Question of the week [January 13-19]: Have golf industry leaders done a good job “growing the game” of golf, and in what ways would you expand the sport?

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For the most part, the golf industry’s record of “growing the game” is a mixed one at best. 

Across all of the game’s participants, the growth of off-course (entertainment-oriented) has substantially outpaced on-course (traditional, green-grass) over the past few years. Combine that with the surprise that a world-wide pandemic would reignite the appeal of a good walk spoiled, and I would argue these two factors have been responsible for the super-majority of any “growth of the game” over the past decade.

It then stands to reason that amongst all the leaders of the golf industry (PGA Tour, OEM CEOs, PGA of America, USGA , et.al.) all have done little substantially to expand the game. The PGA Tour’s troubles with LIV Golf, its boring weekend broadcast product and its unending greed has demonstrably shrunk the audience — not grown it. The outright avarice of players doesn’t help either. Maybe TGL will help overcome the professionals myopia? The verdict isn’t yet in.

The OEMs have devoted some capital to the golf entertainment side of the world, but only as a hedge, and are forever raising prices with every different name stamped on the head of a driver — and that won’t grow it either. The governing bodies may have a minimal effect with some of the programs they sponsor, however their missions are mostly about preserving the almost static status quo — not changing it. Course owners and their management partners have exploited Covid to raise greens fees, often far beyond embedded inflation. Realistically, none of these practices help “grow any part of the game.”

What is finally being recognized, yet still in its infancy, is how to proposition golf as more accessible, both geographically and economically. A good example of accomplishing both of these is the growth of indoor, simulator golf. Places like Five Iron Golf and Golfzon have proved this. The growth of par-3 courses and gamified ranges are contributing as well. Topgolf is the largest recognizable brand in this space, yet its lack of any real golf DNA and its bloated business model never became the super large funnel to the game it promised.

The key proposition is fun and the time and money necessary to produce an experience of raw enjoyment at all phases and skill levels. Traditional golf works for those who are willing to go there and seek that, but the majority of those newbies that will sustainably grow the game just want a fun experience and the more of it they can find for a reasonable price on their schedule the more adherent to the game they will be. We all know how tough a game golf can be, however those of us who stuck it out to become proficient did so only because we were exposed to how much fun it could be. Lose the avarice and promote the fun.

Steven Lapper
Far Hills, New Jersey
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In two words — Hell No! Oops. How do you grow something by cutting a tournament field? How are up-and-coming youngsters coming out of college supposed to get the chances that Jordan Speith, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, et.al. received.

How about getting rid of the NBCSeeIt nonsense? And don’t get me started on the walk-and-talks. These are guys are working and trying to make a cut or win a tournament. Can you just imagine an announcer stopping Lebron James as he’s running down the court. “Excuse me, James. How were you feeling after you missed that easy lay-up?” Seriously?

The constant talk about money and who-makes-what is really getting old. Stop catering to the whiners. If they don’t like their paychecks, let them take LIV money and get out of the business. We don’t miss any of those guys who left the PGA Tour, but they certainly miss us. Can we just get back to golf and watching great shots by great players?

Sheri Molyneaux
Salem, Oregon
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Maybe stats show that the game of golf is growing but, from the surface, the PGA Tour players — the front and center of the game — have little regard for growing the game except for themselves. Maybe behind the scenes, they are doing stuff to facilitate growth. If so, there’s little world-wide publicity to show that.

Golf remains an expensive pastime. While organizations such as The First Tee and U.S. Kids Golf are great for golf growth, eventually it takes a lot of money to provide the golf clubs and accessories for the kids to continue to grow in the sport. Getting the kids to the practice area is great but there needs to be instruction as well.

Up to me? I’d have every golf professional teacher roaming the range, especially when it’s full — and especially for the youth — to give tips and encouragement. Give the kids someone to look up to, not just parents. Offer scholarships for playing the course and purchasing equipment. The game needs to give back a lot more than it takes.

The publicity the tour pros get helps, but it’s not enough. A $20,000,000 winner needs to plow that back into the lowest levels to bring more kids to golf.

