So I heard on the radio. 30% less folks playing in America. Even if that's not too accurate it's a hell of a decline.
I've nothing at all against golf, it bores me to death, but I can see it's appeal if you were in your 70/80/90s. I admire any sportsman that's good in their field, but I really can't see what draws the young to it.
I'd like to know if it's the only 'sport?' that's in decline.
Fox hunting is going through a rough patch.
footballers like it, presumably because it's one of the only other sports they're allowed to play.
St Moritz snow polo was canceled
Typical quote from a non golfer!
Typical response from a golfer!
WGAS? Its golf.
but I really can't see what draws the young to it.
what about fishing then - surely that is more of a waste of time for a kid?
The Southern Yeti - Member
Fox hunting is going through a rough patch.
You missed the smiley TSY. The hunting bill ironically gave it a lease of life. Another example of the law of unintended consequences.
Golf peaked (like most sports) just as people like the R&A commissioned a report recommending the construction of loads of new courses to meet rising demand. I have a feeling mtb (with 2012 price increases on bikes) is just nearing that same point!
Squash??? Similar trends??
the professional game seems to be flourishing especially the middle east and the far east. Even in the US theres enough prize money knocking around for a seniors tour.
Recession related? Big from a corporate perspective, esp in the US.
Golf is very expensive to play in the US. There's not many what we'd call municiple courses.
some great[url= http://www.worldgolf.com/news/golf-digest-top-100-public-golf-courses-in-america-5294.htm ] municiple courses [/url]in the US. Though they are no cheaper to play.
^ this.
golf is considered a rich man's game in the US and lots of business is done on the golf course. i think some firms provide club membershipas part of the employment package.
with the economy taking a dive and membership fees running into thousands it isn't surprising that golf participation has taken a hit.
i quite like golf. i'd often go off to the local range and hit a hundred balls. quite a calming effect. don't do it any more as here in germany golf is very much the preserve of the rich - you even need a golfing license in order to play...
oh, and i like fishing, too. used to fish lots when i was a kid. many hours spent on the side of a lake in the middle of nowhere...
google maps of Monterey Cal. is one big continuous golf course with street upon street of retirement homes.
Probably a number of factors.......
Increasing work/home pressure - golf takes a lot of time and can be expensive
Not many 'characters' amongst the pro's now - how many kids took up golf because of Tiger?
Not 'trendy' and dodgy boring image
Seriously.
I have a load of brand new golf balls for sale.
Noodle Ice, Maxflite etc.
Mail me.
Lets hope it is declining. Some quality mountain bike land out there that is being wasted on golf
I think it can partly be explained by how age and youth is viewed now compared to in the past.
The baby boom generation and those that followed are more youth orientated than previous generations and golf is seen as being an old fart sport. This is of course generalising but golf tends to be the game that people from their 50s onwards would have picked up...this demographic is now doing other things (cycling has probably seen the biggest increase in numbers due to the switch away from golf)
I think the main factor that has caused the loss in popularity as has been mentioned above is the cost, golf in the states is massively expensive compared to over here but even over here the price is prohibative.
As people get squeesed by the recession luxuries have to go, golf is for many a luxury and for some one they can no longer afford.
I used to play alot of golf and used to have a single figure handicap however the cost of membership was £5-600 per year. With working and trying to do up my flat i could no longer justify the expense. I miss not having the handicap as i can't play in any of the work competitions but still enjoy the odd bounce match with friends and collegues at the golf club the company has corporate membership at.
As for the age thing i'm 28.
No, it's not losing it's popularity in our house.
It's never been popular.
Think of all the titanium wasted on golf clubs over the years.
The junior scene in the UK is thriving. Alas most golf clubs now do not have waiting lists any more and are actively advertising for members. Not a good sign
Yet again I have to point out to the golf haterz that having done both mtbing and golf, there are a lot of similarities between the two sports and those who partake in them
Think of all the lapdancers wasted on Tiger Woods
just getting back into it after a 20 year absence (was quite good when i was 14/15 but then found the joy of cheap cider from the corner shop).... so funny seeing how far the technology has come , like most sports golf is very "all the gear no idea" had to laugh at the bloke going mental up the driving range with his new 8 million pound driver and couldnt even get the ball past 50yrds poor sod.....
as above most of our local clubs are screaming for new members, the days of waiting lists are long gone.
PostRusty Mac - MemberI used to play alot of golf and used to have a single figure handicap however the cost of membership was £5-600 per year.
