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Is Cycling the New Golf?

07.07.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 18 Comments

I’ll bet you’ve heard that line before. It’s become almost a cliche. But at its heart, the expression tells us something about the changing tastes of adults in recreation.

Industry figures sum up the story: The National Bicycle Dealers Association says bike sales (20″ wheels and larger) were up 15 percent in 2010 over 2009. A total of six billion dollars worth of bikes were sold last year. Service and repair work is reported to be up, too.

Golf, however, is declining. For the past three years, according to the National Golf Foundation, the number of golfers has dropped. It’s down to about 26.1 million. The recession, of course, was a large factor in that decline, and so was the generally poorer weather during the summer of 2010 compared to the previous summer. But those don’t account for all of golf’s loss.

The Bike Noob might be a typical golfer-turned-cyclist. Senior golfers — those of age 60 and up — are about 45 percent of all golfers. But that group is not growing, partly because they die off, and partly because they stop playing regularly.

The Bike Noob fades a drive back into the middle of the fairway during a Hawaiian vacation. (You can see the ball above my left hand.)

Golf has traditionally been considered a business relationship builder. I remember my father telling me years ago to take up golf, because business deals are done on the golf course. My dad was part of a golf league in the large company where he worked. But just last month, I visited the headquarters of a company renowned for its employee health and wellness program. It has a cycling group of over 100 people. No golf league.

Now, however, cycling clubs might offer the chance to grow business relationships. On a weekend ride, club members can churn out the miles, then discuss their biking and their business over coffee, or lunch, or whatever, afterwards. I’ve seen it happen among members of my own club — many of whom work in the same general field.

And as adults age, another popular recreational activity — running — might be losing its attraction because of the way it contributes to knee problems. Cycling is a good alternative, because while it can cause trouble with the knees, more often it eases chronic knee trouble. That’s why I switched from running to riding.

So it might not be much of a surprise to learn that the high growth area within cycling last year was among road bikers.

The golf industry, meanwhile, is concerned that the number of kids between 6 and 17 who take up golf has been falling — by about 24 percent during the last decade. Optimistic predictions about golf’s growth peg it at only one percent between now and 2020.

On the cycling side, high gas prices are causing more adults to look into bike commuting as a way to hold down their costs. Commuters are still a tiny percentage in most cities, but their numbers are growing.

Since 2008, my golfing has taken a precipitous nosedive. I played one round of golf last year. Just one. None so far this year. But I’m on my bike three or four days a week. I’m meeting new people and finding I have a lot in common with them. Neither my wife nor I miss golf at all, although we’ll happily play a round if the opportunity arises.

For us, cycling is indeed the new golf.

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Comments

  1. johnt says

    July 7, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    You nailed that one. Just look at all the 60 somethings zipping by us on the veloway. Soemtimes there is a whole peloton of them in the morning.

    Reply
  2. Tommy F says

    July 7, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    I’ll wager that ball is slicing to the middle of the fairway; a draw would take it into the left tree line…

    Funny that I played golf a great deal – club membership and all – only to retire to take up cycling. Definitely not enough time to do both and cycling is better for my health.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      July 7, 2011 at 8:31 pm

      Thanks for pointing out my boo-boo, Tommy. See how long I’ve been away from golf? I’ve forgotten the correct terminology. By the way, it’s a controlled fade — not a slice. 🙂 (I have changed the photo caption to “fade” from “draw.”)

      Reply
      • Tommy F says

        July 8, 2011 at 3:34 pm

        The Golden Bear would be proud…

        Reply
  3. Bill Simons says

    July 7, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    I’m right there with you. Having played many rounds (and many times with you) I found I was hurrying through golf so I could go ride. I’ve found more great friends and ultimately more business than I ever did playing golf. Anyone want to buy a nice set of clubs?

    Reply
  4. Bryan says

    July 7, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    When I was in the military I played golf all the time. Was almost required in the officer ranks. Since leaving the service in 2006 I haven’t played a round. Been cycling ever since.

    Reply
  5. Glenn_in_MA says

    July 7, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    yes, yes it is

    Reply
  6. amateurgolfer says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:50 am

    Funnily enough I used to cycle a lot in my teenage years, even staging my own mini Tour de France with my cousins, then I took up golf, does this mean that when I hit retirement I will go back to cycling?

    Reply
  7. anonymous says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I’m another poster boy for this topic. For me cost is obviously part of the equation. Although the start up costs are similar (a quality set of golf clubs costs as much as a decent carbon fiber bike), it’s a pain to pay every time you want to practice or play with golf. With my bike, all I have to do is roll out of the driveway and hit the road. However, more than the cost, the time involved is really what has been the biggest turn off for golf. Weekend rounds take a minimum of five hours (I’ve had some backup all the way to six). I’m not sure why that is, perhaps people are emulating the pros they see on TV or just aren’t quite versed in the game. However, it’s something USGA needs to address for the health of the game. Combine that with an hour of drive time to and from the course and half of your day is gone. I’d much rather spend my Saturdays riding my usual 40-50 miles, and be done and showered in three hours. I can count the rounds of golf I’ve played this year on one hand. I do miss the sport, but I don’t miss sitting on a tee box waiting for two groups ahead of me to tee off…

    Reply
  8. amerck says

    July 8, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Does this mean golf will become the next hipster sport?

    Reply
  9. pickspub says

    July 11, 2011 at 11:04 am

    I think you’re right. The health benefits coupled with the camaraderie of riding in a group make it a great alternative to golf. I’ve definitely seen larger corporations embracing the sport (lots of company kits out there nowdays) and it does look like its on the upswing.

    Reply
  10. JBM says

    July 12, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Five minutes of watching the Tour de France is infinitely more exciting than watching five hours of a master classic snotpuff golf tournament. Show me the accomplishments of the guy that wins the obscenely ugly King of the Mountain jersey over the one that wins a green, vomit-hued blazer anyday. I remain at a loss why that particular activity, like NASCAR, remains classified as a sport. Yes, I loathe golf. Cycling is just plain awesome.

    Reply
  11. Cycling For Beginners says

    July 12, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    I used to play golf, but find cycling to be better exercise and less frustrating than golf. I never could find the time to play golf enough to really improve my game, and therefore I was more and more frustrated. With cycling I can always find a ride that’s both fun and challenging.

    Reply
  12. Aaron LaDuke says

    July 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    I enjoy to golf and ride at the same time!! Check it out http://www.byob.bbnow.org

    Reply
  13. Nick says

    March 9, 2012 at 9:05 am

    i enjoy both sports, and as a 26 year-old i can still muster the energy of a 50-60 mile ride followed by a 1pm tee time, but its tough.

    for me, if i’m low on funds or have blown my greens fee budget for the month, cycling is an easy alternative.

    i would say cycling is by far a less social sport however. It’s pretty tough to strike up a conversation if you’re ripping at a solid pace, or if your climbing. once the ride is over comes the social aspect.
    As a side note, i enjoy te fact that people get way drunker after cycling purely based on the lack of hydration/food, its great for post-bike socials…

    Reply
  14. Bike Noob says

    April 28, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    Okay, it’s almost two years after the original post, but The Economist has decided the issue is worth attention, too. http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2013/04/business-networking?fsrc=scn%2Fln_ec%2Fcycling_is_the_new_golf

    Reply

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