What can track learn from the rising popularity of golf?

Theriot wrote:

The average golfer spends far more on the sport than the average runner, which drives the existence of far more large equipment manufacturers willing to sponsor people. Go into a golf store someday and compare it to the average running store. Also there is huge money coming from other non-golf corporations who use tournaments as entertaining venues for customers and want a sponsored pro or two for them to hang out with at a hospitality suite or company event.

When I clicked reply, I was intending to argue this post because I thought you said "spends far more TIME on the sport...". But I reread it and agree with everything you have stated.

People like to buy golf shirts, shorts, belts, visors, hats, sunglasses, and wear them at work, out to the sports bar, etc. There is a huge segment of middle manager, dad bod, white guys who love to buy these Titleist shirts and wear them around when they're not playing golf. It is a statement of aspiration for a lot of used-to-be High School athletes who still want to be involved in sport culture but might view themselves as a bit too refined to wear NFL jerseys and so forth. Many of these guys play zero golf, but they definitely own a nice set of clubs.

And to your other point, did you see the huge temporary steel structures set up all over the PGA course this past weekend? It was like a who's who of banking/consulting firms. When we see GoldmanSachs and KPMG setting up air conditioned buildings around Hayward Field to entertain their clients, we'll know we made it.

Bad Wigins wrote:

What track needs to learn from is not golf, but successful racing sports like NASCAR and cycling.

I'm a big cycling fan, but outside of Belgium, cycling is as niche as it gets except for three weeks a year in July. The recent influx of British viewers prolly won't last either, since it seems to be predicated on the laughable idea that Sky is clean (it's cycling, nobody's clean).

So golf sucks a little less than track, still have a ways to go to be relevant.

E sports are going to roll over everything. You won't believe the next ten years.

When I want to fall sleep I put on the PGA tour. I don't that makes me a golf fan. There are different audiences.

shelby steele wrote:

Most track observers have been screaming for years that we just keep shooting ourselves in the foot with each and every broadcast. Cameras everywhere in golf. As soon as one guy shoots they cut to another hole and someone else's shot. Not track we sit and talk for eight minutes while watching the hundred meter dash guys get ready to race. Meanwhile there are 2 to 5 other jumps or throws going on that could be being covered. And stop with the terrible interviews after each and every final event. Move on to another performance. Been moaning painfully for 30+ years about this stuff. Cameras in the stands focusing on mom or dad instead of performances on the field and track. Who can forget the great upclose and personal segments from the olympics in the 80's and 90's. Just amazing that anyone watches with how badly it is done.

^All of this is correct.

FFF wrote:

E sports are going to roll over everything. You won't believe the next ten years.

This would be a shame. Wall-E was the most accurate depiction of the future that we have seen.

They spend 10 minutes, minimum, on the 100.

Then the steeple happens, and we see the first 600, then commercials, come back to an interview of the 5th place finisher from the women's whatever, then see the final 400 of the steeple. I understand that more can 'relate' to the 100, and not the steeplechase (or 3000, or 5000), but c'mon man.

FFF wrote:

Gordon Shumway wrote:

^All of this is correct.

They spend 10 minutes, minimum, on the 100.

Then the steeple happens, and we see the first 600, then commercials, come back to an interview of the 5th place finisher from the women's whatever, then see the final 400 of the steeple. I understand that more can 'relate' to the 100, and not the steeplechase (or 3000, or 5000), but c'mon man.

Yeah, I think the key to coverage is: don't assume a viewer is a serious track fan, but assume they will BECOME a serious track fan. So don't shy away from telling them about the top Africans, or tactics, or some slightly esoteric history, but show them why that stuff is fascinating to fans like us.

It's OK to be a casual fan, but make/help them come to us.

Track is just fine as is. No need to do anything.

vivalarepublica wrote:

It seems every sport somebody mentions here is suffering declining participation. Golf is down, football is down, youth soccer is down, triathlons are down, running races are down. Probably has more to do with the draw of electronic devices than anything else.

Everyone wants a shortcut. Jet skiers and stand up paddle boarders took over the surf breaks. E-bikes are taking over the bike paths.

Where's my e-surfboard and e-golf club. I'm tired of slicing my drives.

Waiting for the e-shoe so people can run without the pesky exercise. 4% isn't enough.