A perfect day on the golf course typically includes beautiful weather, great company, and a score you can be proud of. But seeing a group of young, music-blasting, phone-obsessed, neon-clad Millennials can have some shaking their heads at the direction this new breed of golfers is taking the game.
Millennials are one of the most unique generational makeups that have ever existed. Our mix of tech savvy intuition and passion for making our dreams our reality has put the traditional work-life balance off kilter. We long for a meaningful experience rather than just another job to fill our day (or at least pay back some of our student loans).
As a Millennial and a lifelong golfer myself, I understand the worry for the future of the game and its traditions, but as a member of this new generation of golfers, I want to help bridge that gap between the new, the traditional, and everything in-between to shed some light on some of the ways Millennials might golf a little differently.
Experiences Mean More to Millennials
Evolution of Gender Roles and Family Time
Clothes Don’t Define the Millennial Golfer
Technology isn’t just essential; it’s like a dependable friend
As a Millennial golfer, I appreciate the class and grace that the game has emanated for years. I hope to share it with my own children someday, as it is a game that has brought me joy and has taught me so much about life and humility. I have found ways to evolve the game to my lifestyle, but it has never lost its traditional roots or foundation with these adaptations.
So, the next time you see someone on the course looking at their phone or jamming to music, don’t think of it as an out to avoid human interaction or socialization. This is simply just a way for Millennial players to enjoy their golfing experience, and to truly live in the moment.
Although I appreciate your attempt to explain how Millennials want to experience golf (e.g., music, smart phones, relaxed athletic sportswear, etc.) some of your general statements diminish your message.
Do you really believe “experiences mean more to Millennials” (in golf or in life, for that matter)? Do you really think generations of golfers before you played the game because they were looking for “something to fill their time?” Unfortunately, you derailed your desire “to help bridge the gap” while trying to express why your generation is unique.
I think as golfers we are more alike than different in that we want to enjoy our time on the course. For some golfers, that means music and selfies on every hole (regardless of age but yes, more often than not they are Millennials). For other golfers it is a fast pace of play (no golfer is golfing because they have nothing else to do in their busy lives). And for other golfers, disconnecting from technology to take time “to smell the rose” is part of what makes golf so enjoyable.
Nonsense… It’s rude, disruptive and self – centered… if you cannot play without disrupting everyone else’s game, just get a WI golf game to play at home….
To Cynthia Bryant: I do not believe in any way the author was suggesting that you should do whatever you feel like and not care about others’ experience. She was very careful in her message. Quite frankly I find your comment rude and self-centered. If you cannot accept different ways in which people enjoy the game, so long as they respect others experience on the course, you are only hurting the game.
Loved your article! This is the argument I’m having over and over again with my parents (and i’m a 44 year old gen x’er). They hate the WM open for its noise – i love it for its fun. They think i should only wear skirts and leather golf shoes, i like my lululemon and running sneakers. They do cigars and beers – I drink diet coke, eat a yogurt from my mini cooler, and play music. They complain their northeast courses are closing because there aren’t enough golfers… I’m lucky if i can get a tee time in southern california. So who’s right? It doesn’t really matter – but if we want courses to make money so they can stay open, we have to be more inviting and open to how others approach the game. As long as you aren’t bothering my round, why should I care? (though seriously, I smell those cigars a couple of holes away and have to see those soggy remnants – yuck… )
Loved your comments. It’s tme to embrace change, or be left behind. I am a new, older golfer and I just wanna have fun. Let’s all hit, chat and laugh together.
Music doesn’t belong on the golf course….
I personally don’t like to hear loud music on the course because I’m there to enjoy the quiet and serene setting. Just not for me. I don’t mind the texting and phone calls as long as it doesn’t slow the pace of play. Just my 2 cents.
I recently played with my music playing daughter-in law. The music was respectfully low so that only we heard it. It gave me an insight into who she is by what she chose to play. We spent a delightful round together building a stronger relationship and learning from one another through a game we both enjoy.