A New Year, A New Promise

The year 2020 will go down as one of the most unusual, if not the unusual, we will see in our lifetimes. The COVID-19 coronavirus wreaked havoc worldwide, with many countries going into lockdown mode and doing their best to keep people apart.

Life in the United States was no exception as governors everywhere mandated business closures, including golf course facilities, in many states. However, a strange and unexpected thing happened: Most courses that were open saw a dramatic upsurge in rounds played and revenue generated, as people were seeking a safe outdoor activity. Golf fit that bill perfectly, and many golfers who had fallen away from the game returned.

With the great news that highly effective vaccines are being approved, we should return to normal sometime by the middle to late part of the year, according to the experts. This means that the momentum generated from 2020 should be even greater in 2021 for the golf business, especially golf teachers. Teaching professionals everywhere saw their lesson books fill, and we should expect the same for 2021. It is important for the industry to continue to be welcoming to all participants who want to give our great game a go, and the USGTF has always been at the forefront on this regard. And speaking of the USGTF, the United States Golf Teachers Cup will return, along with our regional events.

Stay tuned. It’s going to be a great year!