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The past year, by any measure, has been a tumultuous time for golf. An economic crisis and a salacious sex scandal, each hit the sport at hitherto unimaginable levels and a general feeling of malaise prevailed.
As a result there was a collective sigh of relief from golf business and media people last weekend when the Masters turned out the way it did, and a palpable ambiance of euphoria now prevails in the hallways of the golf blogosphere and... no doubt... in the conference rooms of many golf corporations.
However, the perceptions of the casual fan and the outside observers might be more difficult to alter as this Sports Central post indicates.
I'm wondering this: do we as golfers and/or avid golf fans pay enough attention to what non-golfers and casual fans think about golf, and should we?
Photo via MaxPhotos
Even after the Masters, try this: Ask the average man/woman on the street who Phil Mickelson is. Be a roving reporter. I assure you you'll be surprised at how few give you the correct response.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try that Shark. I think almost everyone would know Phil Mickelson. They might not know anyone else but I think even if they don't have anything to do with golf they'll know Phil and Tiger.
ReplyDeleteYep Lisa, and John Daly, and that's it. :o\
ReplyDelete"I'm wondering this: do we as golfers and/or avid golf fans pay enough attention to what non-golfers and casual fans think about golf, and should we?"
ReplyDeleteGood questions :).
IMO - no and yes.
Way to take a stand Hack! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are many that don't know Mr. Mickelson. Heck, there are folks that can't tell you who is Vice President.
I really think that the best way to get non-golfers interested in golf is by sharing your own enthusiasm and help make them feel comfortable around the game.
Should we pay more attention to what non-golfers think? I think the answer is no. It's like asking me what I think about the WWE. Fans of the WWE don't and shouldn't care what I think because I have no interest in their "sport". I don't really want people who have no vested interest in the game I love to influence things in it.
ReplyDeleteAs for casual fans, I guess we should care if we hope to continue to grow the game. Hopefully the casual fan will turn into a rabid fan.
Funny you mention the WWE, Roody. Vince McMahon's wife is running for US senate here in CT. I personally know people who won't vote for her because of the WWE (where she was CEO). People are influenced by allot of things which can have negative effects regardless of if they are connected to golf or not...
ReplyDeleteGolf is and always will be a niche sport. Limited access for the average person confirms it. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Golf should strive to be the best niche sport possible.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty large niche sport. I think niche might belong more to curling. As far as people having opinons about golf, those who don't follow it but want to critique it amuse me in an odd way. But isn't that true of myriad subjects?? If a person who knows little wants to know more, I'll tell them why I like it.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone hear Jim Nantz on WFAN with Mike Francesa the other day? They talked golf and The Masters for about 45 minutes without a commercial break. Some interesting stuff in it by Nantz. It's worth a listen. You can find it on the WFAN website. They even debated the profiles of the "patrons" who attend. Old money? New money? Golf fans? Nantz gave some opinions of Tiger also.
ReplyDeleteI asked my Chinese pulmonary doctor if he knew who Phil Mickelson was. He replied, "Yes, he is the vice-president".
ReplyDeleteTiger is the President.
I have no idea what makes John Daly...
Vince. In one of those ironic events, I think John Daly is Sergeant At Arms.
ReplyDeleteI have been teaching golf to a lot of "non-golfers". They want to try to golf for a variety of reasons. They are timid to golf in most cases even though they can be firm or aggressive in their careers and personal lives. They don't want to look foolish or feel they are the "butt" of jokes. They are ready to spend modest amounts of money at the low end of golf. They keep the the small courses going - out of which come future stars of various levels of tour golf. They want to belong to the golf scene/tribe and will help with local junior tournaments.
ReplyDeleteI talk to non-golfers and casual golfers. Both groups have great ideas as to what makes a successful organization. I get more golf lessons by showing all of these people respect, courtesy, and patience.
Listen to anyone and everyone AND do not ridicule or put down anyone's ideas. You never know whose son or granddaughter will be the next golf star.