Outgoing R&A chief Martin Slumbers has named two significant issues within the amateur game which he is “genuinely concerned” about.
Those playing recreational golf often attempt to emulate the pros, which can sometimes cause problems.
Whether that be looking to copy a PGA Tour player’s technique or implementing AimPoint, some practices are best left to those earning money playing the game at the highest level.
Due to professional influence, slow play has become an issue at the amateur level, and Slumbers is concerned.
R&A chief details slow play issue
Just days after Nelly Korda highlighted slow play on the LPGA Tour, R&A chief Slumbers was asked to name the biggest issue facing the amateur game at present.
“The two things that keep coming up as the impediments for people playing golf more or wanting to play is cost and pace of play. Every time you do a market research over what would be the top five things which would get you to play more golf, those things come up. It is not complicated,” Slumbers told the No Laying Up Podcast.
“The plus side is I think the whole engagement about health and the benefits of golf has made a massive difference in this post-Covid world where we are all a lot more health conscious than we were. I think the role of non-golfers to promote golf is, if you look at the top golfers, their following is okay, but 99% of them are people who already play golf.”
He continued: “But you start to engage some of the ambassadors who we have brought in, they love golf and the history, but the vast majority of their social media following which is magnitudes bigger are people who don’t play golf.
“That’s why many of these podcasts have failed, and some have been unbelievably successful because they are attracting people who would like to listen to a bit more about golf because that’s a different way of thinking about it. So I think those two things on the negative side. I genuinely am concerned about the divisiveness on the men’s professional side. It is turning people from watching, it is not turning off people from playing.”
Amateur golfing costs continue to skyrocket
Slumber also highlighted cost as an issue, and it’s difficult to disagree with the R&A chief. Annual memberships are now extortionately high, and it’s nigh on impossible to play any historic course without parting with a small fortune.
At a time when $750 Ryder Cup tickets were recently on the market, there’s a real chance for positive change to encourage a new wave of interest in the sport.
Making memberships more accessible, capping greens fees, and introducing more reasonable ticket prices for professional events are all ways to help generate a new wave of interest.
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