Victoria, Australia: More than 20 facilities have expressed an interest in signing up with newly-launched Public Golf Facilities Australia.
“We were thrilled with the immediate uptake. It highlights to us that the need does exist to have an association present to focus on and improve the delivery of public golf play,” said Anthony Lawrence, Director of Public Golf Facilities.
The purpose of the association is to co-ordinate and deliver:

1. Direction for best practice operations and to develop common strategies in order to generate greater participation and profitability
2. Capture of vital benchmarking information to highlight the health of Public Golf
3. Access to golf’s key industry bodies to influence major growth initiatives

Lawrence added: “There is a lot of focus on member-based play and facilities, which helps support the industry. However, the majority of golfers are actually playing at public venues.
“There are a lot of golf facilities working hard to bring more customers through the door and make their experience better. It feels like everyone has to start from scratch with their own message to attract customers, and we could benefit from a more consolidated approach.
“Further, with so many disparate messages in the market it can be difficult for the customer to understand what golf is trying to offer them.
“Recent research done by the Australian Golf Industry Council showed that close to four million Australians are open to play, but do not currently, with ‘not knowing where to begin’ being a common reason.
“Public golf facilities are the most likely beneficiaries of those new to the game, so it makes sense for us all to consolidate our efforts to make it as easy as possible for them to get started.”
Public Golf Facilities Australia is looking for all public golf courses, driving ranges, mini golf, pitch and putt, and simulator venues to become members and help drive the discussion and make public golf more prominent.
“This can be owners, councils, operators, professionals, staff all tied to a public golf facility. Anyone interested in making the sector more prominent, really,” said Lawrence.