Golf’s ‘Image Problem’

As we have been reporting, there are currently a huge number of initiatives to grow the game.

Despite these magnificent efforts, however, amongst influential opinion-formers and in many communities Golf has a serious image problem.

Rightly or wrongly the perceptions are that Golf uses too much water and too many chemicals; is riddled with a class-based hierarchy and nineteenth century attitudes towards women and children; occupies precious space which could be better used for housing, agriculture etc; prevents access to coastal paths and stops public enjoyment of what should be amenity land that is open to all.

The fact that some golfers frequently demonstrate a dubious sense of fashion is probably the least of our problems.

These challenges need to be urgently addressed and I would like to think that they will receive some quality attention at next week’s HSBC Golf Business Forum in Abu Dhabi.

I’ll let you know.

Geoff Russell, Publisher

publisher@golfbusinessnews.com

@GBNPublisher