Image via WikipediaAccording to KPHO TV here in Scottsdale, the popularity of golf as a sport has dropped 13 percent over the past five years. Not good news for the Valley of the Sun. But why? As they have done in most places across the country, they overbuilt golf courses. We not only did they have a golf boom a few years ago but we had the real estate market doing so well they put up a ton of golf communities. Now with the recession (make no mistake, we ARE in a recession) people just can't afford to pay the huge prices associated with golf.For years I've personally felt that golf was over priced and that some day, prices would have to come down. Well that some day is here. Courses are going out of business and prices are being slashed. However, it usually is the membership prices and not the green fee prices so much. I keep waiting for green fee prices to come down and the just don't. Especially out here and in the winter where a round of golf is easily in the $80 to $200 category.
What really scares me is that golf will be viewed as a a sport only for the elite and rich and the "Occupy" protest everything crowd will me making their way to a golf course near you soon. Don't doubt me on this one. Young people will some day hold golf in the same light as they do "big buisness" and want nothing to do with a sport that is "only for the rich." Think about it. Already the environmental extremists don't like golf because the feel it is not natural and a waste of water. In fact, since it is a sport only for the rich, why not a green fee or membership tax? Like I said, write this down and mark my words. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am.
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