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 2018 National Golf Federation report contains valuable insights into how many people are playing golf and who they are. For the year 2018:
These numbers prove that golf has shaken its slump of years past and is gaining new players every year.
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.
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:
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.
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.