Growing the sport
I added this section for somewhat selfish reasons, I wanted a place to rant, and hopefully rave, about golf in general. So my first is, I am sorry to say, is a rant at what seems to me to be a general lack of interest by owners and operators of golf courses in making a better experience for their clients.

Rankmark approaches many golf clubs to see about holding events at their location. I am constantly amazed at how many say no or ask how much money can the make by hosting the event. The managers and golf pros seem to be the worst offenders, probably because they have to answer to the owners and don't want to rock the boat or just to make their life simpler. Why deprive their current golfers, and new golfers that would come to these events, of the chance to try out new clubs from the major manufacturers at no cost to the golfer. And the cost to the courses - a few buckets of balls and some range space.

I have been from Florida to New England and back to Los Angeles and experienced this problem wherever I went. It seems to be systemic in our sport. And at a time when we really need to help infuse new life and golfers, it seems even more ludicrous. I will not bore you with all the stories I could tell.

Now let me also say that there are some courses and driving ranges that know the value of free exposure and giving back to the golfers that keep them alive, but unfortunately, they appear to be in the minority...
06/05/2012
Comments...
Denvertim
07/19/2013
 I am new and disagree. I am now in golf with my wife and son because of a Tournament held by our managers of our HOA. Hammersmith hold a yearly tournament and play a scramble. I obviously didn't help in the drive or fairway but actually made 2 puts to help our team. The support and fun I had got me to take lessons and now its a whole family thing..... Bravo Hammersmith and tournements

yankee
06/25/2012
 I agree with some of what you are saying, by encouraging tournaments they are selling tee times and hopefully, more food and while encouraging more loyalty, which is a good thing. And yes, it does seem like the ones that are always busy hold more tournaments so it would appear to work. I do disagree with tournaments bringing in new golfers, I don't think many new golfers feel good enough about their game to enter a tournament. A social outing would work better for that. Again I feel it comes back to short-term thinking about how much money the event will make for the course at the time of the event and not looking at the long term benefits of other ways to generate exposure, good will and attracting new golfers.

whiskeyngolf
06/25/2012
 Some of the courses in Southern California GET IT! Many of the tournaments I get to play in encourage you to bring new tournaments to them. Funny enough, these are the busiest courses to get on to when there is not a tournament. Ya think it may have something to do with exposure? If you are part of an organization, especially a charity, the course makes money on the food. If you just want to have a "golf party" it is much harder, but there are still courses who encourage event a 5 foursome 'tournament'. Golfers need to bring new players into the game. Tournaments do that. Thanks for the subject.