Designing for Today’s Golfer’s and Their Equipment

At the Fall 2007 GolfInc. Conference in Palm Springs, Richard moderated a spirited discussion about what today’s golfer wants and how equipment affects design.  The four discussion points were, The Golfer’s Goals: The Same as The Industry’s Goals?, Is Length The Problem Here?, Who Needs Strategy Anyway?, and Avoiding Lawsuits:  Protect Par or Protect Your Wallet?

Richard reviewed the ideals of strategy and pointed out that he doesn’t worry too much about the length issue because if you design for the longest golfers you will create boring golf courses and provide a disservice to the majority of golfers.  For them, it is very important to create challenge and provide a means to enjoy a round of golf.  Over design creates penalty and will discourage the golfer.  Only when he is specifically asked to design for those longest golfers will he do so.  Until then, he will focus on the majority in terms of creating strategy.  Only added length can combat the technology issue and only for a small percentage of golfers.

One thing Richard stressed is that the industry’s goals are about promoting the business of golf and that the golfer’s goals are to enjoy the sport of golf.  He ignores many industry trends in his design decisions because many of these trends are what is hurting the sport (and the business as well).  Over time, there will be a return to the essence of the game and proper design undertaken today will be most successful at that time.  The age of excess in design will leave many people looking for work and many golf courses empty.