10 Simple Thoughts on How to Promote "Fun" Golf

It seems that golf is at least somewhat inherently fun for most of us, right?  Maybe because of the challenge it presents - man against golf course.  Perhaps it is the camaraderie one can enjoy with friends.  For some it might be the competitive encounters.  It could also be because it is an outdoor activity that provides exercise –or - maybe a chance to get away by one’s self for a while.  Whatever the reason, one can find a myriad of reasons to enjoy the game of golf.

Yet, today’s game has been hit pretty hard.  Economic woes in the US have diverted our time and money in other directions.  And it is true that golf can require a good bit of one’s time to play and tends to demand a certain level of skills in order to succeed.  The cost of playing can be a barrier, and lack of accessible facilities is another.  And so, the golf industry has been pushing to come up with ways to entice more people to play the game and just have more fun on the golf course.  Programs like 'Tee it Forward' and 'First Links' provide some answers and considerations, but don’t concentrate much on the lighter side of things.  An innovative new golf-themed alternative called 'SNAG' is catching on, and is being widely promoted. It's the sort of fun exposure to the game that might prove to be a great benefit.

If golf isn’t enjoyable, then there’s hardly any reason to play – So I came up with a few ways to spark some interest at your club or facility.  Hopefully we can create a little more excitement for the game and provide some unique experiences that most folks have never enjoyed before.  So let your traditional guards down and consider, just for a moment, how these and other activities can be integrated….just for the fun of it.

1. On special days, junior outings or during certain events, set the course up in unusual ways and invent your own rules – shorten holes awkwardly – create new tee locations…catch people off guard – do the unexpected….but explain it ahead of time that it is just intended for fun. 
2. Occasionally cut a few cups with an 8” diameter – just for the fun of it!  You might just see a few more chip-ins and certainly more putts holed out!
3. Take your most difficult green and place two or three different cup/pin locations – provide a player’s choice!
4. Promote a Family Derby Night – pair up parents/children as teams for a 3 or 6-hole, alternate shot challenge.  Grill out some hot dogs and award some fun prizes!
5. Hold an Annual Kids Day with various activities (putting tournament, a teaching clinic, short playing outing with parent serving as a caddy, and a family cookout to follow).  This could be expanded into a weeklong Kids Camp, involving other activities such as tennis, swimming, fishing and other activities…adding to ways we can continue to get younger people involved in the game and the facility.
6. Hold a Couples-Only ‘70’s Night, 9-hole twilight event with all ‘70’s gaudy golf attire – maybe follow it up with a Disco Party!  Plaid Sansabelts, white belts and chest hair… could be a popular look!
7. At the end of the year/season hold a “Superintendent’s Revenge Day”.  The superintendent gets to set the course up in any way he/she pleases…all for fun!  A nice way to let your super to take a few jabs at the players after a long season – creates some great camaraderie and a feel good, fun event.
8. Schedule a special “Bring a Guest to the Course Week” – not to be confused with a member/guest tournament.  Provide a special guest rate promotion with a shirt/logo balls/sandwich and round of golf to introduce them to the facility and maybe to the game for the first time.  You have the power to make his/her first experience in golf a fun and memorable one!
9. Have a “Hickory Golf” Outing!  Hire out a specialized outfitter to supply players with clubs/balls and play your shortened course like the old timers would have!  Encourage players to dress in period apparel (knickers and all) and take a group, black/white photo to commemorate the day!  People will never forget the day, and they will gain great respect for how the game was once played.
10. Simply don’t keep score.  Just play for fun.  You’ll be surprised what you see, what you hear, how much more you laugh and smile and how much more relaxing golf can be.  And if you’re going to play a competitive game – play match play….it’s faster and certainly less of a grind than having to play and count every single stroke.

Bonus Idea

Ok….I may be a little selfish here.  But I would really like to see developers roll the dice a little more and employ some creativity….and develop more short courses.  Their upside is so plain and obvious to me, and an answer to so many challenges that golf is facing today.  This may include shorter (executive type) courses, par three courses, practice areas with practice holes, or even abbreviated layouts with 6 or 12 holes.  I just returned recently from a trip to Bandon, Oregon and home of four of the top courses in the United States.  The fifth course, though…that was the one that did it for me – Bandon Preserve.  A par three course – only thirteen holes ranging in length from 50 to 150 yards, all on limited acreage.  THAT was the most FUN I’ve had playing golf in a long, long time...maybe in my entire life – PERIOD.  It's right in there with rounds at St. Andrews, North Berwick, Prestwick, Oakmont, and the other courses at Bandon….and many, many more.  All I ask is that you developers and managers out there think about it.  The boutique resorts are already benefitting from the concept, but this could be done anywhere.  So there’s my plea!  Call me!

Maybe you don’t have the ability or interest to try all of these, but think about doing just one.  I’ll bet you’ll want to do it again.....Just for fun!