Trevor Ng
Golf's popularity has surged in recent years, with a record 532 million rounds played in 2024, according to the National Golf Foundation. This rise in popularity has led to some courses becoming overcrowded, with golfers complaining about the high costs and long waiting times for tee times. Some golfers have also expressed a desire for the sport to return to pre-Covid times, when courses were less crowded and the experience was more enjoyable. However, it seems that golf is here to stay, with the return of golf TV shows like The Skins Game in 2025, which will feature top stars on the PGA Tour and be distributed by Pro Shop and Propagate Media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf's popularity | Surging in recent years |
| Golf courses | Packed, with rising costs |
| Golf courses | Need to be booked 1-2 years in advance |
| Golf courses | Lack of course rangers enforcing pace of play and standards |
| Golf courses | Dynamic pricing |
| Rounds of golf | Geared towards foursomes |
| Golf tee times | Harder and more expensive to get |
| Golf television | The Skins Game is returning to TV in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Returning to pre-Covid affordability
While the golf industry has thrived in recent years, with courses, driving ranges, and manufacturers all benefiting from increased interest, some golfers yearn for the pre-Covid affordability and accessibility of the sport.
The surge in popularity has resulted in crowded courses, higher costs, and the need for advance planning to secure a spot. Some golfers have expressed frustration with the increased costs of playing on mediocre golf courses, with green fees estimated to have jumped by around 29% compared to pre-pandemic times. This is due to an imbalance in supply and demand, with the demand for golf courses outpacing the supply.
The Covid-inspired rush of 2020-2022 was expected to cool off, but the growth has continued, making it harder and pricier to get a tee time. Golfers in Nashville, for example, have to drive outside the city to find available tee times, and single players are often paired with others, resulting in longer rounds.
The increased demand has also led to a lack of enforcement of basic standards and pace of play, with some golfers expressing a need for better education for beginners to maintain the quality of the game.
However, there is some good news for golf fans. The Skins Game, a longtime Black Friday golf tradition, will return to TV in 2025. This move by the PGA Tour aims to seize back control of made-for-TV matches and revitalize its media footprint.
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Returning to pre-Covid course availability
While the golf industry has been thriving in recent years, with courses, driving ranges, and equipment manufacturers all benefiting from increased interest in the sport, some golfers yearn for the pre-Covid days. The surge in popularity has resulted in overcrowded courses, longer waiting times, and higher costs.
Before the pandemic, a round of golf at a mediocre course would cost around $35. Now, golfers are paying upwards of $65 or even $72 for a round, with some estimates putting the green fee jump at around 29% compared to pre-pandemic times. This price hike is due to the increased demand, which has outstripped the supply of available courses. According to the National Golf Foundation, a record 532 million rounds were played in 2024, exceeding the supply-demand equilibrium by about 10%.
The Covid-inspired rush of 2020-2022 was expected to cool off, but the growth has continued, and it is now harder and more expensive to secure a tee time. Golfers in Nashville, for example, have to drive outside the city and settle for being paired with others to play. The sport has become increasingly geared towards foursomes, and the wait times for singles have increased significantly.
Another issue is the lack of enforcement of basic standards and etiquette by course rangers. There is a growing number of golfers who do not respect the game, and the absence of education for beginners contributes to slower play. While it is excellent that more people are trying out the sport, there is a need for better guidance and course management to maintain a good pace of play and ensure an enjoyable experience for all.
Despite these challenges, the return of golf tournaments like "The Skins Game" on TV in 2025 is a positive sign for the sport's media footprint. The PGA Tour is taking back control of made-for-TV matches and revitalizing its media presence.
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Returning to pre-Covid course quality
While the golf industry has been thriving in recent years, with increased interest and surging popularity, some golfers yearn for the pre-Covid course quality. The sport is experiencing a golden era, with a record-breaking number of rounds played in 2024, but this surge in demand has resulted in challenges that impact the overall golfing experience.
