Back In Full Swing: Why Golf Participation Is On The Rise – Social Media Influence, Golf Cart GPS, and More
Over the past few years, golf has experienced a significant increase in participation, growth, and popularity. The game that was once associated only with businessmen and retirees has undergone a modern reawakening, which even the most optimistic analysts could not have foreseen. Data shows that one of the biggest contributors to the uptrend is the growing participation amongst 18-34-year-olds, or so-called Gen Z and Millennials.
And while much of the credit has been attributed to the pandemic, golf has maintained its growth trend long after the last lockdowns were lifted. The surge in popularity in recent years has rather been due to numerous other factors. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into golf’s popularity over time, what those contributing factors are, and how golf clubs can, and should, capitalize on the newfound interest among new people in the game.
A Brief Look At Golf’s Popularity Over Time
As far back as it’s been recorded, golf has just about always had fluctuations of intense popularity, followed by stagnation or even decline. At one point, the game was so popular that King James II had it banned due to it being a distraction from soldiers’ military training. Practicing archery was deemed to be far more valuable in defending the country as opposed to knocking a small ball into a hole.
Nevertheless, despite the ban at that time, it remained popular enough to quickly spread throughout Europe, followed by the rest of the world as the British Empire expanded. It was during the 20th century that golf first started gaining traction among the common man, largely thanks to the mass production of equipment and the development of more courses, making it more accessible.
During the early 20th century, golf was largely associated with, or reserved for, the so-called upper class. It was a game played exclusively by the ultra-wealthy and elite. And while the game was growing, it was only doing so among a certain demographic. The post-WWII economy meant that for the first time, ordinary, middle-class folk could engage in the game as well, thanks to the rise of suburban life and increased disposable income, as well as the increase in public courses.
This, combined with televised professional golf during the 1950s and 1960s, also known as the “Golden Era”, saw a massive boost in the uptake and following of the game. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player became household names while many tried their best to emulate them on the course.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the meteoric rise of Tiger Woods saw another massive increase in interest in golf. This era of complete domination by Woods revolutionized the face of the game, giving it a younger, more diverse, and subsequently “cooler” image. The result was a whole new generation of junior golfers, and lots of them, taking up the game.
The late 2000s, however, saw a decline in interest in the game, in large part due to the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath. Golf was criticized for being expensive, time-consuming, and unnecessarily traditional. The slump continued as interest among the younger demographic waned and more and more courses needed to close down. Golf simply seemed out of touch with the lifestyle at the time.
Then came the shift that nobody saw coming. The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently brought golf back into the spotlight. Golf was one of the first activities deemed “safe” to do outside and in a group, combined with people having a lot more free time, and it was inevitable that golf would have a surge in participation. But, this is not the only factor in the revival of the game.
Why Golf Is On The Rise Again
The recent resurgence in golf participation can be attributed to many reasons, though it’s safe to say that the biggest is the broad cultural shift in the way in which younger generations see and interact with the sport. Thanks to tech innovations, social media, and the momentum gained through the pandemic, the game is more accessible for everyone and has quickly shed the stigma of being an activity reserved for the elite at fancy country clubs. But what exactly is driving the enthusiasm for the game? We’ll have a look at the three main contributors – benefits, social media influences, and technology advances – and break them down one by one:
The Benefits
The countless benefits that golf offers are matched by few other recreational activities or sports.
● Physical health: Golf can be a great physical benefit for almost anyone. Walking the course and swinging a club numerous times has a positive impact on physical health. Though golf may not be a high-intensity activity, the nature of the game provides a good balance between keeping active and having a relaxing day out.
● Mental health: Prioritizing mental wellbeing is an important part of a healthy life, and that is especially true among the 18-34-year-old demographic. Aside from the mental workout golf provides (think course management, shot selection, reading putts, etc.), golf has been proven to be good for mental health as it promotes mindfulness, presence, and encourages stress relief.
● Time outdoors: We live in a busy world where time is becoming more valuable than ever. Golf provides a unique opportunity where players can enjoy a recreational activity while being out in nature, with different landscape views on just about every hole.
