What benefits does golf create for a community?

FRIDAY, JUNE 3: We have all heard the negative comments about golf. 

It’s an elitist sport, too expensive, takes too much time, too hard, bad for the environment and on and on.

What I would like to focus on are the benefits of a golf course. 

The feature is a beautifully manicured piece of property that typically rests on anywhere from 120-180 acres of land. 

But, what are the benefits of this feature?

What if everyone became an evangelist for the game, for the value of a golf course?  What if we all understood in simple terms what financial, social and environmental benefits that a golf course provided for a community?

Does this information exist?

To me, the most important benefit of golf is the social and health impact. 

Yes, we all need to make money and a golf course needs to be profitable. 

Do you think about what social or health benefits you receive when you play a round of golf? 

Don’t these benefits allow many of us to be more happy, healthy and connected with each other?

Some say there is no better way to learn about people than to walk 18 holes with them. The social nature of the game lends itself well to conducting business and simply spending time with loved ones and friends. 

There is simply no other sport out there that allows us to interact, share stories and develop relationships while we are playing the game.

According to Eight Astonishing Benefits of Walking, walking a golf course leads to better health; one researcher equated walking 18 holes to the value of 40-70 per cent of an intense aerobics exercise class. Anyone looking for a moderately paced, cardiovascular workout would be hard-pressed to find something better than walking nine or 18 holes designed to work with the natural undulation of the land.

The course can also be used for other social activities benefiting the community, like trails for jogging or as concert space.

The driving ranges at Tucker’s Point and Mid Ocean golf course are utilized for gatherings, special events or outdoor shows.

Golf teaches essential life skills to all who play the game — skills such as sportsmanship, respect, integrity, honesty and self-control. 

Just as when joining any social club or organization, golf provides the opportunity to meet new people, increase social interaction and learn essential life skills.

Another important benefit to Golf is the Environmental aspect. 

The game of golf is intrinsically a thing of beauty.

Seldom do we refer to the beauty of a football field or a tennis court, yet the word is used regularly with regard to golf.

The environment that a golf course rests within is also a benefit to our health. 

A golf course is a healthy natural environment that can help relieve stress, clear your mind and allow you to forget your troubles and simply enjoy the moment.

The last benefit of golf that needs to be addressed is the Economic impact. 

The US golf economy alone generates $76 Billion of goods and services annually and employs two million people.

The golf course industry is larger than the motion picture and video business; larger than performing arts and spectator sports; and larger than the newspaper industry.

Each golf course has its own value, positively impacting its community through jobs, taxes, charitable fundraising, hospitality/tourism and more.

Time and time again it has been shown that the golf industry generates jobs.

The building of a new course provides the equivalent of one year of employment for more than 300 people, and facility operations are worth the equivalent of 43.5 full-time jobs each year.

The information regarding the benefits or the value of a golf course is right here in front of us.  We all need to communicate why golf is so great. 

Spread the word and tell someone the story. 

Share the Economic, Social and Environmental benefits of golf. 

The benefits are wonderful and available for every community and person who experiences the special game of golf on a beautiful golf course.