What golf, cable, the stamp and phone have in common in North America

Today’s society has decided that golf and these products are not as important as they once were. One hears the word “disruptors” often to define things or technologies that displace others. Before tackling golf, I would like to discuss the other items in this list.

Netflix has taken over from cable and will continue to do so. Bingeing on quality series like Game of Thrones and House of Cards are the new trend. Who needs to wait for a 7pm television program on a Wednesday night every week when they can have them all in one sitting? And the price of Netflix is so inexpensive that it pushes cable out the door.

There once was an effort by individuals to write or type a letter, lick the stamp and drop it into the mailbox. Now email or a text does the trick and many young people don’t know penmanship.

Then there is the phone. Good luck in getting your phone call returned. Your message dives deep into the bowels of voice mail where it remains hidden for centuries. Again, email, texting, Facebook and other communication modes are now the new and more popular ways to communicate even though I know people appreciate that you actually made the effort to call via cell or landline (although this too is being replaced, including in our house).

Now we come to golf. Although this wonderful game has been played for centuries I think its status is diminished. The digital revolution, other forms of entertainment and alternative sporting activities have now made golf just one of many things they can do. Offering FootGolf, Golfboard, bigger holes, 9-hole options, music in golf carts and wider fairways are all great ways to increase the interest in the game. But they are all missing the point. Society wants to do other things and golf will never be as popular in North America as it once was. The “replenishment stock” as I term the newer generation, will not come close to filling the golf courses when past generations retire, leave the game or find themselves buried six feet underground. Tiger helped put a spike in enrolment figures but it was only a temporary one. Growth will come from Asia South America and other emerging markets.

Golf does not suit the “born digital” generation. Dependency on screen technology, lowered attention spans, choosing biking, hiking, cycling, triathlons, Instagram and video games just seem to interest them more. Snippets of time or two hours of activity are more in line with what people want today. That is okay because five hour rounds with a game that you cannot perfect is now only for those willing to invest the time, patience, money and sticktoitness. But boy can golf be fun and you are outdoors for golly sakes!

I could add libraries, book reading and other items to this list that are no longer in vogue. Passage of time shifts priorities and likes. Golf will continue to be popular with the older generation because they have played the game for many years and come from a world where cell phones are not part of their DNA. Some youth will love golf too but other games, sports and activities will be preferred.

Golf travel, from my perspective, will increase. The reasoning is because the world gets busier, time will be more cherished by golfers to go on adventures to swap stories with their friends, play storied parkland and links golf courses, drink beer, wine or scotch and feel like kids again. Golf will be a welcome oasis.

There is nothing wrong with choice. Instead of discussing what is wrong with golf, enjoy its benefits. Be of the chosen fewer.