This is part 6 of a series of articles highlighting the reasons why playing the game is a challenge for 18 to 34-year-olds. Read the rest of the series.
In case you missed the first five parts of this series, let me bring you up to speed. The game of golf -- the game we love -- presents many challenges to young adults. The millennial generation leads a lifestyle that does not mesh well with the age old game.
As a member of the millennial generation, these are the top-five reasons why I believe participation rates among 18 to 34-year-olds have decreased in recent years:
- No Technology: How many more free GPS apps will they make before something useful shows up in my app store? Exhibit A: the Levi's Stadium App helps 49er fans find the nearest restroom and concession stands with the shortest lines. How about an app that shows where the beverage cart is?
- It's Complex: Why do you think soccer is the most popular sport in the world? There is a ball, there is a net, and the rest is left up to instinct. Golf is the rocket science of sports. You're suppose to use thousands of dollars worth of high-tech equipment to get a 1.68 inch ball into a 4.25 inch hole from over 400 yards away.
- It's Unwelcoming: If you're a young golfer, you're familiar with the uninviting gaze from old timers in the clubhouse. Millennials who are new to the game catch an even colder shoulder from golf's traditionalists. We should be more welcoming and encourage beginners to join our sport.
- It's Expensive: This doesn't just apply to millennials -- golf is a pricy hobby for all ages. As a college student who works a part-time job for minimum wage during the school year, it's hard to budget $30+ to play 18 holes each weekend.
- It's Time Consuming: Assuming pace-of-play isn't an issue, an 18 hole round takes about four hours. When you consider the schedule of a typical college student or young adult in the working world, that is a major time commitment. What's even harder is finding time to get all of your friends to the course for a a few holes.
By: Chase Russell
Twitter: @ChaseMRussell
Instagram: chasemrussell
