Is Golf going to Die?

[Turk182]

I pawned my clubs five years ago....

 

[GatorInKnox]

Well, I've got a set of clubs for sale.

Your scramble couldn't have been THAT bad

 

[MJMGator]

I sold my clubs and quit playing about 15 years ago. Miss it occasionally, but not enough to go out and spend $5k on a new set of clubs and gear.

 

[oxrageous]

People complain about the cost to play a round but you have to realize the huge expense of maintaining the course. I used to manage a community that had a golf course, an "executive" (small) 18-hole course. Even that course cost $750,000 a year to maintain, between employees, equipment, chemicals, etc. With less people playing, you have to raise the prices in an attempt just to break even. I'm not surprised they are going under right and left.

 

[TallyGator]

Agree...I think the game is headed back to an "elite" activity, or fun centers. The maintenance costs are too high for "economical" play anymore.

 

[GatorInKnox]

I sold my clubs and quit playing about 15 years ago. Miss it occasionally, but not enough to go out and spend $5k on a new set of clubs and gear.

What the hell kind of clubs are you playing??

 

[GatorInKnox]

I'm surprised you haven't seen more artificial turf courses (at least on the greens and tee boxes). I'm lucky to live in a relatively rainy area (particularly in the spring and fall) so prices in Knoxville really aren't bad at all. The courses I play at all have a large lake in the middle that forms from drainage/rain runoff. They just reuse this water to irrigate the entire course and it really keeps the costs down.

 

[Swampy]

What the hell kind of clubs are you playing??

My question as well!

 

[bradgator2]

Living just south of Gainesville, cost isnt a factor. These courses, which are all really nice, compete like crazy to get the old people in. There are 15 courses within 30 minutes of me. In the summer, I get annoyed when I play for more than 20 bucks. In the winter, it might be 35-40 a round.

Unfortunately for me, it's kids/family. There was a sweet spot when the kids were 3-5, that I was playing 3 times a week (and shooting consistantly between 81-85). But now they are in grade school, and involved with sports, and after school activities, and need guidance with homework, and blah, blah... I've only played twice in the last 6 months. It was tough to realize that an 81 isnt going to happen again playing only 4 times a year. :( But, hanging with the guys and drinking beer in the sun for 4 hours will always be fun.

 

[itsgr82bag8r]

What the hell kind of clubs are you playing??

Imaginary ones. Anyone who'd pay that for equipment has lost their mind.

 

[GatorBart]

Your scramble couldn't have been THAT bad

It was bad, real bad. But I was just kidding about selling my clubs. :wink:

 

[GatorInKnox]

It was bad, real bad. But I was just kidding about selling my clubs. :wink:

Good! A part of me cried when I read that.

 

[MJMGator]

What the hell kind of clubs are you playing??

Just a wild guess at what a top notch set would cost. Like I said, haven't played in about 15 years so I'm really not up to date on the the latest gear.

 

[8802Gator]

Just a wild guess at what a top notch set would cost. Like I said, haven't played in about 15 years so I'm really not up to date on the the latest gear.

To spend 5k you would have to special order a set of Miura's or some other boutique club. 2k is more realistic for a top of the line name brand set. If you don't care about the name on the club you can get a really nice set of component clubs custom built for less than a grand. I bought the components and built a set for myself and used them for 6 years. Great set and it only cost me about 200 bucks. Or with everybody getting out of golf there is gonna be a lot of nice used sets out there.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

What other sport will fat people play?

 

[TallyGator]

What other sport will fat people play?

Golden Tee is an option.

You can get top of the line equipment for $2000. But if you do that, you are likely to have already made up you mind to play...cost is not your issue. For the beginner or intermediate player, there are good options available for under $1000...including the "knock offs". If you are a "golfer", it is part of your budget, both dollars and time. If you are thinking about it, both the dollars and time become major factors because it takes time and money to be any good at it. I have known and played golf with some people who were totally okay with being not good. Most golfers find that the greatest enjoyment comes from improving, or at least reaching the pinnacle of what they think their ability is.

I was a golf professional for several years and as such respect the game. It is not for everyone. But having places that introduce the game in a fun way is a good idea. Once you step on the course, etiquette is a must, in my opinion. That is respect for the game...a gentlemen's game. Faced with all the requirements (cost, time, behavior), I think golf is in for a tough time in the near future.

 

[Alvin York]

There's only two decently maintained public courses left in Memphis, Galloway and Audubon where I began playing this unpredictable and demanding game. The status of our local government is reflected by our dismal upkeep of Memphis golf courses. Folks complain all the time but nothing of substance is accomplished. Appears only the rich and exclusive upper crust don't waste time bemoaning the state of their favorite golf watering holes.

The noble game of golf was never meant to be an exclusive arena for the rich and powerful WASP elite..In fact the roots of golf involve the common man playing the game along with the wealthy landlords and nobles. The game was born and developed in Scotland in the 1400's. Although recognized as an elitist sport elsewhere in the world, in the land of its birth it enjoys widespread appeal across the social spectrum, in line with the Scot's egalitarian tradition (like Albanians). The Old Course at St Andrew's and Musselburgh Links are public courses. Council-owned courses, with low fees and easy access, are common throughout the country. It was the English and later the Americans that took hold of the game and made it the dashing and popular game of the country club set.

Don't mourn for the death of Golf. It's merely hibernating until American citizens unite to lobby their local legislatures and demand a reasonable portion of their community budgets will be set aside and earmarked for public courses. It's up to us to bring back the game of golf to the everyday American citizens.

 

[oxrageous]

Don't mourn for the death of Golf. It's merely hibernating until American citizens unite to lobby their local legislatures and demand a reasonable portion of their community budgets will be set aside and earmarked for public courses.

 

[TheDouglas78]

What other sport will fat people play?

bowling, darts, billards.

 

[Alvin York]

All I have to do is email Al Gore about our conundrum. With his push and pull with the Clinton's and other political big shots the issue will be on the front burner. We'll be cooking in no time with reduced green fees and meticulously manicured fairways and greens. I've got a TENNESSEE connection, baby.

Oh, ye of little faith...........