● The social aspect: While golf is generally a solo sport where you play against yourself or the course, it also poses a strong social element as most rounds are played in groups. Whether you play with your usual group, family, or get paired up with strangers who quickly become friends, golf is a great tool for networking with new partners.
The Social Media Influence
There is no denying the major role that social media, influencers, and creators have played in the most recent surge of the game. YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have all been pivotal in breaking down outdated stereotypes that used to surround golf; namely that it’s boring and reserved for a certain age group. Creators on these platforms have enabled younger viewers to get a real sense of what the game is actually about.
Through course vlogs, shared tips, lessons, and trick shots, golf has evolved into a genre of its own. Creators like Rick Shiels, Grant Horvat, and Peter Finch, to name only a few, have amassed millions of (mostly young) followers and introduced them to a fun and accessible side of the game. By meeting them where they already are – online – this initial wave of influencers has opened the door for a host of new golfers looking to take up the game.
Golf Cart GPS And Technological Advances
Another aspect that can’t be overlooked when understanding golf growth in recent years is the strides that have been made on the technological side. The advances in golf cart GPS systems, golf simulators, and the emergence of Topgolf across the country have helped introduce players to the sport in a non-intimidating manner. These digital and game-like formats have lowered the barrier of entry for new golfers and take a fraction of the time that a traditional golf outing would have – an especially appealing prospect when you’re new to the sport and time is cherished.
How Golf Courses Should Capitalize On The Trend With Golf Cart GPS Systems
For golf clubs and golf club managers, a sudden rise in the popularity of the game as seen in the last five years can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, an increase in new players should mean an increase in revenue. On the other hand, players who are new to the game and taking to golf courses for the first time can become a challenge to manage effectively.
With a surge in demand and no new infrastructure (new courses) to meet the demand, golf clubs can easily become overcrowded, or at least seem that way when busier days are not handled correctly. Golf club managers are faced with a to-do list that includes having to maximize tee sheet capacity, manage pace of play, direct course flow, set up the course, coordinate staff, manage tee times effectively, and monitor the course – all while maintaining an enjoyable player experience.
Tagmarshal is the ultimate tool to capitalize on the trend without compromising the player experience. It’s an all-in-one golf cart GPS that assists golf clubs and managers in managing these strenuous tasks easily and effectively. Through pace and flow management, golf clubs improve efficiency in numerous aspects, all through automation with the Tagmarshal golf cart GPS. This effective management leads to enhanced player experiences, which ultimately leads to additional revenue, which is often the main goal of any public or resort golf course in operation.
How It Works
Within the Tagmarshal golf cart GPS lies an industry-leading system that is packed with a myriad of advanced features. And when we say packed, we mean it. These features include the Live Map, Analytics Hub, Geofencing, Heatmap Visualization, F&B ordering, Pace Disruptors notifications, and the list goes on. While the features may differ in function, they all work in harmony towards the same goal – to optimize on-course operations, specifically pace of play, field flow, and overall player experience by using real-time golf cart GPS tracking and data analytics.
The powerful software gives you the tools for data-driven decision-making, so you can identify opportunities for improvement at your course, boosting both the player experience and management efficiency. Powered by AI and machine learning based on data from over 75 million tracked rounds, the analytics and data visualization features allow you to make smart operational decisions, taking your course to new heights. With Tagmarshal, you can do a lot more with fewer resources.
Final Thoughts
In recent years, golf’s rise in popularity has become undeniable. The sport has grown at a rate well beyond what was expected, and with modern-day influences such as social media and golf cart GPS tech, more and more people are discovering the joy of playing golf. The benefits of playing the sport, from physical wellbeing and mental health to socializing and getting outside, are clear.
Tagmarshal is the industry leader in golf course optimization. We provide courses with full, real-time operational oversight and reporting via our golf cart GPS systems, giving operators the tools to improve the player experience through pace and flow of play management. With Tagmarshal, you will improve efficiency through automation while generating additional revenue.To learn more about our state-of-the-art system or to book a demo today, get in touch!
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