Blog Archives

Driver$: A Current Perspective on Golf Course Design and Renovation Challenges

POSTED: July 6, 2023

American Society of Golf Course Architects President Brit Stenson Joins Jon Last to reflect on his career and today’s key issues in golf course design. A fascinating career in golf course design has brought Brit Stenson to the role of president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Stenson joins “Driver$” co-hosts Jon Last and […]

It’s U.S. Open Week — Once Again, I’m Tired of Hearing About LIV Golf

POSTED: June 15, 2023

The recent LIV Golf-PGA TOUR news has again been misplayed by mainstream media. Here’s why it makes perfect sense for the future of professional golf.

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 […]

Sports Marketers Need to Bring Their ‘A Game’ Now More Than Ever

POSTED: May 11, 2023

Sports marketers need to step up their game against a broader leisure market now better able to compete than at any previous point in the post-pandemic period.

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.

As We Enter the Height of The Season, Will Golf’s “Upswing” Party Continue?

POSTED: April 21, 2023

SLRG’s latest submission to the National Golf Course Owners’ Association Research Center shares the latest golf consumer insights and their implications on the coming peak months of the golf season. The piece hones in on some of the alarming consumer sentiment and economic undercurrents that may pose the first serious challenges to the recent upswing […]

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 […]

Baseball Is FINALLY Getting Some Media Love

POSTED: April 17, 2023

SLRG research has shown a resurgence in fan interest in baseball. Now with the institution of the pitch clock, the media world is noticing as well!

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 […]

Sports: Individualism Runs Amuck. Whatever Happened to T.E.A.M.?

POSTED: March 15, 2023

SLRG president Jon Last takes a research driven look at why putting a sports marketing emphasis on individual players may be easier, but ultimately less effective than building brands around teams.