Get your sales into the swing of things with golf GPS
Updated July 11, 2019: Golf is big business.
According to statista.com, revenue from golf courses and country clubs is projected to reach approximately $23.3 billion in the United States by 2020. Total golf equipment wholesale sales, including golf clubs and balls, was more than $2 billion in 2017.
Forbes.com reports that golf in the US is an $84.1 billion industry and impacts nearly two million jobs. These numbers, based on a 2016 study, are a 22% increase from 2011—the last time such a comparable report was released.
With such strong interest, niche products like golf GPS smart watches and golf GPS handhelds are hitting their stride in the marketplace. According to golfinfluence.com,
“GPS wristwatches and handheld devices have revolutionized the game, giving golfers of all skill levels the power to know exact distances to the pin from anywhere on the course.”
If you sell golf gear, do not overlook the advantages these smart devices bring to the players—and to your profits.
The demographics of golf
The 2018 National Golf Federation report contains valuable insights into how many people are playing golf and who they are. For the year 2018:
- 24.2 million played on a golf course, 9.3 million participated in off-course golf activities like driving ranges, simulators or golf entertainment venues
- 2.6 million played on a golf course for the first time—the 5th year in a row
- The biggest customer age segment is those between the ages 18 and 34, with 6.1 million playing on a course and 4.1 million off-course only participants; more than 5.3 million more indicate they are very interested in taking up the game
- 23% (5.7 million) of on-course golfers are women; women form 31% of the beginners and 44% of the off-course participants
- 2.5 million juniors played, with more than 36% female and nearly 25% non-Caucasian
- 4.2 million are Baby Boomers; this number will increase as more boomers reach retirement age
- At the end of 2018, there were 16,693 golf courses at 14,613 golf facilities
These numbers prove that golf has shaken its slump of years past and is gaining new players every year.
Golf accessory sales must include golf GPS devices
While finding great clubs and distance-building golf balls is important, the Millennial trend toward wearable technology is your key to building long-term customers. This means, as a retailer, you should embrace golf GPS smart watches. Golf GPS handhelds certainly should not be ignored, as these larger devices offer additional information not readily seen on a smart watch.
How do golf GPS watches work?
Golf GPS watches and handhelds work on the same principle as the GPS navigators found in cars. It knows where you are and positions you on the map that’s preloaded into the device. The maps show all the hazards too. The devices can also approximate distance, one of the hardest parts of playing golf. This helps golfers choose the right club.
Garmin has long been a player in golf GPS. Features found on many Garmin golf GPS devices include:
- Preloaded maps of thousands of golf courses from around the world
- Manual pin positioning
- Ability to quickly reference distances to the front, middle and back of the green as well as hazards and doglegs
- Scorekeeping
- Training tools
- Built-in activity tracker and multisport profiles
- Connectivity to social media sharing apps
Some golfers may prefer a golf GPS rangefinder with preloaded course maps. These provide accurate distance measurements within 10 in. to the flag and up to 350 yards in distance. They also include image stabilization, the ability to overlay a course’s map alongside the actual image in the viewfinder and automatically show distance to the front and back of the green.
What do you need to do?
A strategy that embraces Millennials, as well as Baby Boomers, will help you grow your golf accessory sales. A trusted brand name like Garmin for golf GPS devices is a good place to start.
To find out more about Petra golf products, be sure to visit petra.com.