Ohio Golf Journal September 2017

I recently visited TOPGOLF for the first time. Having read and marveled at this rapidly growing phenomenon in the golf world, it was time to see what the fuss was all about. The National Golf Foundation has reported that Topgolf facilities around the country are bringing 10 million new golfers to the game every year. For the golf industry, that is music to the ears. Since the decline in participation, after the recession of 2008-2010, thousands of golf courses have closed, rounds played have decreased drastically and golf equipment sales have followed the downward trend. Mass mergers have consolidated the golf industry. Large golf retail businesses have closed or sought protection through bankruptcy. New golf course construction, once a booming sector of the economy, has slowed to a crawl. Anything that resembles an upward tick in the golf world, would be welcomed with open arms. Thus enters, Topgolf, three stories of hitting bays, foosball and pool tables, flashy chrome everywhere, smiling waitresses carrying trays full of adult beverages and tasty TOPGOLF Adding 10 Million New Golfers?? By: Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal