Cost of play and greens’ quality attract golfers

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir March 19, 2012 11:36

A new survey of golfers has found that the condition of golf greens is the most important factor when it comes to judging how attractive a golf club is.

This even beat the cost of membership or green fees into second place in the Syngenta Golf Player Survey, which polled over 300 British golfers.

The research asked golfers to rank 15 factors in importance when it comes to assessing how good a facility is, and clubhouse factors, including ambience, food and drink service, shop merchandise and buggy availability, all fell in the bottom six ratings.

Overall, the design of the golf course was rated as the third most important factor, but for low handicap players, it was deemed even more relevant than the cost of play. Course design was, overall, considered the prime factor most likely to attract new players, pipping the aesthetics and environment of the course into second place.

The condition of the fairways also ranked very highly among all golfers.

For over 70 per cent of players, being able to frequently observe birds and wildlife, and environmental initiatives being deployed by the club, is considered to be highly important.

Syngenta’s Rod Burke, said: “The implication is that if you have a capital sum to invest, redesigning some holes, creating better bunkers and investing in tools to improve playing surfaces is typically going to attract more players and deliver a better return than spending money on improving the clubhouse facilities.

“Players put the greatest emphasis on the condition of greens in judging a course, but it also showed that it was the area where satisfaction was highest. The condition of fairways, rough and tees may have been viewed as slightly less important, but crucially the satisfaction levels were significantly lower.

“Investing a little more time, effort and capital in improving these areas could give an immediate benefit in enhancing the playing experience and overall perceptions of the course.”

Perhaps surprisingly, when asked about what they want from the greens, smooth ball roll was rated as the most important factor, while fast ball roll, normally deemed the Holy Grail for greenkeepers, scored lowest with players, including both high and low handicaps.

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir March 19, 2012 11:36
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5 Comments

  1. @AltonGolf February 26, 19:27

    http://t.co/UL6YjKuVHL We have some of the best greens in Hants &great vfm. Only 25 memberships left. pay monthly or save on upfront payment

    Reply to this comment
  2. james nickles November 13, 14:15

    Well if this is true, I look forward to seeing more visitors at dwgc warren golf club Devon.
    Warren have the best greens in the southwest if you ask me.
    OBVIOUSLY I AM A MEMBER.

    Reply to this comment
  3. Copt Heath Golf Club (@CoptHeathGC) April 22, 10:49

    Do you agree with this recent survey that the Condition of Greens is the No.1 factor in golf club attractiveness ? – http://t.co/QoknOn5F

    Reply to this comment
  4. (@AnthonyHastePGA) (@AnthonyHastePGA) March 19, 20:55

    » Cost of play and greens’ quality attract golfers http://t.co/1aL05as5

    Reply to this comment
  5. (@cfgolferdude) (@cfgolferdude) March 19, 12:13

    Survey of 300 golfers found cost of play and greens’ quality attract golfers http://t.co/gRLMX8PZ @walmersleygc @Tiger_Yates1

    Reply to this comment
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