I completely agree with Ryan Herrington’s Golf World column (February 13) saying that the USGA must elevate to into its core mission statement to increase participation in the game. At its recent annual meeting, a discussion of this issue but no formal action taken by the USGA to elevate it to a strategic and spending priority was a disappointment. And it shows the USGA and PGA, the latter which has set participation as a top business priority, are somewhat disconnected in their thinking about the most pernicious challenge to the game and industry.
“Golf’s declining participation is the most serious problem the game faces. In turn, growing the game is its most important priority, not running a nice championship or reigning in the golf ball. (Or focusing issues associated with belly putters.) Although the USGA could once get away with saying those thing are its only jobs, it can’t anymore,” Herrington wrote.
Golf participation overall is down 13% over the past decade, half that again more so by women. Kids find the game lacks excitement and is boring compared to alternative, Ken Griffey, Jr. said at the PGA Show.
Until everyone faces the problems straight up— a byzantine rules structure resembling the IRS code, the cost, how long it takes to play (How about we start by going back to the old rule and eliminating the stroke-and-distance penalty for hitting it OB?), courses as long as Interstates, disparate treatment on the course based on age and gender— the game and industry will remain on uneven ground.
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