UPDATE: HSBC’s Golf’s 2020 Vision
On this week was held 2014 HSBC Golf Business Forum at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. I think the two highlights of the event were the announcement of Peter Dawson (Chief Executive of The R&A)…
Golf Business
Ernie Els’ new sponsor: Adams Golf
Since last October we are thinking who is that misterious sponsor who will replace Callaway Golf. Now it is official: Adams Golf. Although Adams Golf is the maker of the No. 1 Hybrids on the PGA Tour and…
Troon Golf is helping frozen Russian golfers
I am just kidding. Troon Golf keeps expanding globally. As part of their expansion they will launch first-ever indoor city golf center in Moscow called City Golf. The new indoor golfing facility, will be in the center of Moscow.…
Latest golf business outlooks in India
I had to take an unplanned break "thanks" to my ISP, but now I am back with full power. In recent months we read some really disappointing news about the BRIC countries (Brasil, Russia, India and China). In the…
Rory McIlroy’s Nike Golf endorsement is in danger
Time to time, I ask myself, whether Rory McIlroy could earn more money by winning tournaments and championships with his previous Titleist golf clubs or as it is today, when we see him struggling on the green. Last…
HSBC’s prediction on golf’s future
First I intended to write about Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, then I came across with HSBC's report on golf's future. In general there are no big surprises in this report: the shift towards Asia; In China and…
Crowdfunding in a Finnish golf course
For a blogger to get some kind of response from readers and visitors it is a good feeling and response to his writinings. When this relationship reaches that level, that his post gets comments with personal remarks it…
NGCOA vs social commerce
Since I wrote my post about how golf courses could use Groupon or similar companies' services, I have received many comments (pros and cons). Some were worried about the reputation and profitability of their golf course, others' concern…
Is Groupon a threat to golf clubs?
The manager of Chalgrave Manor Golf Club in Befordshire has warned early this year that the group-buying discount website Groupon is a threat to British golf clubs. Probably you remember how Groupon helped to boost golf deals by 100% last year…
Golf rocks tennis’ TV audience in US
I was surprised to read in the latest edition of The Economist (June 11th 2011) that in US people prefer to watch golf over tennis. I started to check worldwide ranking of US tennis players where I had…
Titleist’s mother company Acushnet is sold to Fila Korea
The Acushnet (owner of Titleist and FootJoy) Company saga started a year ago when they sold Cobra Golf to PUMA AG. In those days I thought Acushnet Company is just restructuring and want to focus on golf balls…
France selected to host 2018 Ryder Cup
What a big surprise! France was selected to host 2018 Ryder Cup. This is a great achievement to France, especially when we know who were the competitors (Germany, Spain, Portugal). The games will be played on Le Golf…
US golfers’ number close to edge of collapase
Gen Yesuda says in his article in Golfweek.com that for the third consecutive year, the number of golfers in the U.S. declined, falling 3.6 percent to 26.1 million in 2010, according to the National Golf Foundation. The slide,…
What happened to Titleist’s parent company?
In May 2010 I wrote that Titleist's parent company Acushnet is selling Cobra Golf to Puma AG. The Acushnet saga is still not over. In those days I said OK, fine Cobra Golf is underperforming and they cannot…
Golf participation in Europe 2010
Those who are familiar with the golf industry they know that KPMG prepares from year to year a survey about golf course development and golf participation trends. 2010 is not an exception. ;) Since the last decade of…
Ireland’s stumbling golf tourism marketing – part 2
As I promised in my previous post I will keep on analyzing Golf Ireland's Facebook communication. If I have to give KPIs for a Facebook brand page the following would be: Clear Community Expectations: what the brand (in…
Ireland’s stumbling golf tourism marketing – part 1
According to United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the expected rebound of international tourism (arrivals, receipts, expenditure) is measurable. This recovery started according to UNWTO in Q4 of 2009. However this positive change will be seen mainly in…
First e-learning program for golf course managers
Not so long time ago I wrote about golf course workers' salaries and benefits. From the study of Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and Colt Mackenzie McNair turned out that 50% of those who are possessing senior …
TaylorMade is reinventing POS communication
TaylorMade recently came up with a witty solution to engage sauntering potential customers by placing touch screen TVs in golf pro shops. It is a great help to those who do not know how to buy and what…
Golf shaft opitimization by Titleist and Mizuno
Just like online content, golf shafts are also becoming more personalized and optimized to our needs. Within a year two well-known golf equipment manufacturers Titleist and Mizuno came up with golf shaft optimizers. Chris McGinley, vice president of…