What is wrong with Golf

What is Wrong with Golf is a short Golf blog post that looks at the problems that still exist in today’s game. As I see it, there are still too many problems with the modern game. Let me help you out by listing the main points that I feel need to change. What is wrong with Golf? 18 holes of golf simply takes too long to play. Everyone agrees that the game takes too long. Green Fees are too expensive. The average green fee in the UK’s Top 100 Courses in 2023 was 200 GBP. The dress codes are still too strict. I agree to a dress code in a clubhouse or a tournament but not on a casual round. Handicap limits on the golf courses. Most of the slowest players on the golf course are single handicappers. Golf still isn’t free to anyone under the age of 16. Golf isn’t even mentioned in the national curriculum. badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby, tennis, athletics, gymnastics and dance. (No Golf) The top Golf Professionals are still accepting large amounts of cash prizes or large money-orientated contracts. How can we improve golf and help attract new golfers? Shorten the Courses Golf used to be played over 22 holes and has since reduced down to 18. I believe it should be reduced even more. This would first of all make it more accessible to players with less time on their hands. It would also reduce green fee costs as maintenance is less. As players, we would have less fatigue and it would be much more fun. Let everyone decide from which tee boxes they wish to play. Improve the Dress Code Trying to improve the golfing fashion with Colourful, modern outfits as opposed to old boring ones. The dress code is still too stuffy. I like to dress up for golf, but each to their own. Clubhouses may wish to stay with a strict dress code but relax the dress code on the golf courses. 9 Hole Tournaments Creating 9-hole tournaments for beginners or golfers with little time on their hands. Ready Golf Playing ‘Ready Golf’ to help speed up the play. Every Golf course in the world should be doing this. Make Tournaments Attractive Even Greg Norman created the LIV Tour with 54-hole tournaments to help improve the look and feel of the game. Tournament referees should be more strict on slow play and dish out more penalties if the players are questioned twice. Foot Golf Some golf clubs have started introducing ‘Foot Golf’ to help attract families and younger people to our sport. Other family-based activities should be introduced to all golf clubs. Junior Golf Golf green fees, tuition and coaching should be free to anyone under the age of 16. This should be subsidised by the top golfers in the world. One top golfer signed a LIV contract for 600 million which is insane. Imagine if he donated 50% to grassroots junior Golf. Most top players have a junior academy or a registered charity, but most of those are surely just tax dodges. Whether you agree with the above points or not, we can all agree that the game cannot remain as it is today. What are your thoughts on What is Wrong with Golf? Have I missed anything out that you feel should be changed? Please leave a comment by filling out a Contact Form. To read more of my Golf blogs, click here. Image by fhann from Pixabay Image by Alexa from Pixabay