• VISION 2020

  • Explore the Future of European Golf

Why did the EGCOA & its member associations develop the VISION 2020 project and why is there an ever growing need for change in the European golf industry?

VISION 2020 did not happen on it’s own. It was a collaboration of the EGCOA’s member national golf course owners associations, golf federations, industry suppliers and many more. Explore how the VISION 2020 project was born.

So what can the VISION 2020 website do for you & your business & what are the next steps to creating a sustainable future for your golf facility?

Why?

Why did the EGCOA & its member associations develop the VISION 2020 project and why is there an ever growing need for change in the European golf industry?

After many years of structural growth golf is in a new phase of negative growth. The goal of Vision2020 is to find answers and inspiration to turn the negative development trend in golf into a positive one.

Registered-players-1999-2015

What do we see happening in the golf industry?

Since 2011 more registered players leave the game than the total of newcomers. Some see an strong reason in the financial crisis, which certainly has an influence on the spending of golfers. But the graph shows that the trend in the growth percentages was already negative before the crisis. So it has to be more. According to the growth percentage trend, the forecast shows negative growth until 2020. Registered players will fall from roughly 4.3 million to 3.5 million

Does golf capture its potential market?

golfparticipation-Europe
golf-in-sweden

The participation rate of golfers of a number of continental European countries shows a wide spread. Sweden leading with over 5% of the population playing golf.

The USA shows 8-10% participation in golf. If Europe could grab the opportunity and get at the Swedish level of 5% participation this would mean a growth from 4.3 million to 20 million players. So golf in Europe has a huge potential.

What happens if we continue like this?

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Registered players Europe – 2014

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Registered players Europe – 2020

According to the growth percentage trend, the forecast shows negative growth until 2020. Registered players will fall from roughly 4.3 million to 3.5 million & the percentage growth rate will fall from the current 2% to -4% in 2020

Forecast_player_development

What's the effect on the rounds played?

Rounds_deve

Unfortunately only a few countries keep structured data on rounds played. With the countries we found: 3 out of 4 show a negative development on rounds. Only Sweden has a more positive outlook.

Whats happening with our generations?

Germany, Netherlands, France, Sweden and Spain show the same trend: only net growth of players over 60. A clear picture: golf is not able to attract or retain players of the other generations.


generations

The bad news is that the younger player is the future player. If we loose them now, we face a very challenging future.

We do not take into account that a big part of the current over 60 players will not be able to play golf anymore due to high age. Golf needs new ways to attract and retain players of all ages. Short term fix is to get more 50+ players on board. Long term focus is making golf attractive to the younger generations. Starting now

If this continues the result for the total player population for the aggregated player population of Germany, Netherlands, France, Sweden and Spain in 2020 will be:

2013

Registered players over 60

2020

Registered players over 60

2013

Registered players over 50

2020

Registered players over 50

Play_dist_by_age_2013-1
Player_forecast_age-1

In 2013 33% of the registered players in these countries is over 60. 56% is over 50.

Forecasted on the current development in 2020 42% will be over 60. 66% over 50.

How?

VISION 2020 was did not happen on it’s own. It was a collaboration of the EGCOA’s member national golf course owners associations, golf federations, industry suppliers and many more. Explore how the VISION 2020 project was born.

The VISION project focused on quantitative and qualitative research contributed by EGCOA member workshops and industry wide questionnaires. In this research we present a number of findings that can serve as guidelines for the continued development of commercial golf facilities throughout Europe.

EGCOA National Golf Course Owners Associations

European Golf Federations

Industry Suppliers

Media

What?

So what can the VISION 2020 website do for you & your business?

''With the VISION 2020 project we hope to make the connection between the changes in society and the effect on the golf business. Our goal is to inspire our members & the European golf industry to make good, strategic decisions for their facilities or associations.

See the VISION 2020 project as a compass: the VISION shows you where the “North” is. With this information you are free to choose your own direction based on the characteristics and needs of your market. Use the material on the VISION 2020 website as a trigger for discussion with the team at your course & within your national owners association.

Use the tools and best practices as examples to create your own better idea to improve your business. Learn from others and share your experience. We are in this together. It is our joint responsibility and interest to improve the golf business. Together we are stronger.''

Lodewijk Klootwijk EGCOA Director

Explore the key opportunities for the future of European golf

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