I know that's not the only cost but £5-600 per year isn't too bad when you compare it to what a gym contract is, or a season ticket for a big football or rugby club, etc. (Or even the cost of Sky TV per month, the amounts that people spend on their phones....)
I think perhaps Omar Little has hit on some of the truth. My father's generation didn't think it was normal to be playing on bikes, skateboards, etc when they were in the 40s. Our generation think it's relatively normal to be surfing, biking, running, until you unable to.
Those who cannot play or are sh*t at it hate it and complain its a waste of a good walk!!!!!!
😀
Some quality [s]mountain bike land[/s] water out there that is being wasted on golf (if you're in Spain, bits of the US, Australia etc).
Golf for the masses peaked in the 90s. Our local club had a 3 year waiting list for membership. Now they are advertising and fees have dropped 400%!
Yet again I have to point out to the golf haterz that having done both mtbing and golf, there are a lot of similarities between the two sports and those who partake in them
actually as a golf hater i had noticed that, however my findings are a bit iffy as based purely on the similarity and gross extent of the preening and mincing seen at trail centre and golf course car parks 😉
I'm bemused... what similarities are there ?
I was a 2 handicap golfer and apprentice pro when i was 16/17 and i still don't get what's even remotely simillar.
i still don't get what's even remotely simillar.
Humans participate in both activities - sometimes people wear waterproof clothing in both activities - there is often a lot of grassy areas involved in both activities - they both involve occasional trips into the undergrowth - err...
Expensive kit and no skills?
I'd take golfists more seriously if they carried all their own stuff & didn't insist on riding around on little electric cars just to travel a few hundred yards ... as it is, they appear to be massively lazy
😉
I totally agree. Bloody things should be banned unless required for medical reasons.
I wonder how much of the "decline" is just a return to the norm - there was a big increase in interest and participation (especially amongst younger players) when Tiger Woods started winning stuff. His winning days seem to be behind him, his personal indiscretions took some of the sheen off his image, and there's no-one even close who could fill that gap.
I hope it doesnt die out.. some golf courses make excellent jump sites.. and they are so kind too, they even put sandy landing pits right next to the jumps.
My Dad has always utterly lived for golf and organises his whole life around playing and watching it all over the country/world. My Nephew also does and is carving out a career in Golf.
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I can't help thinking that my Nephew should be doing something a little more 'Rock and Roll' in his early twenties.
At that age I was somewhat more 'controversial' shall we say. 😆
Still, whatever floats his boat and so long as he's happy, then so am I...
I'd take golfists more seriously if they carried all their own stuff & didn't insist on riding around on little electric cars just to travel a few hundred yards ... as it is, they appear to be massively lazy
I was riding at Aston Hill once and was looking at the golfers next door. One dude was sending his clubs up a steep incline on his remotely-controlled cart. Next thing the cart did a massive wheelie on the steep slope and all his clubs and balls scattered about everywhere and down the hill. Still makes me laugh now. Lazy bint.
Golf's expensive which may go some way to explaining it's decline. I've noticed several private clubs near me with big banners up advertising vastly reduced membership and much easier joining procedures. Must be a sign that they're struggling. A lot of the clubs near me are £600+ per year and they usually want double that in the 1st year.
I hope it doesnt die out.. some golf courses make excellent jump sites.. and they are so kind too, they even put sandy landing pits right next to the jumps.
Excellent trollage.
If you're serious though, you wont mind some MX-ers coming down and wrecking your usual trails?
£600 per year is roughly £8 per weekend - play both days and it is pretty cheap compared to some pastimes...
Obviously add on spending on balls and the initial puchase of clubs (£350 ish for a top set of clubs 2nd hand from ebay).
lightweight cary bag and carry it for some fitness
The Observer financial pages did an article about the rise and rise of Wiggle. The intro copy used the phrase.....
[b]cycling is the new golf[/b]
I spat my coffee out, and nearly sold my bikes in disgust. Then I thought... actually, that's great. If some preening, self-regarding, overpaid bell-end wants to spend thousands on the latest kit, that's just more of it going cheap, hardly used when they move onto kite-surfing, or whatever the next 'thing' is, in 3 weeks time.
