The SCGA would like to wish every Southern California Golfer a happy and healthy holiday season. 2024 was another year for the record books in the golf world and there's plenty to be thankful for. In that spirit, we’ve put our list together of things we're celebrating this year:
1. You can still play golf
Sure, the weather at this time of year may not be the most ideal , but let's not forget that you could also be living in a wintery hellscape instead of one of the greatest golf destinations in the world. While the lack of precipitation does lead to other issues, Southern California golf courses have adapted to keep their facilities green and environmentally conscious. You owe it to all those stuck at home looking forlornly out the window for snow to melt to hit the links this holiday.
2. Golf participation continues to thrive
You probably already noticed, but golf courses have been much busier over the past few years. Participation numbers have increased for six straight years now, with over 26 million golfers in the U.S. alone. 3.4 million golfers picked up the game in the past year and the scene on the course is more diverse than ever. This may mean it's more difficult to book a tee time for the time being, but an influx of new golfers is great news for the long term future of the golf industry.
3. Golf courses aren't going anywhere
via Giphy
With land becoming a commodity in increasingly high demand with each passing year, golf courses are among the first targets to repurpose for alternatives uses. While some courses have inevitably had to close their doors over the years, the supply of public golf courses could be in a much worse state than it is today. Thankfully, the people and organizations that advocate on behalf of golf have made their voices heard and prevented significantly more courses from being taken away from us. The battle isn't over, but you can bet that we'll continue to fight to save our beloved game.
4. Flexible work schedules = more time for golf
A lot of discussion since 2020 has been focused around the concerns of remote work. However, as we've learned since then, not only are people generally responsible enough to get work done outside of an office, but there are numerous benefits to not wasting time in pointless meetings or stuck in traffic. As hybrid, more flexible work schedules become the norm for many businesses, make sure to free up some time for a mental health break to soak in some sunlight on the course and save work for after the lights go on. Now work is one less pesky thing to get in your way of playing more golf.
5. There's never been a better time to get hooked on golf
The number of new golfers isn't the only thing that's increased this year; golf groups are sprouting up all over Southern California and growing faster than ever. Whether you've just picked up the game or are a long-time player looking to add more golf to your life, whether your handicap is a 4 or a 34, joining a community of like-minded golfers will have you playing more golf and having more fun.
If you want to be a part of the SCGA's mission of growing and supporting the game of golf in Southern California, consider joining or renewing your membership. Either way, we're just grateful for you.
