Eagle Golf CEO: More Consumerism Needed To Grow Golf!
/Thanks to the readers who send Eagle Golf CEO Joe Munsch's email newsletter rant about how the governing bodies are holding back the game by having an OB rule and restricting folks from buying more clubs to bring eternal happiness and allow them to hit it even longer and straighter than they do now, which is longer and straighter than the masses have ever hit it.
He neglects to mention that following USGA and R&A rules is an optional act. Eagle Golf is free to make their own rules!
Anyway...just love the music on the course concept. Where have I seen that before? Oh right.
Recently, there was an industry report that golfer participation has declined by 2.4 million golfers in the last two years. As a golf course operator, I find these numbers both disturbing and frightening. This needs to be the wake-up call for all, including course operators, the equipment manufacturers, the USGA, and all of us as golfers.
I know there are some golfers out there who are actually happy that numbers are declining. They think this means their favorite courses will be less crowded. Well, I can promise that, with decline at this pace, it is not good for anyone. The result will be more courses closing (which will make others more crowded), less innovation and options in equipment and a slow descent into obscurity as a sport. Ultimately, this will have a negative impact on the product we see on the professional tours.
As you've seen from my past emails, I squarely place the blame for the decline on the golf industry and governing bodies. We have too many silly rules and we tend to create an atmosphere that is not friendly or fun for the younger generation, women, and new golfers in general. The programs that we have in place today, like Get Golf Ready and the First Tee are only scratching the surface. We can all pat ourselves on the back for the things we are doing, but, the bottom line is, we are not growing the game.
The core values and the traditions of golf are great and, yes, all competitive sports need rules. But, the majority of golfers are not playing to win big prize money or trophies…they are playing to have fun. The key is what can we do the make the game fun and attractive to a broader base.
Below are some random thoughts for the recreational game to both make the game more fun and speed up play.
• Who cares if someone anchors a putter or not?
• Why don’t the manufacturers make balls that fly further and straighter for the average golfer.
• Out of bounds is just a dumb rule for the average golfer. Just play it as a lateral hazard.
• Recreational golfers shouldn't have limits on the number of clubs in their bag.
• What if the hole was a little bigger?
• Forget “honors” and whoever is out hits first. Play Ready Golf, hit and/or putt when ready.
• Golf doesn't have to be 9 or 18 holes. Courses should be offering other options.
• At Eagle Golf, we don't care if golfers play music on the course as long as it’s within their group. We encourage it if that adds to the enjoyment of the round!
• The name of the game is fun!
• If you are on this email list, it means you play golf on one of the Eagle Golf courses or you are a leader in the golf industry. Either way, it means you love golf and have a stake in the game!
• So, I'm interested in what you think
• Why do you love the game of golf?
• What can the golf industry and golf course operators like Eagle do to grow the game?
Your opinion counts. I'm going to gather up the responses and I'll share them with the industry. I'll also share them in a future email.
Regards,
Joe Munsch
President & CEO
Eagle Golf
