Golf courses have been removing turf, narrowing fairways, installing more sophisticated irrigation systems, researching less thirsty grasses and scaling back on the practice of “overseeding,” which has kept courses green in winter months, when Bermuda grass goes dormant.
Full Answer
What's happening to the golf industry?
Equipment sales also surge. The industry hit an all time high of $388.6 million in sales in July, according to Golf Datatech. "It's amazing to see the growth the sport has experienced -- even in the face of a global pandemic. The fact that people can play safely, get outdoors, social distance, etc. is certainly positive.
How hard is it to learn to play golf?
Golf is renowned not only for being frustratingly difficult for beginners, but even longtime players "enjoy" it as a frustratingly difficult hobby. "The deep appeal of golf, once you get hooked, is that it's difficult," John Paul Newport, golf columnist for the Wall Street Journal, told NPR last month.
How important are rounds played in the golf industry?
But rounds played is not the only indicator of growth in the golf industry. Equipment sales also surge. The industry hit an all time high of $388.6 million in sales in July, according to Golf Datatech. "It's amazing to see the growth the sport has experienced -- even in the face of a global pandemic.
How can golf courses reduce water consumption?
The club has reduced its water consumption by 20% in recent years, Tanner said, largely by replacing turf with native landscaping. But it doesn’t appear that every golf course is pulling its weight.
Why is golf booming?
Golf is booming because of the pandemic. Players wearing face masks warm up on the range at the Miami Beach Golf Club on April 29, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. (CNN) The pandemic has popularized a lot of unexpected activities.
When did golf datatech start recording equipment data?
July and August saw the two best months for golf sales since Golf Datatech started recording equipment data in 1997. "We have never seen a surge like what has happened in the summer of 2020, coming out of the worldwide shutdown from COVID-19," said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech in a news release.
How many viewers will watch the 2020 PGA Championship?
The first round of the tournament averaged 1,246,000 viewers, making it the event's most viewed first round telecast since 2015, and the second best opening round in the last 10 years.
When did Tiger Woods become famous?
In fact, the NGF reports there's only been one other year that saw a bigger rise in interest in the sport: 1997, the year Tiger Woods became a massive sensation. A sign informs golfers to practice social distancing at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
Is golf resurgence?
Thanks to social distancing, the sport of golf has seen a resurgence, too. At the beginning of 2020, golf courses were seeing business as usual. There was no big nationwide increase in the number of rounds of golf played, according to data from Golf DataTech.
Who is the CEO of swing king?
Mike Jakob, CEO of Swing King, a tech company that sets up automatic hole-in-one contests at golf courses, said his company saw sales increases of 20% to 50% for some regions and an overall market growth of 50% to 300%. July and August saw the two best months for golf sales since Golf Datatech started recording equipment data in 1997.
Will college gameday be broadcast in 2020?
Even ESPN's College Gameday broadcast from the Masters for the first time ever, and gained a 31% increase in viewership from all of its other shows in 2020, according to ESPN's Bill Hofmeier.
Is golf difficult for beginners?
Golf is renowned not only for being frustratingly difficult for beginners, but even longtime players “enjoy” it as a frustratingly difficult hobby. “The deep appeal of golf, once you get hooked, is that it’s difficult,” John Paul Newport, golf columnist for the Wall Street Journal, told NPR last month.
Is golf affordable?
So golf can be affordable. It’s just that, by and large, the sport has a well-deserved reputation for being pricey—think $400 drivers, $250,000 club “initiation” fees, and too many gadgets to mention. The snooty factor goes hand in hand with the astronomical prices and atmosphere on the typical course.
Is snowboarding harder than golf?
It’s too difficult. Pretty much every other sport on the planet is more immediately rewarding than golf. Take a snowboard lesson in the morning, and by afternoon, you can make a few turns down the bunny trail without falling (much).
