Every Monday, I write a newsletter breaking down the business in golf. Welcome to the 26 new Perfect Putt members who have joined us since our last newsletter. Join 8,054 intelligent and curious golfers by subscribing below. Today At A Glance: Par 3 golf course search results have grown by 64% since 2019, outpacing traditional growth by nearly double. The rise of interest in Par 3 golf courses will translate to lighted Par 3 golf courses. I chatted with the Grass Clippings team to learn more about the economics of lighted Par 3 golf courses.
Jared, another great newsletter. You are spot on with this. It's something that golf operators in the UK should also be looking at. Par-3 golf is accessible, affordable and it provides a meaningful gateway to the game in the sense that you play a course and develop the skills required to go on and really enjoy the game. Added to that, Par-3 courses represent a scaled down golf course for juniors, a walkable or playable alternative for senior citizens, and a great way for serious golfers to hone the scoring skills. In other words, it works for everyone. I've written about the potential for this area of the game a fair deal for golf publications in the UK, where we have hundreds of municipal pitch and putt courses that are situated in areas of high population but are invariably unloved, under-funded and going to waste. For more than 20 years, I have worked with friends on creating and running par-3 golf tournaments that lean into the social side of the game. Par-3 or shorter layouts make this possible in a way that full-size courses cannot. You can see and interact with other groups on a smaller, more condensed plot of land, whereas on a normal sized golf course you tee off in your group and tend to see nobody else until the round is done. The economics of lighted par-3 golf add another very compelling layer to the case. I've long advocated for it and would love to see the golf industry and governing bodies exploring this as a lower cost, more accessible alternative for prospective new golfers who want to try the game without feeling intimidated, beaten up or out of pocket from the experience.
Thanks for the message and the well thought out comments Dan! There are several benefits to Par 3 Golf Courses and the added benefits of lights is even better. Keep pushing for it!
Many par-3 courses tend to be nothing more than glorified cow pastures with pins and tee markers. This group has the design and maintenance expertise to do it well.
As Dan notes in his comment, this concept is the logical bridge between Topgolf/Indoor golf and playing on a full-length track, which many beginners find intimidating and cost prohibitive. Great idea.
Jared, another great newsletter. You are spot on with this. It's something that golf operators in the UK should also be looking at. Par-3 golf is accessible, affordable and it provides a meaningful gateway to the game in the sense that you play a course and develop the skills required to go on and really enjoy the game. Added to that, Par-3 courses represent a scaled down golf course for juniors, a walkable or playable alternative for senior citizens, and a great way for serious golfers to hone the scoring skills. In other words, it works for everyone. I've written about the potential for this area of the game a fair deal for golf publications in the UK, where we have hundreds of municipal pitch and putt courses that are situated in areas of high population but are invariably unloved, under-funded and going to waste. For more than 20 years, I have worked with friends on creating and running par-3 golf tournaments that lean into the social side of the game. Par-3 or shorter layouts make this possible in a way that full-size courses cannot. You can see and interact with other groups on a smaller, more condensed plot of land, whereas on a normal sized golf course you tee off in your group and tend to see nobody else until the round is done. The economics of lighted par-3 golf add another very compelling layer to the case. I've long advocated for it and would love to see the golf industry and governing bodies exploring this as a lower cost, more accessible alternative for prospective new golfers who want to try the game without feeling intimidated, beaten up or out of pocket from the experience.
Thanks for the message and the well thought out comments Dan! There are several benefits to Par 3 Golf Courses and the added benefits of lights is even better. Keep pushing for it!
Many par-3 courses tend to be nothing more than glorified cow pastures with pins and tee markers. This group has the design and maintenance expertise to do it well.
As Dan notes in his comment, this concept is the logical bridge between Topgolf/Indoor golf and playing on a full-length track, which many beginners find intimidating and cost prohibitive. Great idea.
Grass Clippings isn't messing around. They have invested in every facet of the golf course - it is truly fascinating. Would love to see more of them!
How is the turf maintenance quality? Unrelenting rounds pounded out day after day after day in a condensed area might have some unique requirements?