That’s Wet! a Golf blog in West Palm Beach Florida

Every year, a multitude of golfers join the game and learn first hand what a wonderful pursuit it is. Unfortunately, about as many golfers leave the sport each year as join - leaving us back where we started. What’s wrong with this picture? If you ask me - a lot.

The overall golfing population is one of the few shortcomings this game currently has. And related to that is our lack of diversity in the game. And I’m not just talking about minorities when I use the word diversity. I think that a game as diverse in nature as Golf should have a playing population to match. I want to see more women, more minorities, more people from different places and walks of life, and more young people involved.

And golf is still a game predominantly for affluent white guys - and it shouldn’t be. I have no problem with expensive country clubs and resorts that charge $200 a round (or rich white guys) but I do have a problem with the lack of affordable play. It’s one of the barriers that needs to come crashing down.

An ever bigger barrier to change is the lack of youth in our game. More than anything else, if we can change this, we can change the game dramatically for the better.

Here are some things we can all do to change this.

• Set courses up for kids. You can start with simply adding real kid’s tee boxes.
• Encourage kids to play at a young age and be patient with them on the course (this is common in Europe).
• Is there a kid in your neighborhood who seems like he or she could use a friend or something better to do? Ask their mom or dad if you can take them golfing. You might get more out of it then they do!
• Ask a friend, work associate or neighbor to play the game with you. Growing the game isn’t just about getting kids to play. Be an ambassador for the game.
• Consider how you treat other golfers on the course when you play. Especially, if they’re having a hard time with their game! HOW you treat a struggling golfer, or new golfer, will make a big impression on them.
• Employ great sportsmanship (and sportswomanship).
• Get involved in an organization that’s already trying to grow the game.
• JuniorLinks.com has a lot of great information and resources
• The First Tee is a nationally recognized program
• Play Golf America is the PGA’s campaign to help promote the values of the game and increase participation
• ourGolf.com is a web site that promotes the game for minorities and features a search engine to find minority golf programs in your area
• The Tiger Woods Foundation is a program that encourages kids to reach their highest potential