What Does Growing the Game Actually Mean?

When pressed, it seems nobody can pin down what the phrase “growing the game” actually means. We all have an understanding of what it could mean, but the definition changes depending on who you ask. Establishing a universally agreed upon definition may be a fool’s errand, regardless of how often the phrase gets thrown around in brand marketing and on social media.

A Reality Check

In one respect, the notion of growing the game began with the idea that golf should be accessible to anyone who wants to play it. This includes golfers from every socio-economic background, skill level, race, creed, gender, age and otherwise. Images of golf courses lined with a melting pot of new faces and skill levels danced in our heads because it felt like the right thing to think about. People like to say that they’re in favor of what’s right.

Do me a favor. Take a moment to sit back and honestly consider the answer to this question: do you truly want that scenario to happen at your golf course?

I contend that most of you do not.

Here’s how I know, or at least have a strong suspicion of what people truly want despite what they say. In 2020 golf experienced the largest economic and participation boom in the history of the game. By some accounts it even surpassed the Tiger Boom, despite being aided by the development of thousands of golf courses surrounded by real estate communities in anticipation of a deluge of new golfers. I include myself in that tsunami, picking up the game at 13 years old when Tiger was building momentum and just before winning his first major.

At the height of the worst health year of a generation, golf was never in better shape in 2020. New golfers were seen everywhere, taking inexperienced swings at hand-me-down golf balls with thrift store clubs as people just wanted something to do during the pandemic. Of course, millions of core golfers were waiting on teeboxes behind these groups, hands firmly affixed to hips and scowls painted on their faces.

Pace of play eventually became a hot topic (once again) as average golf rounds increased. The USGA became keenly aware of this unattractive side effect, renewing efforts to address the issue… or at least say they were going to try. I even offered my thoughts on solutions that could enhance the player experience while benefiting golf courses in the process.

Aside from all of that, the fact remains that you cannot expect to have more golfers on golf courses without also anticipating longer wait times. Logically, we also have to expect horribly unskilled players to comprise a percentage of that new crowd. Those new players — the ones who are dribbling drives off tees and shanking wedges into lakes — are counting on us to be patient, lenient, and above all else kind.

But does that happen? Are we living up to our end of the bargain?

It’s not too much of a stretch to assume that golf courses everywhere, particularly public and/or municipal, are experiencing growing pains of some kind. It’s incredible to see so many new faces in the game, especially those of a younger crowd. These are the golfers who will bring our game into future years and decades, sparking new, innovative ways to enjoy the game due to brands responding to newfound demand.

As long as “growing the game” remains true to its intent — welcoming new players — and doesn’t degrade or become siloed into something closer to “growing our pocketbooks,” I have faith that courses and brands can respond accordingly. The true test will be within our circle of friends or our regular foursome, when the microphones and smartphone cameras are turned off, and we’re left to our own thoughts and comments.

Just like everything else in life.