Here's what the author told me.
For the most part, beginning golfers have a miserable experience their first few times out, then never return.
- They start with poor equipment.
- They are humiliated and embarrased by their performance.
- They don't know the basics of making a golf stroke.
- They get hounded by the Marshal for slow play.
- They get hounded by groups behind them for slow play.
- They don't know the rules or etiquette of the game.
- They expect to have at least a few great shots per round like they see on TV, but it rarely happens.
Why would anyone with a start like this ever want to return?
Steph is right-on that there is a challenge factor, and certain personalities are motivated by that, but not the mainstream.
People just want to have fun.
So what can be done about this?
Who are the key stakeholders in insuring that beginners to the game have fun, and look forward to returning?
How can they be prepared?
Bagger
P.S. Trig wanted some stats - This is about 9 months old from the National Golf Foundation
www.ngf.org - I couldn't find the latest for 05, but I'll take my friends word.