The Pellucid Perspective - July 2017 - 6

GOLF INDUSTRY
LEADERSHIP

Another component of the "Play 9" advertising is
the "posting of scores" for 9 hole rounds. Do they
think that the 16 million+ golfers without USGA
handicaps will all of a sudden want one?
the USGA decided to address time and cost with their new and
frequent "Play 9" advertising, did they ask golf course owners
if that might require additional on-course personnel to monitor some golfers who might see an open 10th tee and decide
they had more time available? The same could be said for all
these other 6 hole, 12 hole and pay-by-the-hole ideas that float
around the industry. If all these shorter rounds could be shown
to be "incremental," that would be great, but that would have to
be proven with rounds played increases that are not related to
weather. If rounds reporting becomes more difficult, how will
we know? And if the shorter rounds are not "incremental," what
happens to revenues?
Another component of the "Play 9" advertising is the "posting
of scores" for 9 hole rounds. Do they think that the 16 million+
golfers without USGA handicaps will all of a sudden want one?
They might, if it was affordable and someone explained why
having a handicap and knowing how it is used in match play

has been at the heart of making it possible for friends of varying
abilities to have more fun playing together. Unfortunately, TV
friendly stroke play on the PGA Tour is the game most new
golfers understand and there is little educational effort made to
introduce them to the alternative. If we think one PGA Tour
event and the Ryder Cup is enough to keep match play off life
support, we're both missing an opportunity to enhance enjoyment and reducing the relevance of the USGA contributions to
course rating and handicap administration.
Declining participation and dropping TV ratings mean that
everybody in the golf industry has a lot at stake, and probably
more to come. The USGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and
golf course owners need to figure out how to cooperate with
educational programs for golfers that help new and existing
players understand how the "governing bodies" actually do more
to complement each other than they think. They are trying, but
the early indicator cards are not encouraging.
n

Sometimes the best
moments of the job...

...are the ones
you don't get to see.

Your course is more than just a superb collection of fairways, greens and bunkers. To golfers, it's a sacred
place where memories are made. You're passionate about protecting healthy, happy places where we
work and play. We're with you. That's why we back our customers with the full scope of our global
scientific development, technical expertise, business-building tools, education and industry advocacy.

@BayerGolf
Bayer CropScience LP, Environmental Science Division, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.backedbybayer.com. Bayer (reg'd) and the Bayer Cross (reg'd) are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Not all products are registered in all states. Always read and follow label instructions carefully. ©2017 Bayer CropScience LP.

6 The Pellucid PersPecTive

July 2017

https://www.backedbybayer.com/golf-course-management https://www.twitter.com/BayerGolf?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor http://www.backedbybayer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Pellucid Perspective - July 2017