Online destination to serve as a resource for all golfers
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has revamped its Play Golf America Web site for 2006, offering a variety of information for golfers of all skill levels. With the growing popularity of the game, the PGA responded to input from focus groups to make the Web site more dynamic, by adding information about "everything golf" and expanding its functions and search capabilities, including how to find local Play Golf America programs.
"We want the Play Golf America Web site to be more meaningful to consumers and give them a reason to visit multiple times," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "To do this, we have greatly broadened the content to include quick links to a variety of national programs that consumers can participate in for free, instruction video and tips, and much more. We want playgolfamerica.com to be the site for anyone interested in taking up golf, looking for ways to improve or just to find more information about the game."
The Web site, which was launched two years ago, will serve as a resource for golfers of all skill levels from new and occasional golfers to scratch golfers.
While there are many additional features to www.playgolfamerica.com, it is still the primary site for adult golfers to find programs to get involved in the game, including April’s Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month, Free Lesson Month (May), American Express Women’s Golf Week presented by Golf for Women magazine (June 3-10, 2006), Take Your Daughter to the Course Week (July 10-16, 2006), Play Golf America Days, as well as Link Up 2 Golf and First Swing programs.
As part of both The PGA of America’s and the golf industry’s commitment to reaching out to all golfers and growing the game, the site is now much easier to navigate and has been expanded with new and improved features including:
* More basic information for beginners, including golf etiquette, how to choose the correct equipment, how to find beginner lessons, what to wear to the golf course, etc.
* More specific information for the casual and avid golfer, including the right time to upgrade equipment, leagues and tournaments, pace of play, establishing handicaps, etc.
* More information for women, families, seniors, corporate golf, college students, and individuals with disabilities.
* Links to content on rules and etiquette, fitness and handicaps, as well as instructional video lessons and golf tips.
About the Focus Groups:
In the fall of 2005, The PGA of America worked with The Golf Digest Publications’ Research Resource Center to conduct research with six focus groups of men and women of varying golf skill levels to determine how golfers used the Internet in relation to golf and how they responded to the www.playgolfamerica.com site. The research sought feedback from a variety of golfers to assess and improve the utility of the existing site. The focus groups were located in Northern New Jersey, Dallas and San Francisco.
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation by adult golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the www.playgolfamerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone,
PGA of America
561-624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
Mike Alday, Alday
Communications
mike@aldaycommunications.com
Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications
tammy@aldaycommunications.com
615-791-1535
