Tag: PGA of America

Beyond Millennials: New Generations and the Influence of Family

Date:

Findings from 6th Annual Research Study on Generational Golfers

Generation X, Millennials and Gen Z, with their own attitudes, behaviors and perspectives, have redefined the future of golf.

In brief:

  • New research into family habits of U.S. golfers has uncovered data in how three generations view family dynamics, play, skills and learning, expenditures and their general satisfaction with the sport.
  • Industry survey of over 1,500 golfers whose average age was 30 years old highlights how the presence of children and partners, and generational membership, directly impact the expectations, behaviors and priorities of golfers.
  • The report explores the overarching similarities and differences between Generation X, Y (millennials) and Z, and their family structures, and what this data means for the future of golf.

GGA Partners, The National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA), and The City Tour have released a study entitled, “Beyond Millennials: New Generations and the Influence of Family.”

It is no secret that golf’s popularity has exploded as a result of COVID-19. In 2020 and 2021, golf was one of the activities least likely to contribute to the spread of COVID-19 as it is played outside where one can keep their distance from others. In our 2021 Industry Survey, 60% of respondents indicated that golf has become more important in their life because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, that number decreased slightly to 53%, but it is clear that the elevated interest in golf has somewhat sustained, even as the threat and related restrictions have diminished. While the pandemic has increased interest in the sport, new challenges are placing additional pressures and impacts on golfers.

With this in mind, here are three key insights from this year’s research:

Millennials play significantly less golf than Gen X and Gen Z. Interestingly, singles played slightly more golf than partnered respondents, and players who were widowed, separated or divorced are playing the most golf within the group.

Gen Z are more likely to play with family than Gen X, while Millennials showcase a tendency to play more with friends than the other two cohorts. Generation X played with fellow members at a much higher rate, while Generation Z showed lower than expected interest in playing with members.  

Gen Z golfers spend the least on both greens’ fees and extra spending at the course, while Millennials show the most interest in spending the most on greens fees. Gen X will spend the most while at the course.

Two thirds of survey respondents indicated they would be willing to spend more – with 50% of respondents indicating a range of up to $5,000 – to join a private club. Gen X was willing to spend more ($6,758 USD) as compared to both Gen Z and Millennials, who indicated they were willing to spend slightly less ($6,100 USD). Widowed/divorce respondents are willing to spend the most ($6,818 USD) with singles willing to spend the least ($6,022 USD).

Access the full report now for further detailed insights.

Download report

For further information, contact:

Dr. Eric Brey, Ph.D
Director, GGA Institute
t: 715.505.7716
e: eric.brey@ggapartners.com

Life in Flux: The Evolving Priorities of Millennial Golfers

Date:

GGA Partners logo

Nextgengolf logo

PGA of America logo

GGA Partners & Nextgengolf Release Findings from 5th Annual Research Study on Millennial Golf Community

2021 study reveals the habits, attitudes and preferences of over 1,600 millennial golfers.

TORONTO, Ontario (March 17, 2021) – Global consulting firm GGA Partners and Nextgengolf, a subsidiary of the PGA of America, have released the fifth annual Millennial Golf Industry study entitled “Life in Flux: The Evolving Priorities of Millennial Golfers.”

The 2021 Millennial Golf Industry Survey was conducted from November 2020-January 2021 and garnered responses from over 1,600 golfers whose average age was just over 29 years old.

Cover page of the 2021 millennial research report. Title reads "Life in Flux: The Evolving Priorities of Millennial Golfers". Subheader: "Over 1,600 millennial golfers share their habits, attitudes, and preferences about golf. New 2021 findings reveal what's changing and what isn't." Title and subheader overlay image of golf couple taking selfie near flagpin on green with sunset in the background.

Key highlights of the 2021 millennial golfer study include:

– Average annual rounds played reached a new peak: 33.9 rounds, a 9% increase year-over-year and average handicap reached a record low, decreasing 5% to 8.8.

– Average spend per golf round has increased 28% over the past five years, climbing to $47 from $34 in 2017 at an average rate of $3.25 more per round each year.

– For a generation characterized as digital natives, it may come as a surprise that a substantial portion of millennials purchase golf equipment and apparel in-person, roughly two-thirds at a sporting goods store and almost half at a course pro shop.

– As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, golf has become more important to millennial golfers according to 60% of the sample. More than four in five (84%) say they are able to work from home; and over half (51%) say this added flexibility allows them to play more golf.

– Sixty-percent (60%) of participating millennials prefer golf venues that actively exhibit social and environmental values. Nearly two-thirds (64%) say these behaviors would influence their likelihood of purchase, and approximately three-quarters (73%) of those surveyed would be willing to pay more, if excellent social and environmental practices increased the costs of golf venues.

– Millennials are attracted to private clubs that offer non-golf amenities and social components. Interest is highest in amenities offering two key attributes: 1) non-traditional golf play like nighttime golf use and simulators; and 2) a multi-use club experience with casual dining, socialization and fitness.

