At the recent Golf Inc. Conference, industry leaders projected that as many as 1,000 golf courses could be plowed under over the next ten years, helping bring golf’s supply-demand ratio into balance. But others pointed out that it may not be that easy. Many of the owners who want to convert their courses into residential or other uses are running into huge roadblocks from upset residents and city governments. It seems changing the use of a golf course is no easy task. What does that mean for the number of course closures over the next year?
And should the industry really rely on closures to help improve business for other courses?
At the conference, we discussed the need to increase play among core golfers and generate interest among new players — by making the golfing experience a memorable event for them.