Beware the industry that cuts itself off from its market.
While there has always been strong growth in golf from higher earners and the blue bloods, golf since the 50's has depended on the masses learning the game at their local course and then taking that knowledge with them on vacations, to higher levels of earning and eventually to membership in at the least the vast number of mid level clubs. Some may aspire even higher than that.
The low end of the market should be supported by municipalities who can build interesting and yet affordable tracks with public money on degraded land. Make sure there is a good practice area and,as Tiger already knows with his first tee programs, make golf fun and affordable for children.
Leave the high end market to developers, resorts and the dreamers to build the Ballyneal's, Dismal Rivers and Sand Hills.
I don't mind if growth slows, but I hope we can come up with some ideas on how to keep the game healthy!