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| January 5, 2006 |
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Divot Mix"Undulation is the soul of golf." -- H.N. Wethered Study shows golfers support good course conditions At the sixth annual Golf 20/20 Conference last fall, attendees heard a variety of presentations on how to deepen the connection between the game and its best customers, as well as how to further golf among the corporate community. GOLF 20/20 is a strategic alliance of the golf industry that addresses the issues of growth, participation and interest. Among the presentations was a detailed look at a survey of avid golfers presented by Jon Last, vice president of research and development for the Golf Digest Companies. According to Last, there are a number of key factors that affect participation by golf's best customers--those defined as avid and core golfers. (Avid golfers play 25 or more rounds a year, core golfers play 8 to 24 rounds.) Among those factors, the work of golf course superintendents ranked right at the top. When these groups were asked, "Do you generally prefer to play a course that is " very challenging, not top condition" or one that is "challenging but in very good condition," 88 percent of them said they'd choose the course in very good condition. The obvious conclusion is that improving the condition of a course and marketing it is more productive than trying to market the challenge or slope index. In addition, it shows owners and employees that allocating resources toward course conditions is important if the goal is higher golfer satisfaction. They were also asked to rank conditioning against course design in a decision to pay 25 percent higher green fees. The two key groups selected "better course conditioning" twice as often as "better architectures and layout." Finally, golf's best customers ranked the factors that drive their enjoyment of the game on a scale from 1 to 7. The conditions, people and their own performance received the following mean scores:
To view Last's entire Power Point presentation, click here. For more on all the presentations, visit http://www.golf2020.com/2005conferenceinfo.asp. Rounds up 13 percent in November According to the National Golf Foundation, same-store rounds played in the U.S. were up 13.1 percent in November 2005 compared to 2004. That brings the year-to-date figure to +0.2 percent. November data was reported by 1,791 golf facility operators across the country. Regions posting unusually high gains were the South Central (up 42.5 percent) and Mountain (up 38.7 percent). The region with the largest decline was the Northwest (down 18.5 percent). Rounds Played, 2005 vs. 2004
Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart: Premium - Above $70; Standard - $40-$70; Value - Below $40. Media registration open for 2006 Golf Industry Show Online registration is open for members of the media for the 2006 Golf Industry Show in Atlanta, Feb. 9-11.
Credentials will be issued to working personnel of recognized news services, publications and outlets; and media/public relations officials only. Registered media personnel will have access to the Media Center on site. GCSAA reserves the right to request proof of journalistic employment. Credentials are non-transferable. Rules and Handicap System changes now in effect According to the USGA, the new 2006 Decisions on the Rules of Golf, which include a number of changes and new decisions have been implemented. Although there are 111 changes, noteworthy changes including allowing a Committee to establish a Local Rule permitting GPS -based systems and laser rangefinders in competition. The devices may measure distance only, not any other conditions such as wind or slope. In the absence a Local Rule, distance-measuring devices remain contrary to the Rules. A new Decision (16-1e/2) helps the player who makes a putting stroke with his feet inadvertently positioned on an extension of the line of putt behind the ball, something often done to avoid standing on another player's line of putt. In this instance, the player will not now be penalized under Rule 16-1e, which has as its true purpose the prevention of “croquet style” putting. The changes to the Handicap System include both principal changes and decision changes. Among them is a requirement that all clubs utilizing the USGA Handicap system be licensed, definitions for "scratch" and "bogey" golfers, a liberalization of Internet score posting and the definition of a golf club. The deadline for licensing of golf clubs, which was Jan. 1, 2006, has been extended to July 1. To order either the Decisions manual or the new Handicap System manual visit https://www.usgapubs.com/pubsusga/default.asp. |
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The online system has been improved to make it easier to sign up for complimentary registration for both the trade show and education events. Media personnel who haven't already registered can visit the  |
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