Golf: an experience or a commodity?
With the abundant supply of golf courses in the United States, do you believe the game has become less of an experience and more of a commodity?
Have those in the industry become too focused on “selling tee times” or become overly enamored with famous course designers and massive clubhouses?
On the contrary, it seems far more constructive to shift the focal point back to the people who are playing golf; i.e. Who are they? What’s their story? What do they want and what attracts them to a certain golf course?
With these questions in mind, tell us what entices you to play golf. What are golf courses doing that make you come back and play?
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I personally prefer playing a course that gives me more for my money. I don’t mind paying more for a high-end course, I just want to feel like I’m getting the most out of my money in return. Consistency is also important. I’ll play somewhere more than once if I know the course conditions will always be good and if I know I’ll get the best customer service everytime.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Golf is becoming a commodity, and that’s a shame. Golf is absolutely an experience! It’s a journey, you start on the first tee and you ‘go play’. It’s full of ups and downs, you’re not on a court, or a field that’s the same, it’s always different and it ends up as a 4 hour journey competing against yourself. No teammate to let you down, no coach to give or take away playing time, no officials making calls, and reputations get you no where with your score! It’s just you going away from the clubhouse and coming back 4 hours later with a story. I love it! Best game on earth.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:36 am
If golf is a commodity, the Troon course at Monarch Beach stands out as an experience. The staff goes out of its way to make sure that the experience is the best it can be, from the guys who park your car through the pro shop guys, the starters, player assistants and the clubhouse assistants. The course is in great shape and a good challenge, and the view at the third hole overlooking the ocean has few equals (OK, so Pebble #8 and Pacific Grove #11 are prettier. I agree!)
I have other golf courses I can play, but I keep coming back to Monarch because of its staff. And I think people make the difference between experience and commodity.