBS Open last weekend. Wie everyone knows of, but how about Kimberly Kim, Vicki Hurst, and I could list more.

Tiger Woods has had a huge financial impact on pro golf, but excite interest in the sport? Only so far as bringing more television viewers, not players of the sport.

On the other hand Se Ri Pak has inspired scores of women in both South Korea and the US to take up the game. That's why I say the Korean golf queen may have more impact than anyone else on pro golf today. Look around, there are over 40 South Korean women on the LPGA. At least 35 of whom would testify Se Ri was their inspiration.

Look out for Ji Yai Shin in 2009. She has been demolishing the KLPGA for two years.

Bill

By: Anderson

Anderson — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:24:18 +0000

Yeah, I have a similar problem.

An eight-hour session of Dungeons & Dragons just isn't feasible for a 39-year-old lawyer and father of two.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:57:54 +0000

you price yourselves out of the reach of the average wage earner.

I'm not sure "the average wage earner" was ever golf's target audience.

By: John Clark

John Clark — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:19:26 +0000

How 'bout the constant increase in the cost of a round of golf? It's hard to attract new golfers when you price yourselves out of the reach of the average wage earner.