Well, it appears that golf is poised to take another hit from this virus pandemic. Maybe this shouldn’t concern anyone when we are dealing with life and death, but it is concerning for our industry which had stabilized from the 2008 punch to the stomach. During this period of isolation, maybe any of us interested in golf should due some soul searching on what each of us can do to promote it. I know, I know, please, not another grow the game rant. No, just some quick thoughts on getting more folks involved.
We gravitate to sports initially as kids because they are fun. When they are easy to access, then even better. As a youngster I could view six baseball practice fields from my front yard. The neighborhood kids played baseball all summer. And by playing baseball, I mean we had games that we could “play baseball” whether we had 3 people or 18 people and any number in between. Baseball was accessible and cheap. Now my town was a bit different in that we had an older gentleman that would mow lawns in the morning and in the afternoon he would walk back through town looking to get kids involved in pickup baseball games. His name was Jimmy Porter and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of kids that owe some of the best times of their youth to Mr. Porter. He would come to the ballpark on game night to encourage and support us. He loved us, he loved the game and he helped us to see the greatness of the game of baseball. The fact that Jimmy was a black man in a mostly white southern town did not matter to anyone.
Our favorite coaches were the ones that challenged us but did so in a way that was fun. They made practice fun to the point you could not wait for practice. There are certainly many organizations, golf instructors and coaches doing excellent work in the youth golf arena. Through imaginative programming they are keeping kids engaged in golf by making it fun. Golf needs more gatekeepers that make the game fun. Golf needs many more Jimmy Porters.
Assistant Coach Jimmy Porter
My children are grown and with no grandkids my influence on young golfers is limited. I have enjoyed designing several short courses as well as short and sporty nine-hole venues. For Clubs, these smaller golf amenities provide another reason for a family to join. A public golf facility can use them as a gateway to the game for kids and women as well as a shorter and less expensive golf option for all. A short course is a great way to introduce the game to your significant other or your daughter. If we are interested in the future of golf, then we should all focus on how we can make it fun and accessible for the beginner especially for the kids or women.
· If you have kids or grandkids, put them in fun situations relative to golf
· Lobby for alternative golf venues for kids. Other sports have little league venues. Why not golf?
· Simplify equipment access, club fitting and cost for kids and adults. Offer a package deal for club fitting, club purchase and a lesson.
· Also, golf isn’t life or death. Let’s play the game quickly and go get a pizza!
This golf facility has an 18 hole championship, a 9 hole par 30 and a 6 hole short course. Something for all.