Golf advertising isn't dead. On the contrary, it's more important than ever.
It's common knowledge that the US economy is in shambles, or close to it. Unemployment is on the rise, jobs are being lost at record paces, the stock market is even more tumultuous than usual, and we have an outgoing administration that has simply lost control of the situation and now, we're just waiting for the new guy to come in and hopefully make it all better. But if we've learned one thing from past recessions and depressions, it's that when economic times get tough, the American people turn to entertainment and sports for consoling. During the Great Depression, the movie industry saw huge gains, because people were going out to the matinees to escape the dreary hopelessness of life.
Similarly, you can count on sports like golf seeing – if not an increase in activity – at the very least a steady level of interest, even as the economy suffers. People won't be out shopping, but they will still be playing sports, like golf, in order to keep their minds off their economic troubles. And each one of those golfers seeking respite will be a potential customer for golf advertising efforts. Any company trying to sell a golf-related product, like a new type of putter or a pair of golfing shoes, will need to have the best golf advertising possible. People are going to be tight-fisted, but they'll still buy stuff that matters to them, so if golf advertising is going to work, it needs to be high quality, powerful stuff.
Golf advertising agencies love this type of atmosphere. Companies get worried about the market tightening, so they start focusing on getting the best possible advertising. Because business is gained through marketing, companies are willing to spend even more on advertising just to get a leg up on the competition.
The world of golf advertising is no different. It becomes more important than ever, given the massive influx of new customers coupled with the economic downturn, that your golf advertising is up to par.
