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19th Hole

Are simulators and urban golfers really the future of the game?

Published

6 years ago

on

Luke Kerr-Dineen filed an interesting piece for Golf Digest suggesting simulators ought to be recognized as golf’s best grow the game initiative

After sheepishly raising his iPhone-wielding hand as a stereotypical millennial, the 29-year-old takes issue with the idea that his generation is contributing to the decline of golf.

As a New Yorker (presumably a Manhattanite, more specifically), Kerr-Dineen details the uphill battle that playing golf with any regularity is. Planes, trains, automobiles. Hours in transit. All that stuff.

He then discusses an experience playing at The Bridge Golf Center in Harlem (which is also a free after-school center for local youth), the offerings of Golf & Body (New York’s simulator stocked, TrackMan-abundant high-end private indoor country club), with a nod to Topgolf’s explosion in the United States and Golfzon dominating Asia.

Specifically, within the Big Apple, and generally across the globe, there’s a lot to be excited about in golf…indoor golf, that is.

If you think what Kerr-Dineen is suggesting only applies to major cities, that’s kind of the point. Golf in the United States is largely a suburban and rural pursuit. However, as he writes,

“America’s cities have become the driving force of the U.S. economy unlike ever before. Urban areas account for just 3 percent of the country’s land area yet encompasses more than 80 percent of the U.S. population, according to recent Census data, a phenomenon that consistently grows. Just in the last 10 years, large metro areas and their suburbs have grown almost 20 percent, with medium and small metro areas contributing a further 7 percent.”

“U.S. cities also boast rises in practically every other positive economic indicator: Large cities host an ever-increasing share of U.S. businesses (32.8 percent, jumping to 58 percent when you include those based in their suburbs), which attracts not just more people but a more educated workforce (35 percent have bachelor’s degrees, 69 percent including suburbs), and have seen medium incomes rise at a faster rate as a result.”

And of course, the majority of money-making young professionals live in urban habitats. Thus, Kerr-Dineen contends, in order for golf to thrive and shore up its future, it needs to embrace both simulators and cities in a way it thus far has not.

Certainly, Kerr-Dineen’s full piece is well worth a read, but what say you to his central claim (that of the primacy of simulators and cities), GolfWRX members? Let us know what you think.

 

image credit: TrackMan Golf 

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19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

5 hours ago

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Apr 26, 2024

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On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

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19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

1 day ago

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Apr 25, 2024

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After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

1 day ago

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Apr 25, 2024

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As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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