“Not every millennial is the same, but it’s often communicated that way,” commented Matt Weinberger, Nextgengolf director of operations, PGA of America. “In our continuous work with the millennial audience and now Generation Z, we see tremendous opportunity for PGA Professionals and golf facilities to deliver value to young people while operating their businesses. The key is understanding how golf businesses mesh with millennial lifestyles.”

“What this research shows is a tremendous opportunity for golf facilities and private clubs,” commented GGA Partners’ Michael Gregory, a partner of the firm. “To succeed in attracting the next generation of members, golf facilities must build their reputations around diversity, inclusiveness, and environmental stewardship, providing an amenity and activity profile designed to create experiences which enrich the emotional connection and sense of belonging that elevates the value proposition most appealing to young golfers.”

Historically focused on golfers in the millennial generation (those born between 1981-1996, roughly ages 25-40 in 2021), the study has now begun to span two generations. Nearly one third of the sample audience now technically belongs to Generation Z (those born after 1997, roughly ages 9-24 in 2021), an emergent golfer cohort which the study will continue to evaluate in the future.

Through this study, GGA Partners and Nextgengolf have identified the evolutions happening among the golfers of the future to assist golf facility operators in finding ways to adapt and develop their offerings to meet the needs of the next wave of members and customers.

The 2021 Millennial Research Study is available to all golf facility operators. Download the report by clicking on the link below.

Download the report here

 

About GGA Partners

GGA Partners™ is an international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts, and residential communities. We are dedicated to helping owners, asset managers, club and community leaders, investors and real estate developers tackle challenges, achieve objectives, and maximize asset performance.

Established in 1992 as the KPMG Golf Industry Practice, our global team of experienced professionals leverage in-depth business intelligence and proprietary global data to deliver impactful strategic solutions and lasting success. For more information, please visit ggapartners.com.

About Nextgengolf

Nextgengolf, a subsidiary of the PGA of America, has the mission to provide golfing opportunities for golfers of all ages and make the game of golf more relevant for high school students, college students, and adults. Through the NHSGA, NCCGA and City Tour products, Nextgengolf caters to golfers over 15 years old by proactively keeping golfers engaged through events and bringing new players into the game. For more information, visit nextgengolf.org.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who daily work to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 

Media Contacts

Bennett DeLozier
Manager, GGA Partners
602-614-2100
bennett.delozier@ggapartners.com

Michael Abramowitz
PGA of America
561-624-8458
mabramowitz@pgahq.com

Executive Search: Director of Golf at Druid Hills Golf Club

Date:

DIRECTOR OF GOLF
DRUID HILLS GOLF CLUB
Atlanta, GA

 

The Club:

Tucked away in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood, our members consider their club a sanctuary just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta. Established in 1912, Druid Hills has a rich tradition while offering the full array of services one would expect from a modern private club. Druid Hills Golf Club serves as an in-town haven for its members and their families by providing timeless golf and contemporary club experiences.

Famed course architect Bob Cupp redesigned Druid Hills to the “golden age of golf.” The course is both playable and challenging. Perfectly blended with the natural surroundings of Druid Hills, each round is an enjoyable experience. There is a complete and newly renovated practice facility with a driving range and a short game practice area.

A day at Druid Hills offers a chance to golf, play tennis, swim, or workout in our first-class fitness center. For dinner, the Club’s dining rooms offer the opportunity to sample unique dishes that focus on seasonal, fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. Druid Hills Golf Club – so much more than an exceptional golf experience.

Druid Hills Golf Club Overview

 

  • 1,030 members (Golf: 580, Other: 450)
  • Initiation Fee (Resident Member Golf: $85,000)
  • Annual Dues (Golf: $7,500)
  • $14.3M Gross Volume
  • 33,000 Annual Golf Rounds
  • $4.70M Gross Golf Shop Payroll
  • Average age of members is 53

The Director of Golf Position:

The Director of Golf reports to the General Manager/COO and coordinates with the Golf Committee Chair on a regular basis. The Director of Golf implements the policies established by the Board of Directors and the Club’s bylaws. He/she develops operational policies and is responsible for the creation and implementation of standard operating procedures for all areas.

The Director of Golf is the lead coordinator of programming and development of synergy among all golf programming, amenities, and services. Driving excellence in the golf experience through training is a critical part of the position.

The Director of Golf should have a strong presence and seek to be highly visible to the membership and staff. They set the tone for consistently treating members with a first-class golf experience and communicate this expectation to the entire staff as well.

Important Individual Characteristics:

 

  • A naturally enthusiastic personality and passion for the golf industry.
  • A natural leadership style which promotes staff and membership engagement.
  • The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Disciplined accountability to ensure that the training and standards of the Golf department are consistently met.
  • Ability to cultivate a high-level of member services and satisfaction.
  • Possess a strong understanding of top-notch golf experiences for Club members and guests.
  • Effective fiscal management through delivery of actual operational and capital results in alignment with approved budgets.
  • Maintain a high level of visibility to members and staff as the face of the golf operation at the Club.
  • Ability to cater to various interests and the playing ability of the entire membership demographic.
  • Ability to develop a dedicated team with a shared vision.

