Golf Business Monitor

Wrestlers on golf courses

We would think golf is a peaceful sport and game, but there are companies that think differently. Namely, Armourbite came out with a teeth-protector. To justify themselves, they say (and it is true in general) that when we train and compete, our natural reaction is to clench our jaw. Our clenched jaw and teeth compress our temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and may trigger the release of performance-sapping substances that contribute to fatigue. Here is how this Armourbite teeth-protector looks like:

I am asking myself when was the last time, when I really needed some kind of teeth-protector during my golf play or even when I played basketball. NEVER. I can only come up with one situation and it has nothing to do with sport: sleeping. Yes I am living a stressful life in my job, where I have to achieve certain sales targets in each every month. My girlfriend will be happy, because she will not hear when I am gnashing my teeth during the night. I am already equipped with Respir Activ against snoring. If so, why Armourbite is advertising in Golf Magazine (February 2010, page 33; 1/1 ad). Please do not fool me!! :)

Reducing golf course operating costs by 300%

When golf courses are closing all around the world (only in US: 71 golf courses were shot down in the first half of this year) we are always happy to find solutions how we can reduce operating costs. This is important especially when aware of the fact that 20% of world population has no access to safe water (drinkable) and 3 billion people's sanitation problems are unsolved. That is why I was happy to read that synthetic turf maintenance costs are two to three times less than natural turf, since no mowing, irrigation or chemicals are needed.

Other benefits of synthetic turfs can be utilized for about 3,000 hours of play per year, with no "rest" required. The life-span of synthetic turf can be up to 10 years, but in worse case 7-8 years. If it is still not convincing enough then we can also tell about synthetic turfgrass is good against allergic symptoms. 

Turfgrass manufacturers do not have to worry about spread of synthetic turf based golf courses. In US, only 5% of golf courses are made of synthetic turfgrass. In Europe the situation is not different. Here are some synthetic turf manufacturers:

• Europeangolf.co.uk
• FiberGlass International: www.fgi.com.au
• Waterlessgrass.com
• Fieldturfgolf.com
• Easyturf.com
• Jacksturf.com

During the Golf Expo last weekend I met with Arnoud Fiolet, the owner of Europeangolf.co.uk. we talked about their latest projects in Europe. In this year only in Europe they built 40 golf courses with synthetic turfgrass.

How can we reduce Golf course allergy symptoms and play better?

One of the reasons I like to play golf is the breathtaking environment. Although it is really nice that we are playing in the most attractive places of our countries, but if you have allergy, then it is less pleasant. The allergy is affecting our game and golf swing. Since allergy whether it is hay fever or other became a endemic, golf course owners and marketing professionals should respond to it in their communication (e.g. golf course web site, brochures, Twitter etc.). The allergy can scare off people to start learning golf or keep on playing.

So shall we prefer golf courses near to the oceans like Bandon Dunes Golf Resort or take some pills like Claritin or homeopathic drugs?