WSJ ARTICLE TODAY

[Mike_Young]

It comes as no news to golf-course architects and developers, but it might to you: The business of building new courses in North America is almost completely dead. The very few courses slated to open next year and in 2013 (perhaps only a half-dozen) are all to some degree special cases, but they may nonetheless provide a glimpse into the type of courses we're likely to see if and when development picks up again: cheaper to build and maintain, less elaborate in design but also more clever and delightful, architecturally more welcoming to all kinds of players.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204452104577060172893982112.html

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Mike,

Instead of copying the entire article and violating copyright laws, just post a paragraph or two and a link to the article so that John Paul Newport or the WSJ doesn't get upset:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204452104577060172893982112.html

Here's the GCA thread on the same topic:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49624.0.html

[Mike_Young]

STEVE,
THX..DONE...

[Chris Johnston]

Wow!

I liked that article!  There is life in golf but it must be supported, especially these days.

[Peter Pallotta]

Thanks, Mike.

Like Chris, I thought to myself wow -- but in my case it was simply marvelling at how good and clear and efficient a writer JPN is.  I wish I had his skills.

And wow too - 400 new courses opened in the year 2000? My goodness, were there even 400 new people taking up golf that year?

Peter

[George_Bahto]

" but in my case it was simply marvelling at how good and clear and efficient a writer JPN is"


and may I add, what a very nice person JPN is.

[Ian Andrew]

A Question:
Is a complete rebuild of an existing course with some major re-routing a new course or not?

[Chris Johnston]

A Question:
Is a complete rebuild of an existing course with some major re-routing a new course or not?

Ian

I would say YES!

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Nice article Mike

[Ian Andrew]

A Question:
Is a complete rebuild of an existing course with some major re-routing a new course or not?

Ian

I would say YES!

Then Mike and I have 18 holes opening in Canada for 2013

[Rick Sides]

I read the article thinking about a lot of the great architects that post on this site.  This has to be a rough time for these guys.  While reading the article, I thought about a really cool sand quarry that just sold by my house.  It's not big enough for 18 holes, maybe nine, but then I also thought about a neat par 3 course would be great. I think people need to change the way we architecture.  Two things to keep in mind about America; one is the economy sucks, two is we have become a national with less and less time and our brains have been rewired to do things quicker with all the technology.  Keep in mind that the next generation of golfers growing up have a much shorter attention span because of the digital age they have been born into. The solution; build more 9 hole courses or par 3 courses to save time and money.  The smaller number of holes are cheaper to build and maintain and give golfers the option of a 2 hour round or a second loop of 9.  The other thing to consider is clubs need to get rid of the "Augusta" green it up mentality.  Clubs would be better served building more waste areas, planting fescue, etc. and letting the grass get a bit brown. I have heard from more and more people that even some of the "older money" clubs are starting to see financial problems. If America wants to keep golf around for a long time, it will have to change.

[Ronald Montesano]

or...said the devil's lawyer...DON'T cave in to the "shorter attention span" argument and demand more of the next generation. Capitulate now and watch the generation that follows the SAS one have an even briefer SAS. I like your presentation, Rick, I just don't agree with that line of reasoning.

I would propose, there is less and less land and, if a golf course is TRULY needed, build the one that fits (as H.R.H. Melvyn has indicated was the way of things in the earliest days of GCA) the land available. Mike Keiser's Dunes Club is a fine example of this model.

[Rick Sides]

Ronald, the Dunes Club is a great example.  Imagine if that were a public course lets say in a more populated area?  I think courses such as the Dunes is a great example.  I can honestly tell you from teaching 150 teenagers a day for the last 15 years, that the human brain is changing.  I really fear that many in this generation cannot sustain 4 hours of the same thing as crazy and sad as that sounds.

[Lou_Duran]

I can honestly tell you from teaching 150 teenagers a day for the last 15 years, that the human brain is changing.  I really fear that many in this generation cannot sustain 4 hours of the same thing as crazy and sad as that sounds.

I hate to say this, but it isn't just teenagers.  The culture has changed.  Me is good; You not so much.  Occupy your space is cool; don't incovenience me in mine.  Speed up to get in front of the next guy, then slow down to your comfort level and make him wait.

As much as I hate to admit it, I find myself more and more in this group.  I am not British or anything, but four hours on a golf course seem like an eternity.

[JC Jones]

I can honestly tell you from teaching 150 teenagers a day for the last 15 years, that the human brain is changing.  I really fear that many in this generation cannot sustain 4 hours of the same thing as crazy and sad as that sounds.

I hate to say this, but it isn't just teenagers.  The culture has changed.  Me is good; You not so much.  Occupy your space is cool; don't incovenience me in mine.  Speed up to get in front of the next guy, then slow down to your comfort level and make him wait.

