The Next Generation of Golfers is Driving Golf Technology Forward

By Team Whoosh

Gone are the days when golf was perceived as a leisurely pastime reserved for retirees. According to the National Golf Foundation’s 2024 Graffis Report, over the last four years, golf has had a notable renaissance among young people, ages 6-17. With a 40% increase in this demographic taking up the game, this segment experienced the largest gains of any age group since 2019! In fact, there were more on-course youth golfers in 2023 than any year since 2006, and their fresh perspectives and tech-savvy attitudes are catalyzing innovations in the industry.?

Why the Sudden Interest?

One key factor for this rise in youth participation was the COVID-19 pandemic. As traditional indoor activities became restricted, many turned to outdoor pursuits like golf–one of the few recreation options during the pandemic–for exercise. The sport’s “socially distanced” nature made it an appealing option during times of heightened health concerns. As we have now moved toward “post-pandemic” life, many parents like golf for their kids because it’s a safer alternative to contact sports while still providing camaraderie, strategy and athleticism.???

As a result of this rise in the younger demographic, golf clubs and organizations prioritized making the sport more accessible, inclusive and welcoming to newcomers. Today, we have “golf in schools” programs to introduce kids to the game, and young golf enthusiasts benefit from initiatives like The First Tee, Youth on Course, Operation 36, PGA Junior League, summer camps, discounted club memberships and more beginner-friendly facilities.?

Where the prior generation may have cut their teeth on mini-golf courses, today’s young golfers have access to golf simulator facilities and eatertainment venues like Topgolf or Drive Shack. Virtual reality and simulation technologies allow young golfers to practice and play virtual rounds from the comfort of their own homes or simulator banks, regardless of weather or time constraints.?

Similarly, the growing popularity of “esports” has led to the emergence of virtual golf tournaments and competitions. Games like “PGA Tour 2K21” and “WGT Golf” offer realistic simulations of famous courses and allow players to compete against each other online. This fusion of gaming and golfing has introduced the sport to a new younger audience and created unique opportunities for engagement and sponsorship.

In addition, the rise of social media influencers showcasing their love for golf has helped to demystify and promote the sport while making it more relatable to the younger demographic. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Twitch feature golf content creators who produce a wide range of videos and live streams showcasing everything from instructional tips to course vlogs. These digital influencers bring a fresh, youthful energy to the sport while attracting a new generation of fans.

The New Landscape of Golf Technology

According to Common Sense Media, 91% of 14 year olds have their own smartphone and teens pick up their phones a median of 51 times per day. This is important because the younger generation communicates very differently than previous generations, and their “tech-spectations” are reshaping the landscape of golf technology. Manufacturers and developers are responding to this shift with innovative products designed to enhance the playing experience and better align with the evolving needs of modern golfers who expect ease-of-use and instant booking options. If your club’s technology is older than your assistant pro, then you need to start rethinking your tech-stack ASAP!

New technologies are revolutionizing the way all golfers approach booking, course management and gameplay, but this is especially true of the younger generation of upcoming golfers. This cohort does not want to call a pro shop to book a tee-time—they expect to book lessons or clinics easily online or through an app, just as they would for an Uber.

This emerging generation of golfers is also accustomed to constant personalized feedback because of their wearable technologies (like smartwatches and health trackers). With specific integrations, your club can also provide real-time information about course layout, hazards and distances, helping players make more informed decisions on how they play. For the older generation of players at your club, this feels like a bonus, but the younger generation of players expect this feedback.?

Enter: Whoosh

Whoosh, with its cloud-based, tablet-centric software features a modern, intuitive interface that young players are accustomed to and older players can easily operate. Our member booking app—for both Apple and Android—makes reservation booking convenient and easy. Whoosh allows members to quickly manage all their on-site needs, from the course to the clubhouse, through one app.

On the staff side, Whoosh has streamlined staff workflows and untethered them from the golf shop desk. This enables them to focus on providing great hospitality to their members instead of spending their time battling an ailing technology solution–especially in light of the surge in golf’s post-pandemic popularity.?

Even prior to Covid, operators had been clamoring for modernization of their tee sheets and operational software for years. When Whoosh debuted at the January 2022 PGA show, most of the legacy solutions available were 20+ years old! And, as you can imagine, the newest generation of golfers doesn’t want to use technology older than they are.?

Today, we continue to innovate and strive to push the boundaries of industry, ensuring the continued technological growth of the game. This past November we refreshed the look and feel of our member app, making it even more intuitive to use and, more recently, did the same for our staff-side software. “By empowering golfers and staff alike, we are able to modernize the golf experience for the next generation of PGA professionals and avid golfers,” said Gretchen Weber, PGA and Whoosh’s Chief of Staff. As a young female golf pro in Seattle, Gretchen experienced the frustration of outdated golf software. “It was amazing to see how much more efficient our team could be with tech like Whoosh. It required almost zero ramp up time for me and the other junior staff!”?

The modern tech revolution isn’t slowing down as the new generation of players bring fresh perspectives and preferences to the fairways. Your club needs to be looking toward innovations for your future staff and members whose modern expectations are shaping the future of the game. Join us in building the tee sheet of the future. Learn more.