Quote:
Originally Posted by jnieman
I saw 60 minutes a year or so ago to say that they are thinking of new games that can be played on golf courses as the younger people aren't playing as much golf because it takes so much time and is expensive.
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Nationally golf is contracting a bit. About 100-150 private clubs close each year, perhaps because they are the most expensive golfing options. At the other end of the spectrum, I played a state park course in beautiful condition 4 weeks ago for $24 with cart, regular rate, not a special. The time factor needs to be addressed. There is no reason why a foursome cannot play 18 holes in 4 hours and an exec in 1 1/2 hrs playing ready golf and still enjoy the round. We, as golfers, need to change the "emulate the pros" mentality
I still think golfing communities will do well, they draw the golfers, perhaps at the expense of courses elsewhere. On the other hand, I have a friend who spends about 6-8 weeks a year at his home in Naples. He joined the CC of Naples---$20,000 initiation fee, $10,000 per year dues and a $2500 per year assessment to build a new clubhouse. And there was a waiting list!
In TV, "free golf for life" is a strong selling point, even though we all know there is no such thing as free, we just pay for it in other ways. I just don't see our courses being empty anytime soon