As much as I hate to admit it, I find myself more and more in this group.  I am not British or anything, but four hours on a golf course seem like an eternity.

C'mon Lou, don't you know that this is just a societal reflection of a capitalism/self-interest economic model? 

[Lou_Duran]

C'mon Lou, don't you know that this is just a societal reflection of a capitalism/self-interest economic model? 

Really, JC, when it come to my (our) stuff, we are all capitalists.  When it comes to your (other's) stuff, we're all for socialism and redistribution.

John Lennon, I believe, wrote these beautiful lyrics:

"Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
 

"You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one"

Except when it came to Apple Records which Lennon protected with the ferocity that would make Gordon Gekko or Carl Ichan proud.

If you think about it, golf, though an individual sport, requires much of the community.  The slowest players set the pace.  Those who snub the courtesies and ettiquetes can ruin the experience for everyone else.  I am not sure that our culture is dominated by the "Me", but it is definitely fixated on a myriad of entitlements, assigning blame, and requiring so-called "shared" pain when things don't go as planned, regardless whose fault it was.  Either way, it can't be good for the game.   

[Patrick_Mucci]

Rick & Lou,

I feel just the opposite.

I relish being on a golf course, competing and having fun with my friends for 4 hours.

What could be better ?

Perhaps my perspective is gleened from the innumerable times I sat in the waiting rooms at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center observing fellow patients who I knew wouldn't last a week, or a month.

Time is precious, and you can't spend enough of it with your family and friends.

4 hours on a golf course, competing with the course and your opponents/friends, busting your opponent's/friend's chops and having them bust yours, telling jokes and stories, complimenting each other on shots well struck and needling each other about everything in the universe, save children and grandchildren, and you want to reduce that to 2 hours, or 1 hour.

Trust me, when you're lying in a hospital bed with tubes in your arms, chest and legs, you'll wish you had spend MORE time on the golf course.

This ain't a dress rehearsal.

Devote your time to your family and business, then spend as much time as you can on the golf course.

You won't regret it when you close your eyes for good.

[Robert Thompson]

I can think of three courses in Canada that are opening next year, and at least a couple more in construction. Not sure how accurate the article actually is....

But given that so many golf courses in the U.S. were tied to real estate, it is no surprise that market has stalled.

In Canada, real estate hasn't taken quite the same hit, though the second property or holiday home market has really faltered.

[Jud_T]

I read the article thinking about a lot of the great architects that post on this site.  This has to be a rough time for these guys.  While reading the article, I thought about a really cool sand quarry that just sold by my house.  It's not big enough for 18 holes, maybe nine, but then I also thought about a neat par 3 course would be great. I think people need to change the way we architecture.  Two things to keep in mind about America; one is the economy sucks, two is we have become a national with less and less time and our brains have been rewired to do things quicker with all the technology.  Keep in mind that the next generation of golfers growing up have a much shorter attention span because of the digital age they have been born into. The solution; build more 9 hole courses or par 3 courses to save time and money.  The smaller number of holes are cheaper to build and maintain and give golfers the option of a 2 hour round or a second loop of 9.  The other thing to consider is clubs need to get rid of the "Augusta" green it up mentality.  Clubs would be better served building more waste areas, planting fescue, etc. and letting the grass get a bit brown. I have heard from more and more people that even some of the "older money" clubs are starting to see financial problems. If America wants to keep golf around for a long time, it will have to change.

Rick,

Couple of points:

1.  I think you're missing the point with regards to technology.  All the technology makes getting away from it for 4 hours all the more valuable.  We spend large sums of money to send our kids to summer camp in part to get away from the screens for a few weeks.  And guess what?  They absolutely love it.

2.  If you're really concerned about the next generation of golfers how about making it more fun for them?  How about not having junior golf entirely focused on stroke play and grooming the 1 in 100,000 who will actually make it to the PGA tour and emphasizing fun short game, match play and team competitions?  How about making the game more inviting and enjoyable for women and girls?

3.  What 9-hole clubs do you belong to?

[Eric Smith]

Rick & Lou,

I feel just the opposite.

I relish being on a golf course, competing and having fun with my friends for 4 hours.

What could be better ?

Perhaps my perspective is gleened from the innumerable times I sat in the waiting rooms at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center observing fellow patients who I knew wouldn't last a week, or a month.

Time is precious, and you can't spend enough of it with your family and friends.

4 hours on a golf course, competing with the course and your opponents/friends, busting your opponent's/friend's chops and having them bust yours, telling jokes and stories, complimenting each other on shots well struck and needling each other about everything in the universe, save children and grandchildren, and you want to reduce that to 2 hours, or 1 hour.

Trust me, when you're lying in a hospital bed with tubes in your arms, chest and legs, you'll wish you had spend MORE time on the golf course.

This ain't a dress rehearsal.

