18,400 concerned golfers offer insights into why they play and what they enjoy
CHAMPIONSGATE, Fl., November 11, 2005â?¦ Frank Thomas of Frankly Consulting announced today the release of the first "Growing the Game" report. This report is part of a study to examine what motivates and interests golfers about the game, with an eye towards making it more enjoyable for a wide range of golfers. The study was commissioned by The Little Family Foundation in 2001 and is supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association Foundation.
Results from the study showed that most golfers prefer to play golf courses that are shorter than those presently being designed. In general, golfers overestimated the distance they drive the ball by 30 yards or more; the study found that the average male golfer drives the ball 192 yards and the average female drives it 145 yards. The study also indicated that time, cost, and difficulty are the three most important factors that cause golfers to give up the game.
While much media commentary has focused on concerns about how far the ball is travelling among elite golfers, Frank Thomas argues that this is a misplaced priority at a time when participation in golf is dropping. "Our survey is the first major effort to find out what people love about golf and why they leave it," Thomas notes. "We wanted to find out more about the skills and abilities of golfers. Maybe the ball is not going far enough for the majority (95+%) of the golfing population, or the course design and length are inappropriate. From our results we can see that good shots and the challenge that golf presents as well as our connection with the golf course environment are most important to golfers. It is this we need to nourish and promote."
In light of the results from this study, some traditions such as 18-hole rounds, building of ‘championship courses’, and course design catering mainly to the very small percentage of elite golfers all need to be carefully re-considered. These may be having a stifling effect on the enjoyment and growth of the game.
14,420 US-based respondents expressed their preferences in course length, overall design and set-up that would adequately provide the personal challenge that attracts them to the game.
The full report, from the most extensive survey ever conducted relating to this subject, can be found on;
www.GrowingTheGame.org
Frankly Consulting, as it continues with this research, seeks support from all segments of the golfing community to provide information related to successful projects dealing with course designs or modifications that have resulted in increased participation.
The mission of Frankly Consulting and Frankly Golf is to "Help Golfers"
Contact:
Valerie Melvin.
e-mail Valerie@franklygolf.com
phone (407) 396-4004
