re: Dick's Sporting Goods Fires 500+ Golf Pros

quote:

---

I think the problem with golf is that the equipment gets better but it gets more expensive. Most leagues at public courses charge very reasonable prices but the number of league golfers and recreational golfers from modest means are dwindling. Golf courses are closing and many city and county owned golf courses are closing and being sold.

---

But the competition is so much greater now than it used to be. Until the early 1980s (I guess it was Ping's lawsuit that changed it) pro-line clubs were sold ONLY in golf pro shops. There was no incentive for R&D because the market was essentially a cartel controlled by 5 or 6 club makers. Once that changed, the market totally changed and they started R &D because they had to (some makers didn't, and they fell are essentially out of business). That should bring prices way down. And kids don't need the good stuff anyway.
Golf is still the only sport that you can play in your 40s on up. That's who they market to and that's why it will never die.
I don't play much anymore; I should get back into it, but, honestly, I wouldn't know where to start if I looked for a set of clubs.