Blog Archives

How the USGA is managing equipment innovation

POSTED: June 1, 2023

Co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein provide an inside look at the USGA’s equipment standards department Sports & Leisure Research Group’s Jon Last and David Klein welcome the USGA’s Steve Quintavalla for a discussion on the breadth of golf equipment testing, product approval and analysis. CHAPTERS [1:24] Unique and diverse skill sets drive USGA equipment testing […]

Golf takes off in the Great White North

POSTED: May 5, 2023

Despite a compressed season, golf in Canada rivals hockey in popularity. Sports and Leisure Research Group’s Jon Last and David Klein are joined on the “Driver$” podcast by National Golf Course Owners Association Canada CEO Jeff Calderwood for a brief, but comprehensive overview of what’s driving golf’s business success in the country.

Driver$: How fans can play the tour

POSTED: April 17, 2023

Commonwealth Golf’s CEO Brian Doxtator joins “Driver$” co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to unpack an innovative financial concept that takes participatory fandom to new heights — cost effective, fractional ownership of tomorrow’s potential tour superstars. CHAPTERS [0:00] The concept of participatory fandom comes to golf [2:45] Inspirations from horse racing’s equity crowd funding model [5:14] Translating the concept […]

Driver$: Building the perfect golf app

POSTED: March 25, 2023

Golf Genius CEO Mike Zisman reflects on golfer experience apps and technology with co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein Golf Genius CEO Mike Zisman joins “Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry” co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein for a discussion about the evolution of one of golf’s leading consumer apps and how Golf Genius is looking […]

Driver$: 2023 Golf Market Outlook

POSTED: March 10, 2023

An early outlook at the 2023 golf market In the 2023 season premiere of “Driver$,” Sports & Leisure Research Group’s Jon Last and David Klein look to ongoing golf industry research to provide insights on macro and micro issues that will shape the 2023 season ahead. They do so from the perspective of consumer demand […]

F1rst Call – First Thought

POSTED: May 10, 2022

New Back to Normal Barometer data

A Quantification of Golf’s Labor Challenges

POSTED: March 16, 2022

A quantification of the magnitude of golf’s labor challenges from the 2022 ASGCA Market TrendWatch leads off the March 14,2022 edition

First Thought

POSTED: January 31, 2022

MONDAY JAN 31, 2022 Golf course renovations are a thing these days and, according to the recent “Golf Facility Market Trend Watch” report commissioned by the American Society of Golf Course Architects and conducted by Sports and Leisure Research Group, 56 percent of architects expect a renovation revenue increase over the next two years. A four-year low […]

Driver$: Episode 9

POSTED: May 1, 2021

The State of Country Club Communities Jason Becker, Co-Founder of Golf Life Navigators, enjoys a unique vantage point to learn what people want in golf real estate. His business uses data to match those seeking the country club lifestyle with specific sunbelt communities most likely to meet their needs. Here’s what he’s seeing in today’s market.

Driver$: Episode 8

POSTED: March 23, 2021

The USGA’s Chris DeToro on Drive, Chip and Putt and Junior Golf: We welcome Chris to unpack the lead up to the National Drive, Chip and Putt finals on April 4 in Augusta, as well as a broader perspective on the business of Junior Golf Programs.