Jim Pomeranz
Cary, North Carolina
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What is the aim of the TGL? If it is to spike interest from fringe golfers, it might be successful in drawing more players into the game — with positive (growing the game) and negative (fewer available tee times and higher green fees) results. Personally, I see it as a gimmick, and I’ve never been a gimmick fan — be it events or improve-your-game options. The allure of golf is to get out to the open spaces, enjoy nature, get some exercise and compete against yourself, the course and your opponents.

Peter Therrien
Vancouver, British Columbia
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The fact that the pandemic of 2020 increased the number of rounds played cannot be denied. Compare that to the truth that the so-called leaders did not grow the game of golf during the first two decades of this century.

The PGA Tour has slow play and vanilla personalities. The USGA is reactive vs. being proactive in its decision-making process. LIV Golf has been detrimental to the growth of golf. The R&A is in step with the USGA, and The Masters is a self-imposed leader more interested in its invitational Status / bottom line.

Why haven’t these “leaders” pitched the US Department of Education to offer an introduction to golf to Junior High School kids ?  This would expose the game to millions of potential future golfers.

Dennis Brissette
Heathrow, Florida
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In Jim Mora-esque terms, “Growing the game? Growing the game?” You’ve got to be kidding. If growing means confusion and fan disapproval then give it an A-plus. 

I mean you have the PGA Tour; the LIV Tour; the Korn Ferry Tour; the DP Tour; the TGL Tour; the Bryson DeChambeau front yard/backyard event; the Ryder Cup controversy; every major manufacturer bringing out four or five versions of their latest and greatest, which make last year’s latest and greatest not so … well, you get the message. 

Growing the game? Come on. Let’s get back to basics. One tour with focus on the game and not the money. Is winning $4 millions for a three-day event growing the game? Promoting gimmie, gimmie, gimmie for playing the game we used to love. I have been pushed so far away from everything that is now considered golf. I just say pinch me and wake me up when the silliness is over. 

Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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The PGA Tour has hit rock bottom and the leadership needs to be restructured and should:  

1. Players bring in the two gentlemen who were on board about a year ago, when the LIV Golf merger discussions were being held.
2. Players vote/appoint five business-oriented tour players (out of the top 50 players) to serve on the board.
3. This group of seven from above then let the current PGA Tour leaders know that they will be presenting a non-negotiable plan to restructure the Tour. And the current Tour leadership has 30 days to respond.
4. If there is no response, the top 50 players will simply sit out all upcoming tour events, i.e., they sort of go on strike.
5. Keep in mind that the player group will be totally transparent as to what this new structure will be — letting fans, sponsors, media know what the proposed structure is, and what the outcome will be if the current PGA Tour leadership chooses to not respond.

I have a lot of thoughts as to what this revised PGA Tour business structure could / should be, but I am sure the Tour players group — if they have the courage — can do a great Job in bringing the current PGA Tour leadership to the table; getting the restructured tour proposal accepted; and revitalizing the tour. And this revitalization will be owned buy the players.

Tom Powers
Bradenton, Florida
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In my opinion, the biggest single growth factor in the game of golf in recent years was the COVID pandemic. Shockingly, it drew countless people to our great game filling every available tee time at public and private facilities. I certainly never saw this coming, but I am thrilled by that development as it is so nice to see our game so healthy.

As for golf industry leaders, I see their efforts to grow the game as admirable. Things like The First Tee initiative and Iron Lady Golf are excellent programs that have had an impact. The professional tours in North America do a great job allowing free admission for young children. The LPGA, in particular, is very focused on growing the game and its events run junior clinics early in the week to promote growing the game. Both the USGA and PGA of America have solid “grow the game” programs, as well. By hosting the finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, Augusta National Golf Club has provided a truly unique platform that helps grow the game and expose the general public to the next generation of male and female golfers. While things can always be done better, I find it hard to criticize the efforts of the industry leaders in this regard. 

Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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Front: Fans on the par-3 17th hole during the second playoff hole of the 2015 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Photo: Fran Caffrey | Golffile