An inspirational quote to prepare for 2023: “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.” –  Bobby Jones. How this applies to working in the golf industry: No matter how well you prepare, you always need to be prepare for one certainly: the unexpected.

Construction of New Courses

With increased tee sheet usage, for the first time in years, developers are considering new golf communities. Nationwide there are more than 50 golf courses under construction with another 50 in the planning stages. How does this compare to the industry norm? Compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic), course construction is up 50%. Compared to the boom years between 2006-2008, course construction is down 92%.

Life Stresses

A study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 50% of American workers are not talking vacation time and a study from the American Psychological Association reports 27% of adults say they are so stressed out they can’t function at peak performance. Both statistics bode well for the future of golf vacations and living in a golf community that provide a sanctuary from everyday stresses.

China versus U.S

We have a lais sez-faire attitude after a couple of rough years while China is still grappling with its COVID policy. During your next management meeting it may be wise to ask if all necessary supplies are stocked for the spring. The last thing you want to discover is you are short of product that is unavailable because of persistent supply chain delays.