Dick's Eliminates PGA Instructors as Golf Sales Shrink

Fox Business ^

[Moonman62]

I'd say they are run rather well.

[fatnotlazy]

Never heard of disc golf, but it looks like fun. I might even be able to play.

[Zuse]

“long playing times (5 to 6 hours for 18 holes)”

Golf could be played for time. Hit the ball, run after it and hit it again. With only low-compression balls allowed, golf courses would take up a lot less acreage. Speed golf would provide a better overall workout, and get you back to the all-important 19th hole in less than an hour!

[Zuse]

“Obama has single-handedly made Golf uncool while making guns cool.”

B0Dunhamsoetorosoebarkah was once an avid skeet shooter.

[stylin19a]

from idea to the shelves a driver that sells for 500 bucks cost about 70 bucks to make.

Golf club depreciation is worse than cars, yet markup on a newer used driver is incredible.

[sitetest]

I gave up this form of masochism disguised as a game a few years ago.

[Red in Blue PA]

Check back in a few years.....they recently flipped gun owners the middle finger. I cut up my Dicks card and vowed to never spend another dime there.....and I am not alone.

[rabidralph]

I guess they are.

[Moonman62]

That could be. The stock price hasn’t done much the past two years.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

I completely agree with everything you said about Disc Golf. It's great exercise, much cheaper than golf, and there's a very wide range of types of courses. We used to have two public courses around here -- one in a big, largely open, field on the undeveloped university grounds; and the other in a rainforest. They each required quite different skills. My wife and I used to go with our dog (we soon learned to bring a cheap frisbee for the dog, and get her tired of chasing it, before starting to play). I thought I was doing O.K., until we met up with some college students who played competitively. This was in the open area, so a long drive shot was useful. They could throw a Frisbee "driver" a couple hundred yards or more. That gave them an advantage of at least a shot a hole.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

-— , the fifth consecutive year that showed a decline. -—

That would take us back to 2009. Anyone remember a significant event in 2008?

[vette6387]

“Golf is a sport largely played by the masses when the economy and their pocketbooks are doing well.. This is a symptom of the Obameconomy.”

Robin Williams on The Scots Making Up Golf:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDVvqfIfrCc

[Varsity Flight]

It’s down because golf courses are mostly privately owned, especially the public courses. Those that are prospering are often off the backs of of others, such as the Fascist-ol Country Club that should have never hosted the U.S. Open.

And many of the “country” clubs are riff with members pockets full of $ government contracts, benefactors of Extortion-Care, and company executives selling SNAP products.

Public course owners can’t take SNAP as green fees, so to speak.

[dr_lew]

Golf is a sport largely played by the masses when the economy and their pocketbooks are doing well.. This is a symptom of the Obameconomy.

I think so, but I think it's also an aging Boomer thing, since I would guess that this cohort are more enthusiastic golfers than their offspring, and they are aging out of active participation ( ... but not me! )

[willyd]

You know you can walk the course...you don’t have to get a cart...it is really good exercise.

[MD Expat in PA]

I agree. When I was playing regularly, I almost always walked the course, used a carry bag. It is great exercise and IMO leads to speedier and better play. The only times I didn’t walk were those few times I played courses that forced you to use a cart or when playing in tournaments.

[wally_bert]

I was a PA for a documentary for that for a day. There was a championship and I followed a camera guy around. It seemed kind of interesting.

I really don’t care about sports but it was paying.

[UCANSEE2]

I thought I was doing O.K., until we met up with some college students who played competitively.

I have been playing since the late 80's. Those 'young whippersnappers' totally piss me off when they out-throw me.

: )

Seriously, though, it is encouraging to see so many young adults, children, and women out playing Disc Golf.

A friend of mine has been teaching his son to play ever since he could throw. His son is 9 years old now, and has been picked up by DYNAMIC DISCS to be sponsored as a PRO.

(His son out-throws his Dad and me)

[UCANSEE2]

I don’t really care that much about other sports, but I love Disc Golf.

Speaking of ‘paying’, those ‘pros’ in the Championship win a lot of money.

There is a PDGA (Pro Disc Golf Association) just like there is a PGA.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

The the long drives in Disc golf are at least as complex a maneuver, as a drive in regular golf. I tried to imitate them, but simply lack the coordination. Nine years old (or younger) is probably a good time to learn those moves. I’m a few decades past the best-by date. Regardless, it’s a fun game, even if you’ll never be a pro.