If you look really hard at the Golf Industry and the business of golf you can see some positive changes…but you have to look real hard.
Private Country Clubs are going back to being private and that is really good news. Yes, many private clubs are struggling and many will stay the course of trying to please everyone and offer members of every age group everything just so they can keep the doors open.
However, the private country clubs that remained focused on their original mission are starting to see their membership roles filling.
The late Robert Deadman stated the following which should be every private club mission today:
“A Club is a haven of refuge and accord in a world torn by strife and discord.
Is a place where kindred spirits gather to have fun and make friends.
Is a place of courtesy, good breeding and good manners.
Is a place expressly for camaraderie, merriment, good will and good cheer.
It humbles the mighty, draws out the timid and casts out the sorehead.
And is one of the noblest inventions of mankind.”
Robert Dedman, ClubCorp Founder, 1957
For private clubs, the changes made of the past three years to being a refuge for kinder spirits is a positive change for the members which is relevant to the golf played at that club.
Compromises in Golf Attire is Positive
In 2008, what people wore to play golf went downhill quickly. Now, with the help of the fashion industry more modern golf apparel has finally reached a compromise to being more casual, but still ‘Dressed Up’.
Things were getting out of hand with the camo-military pants being approved meeting the private club’s dress codes. Now, with the help of celebrities as models, the acceptance of skinny jeans is the compromise.
Maybe one day soon the men wearing scruffy beards will read the memo that facial hair is out of fashion.
Golf Courses are getting creative.
Golf Courses tow the big load for the golf industry. Everything that is sold, resold or developed is ultimately used on the Golf Course. When Titleist starts making custom clubs to use at Top Golf I’m out of here…but for now, they make golf clubs to be used on the golf course.
So, the pressure is on for golf courses to be in the same shape as what people see on TV..even though 90% of the golf courses in the USA do not have the budget the golf courses seen on TV.
Golf courses still need to up their game and will if golfers will cooperate.
Golf courses have got to kill Slow Play…nip it at the butt by testing players skill level. One of the sure things that will kill slow play is a player’s ability test. This is a test tells the golf course management what tees you are to play from and even what golf courses your skills are tested to play.
Player’s ability test has been fought for a long time as being something that would keep people from playing golf. This may be true but it also would bring many golfers back to playing golf that got tired of getting paired with 48 handicappers.
Golf courses could help with their image of having slow play by providing forecaddies with each group.
Golf Courses could have all the beverages prepaid so the beverage girls and guys do not hold up people making change for a $20 on an $18 bill.
Golf Courses have a heavy burden but I know they are up to making the change. Adding Night Golf during the summer months and free golf lessons for VIP customers will help spur interest to play the golf course. Golf course management needs to support programs that allow the Pros in the Shop to play with groups so they can get to know who is playing their course and get first-hand feedback.
Golf courses and Private Clubs have made a few changes that are good, but there is more they can do.
Let me know how I can help.