Unfortunately they all appear to be roadies. It figures, I suppose
Unfortunately they all appear to be roadies
yes, 'cos you don't have to put much effort in 🙂
... And they'd be more than familiar with being elitest, snotty, rude and aloof to people for not adhering strictly to some arcane and nonsensical 'etiquette':D
£600 per year is roughly £8 per weekend - play both days and it is pretty cheap compared to some pastimes...Obviously add on spending on balls and the initial puchase of clubs (£350 ish for a top set of clubs 2nd hand from ebay).
lightweight cary bag and carry it for some fitness
You forgot to include the Audi repayments in your figures.
not adhering strictly to some arcane and nonsensical 'etiquette':D
If you're a golferist, are you allowed to use Tiger Woods Signature golf clubs if you've not earnt them?
What is so fascinating about golf anyway?
I used hit a ball or two at the driving range because my mates are members but I still don't get it.
It should not be sport but rather a hobby.
It should not be sport but rather a hobby.
I don't think you are qualified to make that judgement having only hit balls down the driving range - where the only hazards are the separator bars between you and the next bay.
Completely different on a course - loads of mind games to keep under control.
Why do you think so many pros have such a problem keeping their performance level - it is mostly in the mind as they are all highly talented and would shoot in the 60's regularly if there were no pressure.
Witness how many 63/64s are shot in the final rounds of competitions, when their is no pressure on someone who has shot a too-high score in the previous rounds.
Whereas mountain biking has mental challanges, they are completely different imho.
If you're a golferist, are you allowed to use Tiger Woods Signature golf clubs if you've not earnt them?
If you can use them, you have earnt the right - titleist 681 type blades have a very small sweet spot.
Why do you think so many pros have such a problem keeping their performance level - it is mostly in the mind as they are all highly talented and would shoot in the 60's regularly if there were no pressure.Witness how many 63/64s are shot in the final rounds of competitions, when their is no pressure on someone who has shot a too-high score in the previous rounds.
Eh? Is that supposed to be good or bad? I have no clue.
Competitive hobby perhaps for the few but nothing more ...
Competitive hobby perhaps for the few but nothing more ...
Super excellent trollage.
Is there actually a rule that you have to dress like a 1970's pimp?
Chewkw - of course you are entitled to your opinion. It would be fun to see you express it/test it in the gym with current pro's. You may well be as fit and sporty as them, in which case you are probably an awesone mtb-er, but if not you might get a shock at just how athletic they are!!
Binners of course, its like cycling - lots of people doing Abba impersonations on their bikes!!
I have no clue.
precisely.
Golf is a great game, easy to have a go, hard to play well. Fabulous courses around the world supported by a huge tourism infrastructure. One of the world's most lucrative games to play professionally. A game where you can play the same course as the pro's do, get lucky or be well connected and you can play in a pro-am alongside the pros. The game has a massive following in Asia.
Golf participation is down in the US as it's expensive to be a member of a golf or country club, cheaper in the UK but still expensive. That's driving memberships down.
Arguably it's cheaper to get into golf than mountain biking but its more expensive thereafter. I don;t know what the stats are for new mountain bike sales but I'm guessing they don't look too healthy either.
EDIT; binner there is no rule to say you have to dress like a 70's pimp and it's not my style but it's a lot of fun to play in a badly dressed group, particularly on a lads tour of Southern Europe for example.
I had the misfortune to attend a Burns night at the local golf club.
More Daily Mail readers per m2 that anywhere on earth.
I just wish I'd had a rusty old banger to park sideways across the Captain and Lady Captain's parking spaces.
P-L, I though you had a plane to catch? Hurry up, the hard-working captain and lady captain may just have beaten you to the last seat!
That's driving [b]memberships[/b] down.
So membership is down ...
For the few then? 🙄
jambalaya - It wasn't a criticism. Surely the world would be a better place if we all dressed like Huggy Bear 😀
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Why do you think so many pros have such a problem keeping their performance level - it is mostly in the mind as they are all highly talented and would shoot in the 60's regularly if there were no pressure
I like golf but this is probably the worst defence of it being a sport ever.
The difference between a sport and a game is a sport is a physical activity where as a game manly mental.
Chess has some physical activities ie you move the pieces. But it is clearly many mental hence it is a game not a sport.
What your suggesting above is that actually hitting the ball is nt very hard and most of the challenge is mental, which would mean it isnt a sport ! The opposite to what your trying to argue !
In reality hitting the ball well requires a fair bit of skill so it is currently classed as a sport.
I would nt be surprised if the English language does develop new words to more accurately describe events.
For instance in the future
Running,Cycling,Rowing,Swiming,etc = Challenge
Football,Badminton,Tennis,etc = Sport
Golf,Darts,Snooker,Motor racing,etc = Event
Chess,Monopoly,etc = Game
The real question is where does cricket fall in the above list ? i'd have to put it in with Golf, Darts and Snooker myself.
