We continue to talk about the growth of the game and how we can add players, rounds, and rate to the business each and every day. Although I can see and hear these conversations, the follow-up never seems to be as large as the discussion. The growth of the game; will it happen, can it happen? Every person I know, seems to hold an opinion as to this notion. I too, have an opinion, one drawn more from the potential newcomers then from the people holding court over this issue.
I absolutely believe we can grow the game. I believe it because I have seen it. We have the tools, the time, and the professionals. We need the will and the stick-to-itiveness to execute. It is important, I believe, to move ahead, jump in, and start a program at your facility. Great planning and a program are not necessary as we have Get Golf Ready at your fingertips. This program is working today, so seek it out and build it for your golf fans.
Here are the 5 High Fives for Growth;
- Locate the detail for the Get Golf Ready program and implement it or use it as a base model
- Work with your instructors to schedule a program, using social media, this month. Remember, it does not need to be great; it needs to be fun, interesting, effective, rewarding, and with long-reaching practices
- Understand that it begins with comfort! Comfort for your facility, the surroundings, the people, and then the process of learning
- Build fun into every session. Build fun and recognition for every “good” shot, and for every new golfer. The team is working to create a life-long fan not a 6 week revenue stream
- Know that a program to be truly effective should be far reaching in thought, planning, and practice. Work to build a two year program which starts with understanding the facility and grows into a program that can create great fans for the game
Golf programs need not be perfect. They, however, do need to understand the people proposition and make certain to recognize and reward both golfer and teacher for every try, near success, and real success. Golf can grow. There is interest; the number is between 27 and 90 million people in the US. Let’s not get bogged down in those numbers. Let’s start with one. We can do this!