In January CLICKON had a New Year’s solution to golf’s biggest problem. Millennials are falling out of touch with one of the most recognisable sports in the world and nobody gives a shit. We do! That’s why we came up with three challenges, provided music and let golf bring the fun. So we invited 50 fans and before we could open a drink, found ourselves with 120 people playing golf, drinking beer and having a good time in Notting Hill, London.
Challenge one: ‘Chippin’ Hell’
Pitch the ball into objects whilst your mates watch. Waiting on the tee has never been so easy with house music and a beer, there wasn’t a marshall or chinos in sight.
Challenge two: ‘Any Hole’s A Goal’
No description required…
We had a golf night tonight. Booze, music and GOLF! #golfchat #adgolfchamps @gcw @Md_18undapar @TeamGolfGods pic.twitter.com/fxXBY3vzUH
— CLICKON Golf (@CLICKONGolf) January 21, 2016
It would shock you to know how popular hitting golf balls into an asshole became, slightly worrying you filthy sadists.
Challenge Three: ‘Dirty Darts’
Many of our playing audience brought a plus one and introduced their partners to golf with neon. That sweet strike that brought us all to the game was shared with our friends in an environment where shanking and skanking were encouraged.
Golf’s Big Problem
If you want an example of flat-footed corporate answers look no further than golf. You may find it hard to believe that it’s still the second most valuable sport in the world to sponsors after soccer, so why the hell are young people ignored in this commercial bananza?
Simple really, where other sports have modernised and adapted golf has pulled the bed sheets over it’s head and ignored the world. Lockinlive was a pullback of the curtains and a cup of coffee, it was a reminder to a sport that’s been passed out on the couch for too long…#Wakeupgolf
So What Do Fans Want From Golf?
We sat down and asked our audience what they needed from us. They wanted interactive entertainment, music, a good time and most importantly they wanted a sport that slotted into their social lives, not the other way around.
Gen Y are time poor but socially rich, so we tailored an event that understood the conflict of commitments with our appetite for collectivity. Here’s the truth, “as a sport it doesn’t reflect the kind of values millennials like—diversity, inclusion. Golf tends to not be those things,” writes SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell.
A Year Of Game Changing Events
Our event proved that golf can appeal to a broader audience, it was evidence that it can be integrated into busy lives with a social slant.
So when we arrange our next event in April we will turn it up. Five times more people, 3 times as many sports and even bigger speakers for our DJ. Thanks for coming and we can’t wait to invite you back, our community are awesome and we were blessed to share our vision with sports enthusiasts and complete novices. Until next time…