One of the most noticeable changes is the significant increase in pricing. Green fees have skyrocketed, with estimates of a 29% jump compared to pre-pandemic times. Courses that once charged $35 are now charging upwards of $65, and the quality of conditioning may not always match the higher price tag. This price spike can be attributed to the high demand exceeding the supply of available courses.
The high demand for golf has also led to crowded courses, with golfers reporting that it's harder and more expensive to secure tee times, especially in metropolitan areas. Golfers in Nashville, for example, have shared that they need to drive at least 45 minutes outside the city to find available tee times. This surge in participation has also resulted in longer rounds, with more golfers being paired together, and a perceived decline in the respect for the game and its etiquette.
Some golfers have expressed a desire for better education for beginners to ensure that everyone meets the basic standards and maintains a good pace of play. They feel that courses should be more proactive in enforcing these standards and having course rangers visible to guide and monitor play. These views are not anti-beginner but stem from a place of wanting to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure an enjoyable experience for all players.
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. The growth of the golf industry has brought benefits to various sectors, including courses, driving ranges, and club manufacturers. Additionally, many people have discovered a passion for the game, contributing to the sport's thriving community.
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Returning to pre-Covid golfer etiquette
One of the main challenges is the surge in popularity, which has resulted in crowded courses and longer wait times. This has led to a decrease in the respect shown by golfers to those around them, with some golfers not adhering to basic standards and pace of play. The lack of course rangers to enforce etiquette and the absence of education for beginners have contributed to this issue.
To address this, golfers should be mindful of fundamental respect for their fellow players and the course itself. This includes maintaining a good pace of play, meeting basic standards, and being mindful of their impact on the course, such as properly raking bunkers and avoiding littering.
Additionally, courses should consider implementing measures to manage the increased demand, such as dynamic pricing and improving the training of ambassadors to ensure a smooth flow of golfers. While some golfers have suggested that the solution is to join a private club, this can be financially restrictive and excludes those who cannot afford the membership fees.
Overall, returning to pre-Covid golfer etiquette involves a combination of individual responsibility, course management, and a collective respect for the game and those who share a passion for it. By embracing these principles, golfers can contribute to a positive and enjoyable experience for all, regardless of their skill level or background.
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The Skins Game returning to TV
The Skins Game, a longtime Black Friday golf tradition, is returning to TV in 2025. The show, which debuted in 1983, was a popular Thanksgiving weekend classic in the 1980s and '90s. It featured four players competing to win individual holes, with a dollar value at stake on each hole. If there was a tie, the money would roll over.
The show ran for 25 years before it was formally canceled in 2008 due to sagging ratings and the loss of LG as a title sponsor. Now, after a 16-year hiatus, The Skins Game is being resurrected by Pro Shop, a media company led by Full Swing executive producer Chad Mumm, in partnership with the PGA Tour and Propagate Content.
The return of The Skins Game marks an effort by the PGA Tour to revitalize its media footprint and seize back control of made-for-TV matches. Chris Wandell, an executive at the Tour and board member of Pro Shop, stated that the new iteration of The Skins Game will be "reimagined in a retro-modern way that engages today's sports fans."
Many details about the show's return are still being finalized, including the network partner, players, and purse. However, it is expected to air on Black Friday in 2025, invoking memories of the past while introducing the show to a new generation.
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Frequently asked questions
While the golf industry has been thriving in recent years, with courses, driving ranges, and manufacturers all benefiting from increased interest, some golfers have expressed a desire for the sport to return to pre-pandemic times. This is due to the challenges that have accompanied its surge in popularity, such as overcrowded courses, increased costs, and a lack of course rangers enforcing standards of play.
"The Skins Game" is a golf television event that will be returning to TV in 2025. It is a longtime Black Friday tradition that was canceled in 2008 due to sagging ratings. The PGA Tour is reviving the event in partnership with the golf media startup Pro Shop, with the goal of seizing back control of made-for-TV matches.
The golf industry has experienced continued growth, confounding expectations of a cooling-off period after the initial Covid-inspired rush. This has resulted in increased demand for tee times, leading to higher prices and longer travel times to secure a spot.
