Golf has something of a long-standing image problem in Britain. Women are still banned from joining some private clubs, young people now prefer to take up cycling rather pick up a set of golf clubs and it has found it hard to shake off its reputation as the sport of snobs. The monumental comeback by Tiger Woods might be the catalyst this ailing pastime needs. After 11 years out of the golfing – at least – spotlight, the US star has lifted the 83rd Masters trophy. In the latest This is MoneyBall, the podcast that looks behind the action and into the business and the books, Georgie Frost is joined by Alistair Dunsmuir, editor of The Golf Business, for a chat about where golf goes next. Do incredible wins such as this really filter down to the grass roots? Possibly not but the sport is trying to evolve. The big opportunity is women – only 13% of UK golfers are women. ‘If you’re struggling financially, the obvious thing to do is to present yourself as a female friendly club’, says Alistair. Something’s happening in golf. Watch this space – or hole – as one in the business might say. Let’s hope it’s not a black one.
