Dick's Eliminates PGA Instructors as Golf Sales Shrink

Fox Business ^

[Red in Blue PA]

“We are selling drivers in our stores this spring for $99 that were $299 approximately 21 months ago,” Stack said during a conference call with analysts, according to a transcript.

Sales volume for men’s drivers was down 2% in the first quarter, he added, but the average price of those clubs fell 16%.

Analysts largely attribute the weakening golf market to the dwindling number of people playing the sport. The National Golf Foundation estimates that 400,000 U.S. golfers left the game in 2013. According to a survey from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the number of individuals who golfed at least once dropped 2.5% year-over-year, the fifth consecutive year that showed a decline.

[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.