New study on the state of golf in Canada...

A new study on the state of golf in Canada has been released, the details of which I have posted below along with links to the Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study for all the actual numbers.

Here's what I say.. Part of the survey points out we have a golf community of 5.7 million and of those about a quarter are playing on a regular basis..The vast majority play in the company tournament, or in an annual outing with buddies, a few games here and there, hardly a recipe for financial success if you own a high end public golf course..

Most importantly for me are the numbers on young people playing. It is not news but underlines again, how few children aged 6-11 are playing golf.

Kids are on computers, iPhones and every other kind of phones all day every day. Getting them physically involved in main stream sports like baseball, hockey and football is a major problem and if you don't believe me talk to any doctor who will list obesity and the onset of type 2 diabetes as we get older the as the run away number one health issue they deal with daily..

So where does that leave golf in the bucket list for kids ??  Near the bottom I'd say..and remember the immigrant population that is pouring into this country is from the middle east, India, Pakistan, hardly golfing hotbeds..

Somehow Golf Canada and the NAGA needs to find a way to get affordable exciting golf to the masses of children..

Either provincial or federal or privately owned land has to be "donated "... Nine holes, limited bunkers, flat, big greens, no charge, rental clubs available, young CPGA pros on staff required to provide 10 free lessons to each kid..Internet stations with fun golf related programs and whatever other social media programs that are essential for kids available so it becomes a "happening" (sorry) place to go..

Tough road ahead I'd say, but worth walking.. the future of the game in Canada may hinge on it..


Golf Canada
The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) have released a Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study aimed at helping the Canadian golf industry to better understand the current state of golf in Canada as well as factors that influence the behaviour of consumers as they relate to golf.

The purpose of conducting the Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study was to gather insights and intelligence that can enable the National Allied Golf Associations (comprised of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, the PGA of Canada, the Canadian Society of Club Managers, the Canadian Golf Industry Association, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and Golf Canada) as well as the Canadian golf industry to better understand consumer behaviour characteristics in Canadian golf; uncover actions which offer an opportunity to sustain the game in Canada; and improve on factors that impact consumer behaviour as it relates to golf in Canada.

As a resource document, the Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study provides a measure of research related to the Canadian golf industry which is rooted in statistical-based facts. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide statistical and predictive insight that can serve as a learning resource for the Canadian golf industry as it works to better understand factors that have a positive and negative impact on Canadian golf consumer behaviour.

“As an industry, we believe it is critical to have an understanding of our golf consumers and the factors that impact their behaviour characteristics,” said Ken Cousineau, Executive Director of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and Chair of NAGA. “Collectively as NAGA partners and as individual associations, the study brings forth insightful intelligence that could aid the industry’s efforts to reinforce positive consumer behaviour and work to change negative behaviour. As industry leaders, the study helps us to understand why consumers make the choices they make.”
The Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study was conducted on behalf of NAGA by NAVICOM, a scientific firm which specializes in delivering intelligence that focuses specifically on deciphering choice.

“The purpose of statistics is to be able to draw inferences about a population from a sample with a measure of goodness – reliability, credibility and usability – attached to those inferences,” said John Pulley, President of NAVICOM. “In order to impact the ‘who, what, where, when and how’ related to consumer behaviour, one needs to understand the ‘why’. Golf consumers have many choices when it comes to their level of engagement with the sport. Knowing what segments exist and how the people in those segments make choices enables the industry to get out in front of the change curve and develop strategies aimed at impacting consumer behaviour.”

Click here to view the complete Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study (PDF).
Click here to view an executive summary of the Canadian Golf Consumer Behaviour Study (PDF).



Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles and at www.isr1050.com also broadcasting daily 7-9am at www.nextsportstar.com