Devote your time to your family and business, then spend as much time as you can on the golf course.

You won't regret it when you close your eyes for good.

IMO, this is the Post of the Year. Thanks for the perspective, Pat.

[Chris Johnston]

Rick & Lou,

I feel just the opposite.

I relish being on a golf course, competing and having fun with my friends for 4 hours.

What could be better ?

Perhaps my perspective is gleened from the innumerable times I sat in the waiting rooms at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center observing fellow patients who I knew wouldn't last a week, or a month.

Time is precious, and you can't spend enough of it with your family and friends.

4 hours on a golf course, competing with the course and your opponents/friends, busting your opponent's/friend's chops and having them bust yours, telling jokes and stories, complimenting each other on shots well struck and needling each other about everything in the universe, save children and grandchildren, and you want to reduce that to 2 hours, or 1 hour.

Trust me, when you're lying in a hospital bed with tubes in your arms, chest and legs, you'll wish you had spend MORE time on the golf course.

This ain't a dress rehearsal.

Devote your time to your family and business, then spend as much time as you can on the golf course.

You won't regret it when you close your eyes for good.

Patrick - great post.

I took my kids (together and separate) to Sand Hills over the past 12 years, for weekends or longer.  Sometimes buddies came along, sometimes not.  For me, golf is a family affair.  My kids loved the trips with dad and dad loved them too.  We'd stop at the Black Hills to see Mt. Rushmore and other side trips every time.  Now, they work with me at Dismal during the season.  They have learned a great game along the way and those memories can't ever be replaced.

[Tim Martin]

Rick & Lou,

I feel just the opposite.

I relish being on a golf course, competing and having fun with my friends for 4 hours.

What could be better ?

Perhaps my perspective is gleened from the innumerable times I sat in the waiting rooms at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center observing fellow patients who I knew wouldn't last a week, or a month.

Time is precious, and you can't spend enough of it with your family and friends.

4 hours on a golf course, competing with the course and your opponents/friends, busting your opponent's/friend's chops and having them bust yours, telling jokes and stories, complimenting each other on shots well struck and needling each other about everything in the universe, save children and grandchildren, and you want to reduce that to 2 hours, or 1 hour.

Trust me, when you're lying in a hospital bed with tubes in your arms, chest and legs, you'll wish you had spend MORE time on the golf course.

This ain't a dress rehearsal.

Devote your time to your family and business, then spend as much time as you can on the golf course.

You won't regret it when you close your eyes for good.

Patrick - great post.

I took my kids (together and separate) to Sand Hills over the past 12 years, for weekends or longer.  Sometimes buddies came along, sometimes not.  For me, golf is a family affair.  My kids loved the trips with dad and dad loved them too.  We'd stop at the Black Hills to see Mt. Rushmore and other side trips every time.  Now, they work with me at Dismal during the season.  They have learned a great game along the way and those memories can't ever be replaced.

Patrick- Very poignant and right on the money in my opinion. I remember many years ago being told by a guy that I admire that if you get a chance to do something and it doesn`t affect your family or livelihood in a negative way make sure you do it because you are not going to get that day back.

Chris- Very heartfelt and a great post put side by side with Patrick`s. Thanks.

[Rick Sides]

From my perspective, my points might be aimed a bit more for the future.  I do believe golf is a great 4 hour diversion from the real world and it provides great time with friends and family.  I'm just stating that in the future as the economy continues to tank- and it will, and as the human attention spans becomes smaller and smaller, nine hole courses might be a good solution.

[William_G]

Trust me, when you're lying in a hospital bed with tubes in your arms, chest and legs, you'll wish you had spend MORE time on the golf course.

This ain't a dress rehearsal.

Devote your time to your family and business, then spend as much time as you can on the golf course.

You won't regret it when you close your eyes for good.

+++++1

Life is short because you are dead for a long time...a Scottish Proverb

[Tim Nugent]

This article could have been written 5 years ago. Given that the planning, permitting stage of a course averages 2-5 yrs and then another 2-3 year of construction/growing is this really that surprising?  What it should tell you is there will be very few new courses to discuss on this site for the next 5-7 years.  In fact some of the course you do see opening in 2013 will be ones that got there start prior to 2007.  It just takes that long to get things moving.  Heck, the idea for course I'm working on now was born in 2002. And the fact that this time around there appears to be a shortage of regions around the world to go to.  If you want to see a similar period in time, go back to 1973/4. It wasn't until the mid 1980's that things rebounded. Of course there will always be a few courses being done by those who can afford it and do it because they want to and just plain CAN! I would say going back to the 1930's would be a good parallel (with Govenment meddling prolonging the Depression but WWII squews the ending).
I think you will see more along the lines of courses that are sold for 30 cents on the dollar and get a major facelift than you will see new construction. I just wonder if the number of Architects will be greater than single digits by 2017?