Headline: Keeping Golfers Up to Speed... Here Are Just a Few News and Notes About the Golf Industry
For Immediate Release: November 24, 2009
Norton, MA — The 2009 GHIN Handicap season may have come to an end earlier this month (click here to learn how to post out-of-state scores during the off season), but that does not mean that golf is not still top of mind.
In hopes of keeping golfers up to speed on issues impacting the industry, here are just a few news and notes of interest.
Changes to the Decisions on the Rules of Golf
Following the two-year review cycle with The R&A, Ltd., the United States Golf Association has announced 28 new Decisions, 51 revised Decisions and one withdrawn Decision for the 2010-2011 edition of “Decisions on the Rules of Golf.” The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2010.
"Decisions on the Rules of Golf" contains more than 1,200 entries, most of which are situations posed in a question-and-answer format, to address specific circumstances under the Rules of Golf. While the Rules of Golf follow a four-year review cycle (the next revision being in 2012), the Decisions are reviewed every two years. Review the principal changes since 2008-2009.
"The changes to the Decisions for 2010-2011 represent a fine-tuning of the solid foundation provided by the Rules," said James T. Bunch, USGA secretary and chairman of the USGA's Rules of Golf Committee.
The USGA and The R&A have also issued a joint statement of principles regarding the use of electronic devices, including distance-measuring devices. The USGA and The R&A first allowed the use of distance-measuring devices by local rule in January 2006 and are reaffirming that these devices may be used to measure only distance and must not be able to measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, the slope of the ground or the temperature. Neither the USGA nor The R&A anticipate adopting the local rule at any of their championships.
The text of the new and revised “Decisions on the Rules of Golf,” as well as the full text of the joint statement of principles, can be found on the left-hand rail of the Rules section.
Also review the Changes In The Decisions For 2010 And The Evolution Of One Particular Decision.
Golf Consumer Confidence & Rounds Played Report
Although the golf industry has endured its struggles during the recent recession, there are signs that the future is bright.
According to a recent report released by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), golf consumer confidence remained steady from June through September. Golf consumer confidence is a combination of sentiment for playing golf, buying equipment and going on golf trips. Although comforting, the industry is not out of the woods just yet.
Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "Consumers' assessment of present-day conditions has grown less favorable, with labor market conditions playing a major role in this grimmer assessment. Consumers also remain quite pessimistic about their future earnings, a sentiment that will likely constrain spending during the holidays."
On the bright side, rounds played were up in September and are up for the year. However, as reported by the NGF last month, golfers are managing down their cost per round so facility revenue per round is down.
Rounds played volume in the United States was up 4.1% in September 2009 vs. September 2008, according to the National Rounds Played Report, a joint effort of Golf Datatech, NGF, PGA of America and NGCOA. Year-to-date rounds are up 0.5%.
Here in Massachusetts, the numbers are even more favorable as rounds played volume was up 13.5% in September 2009 vs. September 2009 and year-to-date rounds are up 1.2%.
As the Dust Settles
Dave Oatis, Director of the Northeastern Region of the USGA Green Section, provides insight on how superintendents must now shift focus from the daily grind of keeping turf alive to fall and winter project work. Here is an excerpt from his latest posting.
2009 will go down as "the hardest easiest year" I can remember - at least since 1995, for those of you around long enough to remember. That was another one of those sneaky years where lots of turf was lost even though the weather didn’t really seem to have been all that bad. It is just one more in a long line of examples that show the strengths and weaknesses of golf courses are always exposed by the various weather patterns.
A rainy year can be a godsend for a well-drained course with a weak irrigation system, but a drought will wreak havoc with that same course. As the dust settles from the season, and focus switches from the daily grind of keeping turf alive to fall and winter project work, keep in mind the lessons learned this year. Just as lightening really does strike twice, failure to address the fundamental problems that caused this year’s problems is a guarantee that it will happen again. Read More
Never Too Early to Look Ahead
Snow and cold weather may be right around the corner, but golfing enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the major MGA, NEGA and USGA Championships scheduled for the 2010 season.