Excellent trollage.If you're serious though, you wont mind some MX-ers coming down and wrecking your usual trails?
It was indeed a joke 🙂 although saying that.. I bent the forks on my first proper mountainbike 20 odd years ago jumping into a sand pit at the local golf course. [img] 
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Hurry up, the hard-working captain and lady captain may just have beaten you to the last seat!
ideal outcome, but seats still available. 😐
more of it going cheap
High-end sales of bikes & bike kit to MAMILs is the only time I believe in the economics of trickle-down.
Golf is not a sport.
A sport is something you need to have a shower after.
Golf is a game, or a pastime or something. If golf's a sport then so are darts and chess.
I've played golf from time to time, its pleasant enough and figure its the sort of thing I'd get into properly when I hit 70 or reach the point in my life where I want to avoid my family at the weekends but I'm too lazy to do something physically taxing.
I don't understand why you need to dress like such a **** to play golf though, those slacks with a polo shirt tucked in, like you're a speaker at a Microsoft conference or something. Other than a waterproof jacket, its not like golf demands technical clothing, is it? Why can't you just wear what you want?
When I see young people playing golf dressed like that I always think they've missed out on something pretty fundamental in their youth if they're happy to do that. Bit like young Tories.
One of my mates got into golf a few years back because that's what people did at his work and he wanted to join in. Fair play, but then I met him one day walking about Safeways with a golf glove on. That's just not on.
The real question is where does cricket fall in the above list, ...
Excuse for a few pints perhaps? 😆
That's a sport almost everyone can afford ... few pints that is.
The real question is where does cricket fall in the above list
Sport. I've seen them run about a bit. Do enough of that on a hot day (especially wearing those jumpers) and you'll need a shower after.
Running,Cycling,Rowing,Swiming,etc = Challenge
Football,Badminton,Tennis,etc = Sport
Golf,Darts,Snooker,Motor racing,etc = Event
Chess,Monopoly,etc = Game
Blimey! some people don't half over-think things
Isn't it all just 'stuff to do'?
Is feeding trolls a sport or a hobby?
Blimey! some people don't half over-think things
🙂
I work at Imperial College that may explain things.
I'm very much one of the more laid back, anything goes type round here.
Also I've been reading this
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005SZ0VXS/ref=docs-os-doi_0 ]The Etymologicon[/url]
A sport is something you need to have a shower after.
😆
Definately in decline, people has less time to commit now and also prefer more instant 'gratfication'. The FIL is a keen golfer and a number of his local clubs are struggling. Its not fashionable now and the majority of players are now physically incapable or dead.
I think it is a bit more of a physical and mental challenge than we give it credit for but its unlikely I will be found swinging a golf bat in the future.
Apologies for the clarksonism.
The difference between a sport and a game is a sport is a physical activity where as a game manly mental.
Golf is a physical activity with a far high degree of precision required than mountain biking.
If the physical side was easy then everyone would be shooting par scores, wouldn't they?
fees have dropped 400%!
maths fail
Isn't it basically just a bit of a stroll? With a few beers and some right-wing conversations afterwards?
I played on the 27 th of December for the first time in just over two years, it cost me £14 to play on the tower course which is a 9 holer as I couldn't face all full 18! I rode my bike the day before, it was free! Golf takes up so much time, probably 4/5 hrs for a full 18 in the summer! That, the cost, and the lack of fitness it was giving me in those 4 hrs are why I stopped playing. I did really enjoy it tho but not as much a the blast out on boxing day!!!
but then I met him one day walking about Safeways with a golf glove on. That's just not on.
As much as agree with that being all kinds of wrong
It says nothing at all about golf,
It just proves your mate is a total Numpty 😉
fees have dropped 400%!
maths fail
He he, that's some discount 😳
At the risk of feeding the trolls.................anyone who has played golf at a reasonable level will tell you that it is physically demanding. To compare it to darts and snooker is, quite frankly, ridiculous!
One of the reasons Tiger Woods came to the fore (pardon the pun) was due to his strength and level of fitness which forced others to follow suit in order to remain competitive. If anyone is in doubt about that, try playing 36 holes of competitive golf in a day and hitting up to 500 balls [b]every[/b] day on the practise ground in order to gain and maintain that sort of level.
There are obviously examples which disprove the rule eg. John Daly but equally there are others who would put many on here to shame. Nice article on the fitness regime of Gary Player [url= http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903520204576482082753114232.html ]HERE[/url]