531 million rounds & 2x that at the PGA Show
What an eventful couple of weeks! The PGA Show marked a pivotal moment for CourseIQ, as numerous GMs/Directors of Golf promptly jumped on board to harness the potential of the Connected Course (stay tuned for announcements on specific ones in the coming weeks). Dozens more are eagerly joining the growing queue. Interestingly, amidst the golf-centric environment, Jack and I were the odd ones out as we refrained from playing (probably a good call, given our dismal performance that weekend).
Among the highlights of the show, the most notable was witnessing the ongoing delight and amazement of GMs realizing the time-saving benefits that can safeguard both their sanity and marriages. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our inaugural partner, Atlanta Golf & Social, for dedicating significant time to provide valuable input, suggestions, and enhancements to the platform.
The sheer scale of the event was a major takeaway. The exhibition hall spanned almost three-quarters of a mile and took a solid 15 minutes to traverse from end to end. With over a thousand businesses showcasing a plethora of ideas, products, solutions, and even swing analyses, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive and almost euphoric. However, it left me with a slight sense of overconfidence—perhaps due to the sheer numbers.
Last year saw a record-breaking 531 million rounds played at U.S. courses, surpassing the pre-COVID record of 518 million rounds in 2001 (the "Tiger Boom"). However, the period between 2001 and COVID witnessed a steady decline from 518 million rounds to 440 million. Why? Golf became stagnant, mundane, resting on its laurels. Unfortunately, that same feeling lingered in Orlando this year. There were plenty of words, but genuine innovation or change seemed scarce. Of course, this is an oversimplification and just one perspective.
What we did witness were GMs enthusiastically sharing their business cards, offering hugs, and eager to regroup swiftly on the next steps. It made me wonder if perhaps the industry shouldn't rush innovation too quickly!
The opportunities ahead are vast, and we must expedite our efforts for these GMs gearing up for the season. Cutting this short to focus on servicing them instead of dwelling on the event. But, you know I'll still...
See you on the tee box!