Candidate Qualifications:

 

  • A minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership and management experience in the golf industry. Current Head Professionals or Assistant Golf Professionals at well-recognized clubs, with verifiable records of achievement will also be considered.
  • Educational credentials in hospitality or golf. A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Hospitality Management or Business is an advantage for applicants.
  • Professional Golf Association (PGA) Certification designation preferred.

Note: A pre-employment drug screen and background check will be required. The position is available November 25, 2020.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package.

Inquiries:

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates should submit résumés along with a detailed cover letter which addresses the qualifications and describes your alignment/experience with the prescribed position by Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

Documents must be saved and emailed in Word or PDF format (save as “Last Name, First Name, Druid Hills Director of Golf Cover Letter” and “Last Name, First Name, Druid Hills Director of Golf Resume”) respectively to: execsearch@ggapartners.com. Please e-mail résumé with references.

For more information about Druid Hills Golf Club please visit dhgc.org.

Millennials & Golf’s Value Proposition

Date:

GGA Partners and Nextgengolf Release Findings from Annual Research Study on Millennial Golf Community

Over 1,600 millennial golfers share habits, attitudes, and preferences about golf

TORONTO (June 10, 2020) – In an ongoing research collaboration, Nextgengolf and GGA Partners have released their annual study on the millennial golf community.

Nextgengolf is a growth-of-the-game subsidiary of the PGA of America.  GGA Partners serves as an international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts, and residential communities. Together, their report suggests ways golf facilities can adapt and develop their offerings to meet the needs of the next generation of members and customers.

“Not every millennial is the same, but it’s often communicated that way,” said Nextgengolf Director of Operations Matt Weinberger. “In our continuous work with the millennial audience and now Generation Z, we see tremendous opportunity for golf facilities to deliver value to young people, while operating their businesses successfully. The key is understanding how golf businesses mesh with millennial lifestyles.”

Featuring valuable insights about millennial golfers, the challenges they face, and opportunities for facilities to help support the long-term sustainability of the game, the research reveals three overarching observations:

1. The lifestyles of millennial golfers have changed the way they approach, experience and enjoy the game of golf.

Leading fast and casual lives, the millennial concept of “golf lifestyle” is evolving to allow for more flexibility, greater efficiency, a unification of multiple social activities into a single experience, and experimentation with the way the next wave of customers and members engage with the game.

2. Socialization and relationships are important for millennial recruitment and retention.

Millennials typically start playing golf as a result of encouragement from a family member. They primarily continue to play because of their own friendships, using golf as a platform for shared activity and a chance to connect. Family is a huge factor for millennials and will increase in significance, especially as it relates to private club membership.

3. Cost is a major concern for millennials and the biggest barrier for them to play golf.

This is partially due to lifestyle evolution and primarily as a result of funding capability.  The good news is that millennials show strong interest to join private clubs under the “right” fee structure – traditional club membership offerings and conventional fee structures are less appealing to millennials than previous generations.

“When it comes to private club membership, costs continue to be barriers for millennials but there’s a bigger picture at play,” observed GGA Partner Michael Gregory. “While price is important, the best performing clubs are focused on creating an experience that enhances millennials’ lifestyles and develops a sense of emotional connection and belonging.  An experience that also enhances the lifestyles of their family strengthens this connection, elevates the value proposition, and paves the way for greater price elasticity.”

Focused exclusively on an audience of active, avid millennial golfers with prior golf interest and experience in tournaments or golf events, the 2020 study brings forward survey findings from more than 1,650 millennial golfers and builds upon research annually conducted since 2017. To date, more than 5,200 survey responses have been analyzed during the four-year research study.

Details on these findings and more are illustrated throughout the full report, titled “Millennials & Golf’s Value Proposition” and available on the GGA Partners and PGA of America websites.

Click here to see the findings and download the report

 

About GGA Partners

GGA Partners™ is an international consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts, and residential communities. We are dedicated to helping owners, asset managers, club and community leaders, investors and real estate developers tackle challenges, achieve objectives, and maximize asset performance.

Established in 1992 as the KPMG Golf Industry Practice, our global team of experienced professionals leverage in-depth business intelligence and proprietary global data to deliver impactful strategic solutions and lasting success. For more information, visit ggapartners.com.

About Nextgengolf

Nextgengolf is an inclusive organization with the mission to provide golfing opportunities, keep golfers in the game, and make the game of golf more relevant for high school students, college students, and young adults. Through our NHSGA, NCCGA and City Tour products, we cater to golfers 15-40 years old by proactively keeping golfers engaged through events and bringing new players into the game. In 2019, Nextgengolf was acquired by the PGA of America. For more information, visit nextgengolf.org.

About PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, with nearly 29,000 professionals who daily work to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

 

Contact

Michael Gregory
GGA Partners
416-524-0083
michael.gregory@ggapartners.com

Michael Abramowitz
PGA of America
561-389-4647
mabramowitz@pgahq.com

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