win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling  (Read 7497 times)

WOWZERS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 599
Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« on: December 01, 2016, 09:17:55 AM »
Link included below. Comments are from Jack Nicklaus complaining that advancement in golf ball technology is the reason for course closures.

I think some could draw a similar conclusion with the advent of new bowling ball technology.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/jack-nicklaus-blames-golf-ball-132904968.html


 

trash heap

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2648
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #16 on: December 02, 2016, 10:41:13 AM »
Research shows there are almost twice as many "bowlers" as there are "golfers" in the US when you compare participation.  Over 24 million people played golf at least once in 2015 while 45.9 million people bowled at least once in 2015.  There were almost 2 million league bowlers while there were very few golf league members.

I believe the main reason for the discrepancy in sponsorship funds is the demographic.  Golf draws in a more affluent demographic with more disposable income and thus the marketing of it is different.  I can't imagine a time in the near future where bowling will pass golf in that aspect.

What is more surprising is the number of bowling centers in the US is hovering around 4900 yet the number of golf courses is over 15,000. 

Even a small bowling center can get more customers through the door in one day than a golf course. You can bowl couple of games and be on your way. Golf your choice is to play the entire course or half of it.

Talkin' Trash!

itsallaboutme

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2007
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #17 on: December 02, 2016, 11:05:33 AM »
 If you want to compare participation numbers then count all the people that go to a driving range once or places like Topgolf.  Bowling counts the 3 year olds that use a ramp and bumpers. 

Impending Doom

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6288
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #18 on: December 02, 2016, 11:55:50 AM »
If you want to compare participation numbers then count all the people that go to a driving range once or places like Topgolf.  Bowling counts the 3 year olds that use a ramp and bumpers. 

You just described most of house bowlers out there.

*Ducks*

spmcgivern

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2079
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #19 on: December 02, 2016, 12:53:17 PM »
If you want to compare participation numbers then count all the people that go to a driving range once or places like Topgolf.  Bowling counts the 3 year olds that use a ramp and bumpers. 
I understand numbers like these are never completely accurate.  Hell, should we count Putt-Putt?  What about the guys who don't play but putt at Golfsmith?  I even have friends who don't bowl but love Wii bowling.

I just thought it was interesting to see on average, there are supposedly 10,000 unique bowlers per center and almost 1,600 unique golfers per golf course.  Bowling centers obviously can handle more bowlers than a golf course can handle golfers, I was just surprised to see the difference. 

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2779
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #20 on: December 02, 2016, 03:46:51 PM »
Here is the thing I find interesting.   Ask a guy who has an old set of clubs in   

milorafferty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11166
  • I have a name, therefore no preferred pronouns.
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #21 on: December 02, 2016, 10:17:14 PM »
Ironic that no one is bitching about how USGA has done nothing to keep and increase the number of golfers.
"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"

"If you don't stand for our flag, then don't expect me to give a damn about your feelings."

ICDeadMoney

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 94
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #22 on: December 02, 2016, 10:19:29 PM »
Here is the thing I find interesting.   Ask a guy who has an old set of clubs in

Back in the 80's a friend (very good golfer) picked up a used set of golf clubs in good condition for me for something like $50.

I figure when I got good enough that the clubs were holding me back, I'd buy newer ones.

I still have those same clubs.

morpheus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 596
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #23 on: December 03, 2016, 09:43:42 AM »
Ironic that no one is bitching about how USGA has done nothing to keep and increase the number of golfers.

If they had lost 90% of their membership and the PGA Tour prize funds were less than they were in the 1970's, I suspect you would hear more complaints.
#AFutureForMembership #WhoDoesUSBCWorkFor

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #24 on: December 03, 2016, 09:47:48 AM »
Ironic that no one is bitching about how USGA has done nothing to keep and increase the number of golfers.

If they had lost 90% of their membership and the PGA Tour prize funds were less than they were in the 1970's, I suspect you would hear more complaints.

To compare USGA/local USGA State members to exempt card holding regular tour PGA players is like comparing USBC members to regular PBA tour players.  Remember when the PBA tried what the PGA does having an exempt tour?
Scott

morpheus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 596
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #25 on: December 03, 2016, 10:03:34 AM »
Ironic that no one is bitching about how USGA has done nothing to keep and increase the number of golfers.

If they had lost 90% of their membership and the PGA Tour prize funds were less than they were in the 1970's, I suspect you would hear more complaints.

To compare USGA/local USGA State members to exempt card holding regular tour PGA players is like comparing USBC members to regular PBA tour players.  Remember when the PBA tried what the PGA does having an exempt tour?

I was comparing USBC membership to USGA membership and PBA tour to PGA tour prize funds. The reality is that no other sport has even remotely declined as much as bowling over the last three decades.
#AFutureForMembership #WhoDoesUSBCWorkFor

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #26 on: December 03, 2016, 10:10:55 AM »
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.
Scott

milorafferty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11166
  • I have a name, therefore no preferred pronouns.
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #27 on: December 03, 2016, 10:15:08 AM »
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.

Wasting your time with this. Facts are irrelevant if they don't fit the agenda.
"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"

"If you don't stand for our flag, then don't expect me to give a damn about your feelings."

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #28 on: December 03, 2016, 10:28:35 AM »
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.

Wasting your time with this. Facts are irrelevant if they don't fit the agenda.

True Milo.  To compare bowling and golf is ludicrous for the most part as 'Bones would say. 
Scott

morpheus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 596
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #29 on: December 03, 2016, 10:34:34 AM »
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.

Wasting your time with this. Facts are irrelevant if they don't fit the agenda.

Sponsors invest because there is an audience to market too...bigger audience, more sponsorship dollars. Assuming roughly 2% of membership is interested in the "sport" of bowling, this becomes a math problem because 2% of 10 million is more than 2% of 1 million. More members equals more consumers equals more sponsors, but don't let facts get in the way.
#AFutureForMembership #WhoDoesUSBCWorkFor

milorafferty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11166
  • I have a name, therefore no preferred pronouns.
Re: Golf has the same perception issue as bowling
« Reply #30 on: December 03, 2016, 10:44:33 AM »
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.

Wasting your time with this. Facts are irrelevant if they don't fit the agenda.

Sponsors invest because there is an audience to market too...bigger audience, more sponsorship dollars. Assuming roughly 2% of membership is interested in the "sport" of bowling, this becomes a math problem because 2% of 10 million is more than 2% of 1 million. More members equals more consumers equals more sponsors, but don't let facts get in the way.
Regular PGA and PGA Champions plus LPGA to a lessor extent has sponsors so it has $$$$$.
PBA few sponsors no money it's that simple.

Wasting your time with this. Facts are irrelevant if they don't fit the agenda.

Sponsors invest because there is an audience to market too...bigger audience, more sponsorship dollars. Assuming roughly 2% of membership is interested in the "sport" of bowling, this becomes a math problem because 2% of 10 million is more than 2% of 1 million. More members equals more consumers equals more sponsors, but don't let facts get in the way.

Sponsors pay for exposure. And people do not watch televised sports just because they participate in the sport. So your "facts" don't fit your agenda. But I'll give you a C- for effort anyway.
"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"

"If you don't stand for our flag, then don't expect me to give a damn about your feelings."