It’s time the golf industry put the future first.
There’s an old saying in business:
“How you make others feel about themselves says a lot about you”. I can remember learning golf on a 5,800-yard, undulating course in Queens, NY which had rough, trees, sand.. you know all the usual criminals. But what it didn’t have was the underlying sadism that made you wonder why you started playing this game in the first place, and worse yet, why I should keep playing it? I have discussed in previous blogs why I dislike the direction golf design took in the 80’s and 90’s. It was designed by professional golfers for scratch to single handicap golfers who had the mental skills to navigate these advanced tracks. They sacrificed the feelings of the mid to high handicap and especially showed dislike for the beginners who were never given a chance to enjoy how the game can bring happiness to them. They also started charging premium prices for the right to play the course. So that left the beginners almost no place to play with the executive and par 3 courses closing at an alarming rate.
So now enter one of the older names in American golf bringing the old school feel to the 2020’s. With any luck, the industry will take a long, hard look at what needs to be done and start bringing smaller, easy to play and enjoyable courses back into the spotlight.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, GA was built in 1932. By 2015, it needed repair and updating. Thankfully, the city of Atlanta made sure this would be a shining example of what to do in the future for the future of the game. They now offer multiple platforms of golf to play and have fun at your skill level. Here are some of the changes:
The Cupps Link-it’s a 5-hole what is called “wee links” where the holes are 50-70 yards long. So for beginners of all ages it provides short game skills and gives the ability to have fun.
The Dan Yates Putting Course-It’s a 9-hole REVERSIBLE putting course. It’s a great way to practice the most important part of getting the ball into the hole.
The Murray Golf House- It’s the first Georgia Golf Hall of Fame featuring an interactive experience for beginners to see who have come before them.
The Boone Restaurant was remodeled with better course views and ambiance more inviting to all levels of golfers.
The Ed Hoard Golf Shop. It’s a modern, interactive, digitally advanced pro shop where everything from check-in, to sales, to vendor advertising create a new and fresh interactive experience.
Then there’s the course….IT’s REVERSIBLE. Two 9-hole courses are laid on top of each other so you can play different courses in the same area. AND…there is no rough. So beginners can play without angst and quite frankly, single digit should be able to play to par..if they really are single digit. I’ve always said “IF you can’t play to par on a par 3 or executive, you’re not as good as you think you are”.
“I just give myself permission to suck..I find this hugely liberating” said every golfer who finally got it..
So I want all of you to consider what beginner courses in your area need your help. As good golfers and as some of you are PGA associated, this is a great time to start some kind of club for those who have a liking for the game and just need some kind of platform to learn to develop the passion and fun for the game. Remember, GOLF is a Game Of Learning Fun.
This is a trying time for the youth of the world and golf is the perfect distraction, a way to make friends and gain some self-esteem. It is our opportunity to showcase the sport and develop a new clientele. Find youth groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs. Put together some after school events for all grades. Even with the Covid environment, there is a way for golf to excel given it is socially distant and outdoors. Start leagues for them. They need distractions that are fun. It’s a very poignant time for every society to get human interaction up front again while being responsible. Let’s set the example.
“I just give myself permission to suck..I find this hugely liberating”. I love this phrase
